High School Football Preview 2017 by Specialty Publications

2017 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017

| Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Prep Football Preview

ENCORE

Awaiting four champions’ second act C

rowds of thousands are waiting. The lights are dimmed (until Friday night, at least). The openers — albeit, freshmen and sophomores in high school wearing pads — will finish up with their performances as the sun starts to set. So, what are this area’s four reigning Sac-Joaquin Section champions going to due for an encore? Maybe go with a funky cult favorite like “Strawberry Fields Forever.” No, has to be a classic like “Jumpin' Jack Flash.” Wait a second, these are teenage football players, not pampered rock stars. And they have massive acts to follow, after St. Mary’s (Division I), Manteca (D-IV), Amador (D-VI) and Brookside Christian (D-VII) captured championships last autumn. It was the third

Thomas Lawrence for the Rams, the fifth for the Buffaloes, the first for the Thundering Herd and the third for the Knights. All four would play in NorCal bowl games, and St. Mary’s and Amador were state runners-up. So, what awaits The Record’s coverage area – San Joaquin, Calaveras and Amador counties – in this encore that is 2017? St. Mary’s brings back faces that are now embedded in program lore, like unflappable tailback Dusty Frampton (program record 2,345 rushing yards last season) and a pair of

three-phase stars in Marcus Aponte and Tre Jenkins III. How will the rest of the section’s powers, whether it be a Folsom, El Dorado Hills-Oak Ridge or a Loomis-Del Oro, counter what was undeniably the class of the Sac-Joaquin a year ago? Manteca, while it’ll be No. 2 behind St. Mary’s in The Record’s preseason power rankings, may have the best chance for a state championship because it is a medium-sized school and wouldn't have to face, say, Concord-De La Salle at any stage. The Buffaloes have four returning firstteam All-Area picks and seniors in quarterback Gino Campiotti, linemen Justin Kakala and Kyle Reis and linebacker Ferrin Manuleleua. Manteca has as tough a schedule as it’s had,

From left, Manteca’s Gino Campiotti, St. Mary’s Marcus Aponte, Amador’s Brandon Wright and Brookside Christian’s Reuben Lee are all leaders on defending SacJoaquin Section champions. [CLIFFORD OTO/THE RECORD]

quite possibly ever, and is seeking section title No. 6. It’s lost its first two attempts at a NorCal banner – bowl game losses to Redding-Enterprise in 2013 and Menlo-Atherton last December – and hopes that the third time is ... well, you know.

Amador was hit perhaps the hardest by graduation, but charismatic coach Bill Baker, an Amador alumnus, is still there, and ferocious linebacker Brandon Wright is the beating heart of the defense. Brookside Christian has a new coach in Mike Huber and a young offensive line. However, they have a juggernaut of a football player in senior athlete Reuben Lee, who’s a threat to amass 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards this season. Will this quartet of defending champs have a Madison Square Gardenworthy encore, or will they show up overconfident and out-of-tune? Well, the good thing about this week, is we can stop jabbering about what may be. The season is here. So put your lighter in the air.

The Area’s All-Time Sac-Joaquin Section Champions A look back at the championship history of teams from The Record’s coverage area Author’s note: This list includes any team from San Joaquin, Calaveras or Amador counties who has advanced to a section ﬁnal. Teams that have only appeared in championship games, but have not won, are also included. DIVISION I Edison Vikings 2003 – 14-6 loss to Grant Lincoln Trojans 2000 – 35-28 OT win over Elk Grove 2002 – 9-6 loss to Jesuit St. Mary’s Rams 2004 – 50-45 win over Nevada Union 2007 – 38-36 loss to Napa 2008 – 36-14 win over Pleasant Grove 2016 – 56-25 win over Folsom Stagg Delta Kings 1976 – 22-21 OT loss to Cordova 1979 – 21-8 loss to Cordova Tracy Bulldogs

1982 – 14-12 win over Cordova 1987 – 17-16 win over Yuba City 2014 – 55-7 loss to Folsom West Wolf Pack 2005 – 46-7 loss to Nevada Union DIVISION II East Union Lancers 1989 – 29-22 loss to Del Oro Manteca Buffaloes 1975 – 20-6 loss to Placer 1978 – 15-12 loss to Ponderosa 1993 – 16-0 loss to Del Oro 2001 – 21-0 win over Del Oro St. Mary’s Rams 1976 – 28-20 loss to Placer 2014 – 21-14 loss to Grant West Wolf Pack 1997 – 41-19 loss to Del Oro DIVISION III Bret Harte Bullfrogs 1978 – 22-0 loss to Delta 1979 – 19-12 win over Justin-Siena Calaveras High 1971 – 26-7 loss to Dixon 1980 – 21-0 loss to Central Catholic 1991 – 34-14 loss to Hughson 1992 – 27-21 loss to Hughson

Escalon Cougars 1990 – 28-21 loss to Livingston 1993 – 34-17 win over Ripon 1996 – 16-14 win over Hughson 1998 – 19-12 OT loss to Mesa Verde 1999 – 20-7 loss to Mesa Verde 2001 – 20-14 loss to Central Catholic Linden Lions 1977 – 38-28 loss to Delta Manteca Buffaloes 2002 – 33-30 loss to Colfax 2005 – 34-7 win over Sonora 2013 – 49-6 win over Sacramento Ripon Indians 1976 – 40-16 loss to Washington 1982 - 21-14 loss to Benicia 1983 – 27-6 loss to Justin-Siena 1993 – 34-17 loss to Escalon DIVISION IV Argonaut Mustangs 2004 – 17-0 win over Linden Bret Harte Bullfrogs 1986 – 35-17 loss to Hilmar 1987 – 28-14 loss to Hilmar Calaveras High 1989 – 28-7 loss to Hilmar 1997 – 30-6 loss to Central Catholic 2002 – 33-0 loss to Escalon 2010 – 22-20 loss to Escalon

Escalon Cougars 1994 – 19-0 win over Modesto Christian 2000 – 23-20 win over Marysville 2002 – 33-0 win over Calaveras 2003 – 21-20 win over Hilmar 2005 – 23-0 win over Hilmar 2010 – 22-20 win over Calaveras 2011 – 20-17 loss to Hilmar 2012 – 52-10 loss to Central Catholic Linden Lions 1988 – 48-28 loss to Hilmar 2004 – 17-0 loss to Argonaut Manteca Buffaloes 2006 – 34-14 win over Colfax 2016 – 50-28 win over Placer Ripon Indians 1996 – 31-14 win over Mariposa Sierra Timberwolves 2015 – 42-0 win over Liberty Ranch No area teams have played in Division V ﬁnals DIVISION VI Amador Thundering Herd 2016 – 30-7 win over Bradshaw Christian Brookside Christian Knights 2009 – 42-38 loss to Bradshaw Christian

2010 – 28-6 win over Bradshaw Christian 2012 – 60-26 win over Foresthill Ripon Christian Knights 2013 – 35-28 loss to Bradshaw Christian DIVISION VII Brookside Christian Knights 2016 – 54-21 win over Stone Ridge Christian Elliot Christian Eagles 2014 – 19-14 loss to Stone Ridge Christian

Total championships won Area leaderboard The team is followed by number of championships won, and ﬁnals appearances in parenthesis. Escalon: 8 (14) Manteca: 5 (9) St. Mary’s: 3 (6) Brookside Christian: 3 (4) Tracy: 2 (3) Ripon: 1 (5) Bret Harte: 1 (4) Lincoln: 1 (2) Argonaut: 1 (1) Sierra: 1 (1) Amador: 1 (1)

The Record

Wednesday, August 23, 2017 |

2017 PREP FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL WEEK 0 (AUG. 25) 7 p.m. Ceres at Weston Ranch 7 p.m. Delta Charter at Vacaville Chr. 7 p.m. El Capitan at Calaveras 7 p.m. Kimball at Livermore 7 p.m. Mesa Verde at Argonaut 7 p.m. Rio Vista at Brookside Chr. (at Bear Creek) 7 p.m. Ripon at Sierra 7 p.m. Tokay at Heritage 7 p.m. Truckee at Bret Harte 7 p.m. Union Mine at Amador 7 p.m. Valley Christian at Manteca 7 p.m. West at Lathrop 7:15 p.m. Antioch at Lincoln 7:15 p.m. Bear Creek at Grace Davis 7:15 p.m. Linden at Franklin 7:15 p.m. McNair at Elk Grove-Franklin 7:15 p.m. Reno at Stagg 7:15 p.m. San Ramon Valley at Tracy 7:30 p.m. Chavez at Mountain House 7:30 p.m. Enochs at Escalon WEEK 1 (SEPT. 1) 7 p.m. Amador at Livingston 7 p.m. Ceres at East Union 7 p.m. Franklin at Florin 7 p.m. Fremont at Brookside Chr. (at Lincoln) 7 p.m. Gustine at Linden 7 p.m. Lincoln at Pitman 7 p.m. Millennium at Elsie Allen 7 p.m. Ripon Chr. at Stone Ridge Chr. 7 p.m. St. Mary's at Cardinal Newman 7 p.m. Sierra at Central Valley 7:15 p.m. Atwater at McNair 7:15 p.m. Enochs at West 7:15 p.m. Manteca at Chr. Bros. (at Sac. City College) 7:15 p.m. Modesto at Stagg 7:15 p.m. Sonora at Lodi (Grape Bowl) 7:15 p.m. Tokay at Bear Creek 7:15 p.m. Weston Ranch at Edison 7:30 p.m. Calaveras at Escalon 7:30 p.m. Chavez at Cordova 7:30 p.m. Galt at Ripon 7:30 p.m. Lathrop at Hilmar 7:30 p.m. Riverbank at Bret Harte WEEK 2 (SEPT. 8) 7 p.m. Argonaut at Colfax 7 p.m. Bear Creek at Weston Ranch 7 p.m. Bret Harte at Golden Sierra 7 p.m. Delta Charter at Amador 7 p.m. Denair at Millennium 7 p.m. Edison at Beyer 7 p.m. Escalon at Liberty 7 p.m. Franklin at Liberty Ranch (at Galt) 7 p.m. Galt at Linden

7 p.m. Johansen at East Union 7 p.m. Manteca at Enochs (at Gregori) 7 p.m. McNair at Merced 7 p.m. Sierra at Pacheco 7:15 p.m. Central Catholic at St. Mary's 7:15 p.m. Downey at Tokay (Grape Bowl) 7:15 p.m. Elk Grove at Lincoln 7:15 p.m. Kimball at West 7:15 p.m. Laguna Creek at Stagg 7:15 p.m. Lodi at Chavez 7:15 p.m. Turlock at Tracy 7:30 p.m. Calaveras at Modesto Chr. 7:30 p.m. Sonora at Ripon 7:30 p.m. Summerville at Ripon Chr. 7:30 p.m. Waterford at Mountain House WEEK 3 (SEPT. 15) 3:30 p.m. Brookside Christian at Arroyo 7 p.m. Edison at Heritage 7 p.m. Escalon at Liberty Ranch (at Galt) 7 p.m. Highlands at Bret Harte 7 p.m. Lathrop at Elk GroveFranklin (at Cos. Oaks) 7 p.m. Lincoln at Golden Valley 7 p.m. Tracy at Kimball 7 p.m. Union Mine at Calaveras 7:15 p.m. East Union at West 7:15 p.m. Gregori at McNair 7:15 p.m. Tokay at Chavez 7:15 p.m. Vallejo at Bear Creek 3:30 p.m. Brookside Christian at Arroyo 7:30 p.m. Grace Davis at Ripon 7:30 p.m. Linden at Le Grand 7:30 p.m. Millennium at Rio Vista 7:30 p.m. Mountain House at Livingston WEEK 4 (SEPT. 22) 7 p.m. Argonaut at Bret Harte 7 p.m. Brookside Chr. at Stone Ridge Chr. 7 p.m. Calaveras at Sonora 7 p.m. Central Catholic at Manteca 7 p.m. Escalon at Patterson 7 p.m. Kimball at Sierra 7 p.m. Linden at Amador 7 p.m. Millennium at Big Valley Chr. 7 p.m. Oakdale at East Union 7 p.m. West at Central Valley 7 p.m. Weston Ranch at Lathrop 7:15 p.m. Lodi at Edison 7:15 p.m. McNair at Tokay (Grape Bowl) 7:15 p.m. Oakland at Chavez 7:30 p.m. Fortuna at Mountain House 7:30 p.m. Lincoln at Vintage 7:30 p.m. Ripon Chr. at Orestimba 7:30 p.m. Sutter at Ripon WEEK 5 (SEPT. 29) 7 p.m. Argonaut at Calaveras 7 p.m. Bret Harte at Winters

7 p.m. Delta Charter at Delta 7 p.m. East Union at Kimball 7 p.m. Franklin at Galt 7 p.m. Lathrop at Manteca 7 p.m. Linden at Summerville 7 p.m. Oakdale at Weston Ranch 7 p.m. Sierra at Central Catholic 7 p.m. Sonora at Amador 7 p.m. Stagg at Christian Bros. 7 p.m. Stellar Prep at Brookside Chr. (at Lincoln) 7:15 p.m. Bear Creek at Lodi (Grape Bowl) 7:15 p.m. Pacheco at Edison 7:30 p.m. Millennium at Riverbank 7:30 p.m. Ripon Chr. at Waterford WEEK 6 (OCT. 6) 7 p.m. Amador at Argonaut 7 p.m. Bret Harte at Calaveras 7 p.m. Central Catholic at East Union 7 p.m. Kimball at Weston Ranch 7 p.m. Lathrop at Sierra 7 p.m. Manteca at Oakdale 7:15 p.m. Chavez at McNair 7:15 p.m. Edison at Bear Creek 7:15 p.m. Lodi at Tracy 7:15 p.m. St. Mary's at Tokay (Grape Bowl) 7:15 p.m. Stagg at Franklin 7:15 p.m. West at Lincoln 7:30 p.m. Denair at Ripon Chr. 7:30 p.m. Escalon at Hilmar 7:30 p.m. Ripon at Mountain House WEEK 7 (OCT. 13) 7 p.m. Amador at Bret Harte 7 p.m. Delta Charter at Big Valley Chr. 7 p.m. East Union at Lathrop 7 p.m. Kimball at Manteca 7 p.m. Linden at Sonora 7 p.m. Sierra at Oakdale 7 p.m. Summerville at Argonaut 7 p.m. Turlock Chr. at Millennium 7 p.m. Weston Ranch at Central Catholic 7:15 p.m. Bear Creek at Stagg 7:15 p.m. Franklin at Chavez 7:15 p.m. Lincoln at Lodi (Grape Bowl) 7:15 p.m. McNair at Edison 7:15 p.m. Tokay at Tracy 7:15 p.m. West at St. Mary's 7:30 p.m. Gustine at Ripon Chr. 7:30 p.m. Modesto Chr. at Ripon 7:30 p.m. Mountain House at Escalon WEEK 8 (OCT. 20) 7 p.m. Argonaut at Linden 7 p.m. Brookside Chr. at Big Valley Chr. 7 p.m. Calaveras at Amador 7 p.m. Central Catholic at Lathrop 7 p.m. Manteca at Weston Ranch 7 p.m. Millennium at Stone Ridge Chr. 7 p.m. Oakdale at Kimball 7 p.m. Sierra at East Union

7 p.m. Summerville at Bret Harte 7:15 p.m. Bear Creek at Franklin 7:15 p.m. Chavez at Edison 7:15 p.m. Lincoln at Tokay 7:15 p.m. Lodi at West 7:15 p.m. Stagg at McNair 7:15 p.m. Tracy at St. Mary's 7:30 p.m. Escalon at Ripon 7:30 p.m. Hughson at Mountain House 7:30 p.m. Ripon Chr. at Mariposa WEEK 9 (OCT. 27) 7 p.m. Amador at Yosemite 7 p.m. Bret Harte at Linden 7 p.m. Calaveras at Summerville 7 p.m. Central Catholic at Kimball 7 p.m. East Union at Weston Ranch 7 p.m. Lathrop at Oakdale 7 p.m. Manteca at Sierra 7 p.m. Sierra Ridge/ROP at Millennium 7 p.m. Sonora at Argonaut 7:15 p.m. Chavez at Bear Creek 7:15 p.m. Edison at Stagg 7:15 p.m. Franklin at McNair 7:15 p.m. St. Mary's at Lodi (Grape Bowl) 7:15 p.m. Tokay at West 7:15 p.m. Tracy at Lincoln 7:30 p.m. Le Grand at Ripon Chr. 7:30 p.m. Modesto Chr. at Escalon 7:30 p.m. Mountain House at Hilmar 7:30 p.m. Ripon at Hughson WEEK 10 (Nov. 3) 7 p.m. Amador at Summerville 7 p.m. Bret Harte at Sonora 7 p.m. East Union at Manteca 7 p.m. Franklin at Edison 7 p.m. Kimball at Lathrop 7 p.m. Linden at Calaveras 7 p.m. Weston Ranch at Sierra 7:15 p.m. Bear Creek at McNair 7:15 p.m. Edison at Franklin 7:15 p.m. Lodi at Tokay (Grape Bowl) 7:15 p.m. St. Mary's at Lincoln

7:15 p.m. Stagg at Chavez 7:15 p.m. West at Tracy 7:30 p.m. Argonaut at Dixon 7:30 p.m. Hughson at Escalon 7:30 p.m. Mountain House at Modesto Chr. 7:30 p.m. Ripon at Hilmar 7:30 p.m. Ripon Chr. at Delhi

SATURDAY GAMES WEEK 0 (AUG. 26) 7:15 p.m. Serra at St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s WEEK 1 (SEPT. 2) 1 p.m. Delta Charter at Sierra Ridge/ROP WEEK 2 (SEPT. 9) 7 p.m. Milpitas at Brookside Chr. (at Bear Creek) WEEK 3 (SEPT. 16) 10:30 a.m. Argonaut vs. St. Bonaventure (at Mission Viejo) 1 p.m. Delta Charter at Portola 7:15 p.m. St. Mary's at Cosumnes Oaks WEEK 4 (SEPT. 23) At Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara 7 p.m. Mater Dei vs. St. Mary's WEEK 6 (OCT. 7) 7 p.m. Riverbank at Brookside Chr. (at Bear Creek) WEEK 7 (OCT. 14) 1 p.m. Brookside Chr. at Sierra Ridge/ROP WEEK 9 (OCT. 28) 7 p.m. Turlock Chr. at Brookside Chr. (at Lincoln) WEEK 10 (NOV. 4) 7 p.m. Millennium at Brookside Chr. (at Lincoln)

| Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Prep Football Preview

T C A L S T. M A R Y ’ S R A M S

Defending champs eager for new chapter By Thomas Lawrence Record Staff Writer

aces stand out in sports memories more than most details. Like the joyous smile upon the then 71-year-old David Tipton’s face, as the defensive coordinator celebrated a pick-six interception during the St. Mary’s football team’s 49-0 win over ModestoCentral Catholic in the “Holy Bowl” last September. The face of Tipton, a former NFL lineman and Stanford assistant coach, and 31 graduating seniors, are no longer around for a Rams program that’s a defending SacJoaquin Section and Northern California champion. Even the defense – dubbed the “Tipton Tilt” by head coach Tony Franks last season, referring to a preferred stance by Tipton for his lineman – is simply known as an “even front” now. “We may put up a statue ... of a guy with a tilt and call it Coach Tipton,” Franks said with a smile as the Rams opened practice on July 31. “We’ll miss Dave.” St. Mary’s, the three-time defending Tri-City Athletic League champ, will also miss quarterback Jake Dunniway (a UC Davis walk-on and The Record’s All-Area Player of the Year), receivers Dewey Cotton (Sacramento State) and Keaton

SEASON OUTLOOK Head coach: Tony Franks (19th year, 16th year in a row) 2016 results: 14-2, 5-0 TCAL, beat Folsom 56-25 in section Division I ﬁnal, beat Freedom 49-40 in CIF NorCal Division 1-AA bowl, lost 38-35 in OT to Cathedral Catholic in Division 1-AA state ﬁnal Toughest losses: QB Jake Dunniway, OL/DL Popo Aumavae, OL/DL Cole Norgaard, WR Dewey Cotton, WR/CB Keaton Hampton Key returners: QB/WR/DB Marcus Aponte, sr., RB Dusty Frampton, sr., DB/WR Tre Jenkins III, sr., OL/DL Max

Frampton

Head coach Tony Franks, center, and the St. Mary’s football team celebrate their win over Folsom in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I ﬁnals on Dec. 3, 2016, at Sacramento State’s Hornet Stadium. Franks is back for his 19th season overall leading St. Mary’s. [CRAIG SANDERS/RECORD FILE 2016]

Hampton, and linemen like Cole Norgaard (Washington) and Popo Aumavae (Oregon). The good news for green and white loyalists is that St. Mary’s as a program is long past rebuilding, retooling or any other cliché notion. Another wave of talent is ready: some new, some green (pun intended). Senior running back Dusty Frampton returns after a masterful, if physically agonizing, postseason, and a school record 2,345 rushing yards over 16 games. His blockers are mostly new, at

least the starting linemen, but he’ll have a rising collegiate prospect in Max Barth (6-foot-6, 280 pounds) creating daylight for him. Marcus Aponte, a firstteam All-Area pick who was a receiver, cornerback and occasionally a running quarterback in 2016, could play at quarterback and receiver for offensive coordinator Doug Carruesco’s group. “I’ve been taking a lot of firstteam reps, throughout the whole practice rather than just at the end like last year,” said Aponte, who had two touchdown grabs

in the state finals against San Diego-Cathedral Catholic. “I’m still focusing on my wide receiver spot.” But, Aponte may not need to switch positions. St. Mary’s can afford for Aponte to split his time, because of a potential master in the making. Noah May, a sophomore, hardly looks like an underclassman. The lanky, 6-foot-2 right-handed quarterback has a strong arm and a precocious knowledge of the position. Franks, watching St. Mary’s practice under his

Barth, sr., LB Harrison Heath, sr. Top newcomers: QB Noah May, soph., WR James Herrera, sr., CB Jordan Doyle, jr. Trap game: “All of them,” Franks said with a chuckle. Schemes – Offense: Pistol, Defense: Even front/4-2-5 Area of Strength: Strong running game returns Area of Concern: Inexperience at key positions like O-line, D-line and quarterback

led by Max Barth, the ring leader. But there are some guys vying for that No. 1 spot.” Scariest player to get hit by: “Drew Jenkins, just because he’s always so angry. He’s just always mad. You never know what he might unload on you.”

and the state championship. Frampton compiled 100 carries for 811 yards and nine touchdowns in that stretch, taking a beating and in some cases, willing St. Mary’s to victory.

TWO FROM THE COACH Funniest player and why: “You don’t have to look any farther than the offensive line, probably

BY THE NUMBERS

2,345

Running back Dusty Frampton set a school record with a whopping 2,345 rushing yards in a 16-game season in 2016. Just as impressive are his numbers for the three biggest postseason games: the section ﬁnals, the NorCal bowl game

Franks has completed more seasons as head coach of his current team than anyone in The Record’s coverage area, which includes San Joaquin, Calaveras and Amador counties. In his 20s, Franks coached St. Mary’s from 1984-86 before embarking on a college assistant career at Santa Clara and UC Davis, and returning to his post in Stockton in 2002.

Jenkins III

trademark sun hat on July 31, believed a few weeks before the season began that May would be the weekly starter. “It looks like we’re going to go with Noah ... but we still have to decide what the best thing (for us) will be,” Franks said. “Marcus clearly plays a role in that. (May) doesn’t look like a sophomore at all. He’s real bright. Great grasp of the game.” Tre Jenkins III showed a similar versatility to Aponte to last season, and in similar positions: at slot receiver, safety and kick returner. Jenkins saw NCAA Division I offers start to come in this offseason. He teams with twin brother Drew Jenkins (cornerback) in the secondary, while senior Harrison Heath leads the linebacker corps and senior Anthony Rosales Jr. is the veteran pass-rusher on the line. The defensive coordinator replacing Tipton is St. Mary’s High graduate and former standout tight end Blake Eagal. “I know we have a lot of new talent coming up, and I know that they (can prove) themselves,” Barth said.

2017 SCHEDULE Aug. 26 – Serra, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 1 – Cardinal Newman, 7 p.m. Sept. 8 – Central Catholic, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 16 – Cosumnes Oaks, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 23 – Mater Dei, 7:15 p.m.# Sept. 29 – BYE Oct. 6 – Tokay, 7:15 p.m.^* Oct. 13 – West, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 20 – Tracy, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 27 – Lodi, 7:15 p.m.^* Nov. 3 – Lincoln, 7:15 p.m.* *Tri-City Athletic League game ^Tokay and Lodi play at Grape Bowl #At Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara) Home games in bold

The Record

Wednesday, August 23, 2017 |

TCA L T RACY B U L L D O G S

Changes brewing for old school Bulldogs By Thomas Lawrence Record Staff Writer

or a program whose coach Matt Shrout is as honest as they come, the Tracy football team is keeping some important decisions relatively quiet this offseason. That’s because Tracy has brought in a new defensive coordinator Mike Speer, formerly a Delta College assistant, whom senior Xavier Moore said is bringing innovative and “tricky” looks to his unit. Plus, the Bulldogs have a three-way quarterback battle between seniors Josh Alvarado and Ethan Bejines and sophomore Logan Fife. At least, that’s what they’re saying to the media. “We’ve figured it out,” the eighth-year coach Shrout admitted with a laugh, moments after saying Tracy was still deciding who its starter is. “We’ve got three quarterbacks who all can do the job. Alvarado would be a thirdyear starter, and one who’s had more success running the ball out of the veer offense than passing. More certain is the featured ball carrier behind the quarterback. That’s junior Mason Sarsfield (6-foot, 172 pounds), who surged down the stretch in Tri-City Athletic League play last season, including scoring two touchdowns in a rout of Lincoln.

SEASON OUTLOOK Head coach: Matt Shrout (eighth year) 2016 results: 5-6, 4-1 TCAL, lost 51-14 to Carmichael-Jesuit in ﬁrst-round Division II playoff Toughest losses: OL Dominic Splan, WR/DB Skyler Oki, UT Clayton Borges Key returners: LB/DL Bolaji Akinyemi, sr., FB Mason Sarsﬁeld, jr., LB/RB Kristien Reyes, sr. Top newcomer: QB Logan Fife, soph. Trap game: San Ramon Valley

Tracy High linebacker/running back Kristien Reyes. [CALIXTRO ROMIAS/THE RECORD]

Sarsfield believes there’s something different about Tracy, a nearly-century old program with two Sac-Joaquin Section titles to its name. “We get the whole town involved with our program. We have a lot of spirit built behind our team, and a lot of guys are just fired up to be a part of Tracy,” Sarsfield said. Sarsfield, and whomever is under center, are probably going to benefit from the experienced linemen protecting

them. While the center position is still undecided, the other four starting linemen, health permitting, are seniors Alex McNely (6-0, 260 pounds), Nick Nunez (6-1, 240), Brandin Farmer (5-11, 225) and Jonah Reyes (5-10, 200). “I think we’re a playoff team,” said Shrout, who was head coach when Tracy made an underdog run to the 2014 Division I finals. “We’ve got to win a few more games in the preseason, and the league

will take care of itself.” Tracy’s preseason schedule is more sensible than years past — it no longer faces Bay Area heavy ConcordClayton Valley Charter — but Danville-San Ramon Valley (Aug. 25) and Turlock (Sept. 8) are good tests at home. Countering those offenses will be the TCAL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, a senior linebacker and lineman in Bolaji Akinyemi. Senior linebacker Kristien

Schemes – Offense: Veer, Defense: 4-4 Area of Strength: Team speed and a solid offensive line Area of Concern: Keeping up with high-octane offenses

“Nick Nunez. Has an innocence about him that is funny.”

peaked in the 1980s with two Sac-Joaquin Section titles under former longtime coach Wayne Schneider.

TWO FROM THE COACH Scariest player to get hit by and why? “Bolaji Akinyemi. He is big, fast and strong and doesn’t know how to tackle correctly, so you might get taken down in a crazy way.” Funniest player on the team:

BY THE NUMBERS

176

Sarsﬁeld, a 6-foot, 172-pound tailback, started to come into his own to end his sophomore season. His peak came with a 176-rushing yard, two touchdown game in a win over Lincoln. This year marks the 97th season of football at Tracy High. Tracy's program began in 1921, and

NFL ALUMNUS Matt Overton, a former Pro Bowl long-snapper with the Indianapolis Colts, was released by Indy but picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason. That means Overton is teammates with Tokay graduate Julius Thomas: the Jags' starting tight end.

Shrout

Akinyemi

Sarsﬁeld

Fife

Reyes leads his bunch as a third-year starter, and the fellow senior Moore will make an impact both as a receiver and in the secondary. Moore believes Tracy’s team speed is going to catch area fans off-guard. “Our quickness. What a lot of people don’t know is we have a lot of athletes, returning with a lot of speed,” Moore said. Tracy is certainly not afraid to be itself. Take Moore and Reyes, who both sport long hair that flows out from under their helmets. The Bulldogs, who were unceremoniously bludgeoned by CarmichaelJesuit in their Division II playoff opener last year, know it’ll take more than personality to make a serious playoff run. “They were big and strong,” Sarsfield said of Jesuit. “It was a good experience, and a good wake-up call to slow us down and get us prepared for the next season.”

2017 SCHEDULE Aug. 25 – San Ramon Valley, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 1 – Buhach Colony, 7 p.m. Sept. 8 – Turlock, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 15 – Kimball, 7 p.m. Sept. 22 – Liberty, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 29 – BYE Oct. 6 – Lodi, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 13 – Tokay, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 20 – St. Mary’s, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 27 – Lincoln, 7:15 p.m.* Nov. 3 – West, 7:15 p.m.* *Tri-City Athletic League game Home games in bold

| Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Prep Football Preview

TCA L L I N CO L N T ROJA N S

Trojan team trying to ‘be nasty’ this fall “They’re so young, and I’m very surprised with the leadership and how hungry we are. We have a chip on our shoulder this season.”

By Thomas Lawrence Record Staff Writer

incoln’s opening day of practice served as a poignant metaphor for its hopes this fall. The Trojans want to be more disciplined, more formidable, and earn respect they feel they’ve lost over the years. Lincoln football coach Anthony Martinez, entering his second season, brought in members of the U.S. Marine Corps to lead Lincoln in multiple days of workouts. On the afternoon of July 31 at Sierra Middle School, in mid-90s heat, the Marines guided the Trojans in interval sprints, lifting “ammo cans” in a push press motion and carrying teammates over their shoulders while running over the grass. “They’re so young, and I’m very surprised with the leadership and how hungry we are. We have a chip on our shoulder this season,” said Martinez, the Lincoln Unified School District’s IT Director. “On the defensive side of the ball, we want to be nasty. Running the ball, we want to be nasty. “These kids are up for the challenge.” Even more important than the military-inspired conditioning are the additions Martinez made to his staff this offseason. That includes a new defensive coordinator in Bob Rose, a former Bear Creek head coach.

SEASON OUTLOOK Head coach: Anthony Martinez (second year) 2016 results: 5-6, 3-2 TCAL, lost 42-7 to Turlock in ﬁrst-round Division I playoff Toughest losses: QB Aaron Thomas, OL/DL Ryan Williams, TE Miquan Maxey, CB Isaiah Downes, WR Izaiah Celestine Key returners: QB/DE Quinton Gaines, sr., RB Will Jones III, sr., OL/DL Royal Sitagata, sr.,

Martinez

Jones III

Lincoln High’s Darian Pollard, right, leaps to try and make a catch as Justin Black defends during the Trojans’ football practice on Aug. 10 at Spanos Stadium in Stockton. [CALIXTRO ROMIAS/THE RECORD]

Martinez hopes Rose’s influence can help overhaul a defense that was anemic in stopping the run last year, allowing 424 rushing yards to Tracy and 282 to St. Mary’s to close the regular season. “He brings a certain aggression to that defense,” Martinez said of Rose, “and I

think we’re going to see that immediately.” Alongside Rose, Lincoln graduate Devin Mays (who played college ball at University of Houston) is back as an assistant. Former longtime Linden coach Mark Miller, who guided the Lions for 29 years total, joins the

WR Merle Bass, jr. Top newcomers: TE Johnell Carter, jr., OL/DL Blue Sitagata, jr., QB Grant Stevenson, jr. Trap game: Tokay Schemes — Offense: Air Raid, Defense: 4-3 Area of Strength: Offense loaded with speed and improved O, D lines Area of Concern: Stopping the run and meshing with new quarterback on offense

ONE FROM THE COACH Scariest player to get hit by: Royal Sitagata: “He packs a punch, he has size and he’s extremely strong.”

BY THE NUMBERS

465

Jones III, a senior tailback, is the leading returning offensive player (statistically speaking), with 465 rushing yards and seven TDs.

Sitagata

Gaines

staff and his close friend Bob Amerman, a former Linden baseball coach. Martinez is known for his offensive mind, and the Air Raid scheme he brought to Lincoln entitled “Code Red,” but he believes Lincoln’s strength may lie in its offensive and defensive lines. The Trojans graduated key linemen Ryan Williams and Will George, but return senior and two-way lineman Royal Sitagata (6-foot-2, 376 pounds). Martinez also pointed to Royal’s younger brother and junior Blue Sitagata and seniors Zachary Camy (5-11, 240 pounds) and Wilbur Jones V (6-1, 215) to make an impact. Offensively, Lincoln remains in an Air Raid (a shotgun spread look) but plans to run more. The bulk of those carries should go to senior Will Jones III, the team’s leading returning

Four of ﬁve Lincoln’s strongest opponents (at least, on paper), will have to come to the Trojans’ Spanos Stadium in Stockton. That includes Antioch (Aug. 25), Elk Grove (Sept. 8), Tracy (Oct. 27) and St. Mary’s (Nov. 3). Lincoln’s toughest road game could be Sept. 1 at TurlockPitman, a team that reached last year’s Sac-Joaquin Section Division I quarterﬁnals and lost to St. Mary’s.

Anthony Martinez, Lincoln football coach

rusher. “We lost a lot of our main receivers,” said Jones, referencing former tight end Miquan Maxey and receiver Izaiah Celestine. “We need more leaders out here, and we’ve got to discipline each other.” Johnell Carter, a 6-5 junior tight end, figures to replicate, if not exceed Maxey’s first-team All-Area campaign. Carter was a student of Maxey’s last autumn. “I watched him all year, last year. I went to all the games,” Carter said before the July 31 workout. “The biggest thing is how he ran his routes: very sharp. I’m trying my best to mimic him.” Who delivers the ball to Carter and company is still up in the air. The quarterback battle, even into August, was between senior Quinton Gaines (who occasionally spelled Aaron Thomas late in games in 2016) and junior Grant Stevenson. “We’ll be more aggressive. Probably run a little more,” Gaines said. “The way our line’s looking right now, I’m really feeling it.”

2017 SCHEDULE Aug. 25 – Antioch, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 1 – Pitman, 7 p.m. Sept. 8 – Elk Grove, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 15 – Golden Valley, 7 p.m. Sept. 22 – Vintage, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 – BYE Oct. 6 – West, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 13 – Lodi, 7:15 p.m.*^ Oct. 20 – Tokay, 7:15 p.m.*^ Oct. 27 – Tracy, 7:15 p.m.* Nov. 3 – St. Mary’s, 7:15 p.m.* *Tri-City Athletic League game ^Tokay and Lodi play at Grape Bowl Home games in bold

The Record

Wednesday, August 23, 2017 |

T C A L T O K AY T I G E R S

A sleeper lurks in purple, black and gold By Thomas Lawrence Record Staff Writer

okay believes it has a special run in store for its Grape Bowl finale. The Tigers, who will have their own on-campus field beginning in 2018, are sharing the Lodi community facility with rival Lodi one last time. This version of Tokay football is experienced and driven to climb out of the Tri-City Athletic League’s bottom half. Tokay has senior leaders heading several position groups like running back Cory Glasgow, defensive end Zach Fleming and safety and quarterback Ralph Martinez. “Our team is, basically, slept on,” said Glasgow, a Lincoln transfer who tallied 901 rushing yards in his Tokay debut last autumn. “A lot of people look at us as the weaker team”

T Tokay’s Cory Glasgow looks to be revving up for a big season. [JERRY TYSON/LODI NEWS-SENTINEL]

Fleming

Martinez

SEASON OUTLOOK Head coach: Michael Holst (third year) 2016 results: 4-6, 2-3 TCAL, did not qualify for playoffs Toughest losses: LB Jared Zermeno, OL/DL Emilio Segovia, SS Mark Soto Key returners: QB/DB Ralph Martinez, sr., RB Cory Glasgow, sr., DL Zach Fleming, sr., WR Joseph Heryford, sr. Top newcomers: LB/HB Nathan Branco, jr., WR/CB Kyle D’Anna, sr., WR/FS Marcell Norwood,

jr., WR/SS Stephen Thomas, jr. Trap game: Lodi Schemes – Offense: Pistol spread option, Defense: 4-2-5

TWO FROM THE COACH Funniest player on the team: “Ralph Martinez. He is always smiling and laughing. (But), Zach Fleming could give him a run for his money simply because he looks like he’s in his late 30s, has a full beard and people think he’s older than he is. He has a

in many of their matchups, including against Lodi. Tokay hasn’t made the playoffs since 2014, when Tigers coach Michael Holst was defensive coordinator for head coach Louis Franklin, who’s since taken over the South Lake Tahoe program. Yet, the Tigers could get there either with a 6-4 record (which all-but-guarantees a playoff berth in this section) or better, or finishing second in the Tri-City Athletic League. The latter would be more difficult, giving the defined top tier of the league the past three years has been St. Mary’s, Tracy and Lincoln. Tokay, though, did upset Lincoln on the road in 2014 in its last playoff run. This time around, the Tigers entertain the Trojans on Oct. 20. Holst believes if the

dedication is there for a program, it’s just a matter of time before they're a perennial playoff team. “The first thing it takes is commitment from a lot of guys. High school football is not super difficult, if you can get everybody going in the right direction,” he said. “It’s a 12-month thing. That’s what it is now.” Despite that extra offseason work, Tokay is still picking their starting quarterback. Seniors Martinez and Daniel Garlick split snaps last year, and have again during the offseason. Add in former Lodi quarterback Chase Howell, a junior who’s still finalizing his transfer process with the CIF, and the Tigers had an open competition as of early August. “We’re still competing. I think they’re both a lot better

than last year,” Holst said of Garlick and Martinez. “They all three took reps during summer.” Regardless, Martinez had three interceptions on defense in 2016 and is vital at safety, as is Fleming as a pass-rusher. “We have a lot of returning guys,” said Fleming, a threeyear varsity player who rocks a bushy red-brown beard. “It really helps.” Glasgow is revving up for a career season. “His acceleration through a hole is pretty top notch. His ability to get to his top gear happens pretty fast,” Holst said. As for recruiting: “If he’s not 5-6, he would have a lot of phone calls. “Somebody is going to pass up on him, and whoever picks him up is going to get a really good kid. He’s a dynamo.”

fair amount of funny stories because of this.” Scariest player to get hit by: “Cory Glasgow. He packs a punch defensively when he tackles.” Area of Strength: Skill players and returning linemen Area of Concern: Depth at key positions

yards per carry and racking up 901 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2016. He’ll get a heavy load of carries again to lead the offense.

2017 SCHEDULE

BY THE NUMBERS

6.3

Cory Glasgow had a superb debut with the Tigers, averaging 6.3

2014

The Tigers haven’t reached the section playoffs since 2014, when Louis Franklin, now the head coach at South Tahoe, was in charge. Holst, who was Franklin’s defensive coordinator and now doubles as Tokay’s athletic director, believes this group can surprise some folks.

Aug. 25 – Heritage, 7 p.m. Sept. 1 – Bear Creek, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 8 – Downey, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 15 – Chavez, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 22 – McNair, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 29 – BYE Oct. 6 – St. Mary’s, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 13 – Tracy, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 20 – Lincoln, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 27 – West, 7:15 p.m.* Nov. 3 – Lodi, 7:15 p.m.* Lodi, Tokay play at Grape Bowl *Tri-City Athletic League game Home games in bold

| Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Prep Football Preview

TCAL LODI FLAMES

Flames will ‘run the rock’ again in 2017 By Thomas Lawrence Record Staff Writer

obert Sperling can’t emphasize enough what he believes the Lodi football program is about. So during an early August practice, the fifth-year head coach turned on his megaphone, and bellowed his credo with vigor: these Flames want to run the football down everyone’s throats. In the age of the Air Raid, Lodi prefers to stay grounded, and surrounded by flying dirt clods. That’s a bold statement, and a stark contrast, for a Tri-City Athletic League team, which features two prolific passing programs in St. Mary’s and Lincoln and a Tracy team that’s been the premier running team in the league. But Sperling, a Lincoln High graduate, won’t change his vision for Lodi. He and his personnel know they don’t have the speed, depth, and in some cases, the size of a St. Mary’s. So the point is to be different, and true to their roots. With that in mind, Sperling is ecstatic to have a bulkyand-experienced offensive line, one with a trio of threeyear varsity players in Tyler Wooldridge (6-foot-2, 260 pounds), Ben Bishop (6-1, 245) and Ezequiel Arias (5-9, 255). Lodi has graduated 1,000-yard rusher Cole Carouba, but the belief is the system and the linemen paving the way will create

SEASON OUTLOOK Head coach: Robert Sperling (ﬁfth year) 2016 results: 2-8, 1-4 TCAL, did not qualify for playoffs Toughest losses: RB Cole Carouba, OL Kee Welch, MLB Austin Mason Key returners: DB/WR Trey Reese, sr., RB/OLB Cole Brooks, sr., OL Ben Bishop, sr., OL/DL Kent Powell, jr. Top newcomers: OL Ethan Bronson, jr., QB Tyler Rollins, jr.

Lodi linemen Tyler Wooldridge, right, and Ben Bishop compete during a preseason football practice on Aug. 3 at Lodi High. Wooldridge and Bishop are both three-year varsity players. [BEA AHBECK/LODI NEWS-SENTINEL]

opportunities for the new wave of ball carriers. “The most dependable unit we have. That’s Lodi football, anyway,” said Sperling, rocking a Lodi cap, sunglasses and a gray T-shirt during a 100degree day on the Flames’ grassy practice field. “We run the ball. We run the rock. We try to control the clock, and try to win on defense. “Don’t give up stupid plays.” That was an issue last

year. Maybe not “stupid” plays, but certainly yielding big yardage through the air. Lodi’s secondary was overmatched at times, including a 68-20 loss to Lincoln where the Trojans threw for 436 yards. “We’ve been working really hard on pass drops, doing one-on-ones (coverage drills), doing everything we can to get better and make reads faster,” said Trey Reese, a senior safety and slot receiver.

On offense, with Reese as a receiver and senior Cole Brooks at running back, Lodi was still seeking a quarterback as of Aug. 1. Tyler Rollins, a junior new to varsity, was in the mix early on. Regardless, the Flames will lean on their sizable line to push forward their mission of ball control. “You’re just more prepared for the level of play that you’re at. You know what you’re doing. You’re ready to go

with it,” said Bishop, son of Lodi assistant and former NFL player Greg Bishop, on what his unit’s experience means. As for this year’s strategy? “We’ve got to (figure out) quarterback, first of all,” Ben said with a smile. Lodi is in its final year of sharing the Grape Bowl with Tokay, which will have its own on-campus field starting in 2018. The Flames open against Sonora on Sept. 1 at the Grape Bowl.

Trap game: Chavez Schemes – Offense: Triple option, Defense: 5-2-4 “50 Front” Area of Strength: Offensive line stocked with three-year varsity players Area of Concern: Defense, namely in the secondary after rough 2016

ONE FROM THE COACH

BY THE NUMBERS

2017 SCHEDULE

Funniest player on the team: Manuel Machado (senior receiver and cornerback). Machado, when Sperling was contemplating who the Flames’ funniest player is, vouched for himself from a few feet away. “By far,” Sperling agreed with a giddy Machado. “He’s deﬁnitely our clown.”

Sept. 1 – Sonora, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 8 – Chavez, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 15 – Stagg, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 22 – Edison, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 29 – Bear Creek, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 6 – Tracy, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 13 – Lincoln, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 20 – West, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 27 – St. Mary’s, 7:15 p.m.* Nov. 3 – Tokay, 7:15 p.m.* Lodi, Tokay play at Grape Bowl *Tri-City Athletic League game Home games in bold

Lodi effectively rushed the passer last year, tallying 22 sacks in 10 games, averaging over two per game. Brooks had the top total with 4.5, followed by Trevor Schultz and Livio Mamola with four each. What makes Lodi special this season, Sperling says, is its three offensive linemen in their third year on varsity: Ben Bishop, Tyler Wooldridge and Ezequiel Arias.

The Record

Wednesday, August 23, 2017 |

T C A L W E S T W O L F PA C K

New coach, Wolf Pack aim to bounce back By Thomas Lawrence Record Staff Writer

n a sport where the participants are often aided by anger, the West football team is taking a Zen approach. While the Wolf Pack would be understandably livid after going 0-10 last season, senior leaders, such as Sione Bourke are calmly looking ahead. “Just like with any mistake you make, it’s something you learn from,” said Bourke, a guard and fullback. “(When you go winless), you start to appreciate winning more. I believe we have a better chance than we did last year.” West will have a new look on offense, on defense and in its leadership. Steven Wichman, a 2002 West High graduate, has taken over his alma mater as head coach. He was an assistant behind former coach Steve Anastasio, who resigned last offseason. Wichman, reflecting Bourke’s attitude, isn’t taking over the program with wrath on his mind. Even when he thinks about West’s opening opponent Lathrop, where Wichman was head coach from 2012-2014, he’s thinking big picture. “Those kids are tough. They’re very hard-working,” said Wichman, who went 3-27 as Lathrop coach.

SEASON OUTLOOK Head coach: Steven Wichman (ﬁrst year) 2016 results: 0-10, 0-5 TCAL, did not qualify for playoffs Toughest losses: QB Jake Hiltachk, TE James Jones RB/ CB Emmanuel Turner Key returners: RB/CB James Cannon, sr., FB/MLB Ruben Murillo, G/FB Sione Bourke, sr., QB Yannick Reffell, sr. Top newcomers: WR Ethan Casados, jr., DE Makhi Thompson, jr. Schemes: Wichman did not wish to divulge these: “That’s the nice thing about being a new head coach. I don’t have to reveal

Bourke

Reffell

Cannon

Spirited West High students take the ﬁeld before a football game against Kimball on Sept. 4, 2014, at West High in Tracy. [MICHAEL MCCOLLUM/RECORD FILE 2014]

“I anticipate that it’s going to be a duel out there. … They got us here at our place last year. I know they’ve got some really good returning players. Coach (Joe) Pirillo (has done) a great job.” West will use a new starting quarterback in senior Yannick Reffell, have a new featured tailback in senior James Cannon and has an up-and-coming receiver

in junior Ethan Casados. Bourke’s muscle will be present on both sides of the ball, as will senior linebacker Ruben Murillo’s. “Yannick possesses a lot of traits you like to see in your quarterback. He’s a gifted leader,” Wichman said of Reffell. “He does a really good job of rallying the troops.” Cannon, at 5-foot-8, 150 pounds, is yet to score

much until the ﬁrst game.” Area of Strength: Solid starters on both offense and defense Area of Concern: Low numbers and lack of depth behind those starters

Wichman, played for the Lions stars after graduating from Tracy High in 1978. Wichman went on to play at Delta College and the University of Idaho.

2017 SCHEDULE BY THE NUMBERS

It was a rough, winless 2016 for West, which has lost 12 consecutive games since a 26-20 win over Tokay on Oct. 30, 2015. Wichman is a 2002 graduate of West High, who played quarterback and competed for the Lions North All-Star team. Wichman’s father, Rob

2002

Aug. 25 – Lathrop, 7 p.m. Sept. 1 – Enochs, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 8 – Kimball, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 15 – East Union, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 22 – Central Valley, 7 p.m. Sept. 29 – BYE Oct. 6 – Lincoln, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 13 – St. Mary’s, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 20 – Lodi, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 27 – Tokay, 7:15 p.m.* Nov. 3 – Tracy, 7:15 p.m.* *Tri-City Athletic League game

a varsity TD, but showed promise as a junior. “He had stints of greatness last year,” said Wichman, who played in college for Delta and the University of Idaho. “He’s going to be more of an every down player for us.” Said Cannon: “We’re small, but we’ve got a lot of heart.” Lathrop beat West by a touchdown last August.

Unfortunately, that was as close as the Wolf Pack would get to a win all of last season, culminating with a 62-20 flogging at the hands of rival Tracy High. Bourke hopes that Wichman’s “professional” approach will make an impact. “He’s very organized, like we’re on a time constraint. He treats it like college,” Bourke said. While Wichman won’t divulge what his offensive or defensive base packages are — something he called the perk of being a first-year head coach — Reffell said West wants to keep its enemies off-guard. “We’ve been mixing it up,” Reffell said. “Whether it be in the shotgun, or under center, we want to be unpredictable.”

| Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Prep Football Preview

S J A A S TA G G D E LTA K I N G S

Stagg’s strength program is paying off By Bob Highfill Record Staff Writer

set of rolling metal doors slams shut, ending another session in the dark, musty room where it all starts for the Stagg High football team. Moments earlier, players shouted encouragement to each other and grunted from exertion and effort, as metal plates clanged in the background. The Delta Kings’ weight room is ground zero and has been for many years. “It’s part of our culture now,” said coach Don Norton, entering his 13th season. “The kids understand that in the offseason you have to be in the weight room. In the summer, we have to be in the weight room and during the season, we continue on with the weight room.” Norton said when he succeeded Joe Nava in 2005, he made one change to the weight lifting program. “Coach Nava did a great job with the weights,” Norton said. “The only thing that I’ve added is we do the in-season weights.” Norton said he has seen the benefits of the in-season weights program. He said it’s helped reduce injuries and that his players have been in better condition than some of their opponents late in the season. Whether there is a direct causal relationship between weights and wins, the

STAGG DELTA KINGS Head coach: Don Norton (13th year) 2016 results: 6-5, 4-1 SJAA, lost 54-14 to Sacramento in ﬁrstround Division II playoff Toughest losses: WR/CB Cutrell Haywood, LB Jalend Dinwiddie, QB Stephon Favela Key returners: QB Dawdy Salah, sr., OL/DL Tim Omstead, sr., RB/ATH Lee Webb, sr., RB/ LB Jalani Flowers, sr. Top newcomers: DT Justin Seang, DT Desijmond Grays, LB

Stagg’s defensive line, one of the strengths entering the 2017 season, works on a drill during practice. [CALIXTRO ROMIAS/THE RECORD]

numbers are there. Stagg has had seven winning seasons in the past eight years and has made the SacJoaquin Section playoffs each year since 2009. In that span, the Delta Kings never have lost more than one game in the final three weeks of the regular season. “We’re not that big but we’re definitely strong because we work together in the weight room day in and day out,” said Jalani Flowers, a 5-foot-7, 177pound senior linebacker. “I’ve increased not only my bench press but my squats, my dead lifts, my incline — all around improvement.”

Norton likes how his players have committed themselves to the weight room and said his offensive and defensive lines are a strength entering the season. “The line we have coming back started all last year,” he said. “We have a very experienced offensive and defensive line. We’re excited about our line situation right now.” Senior Timothy Omstead, a 5-11, 230-pound left tackle and defensive end, is a returning All-San Joaquin Athletic Association selection and one of the leaders of the group. “We’re coming together as

a whole unit,” Omstead said. “We’ll be ready for our first game.” Also returning are 5-11, 250-pound senior center Julian Moreno and Joe Atkins. “Julian does a great job and is one of our team leaders,” Norton said. “He’s a hard worker and doesn’t miss the weight room. Joe Atkins has really improved a lot this summer and the first days of training camp.” Stagg promises to be dynamic offensively, though there are voids to fill with the losses of receiver Cutrell Haywood and quarterback Stephon Favela to

Niko Perez, LB Jabarii Pharms, DB Marcelo Sarcos Trap game: Sept. 15 vs. Lodi Schemes – Offense: Spread/ zone read, Defense: 4-2-5 Area of Strength: Returning offensive line and kicker to help close league games Area of Concern: Replacing the big three of Haywood, Dinwiddie and Favela

and picks his spots to keep the team loose.” Scariest player to get hit by: “Tim Omstead. Big, strong and can bring the power.”

which had been a losing team for ﬁve consecutive seasons, took until 2009 to be a winner again. From 2009 on, Norton has produced seven winning teams in eight tries, including three league championships in the past four seasons. An apex was the 2013 Stagg team that beat St. Mary’s, won the TriCity Athletic League, earned the No. 2 seed in the Division I playoffs and reached the quarterﬁnals.

TWO FROM THE COACH Funniest player on the team: “Lee Webb. Great personality

BY THE NUMBERS

Norton, entering his 13th season, has 70 victories guiding the Delta Kings. That’s more impressive when you put it in perspective. When he took over in 2005, the SJAA also included St. Mary’s and Lincoln, and Stagg,

graduation. Taking over behind center will be 5-11, 180-pound senior Dawdy Salah. “This year we’re going to be explosive like the past years have been at Stagg,” Salah said. “We have a bunch of weapons this year.” Among them are 5-6, 160-pound running back/ slot receiver Lee Webb, and 5-11, 190-pound junior Keith Smith. Salah said he is anxious to become the next great quarterback at Stagg, following Favela, Lavante Bushnell and Wayne Brooks, to name a few. “Right now it feels kind of surreal,” Salah said. “I know I have to get ready and be the guy this year.” Haywood was one of the more versatile and effective talents Stagg ever has had. Not only was he an impactful wide receiver, the current freshman at the University of Idaho cast his shadow as a defensive back. “Last year, Cutrell was playing and he’s a great player,” said 5-5, 135-pound senior free safety and cornerback Ulices Contreras. “I have to step up and make plays. It brings a lot of pressure because he made a lot of plays and he was so good. I have to play to the point where he was and play better.” With success comes high expectations, but Stagg believes it’s prepared to carry on its strong tradition this season.

2017 SCHEDULE Aug. 25 – Reno, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 1 – Modesto, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 8 – Laguna Creek, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 15 – Lodi, 7:15 p.m.^ Sept. 22 – BYE Sept. 29 – Christian Bros., 7:15 p.m.# Oct. 6 – Franklin, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 13 – Bear Creek, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 20 – McNair, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 27 – Edison, 7:15 p.m.* Nov. 3 – Chavez, 7:15 p.m.* ^At the Grape Bowl #At Sacramento City College *SJAA game Home games in bold

The Record

Wednesday, August 23, 2017 |

S J A A M c N A I R E AG L E S

Eagles’ new field brings hope, gratitude By Bob Highfill Record Staff Writer

t was just over the fence. McNair High’s freshly painted brand-new turf field almost seemed to beckon the football team as it went through preseason practices nearby on a grass field. The new field not only has provided the Eagles with a better playing surface, it has brought about a sense of renewal, and a sense of gratitude. “The McNair Eagles are thankful for the support the community has given,” said coach Terry Hampton, who works full-time as a probation officer. “We have to make sure we do our part to show thanks.” Hampton’s players will perform community service in appreciation for the work volunteers put into painting the new field and other campus enhancements and for donating money toward players’ physicals. “We’re going to take care of what was given,” Hampton said. And when the Eagles host their home opener on Sept. 1 against Atwater, several new players will be on the new field. Craig Miller sat out last year after transferring from Utah to Tokay High and now is enrolled at McNair. His father, Craig T. Miller, and Hampton played football together at Utah State. The

SEASON OUTLOOK Head coach: Terry Hampton (third year) 2016 results: 6-5, 4-1 SJAA, lost 49-0 to Oakdale in ﬁrst-round Division III playoff Toughest losses: RB/WR Austin Sith, DL/TE Gabriel Jones, OL/ DL Armando Martinez Key returners: QB Rafael Lara, jr., WR Andrew Hem, jr., FS Isaiah Redic, sr.

elder Miller played in four games for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2000. Hampton believes Miller’s son could go far as well. “Miller’s definitely going to be the guy,” Hampton said. “He’s going to be the sparkplug.” Hampton said last year was tough on Miller. “I’m very proud of him,” Hampton said. “Last year was probably the toughest part of his entire life, to sit out that entire year. He didn’t know how to handle it and I wouldn’t either.” But Miller has been in pads, working and leading his new teammates. “I’ve always been a role model at an elevated position, where people look up to me and I have to be a positive image for everybody," he said. Miller said he will play a big role in the offense. “I’m going to do whatever I can to help the offense,” said the 5-foot-8, 190pound senior running back and linebacker. “I will get a lot of carries and perform other tasks, such as blocking and catching passes out of the backfield. I can do everything.” The Eagles have size up front with senior center David Melchor (5-11, 224), senior guard Jose Sandoval (6-3, 285) and junior guard Aukilani Ma Wong (6-1, 253). Junior Rafael Lara will man the controls at quarterback.

Top newcomers: RB/LB Malik “Craig” Miller, sr., LB/FB Darrick Smith, sr., CB/WR Alex Sous, soph., WR/DB Devon Lewis, soph. Trap game: Aug. 25 vs. Elk Grove-Franklin Schemes – Offense: Spread Defense: 4-3/Cover 2 Area of Strength: The depth at wide receiver Area of Concern: Lack of veteran players

McNair football head coach Terry Hampton stands by the new turf ﬁeld at the McNair football ﬁeld in Stockton. [CLIFFORD OTO/RECORD FILE 2017]

The 5-8, 170-pound junior played in 10 games last season, sharing snaps with then-senior Gabriel Lopez for a team that went 6-5 overall, 4-1 in the San Joaquin Athletic Association and shared the league title with Stagg. Lara said he is looking forward to working another season with receiver Andrew

Hem (5-8, 145, junior) and running back and free safety Isaiah Redic (5-11, senior). “I’ve been with Andrew and Isaiah since Pop Warner,” said Lara, who threw for 714 yards and seven touchdowns last season. “Working together, working as a team and communication; that’s all we have to do is communicate and work hard.”

Lara said the team’s goal is to win the SJAA, a feat Hampton said is possible if the players remain focused all season. “The biggest strength right now is all that we’ve been given,” Hampton said. “We can build on this. We finally got a little love and support. This is my third year and this is our best offseason.”

TWO FROM THE COACH

BY THE NUMBERS

2017 SCHEDULE

Funniest player on the team: “Dennis Oyewole – ‘Dennis the Menace’ – because he has jokes and makes people laugh.” Scariest player to get hit by: “Malik ‘Craig’ Miller or Darrick Smith. They are both beasts in the weight room.”

14.7

Aug. 25 – Elk Grove-Franklin, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 1 – Atwater, 7:15 p.m.^ Sept. 8 – Merced, TBA Sept.15 – Gregori, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 22 – Tokay, 7:15 p.m.# Sept. 29 – BYE Oct. 6 – Chavez, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 13 – Edison, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 20 - Stagg, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 27 - Franklin, 7:15 p.m.* Nov. 3 Bear Creek, 7:15 p.m.* ^Debut of McNair’s artiﬁcial turf ﬁeld #At the Grape Bowl Home games in bold

The Eagles will miss graduated Austin Sith, who racked up 1,965 yards of offense all by himself last year (1,226 rushing and 739 receiving). However, then sophomore Andrew Hem had a tremendous debut, posting 677 receiving yards and six touchdowns and averaging 14.7 yards per reception

| Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Prep Football Preview

SJAA BEAR CREEK BRUINS

Bruins are ready to bite back this season By Bob Highfill Record Staff Writer

ear Creek High is coming off a 5-5 season, its best record since at least 2004. Coach Reggie Camp doesn’t discount last year’s achievement but is more proud of another number associated with the 2016 team. “We had 25 players make the honor roll,” the former Cal and Cleveland Browns defensive end said. “Of those, I believe 16 had a 3.5 grade point average or higher.” Camp has led the Bruins since 2011 and knows success at the high school level sometimes can mean more than wins and losses. Success can be measured by building a young man’s character. The No. 25 is significant in another way. “We lost 25 seniors, probably the best class I’ve had since I’ve been here in terms of work ethic,” Camp said. “We’re excited about this bunch and looking forward to the upcoming season. “We’re young and we’re small, but these guys are eager. We have some growing to do, but they are up for the challenge.” Camp has said in the past that his teams needed to learn how to finish games. That now seems to be entrenched in the program. Now the mantra is control only what you can control and don’t think too far ahead. “As I tell my guys each and every day, our goal is to get better and take it one game at a time,” Camp said. “Our goal is to be in the thick of things at the end but to get there we

SEASON OUTLOOK Head coach: Reggie Camp (seventh year) 2016 results: 5-5, 3-2 SJAA, did not qualify for playoffs Toughest losses: RB/LB Tre Wortham, LB/RB Robert Moreno, OL/DL Issac Dhatt, OL/DL David DeLoach Key returners: FB/MLB Terry

Holmes

Nisihura

have to take it one game, one day at a time.” Adrian Nisihura sounds like he’s bought in. “We’re trying to take it one step at a time,” said the 6-foot1, 310-pound senior right tackle and nose guard. “We have a lot of talent this year. I feel like we can take it pretty far. That’s what I’m hoping for.” Terry Holmes, a 5-9, 190pound junior running back, has earned the respect and trust of his coaches and teammates, and will lead the Bruins’ rushing attack. “He’s a stud,” Nishihura said. “I trust him back there and he trusts our line.” Holmes led a multi-back offense in 2016 with 667 yards on 114 carries and two touchdowns as a sophomore. He said that was only a warmup. “I feel more comfortable,” said Holmes, who originally is from Oakland. “I just feel like I’m ready for it. I got a feel for it and I can really do some damage.” A.J. Fuentes, a 5-9, 230pound senior defensive tackle, nose guard and right guard, said the defense is coming together as the new players are growing acclimated to a system that will rely on speed to compensate for the unit’s lack of size. “There are holes, but we can fill those holes,” Fuentes said. “We just have to train those guys up right. We’ll be

Holmes, jr., C/NG A.J. Fuentes, sr. Trap game: Oct. 20 vs. Franklin Schemes – Offense: Pro style. Defense: Base 4-3 Area of Strength: Running back Holmes, leadership of Fuentes Area of Concern: The Bruins are without 25 seniors who helped them to their best record in recent memory last season.

Bear Creek’s Chaz Davis can make tough catches like this ﬁngertip grab last season at Edison. [RECORD FILE]

set for the year.” Justin De Mello, a 5-10, 165-pound senior, will start at quarterback with a receiver corps that includes senior Walter Maymon (5-7, 152). “This is my senior year,” said Maymon, who also said the Bruins are approaching the season one game at a time. “I’m looking to make a big impact here at Bear Creek in my senior year.” And in the process, maybe the Bruins can change some minds. “We haven’t been very good the last few years so when they step on the field, they just think we’re just going to be some easy team,” Holmes said. “So, we’re just trying to fix that mindset. You aren’t going to come out here and toss us around like some rag doll. We’re going to fight back.” One game at a time.

BY THE NUMBERS

242

Holmes, then just a sophomore, had his coming out party in the Bruins’ SJAA opener against Edison last October at Magnasco Stadium. Holmes went off for a career-high 242 rushing yards (11 per carry) and a touchdown. He’s

Bear Creek’s Walter Maymon, shown fending off McNair’s Juandell Barnes last season, leads the Bruins’ receiver corps.

the leading returning rusher (667 yards) for a coach in Camp who played for a 1980s Cleveland Browns team which adored running the football.

2017 SCHEDULE Aug. 25 – Grace Davis, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 1 – Tokay, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 8 – Weston Ranch, 7 p.m.

Sept. 15 – Vallejo, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 22 – BYE Sept. 29 – Lodi, 7:15 p.m.^ Oct. 6 – Edison, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 13 – Stagg, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 20 – Franklin, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 27 – Chavez, 7:15 p.m.* Nov. 3 – McNair, 7:15 p.m.* ^At the Grape Bowl *SJAA game Home games in bold

The Record

Wednesday, August 23, 2017 |

SJAA EDISON VIKINGS

For Vikes, competition comes from within By Bob Highfill Record Staff Writer

dison coach Booker Guyton said there’s a battle at the quarterback position. And that’s just fine with him. Guyton, in his second season in his second stint with his alma mater, wants to increase the competition inside his team believing that will carry over onto the field this season. Guyton, whose first stint at Edison lasted from 19982002, wants to win more than two games, like the Vikes did last season. Guyton’s goal is to win the San Joaquin Athletic Association. He might have the team to do it. But at the very least, he wants to see his players compete more fiercely than last year. “We were 2-8 last year, so we’re trying to improve that record,” said Guyton, who also has coached at Brookside Christian and ModestoCalvary Temple. “We need to see improvement on that record.” So, Guyton and his coaching staff have increased competition within their practices, rewarding winning sides in drills and game-like scenarios. “Everything we’ve talked about in camp is about competing,” Guyton said. “No matter what happens, no matter if we win or lose, we

SEASON OUTLOOK Head coach: Booker Guyton (second year, ﬁfth overall) 2016 results: 2-8, 2-3 SJAA, did not qualify for playoffs Toughest losses: RB/DB Tyree Stricklen, WR/DL Zion Johnson, OL/DE Josiah Newson Key returners: QB/WR Hassani Zackery, sr., WR/QB/DB Jordan Whatley, sr., DB/WR Dominick Zackery, jr. Top newcomer: LB Nate Banks, jr. Trap game: Oct. 27 vs. Stagg Schemes – Offense: “E Raid,” Defense: 4-3

Edison’s Hassani Zackery, 7, was pressed into quarterbacking duty last season but should ﬁgure more as a wide receiver this season. [CLIFFORD OTO/RECORD FILE 2016]

want to compete. I’m trying to get our program over the hump and get into the playoffs.” Edison has not been in the playoffs since 2013 under Andre Horace, now an assistant for Gary Barlow at Delta College. If the Vikings are to reach the Promised Land again, Hassani Zackery is one of the players who will get them there. The 5-foot-9, 160-pound senior is a threat no matter where he lines up: wide receiver, quarterback,

cornerback, on punt and kickoff returns or wherever else Guyton puts him on the field. “The offense will run pretty much through him,” Guyton said. “He packs a large punch in that small body. He’s quicker than all get-out. He’s going to be tough to cover.” Edison has produced three athletes in the past decade plus who have played in the NFL: Chris Henry, a former running back with the Tennessee Titans; Lavelle

Area of Strength: Exhilarating offense led by the versatile Zackery Area of Concern: Defensive cohesion and stopping the run

2017 SCHEDULE

BY THE NUMBERS

2,347

Zackery accounted for 2,347 yards of offense all on his own a year ago, after having to play quarterback due to unforeseen circumstances. Of those 2,347 yards, 1,353 were passing, 791 rushing and 203 receiving (ironically, his natural position).

Aug. 25 – BYE Sept. 1 – Weston Ranch, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 8 – Beyer, 7 p.m. Sept. 15 – Heritage, 7 p.m. Sept. 22 – Lodi, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 29 – Pacheco, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 6 – Bear Creek, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 13 – McNair, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 20 – Chavez, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 27 – Stagg, 7:15 p.m.* Nov. 3 – Franklin, 7:15 p.m.* *San Joaquin Athletic Association game Home games in bold

Hawkins, a former wide receiver with the Titans; and Trumaine Johnson, a cornerback entering his sixth season with the Los Angeles Rams. “He’s right up there,” Guyton said of Zackery. The quarterback competition is between Davis Reya-Ruiz, a 6-foot, 170pound sophomore, who started three times on the varsity last season, and Gabriel Lowe, a 6-foot, 156pound junior, who played

quarterback on the sophomore team last season. Guyton said Reya-Ruiz has the upper hand, having a more complete grasp of the offense based on his varsity experience, though limited. Aside from Zackery, there are other targets for the quarterback to find: Aaron Guyton, a 6-2, 165-pound senior; Brandy James, a 6-2, 165-pound senior; and Tyler Ortiz, a 5-5, 125-pound senior. Help also will come from 6-3, 170-pound senior receiver Jordan Whatley, and 5-8, 155-pound junior do-everything talent, Isaiah Evans. John Hillman, a 6-3, 220-pound senior running back, was injured in a scrimmage on Aug. 18. Up front, three-year starter Jose Serrano, a 6-2, 270-pound senior; Angel Galdamez; a 6-2, 257-pound senior; and Uso Taamu, a 5-11, 280-pound junior, are the “studs,” Guyton said, that will anchor the offensive and defensive lines. Elliot Burke, who returns as the defensive coordinator, was quick to laud returning defensive back Dominic Zackery, a 5-10, 155-pound junior, who will move from safety to cornerback; Marcus Baker, a 6-2, 165-pound senior cornerback; defensive lineman Marcos Rodriguez, a 5-9, 202-pound senior; and outside linebacker Steve Hampton, a 5-11, 170-pound senior.

| Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Prep Football Preview

S J A A C H AV E Z T I TA N S

Young Titans confident about the future By Bob Highfill Record Staff Writer

ichael Chicago is entering his first season as the varsity head football coach at Chavez High. But he isn’t a new face around campus. Chicago has spent 10 seasons helping with the Titans’ program from the youth level to the frosh-soph level and for the past six seasons as a varsity assistant coach, handling different position groups along the way. Now that the varsity program is his, the on-campus security supervisor has surrounded himself with assistant coaches he’s worked with in the past, all trying to improve on last season’s 2-8 record with a young team. “I really believe that with this crew we’ll be successful,” Chicago said. “I’ve found the right mix. We work well together. We have a good mix of respect and we get along well.” Defensive coordinator Nathanial Brock has brought a certain something to his unit. “Aggression,” Chicago said. “He comes from multiple angles. He’s high on technique. We’re a better tackling team already. They’ve improved in their tackling, which has been a downfall for us for a long time.” Last season, the Titans gave up 42.4 points per game and 49 points or more five times. Junior Brent Bingley, a 6-foot-2, 330-pound two-way down lineman said the defense will line up in

SEASON OUTLOOK Head coach: Michael Chicago (ﬁrst year) 2016 results: 2-8, 2-3 SJAA, did not qualify for playoffs Toughest losses: WR Leo Gayles III, QB John Michael Supangan, RB Dennis McCrae, WR/RB Johnnie Lockridge, DL Richard Rigmaden Key returners: QB Jamal

Michael Chicago is the new head coach of the Chavez High varsity football team. [CLIFFORD OTO/RECORD FILE 2017]

multiple fronts. He said his job will be to control his gap, stop the run and pressure the quarterback. “We’re coming together pretty good,” Bingley said. “We have little stuff we need to work on.” Chicago said Bingley could be one of the best in the San Joaquin Athletic Association. “He’s definitely one of the first legit guys that could make it high at the next level,” Chicago said.

Senior Michael Rodriguez, 5-11 and 305 pounds, plays center and right guard is a leader on and off the field. “It’s a big role,” Rodriguez said. “It has a lot to do with school, people doing the right things in study hall, on the field, everything with that.” Bingley and Rodriguez will help pave the way for running back George Romero Robinson, a 6-1, 220-pound junior. “I believe our strength is

our running game,” Chicago said. “We got away from that last year. We’re a run team. We’re going to run it down your throat.” At quarterback, senior Jamal Fullard returns and junior Giovani Gonzalez is in his first season on the varsity. Their targets include Rashard Stallworth, a 6-foot, 170-pound junior, and Jamel Fullard, a 5-9, 150-pound senior. “We have a lot of talent

here,” Stallworth said. “Offensively, we have a lot of weapons we can use.” Chicago said he’s excited about this season and looking forward even more to next season. “Most of our team is juniors,” Chicago said. “I’m more excited about next year than this year based on their experience. But I believe we’ll be successful. We’ll definitely have a better record this year than last year.”

Fullard, sr., DE Jordan Byrd, sr. Top newcomers: QB Giovanni Gonzalez, jr.; LB Jodhbir Sahota, jr.; WR Rashard Stallworth, jr. Trap game: Nov. 3 vs. Stagg Schemes – Offense: Run, run, run and pass, in that proportion. Defense: 5-2 and 4-3 base, aggressive blitz packages Area of Strength: Cohesive coaching staff under Chicago, who has 10 years experience

in the Chavez youth, freshmen, frosh-soph and varsity levels. Area of Concern: Most of the roster is juniors, meaning growing pains are imminent, but the future outlook is bright.

points or more in five games. Chicago said defensive coordinator Nathanial Brock has simplified the scheme so the players can react on the field and not overthink things.

BY THE NUMBERS

2017 SCHEDULE

42.4

Aug. 25 — Mountain House, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 1 — Cordova, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 8 — Lodi, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 — Tokay, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 — Oakland, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 6 — McNair, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 13 — Franklin, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 20 — Edison, 7 p.m.* Oct. 27 — Bear Creek, 7:15 p.m.* Nov. 3 — Stagg, 7:15 p.m.* * San Joaquin Athletic Association game Home games in bold

The Titans gave up 42.4 points per game last season and 49

The Record

Wednesday, August 23, 2017 |

S J A A F R A N K L I N Y E L L O WJ A C K E T S

Difference is in the details for Franklin By Bob Highfill Record Staff Writer

ranklin High quarterback Julian Serrano and defensive end Kylan Mangum both were injured last season and missed significant playing time. Serrano suffered a dislocated arm during the second game and Mangum hyperextended his knee by stepping into a hole on his home Thompson field, he said. Neither player was the same after his injury. Still, the Yellowjackets persevered and though they went 2-8, three of their losses were by seven points or fewer. Serrano, receiver Damion Pursley and utility player Stevie Thompson have graduated, but Mangum returns, as well as Julian Lopez, who will start at quarterback, and some other talented players. “We’re changing,” said Mangum, a 5-foot-10, 215pound senior, who will play inside linebacker and defensive end this season. “We’re believing, too. We’ve been getting stronger and it’s going to be a different team.” Lopez is excited about his opportunity. He said he has committed himself more to off-field preparation and has accepted the leadership role that Serrano filled last season. Serrano played safety after returning from his injury, and

Franklin’s Dustin Veil hauls in a pass during practice. [CALIXTRO ROMIAS/THE RECORD]

SEASON OUTLOOK Head coach: Larry Thompson (third year) 2016 results: 2-8, 0-5 SJAA, did not qualify for playoffs Toughest losses: QB Julian Serrano, WR/DB Damion Pursley, RB/WR/DB Stevie Thompson, TE/DL Juan Castillo Key returners: QB Julian Lopez,

sr., DE Gustavo Mendez, sr., WR/DB Joshua Hendon, sr., LB Kylan Mangum, sr., Top newcomers: RB Felipe Figueroa, jr. Trap game: Oct. 27 at McNair Schemes – Offense: Spread run/pass, play-action, if running game is effective. Defense: Base 4-3 Area of Strength: An

opportunistic defense. Area of Concern: Keeping team focused through the long season and ﬁnding a center.

BY THE NUMBERS

For the past nine consecutive seasons, the Yellowjackets have won three games or less, including eight

seasons of two victories or less. Franklin does return a quarterback with varsity experience in Lopez and Mendez provides a pass rush as he had 11 sacks in 2016.

2017 SCHEDULE Aug. 25 – Linden, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 1 – Davis, 7 p.m.

Lopez played quarterback in nine games and threw for 1,154 yards with nine touchdowns and 16 interceptions. “I bring leadership. People follow me and I think they believe in me,” said Lopez, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior. “I’m starting to learn how to read more defenses and coverages. Last year I didn’t really know the playbook as much. This year I got into the playbook. I know all of the plays.” Head coach Larry Thompson, entering his third season as head coach, has been impressed with Lopez’s leadership. “He’s been getting these guys out here and he’s been dedicated like I’ve never seen before.” Thompson described Mangum as a “beast” who will lead the defense. “Our strength is going to be our defense,” Thompson said. “The offense always comes a little later.” Other players to watch: Joshua Hendon: DB/WR, 5-10, 150 pounds, senior Thompson said Hendon will try to ﬁll the role Thompson had last season as the team’s top cover cornerback. Myron Wallace: DB/WR, 5-11, 175, junior Thompson said Wallace will be among a contingent of receivers who will combine to match Pursley’s production from a year ago. Alex Tacas: TE/MLB, 5-11, 225, senior Trusted target for Lopez. The two are entering their fourth season together. “He’s a big guy. He can catch and get up the ﬁeld,” Lopez said.

Sept. 8 – Liberty Ranch, 7:30 p.m.^ Sept. 15 - Florin, 7 p.m. Sept. 29 – Galt, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 – Stagg, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 13 – Chavez, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 20 – Bear Creek, 7:15 p.m.* Oct. 27 – McNair, 7:15 p.m.* Nov. 3 – Edison, 7:15 p.m.* ^At Galt High *SJAA game Home games in bold

| Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Prep Football Preview

V O L M A N T E C A B U F FA L O E S

Buffs coach: Potential ‘doesn’t win games’ By Kevin Niendorf Record Correspondent

onsidering all the notoriety surrounding the Manteca football team, with its plethora of players returning from its 2016 SacJoaquin Section Division IV championship team, coach Eric Reis is somewhat concerned going into this season. Reis knows what awaits his team in Week 0. The Buffaloes open at home against a returning CIF State champion in San JoseValley Christian to kick of a demanding schedule many coaches would shun. “We’ve had a lot of good press clippings because of the guys we have coming back, but last time I checked it doesn’t win you games,” said Reis, the all-time winningest coach at Manteca now in his 16th season . “First week we’re playing a team that has seven D-I offers already. Every defensive back (at Valley Christian) has a D-I offer, including one to Notre Dame.” But empathy may be in short supply in the Central Valley considering Reis’ teams have muscled their way into creating a pedigree of excellence. Manteca has produced five section championships and has appeared in two CIF NorCal bowl games over the past four years. He shares how “fortunate

SEASON OUTLOOK Head coach: Eric Reis (16th year) 2016 results: 12-2, 6-1 VOL, beat Auburn-Placer 50-28 in section Division IV ﬁnal, lost 49-21 to Menlo-Atherton in CIF NorCal Division 3-AA bowl Toughest losses: LB Devyn Gonzales, WR Jose Garcia, RB Kameron Beamon, LB James Thomas Key returners: QB Gino Campiotti, sr., OL/DL Justin Kakala, sr., LB/RB Ferrin Manuleleua, sr., OL/DL Kyle Reis, sr., DB Vincent Ferro, sr. Top newcomers: RB Trabon

Kakala

Manteca quarterback Gino Campiotti runs for a touchdown during the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV football championship against Placer on Nov. 26, 2016, at Lincoln’s Spanos Stadium in Stockton. [CRAIG SANDERS/RECORD FILE 2016]

and blessed” he’s been to have success, but players who’ve been through his program know the commitment and dedication it takes during the offseason. “Equally important as experience is how hungry you are, and for us in our last game we good beat pretty good by a

good Menlo-Atherton team,” Reis said. “So I think that left a bad taste in our mouths. Unless you win that last game of the year you don’t like the way it ends.” Senior quarterback Gino Campiotti headlines a truckload of talent including four first team All-Area picks

by The Record last season. They are linebacker Ferrin Manuleleua, Gino Campiotti and two-way linemen Kyle Reis and defensive lineman Justin Kakala. Playing both ways along with Reis is Mateo Fernandez, while safety Vincent Ferro and defensive back and

Russell, soph., WR Jacob DeJesus, soph., OL Tyler Brintley, jr., LB/LB Angel Garay, soph. Trap game: Christian Brothers Schemes – Offense: I-form, Defense: 3-4

toss up on Ferrin (Manuleleua) and (Vincent) Ferro. Ferrin has great timing on his hitting and the size and strength to ﬁnish it. Ferro is a safety so he has more space to get his speed up to tackle. Both enjoy the physical aspect of tackling.” Area of Strength: Tons of experience, including four ﬁrst team All-Area players Area of Concern: Finding a new center, not much depth on either line

first 15 seasons at the helm of the Buffaloes, and four of the program's five section championships. The fifth came in 2001 under the late Joe Miller.

TWO FROM THE COACH Funniest player on the team: “Jose Ceja is the player that makes the team laugh the most. Jose is a hard-nosed kid who enjoys trash-talking. We have rules for the entire team, and an extra set of rules for Jose.” Scariest player to get hit by: “A

BY THE NUMBERS

138

Reis has 138 victories through his

This year marks the 97th edition of what was once known as the "Milk Jug" rivalry between Oakdale and Manteca football. The Mustangs lead the all-time series 51-41-4, but the Buffaloes prevailed last season. Manteca and Oakdale both have ﬁve section titles. Reis and Oakdale coach Trent Merzon are friends and played at Delta College together.

Manuleleua

receiver Kyle Rachels will be counted on as playmakers on defense. Rayshon Dozier is expected to be the primary ball carrier. “The sky is the limit for us,” Campiotti said. “My goal is the state championship, along with everyone else in the locker room. ...I love our coaching staff; they want to win games as much as we do.” New offensive coordinator Mark Varnum takes over for Neil MacDannald, but coach Reis indicated any changes won’t be too noticeable. “Being balanced is something we’re really looking forward to,” Reis said. “This team can push us to a level we haven’t been before. I think we can run and pass the ball well. In the past it’s been to put eight or nine people in the box and force Manteca to throw it. I don’t think that’s something that people are going to want to do as much.” “We plan on spreading it out a little more,” Campiotti said. “We could have a few more receivers in more often, and throwing it a little more than in the past.

2017 SCHEDULE Aug. 25 – Valley Christian Sept. 1 – Christian Brothers (at Sac. City) Sept. 8 – Enochs (at Gregori) Sept. 15 - BYE Sept. 22 – Central Catholic* Sept. 29 – Lathrop* Oct. 6 – Oakdale* Oct. 13 – Kimball* Oct. 20 – Weston Ranch* Oct. 27 – Sierra* Nov. 3 – East Union* All games start at 7 p.m. *Valley Oak League game Home games in bold

The Record

Wednesday, August 23, 2017 |

VO L E A S T U N I O N L A N C E R S

Upstart squad has ‘unfinished’ business By Kevin Niendorf Record Correspondent

ne could understand if members of the East Union football community weren’t done celebrating its playoff team from a season ago. After all, it was just the third time in the past quarter century that the Lancers had their schedule extended into the postseason. As a result, there’s no question the hype for continued success has carried over into this season among the coaches, players and beyond. “The campus is on fire right now,” said seventhyear coach Willie Herrera. “There’s excitement for Friday nights. “The theme this year is ‘Unfinished.’ We’re not done with what we started last year. It’s an unfinished product and we have to polish it up. I’m super pumped to be

SEASON OUTLOOK Head coach: Willie Herrera (seventh year) 2016 results: 6-5, 3-4 VOL, lost 49-13 to Fair Oaks-Del Campo in ﬁrst-round Division III playoff Toughest losses: QB Jack Weaver, RB/DB Angel Sena, OL Joseph Reynaga, C Andy Parcells Key returners: OL/DL Jaysen Reindel, sr., FB/RB Isaiah Sholund, sr., RB/DB Mason James, sr. Top newcomers: QB Jojo Espinosa, jr., RB/OL Levi Huffman, jr., OL/DL Anthony Anaya, jr., TE/ OLB Marquise Higgins, jr. Schemes – Offense: Pistol wing, Defense: 3-4 Area of Strength: Stable of running backs and depth across the roster Area of Concern: Secondary play against pass-heavy teams

TWO FROM THE COACH Funniest player on the team: “Mason James. Mason has a dry sense of humor and has these one-liners he spurts out every once in awhile that crack me up.”

Espinosa

Herrera

out here and see these guys play.” East Union finished 6-5 last year (3-4 Valley Oak League) before losing 49-13 to Fair Oaks-Del Campo in the SacJoaquin Section Division III playoffs. Multiple players were lost to graduation, including three-year starting quarterback Jack Weaver. “A good chunk of last year’s group were three-year varsity players, and it was their job to set that next stone in place,” Herrera said. “They took the program to the next level.” He said that success has rubbed off on this year’s

Scariest player to get hit by: “Nick Sims. He is sneaky, he is small and doesn’t look like much, but he plays like a monster. There is deﬁnitely some crazy in there, and we love it.”

BY THE NUMBERS

1992

Last season, the Lancers earned a Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berth for just the third time since 1992. East Union is still seeking its ﬁrst postseason victory since 1992, though, and will have to do so after the three-year starting quarterback Weaver graduated.

2017 SCHEDULE Sept. 1 – Ceres, 7 p.m. Sept. 8 – Johansen, 7 p.m. Sept. 15 – West, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 22 – Oakdale, 7 p.m.* Sept. 29 – Kimball, 7 p.m.* Oct. 6 – Central Catholic, 7 p.m.* Oct. 13 – Lathrop, 7 p.m.* Oct. 20 – Sierra, 7 p.m.* Oct. 27 – Weston Ranch, 7 p.m.* Nov. 3 – Manteca, 7 p.m.* Home games in bold *Valley Oak League game

returning players, several of whom have thrived in the lower ranks of the program. This year’s junior class finished their freshman season undefeated with a 10-0 record in 2015. Leading that squad was quarterback JoJo Espinosa, who hopes his expected twoyear tenure will produce at least one more shot at the postseason. “It’s not easy coming in here and replacing a threeyear starter,” Espinosa said. “I want my strong point to be able to kill teams in the pocket. When (people) think of me they think of me as a running back. I want to prove that I am a quarterback. “...Everyone looks past us, but they don’t know how much talent this team has.” His primary target will be junior Marquise Higgins, a 6-4, 225-pound receiver who’s as fast as he is strong.

Opposite Higgins will be Matthew Pilkay, whose smaller frame and speed enables him to slide between defensive backs for big gains. “He’s like Julian Edelman,” Espinosa said. “He always gets open, so we’re expecting a big year from him.” Senior offensive linemen Jaysen Reindel and Nick Sims, along with junior Anthony Anaya, will provide the protection for Espinosa, and senior running backs Isaiah Sholund and Mason James. Reindel beams when thinking about East Union’s offensive potential. “I’ll protect JoJo until the day I die,” Reindel said. “He has everything you need, athleticism, an arm and accuracy. Plus he’s got five big, burly dudes that are going to put their butts on the line every single game. “The era of Jack Weaver is over. Now it’s time for JoJo

“I want my strong point to be able to kill teams in the pocket. When (people) think of me they think of me as a running back. I want to prove that I am a quarterback. ... Everyone looks past us, but they don’t know how much talent this team has.” JoJo Espinosa

to step up, take the torch and run with it - with an emphasis on run.” Defensively the Lancers are suspect, but Herrera said it’s an opportunity for guys to earn playing time. “I’m going to be honest, there’s growing pains,” Herrera said. “Defense is definitely something we’ve spent a lot of time on. The experience may not be there right now but the effort, and the focus to details has been there.”

| Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Prep Football Preview

V O L S I E R R A T I M B E R W O LV E S

New coach, new leaders, new schemes By Scott Niendorf Record Correspondent

hen former Ripon football coach Chris Johnson saw Sierra rally for a 22-19 win in their season opener at Ripon last year, little did he know he would like to see history repeat itself a year later coming up on Aug. 25. Johnson was in his only year off in awhile, after 12 years as Ripon's head coach, and had become a teacher at Sierra. Johnson did not know he would kick off a new era as the Timberwolves’ head coach this season, and there is no way he is looking past the Indians. “We could say it’s just another game,” Johnson said, “but I think you have to put an asterisk by that game – for both teams. I know those kids on that team and those coaches who coached with me for multiple years.” Johnson said he was asked if he wanted to get out of the game but said he didn’t hesitate in keeping it. “What a great story for both schools,” Johnson said. “At the end of the day it’s still high school football and it makes it fun. We’re going to try to beat each other but after the game I’ll cheer for them the rest of the way. “Week (0) I’m cheering against them,” he said with a chuckle. Johnson would also like Sierra’s history of quick

SEASON OUTLOOK Head coach: Chris Johnson (ﬁrst year) 2016 results: 6-5, 3-4 VOL, lost 29-27 to Antelope-Center in ﬁrst-round Division IV playoff Toughest losses: QB Mark Vicente, LB/RB Seu Alofaituli, DB/LB Nashon Tamiano Key returners: WR/DB Jacob Peterson, sr., C/MLB Jordan Black, sr. Top newcomers: Chase

Sierra football coach Chris Johnson, second from right, talks to his team during a preseason practice at Sierra High in Manteca. Johnson, in his ﬁrst year with the Timberwolves, is a Ripon High graduate who coached Ripon from 2004-2015. [SCOTT NIENDORF/FOR THE RECORD]

starts to continue just as the Timberwolves did by winning four of five to begin last season. Sierra has big shoes to fill with the graduation of quarterback Mark Vicente, who accounted for 23 total touchdowns in 2016. “We’re looking at that position very hard,” Johnson said. “It’s got to be handled ASAP.” The Timberwolves are looking closely at juniors Nick Stanley or Jimmy Taylor as possible starters for Johnson’s hybrid Wing-T offense, which has a healthy

complement of capable receivers to help take the focus off Sierra’s backfield. Senior wide receiver Jacob Peterson recorded 124 and 122 receiving yards alone in games against Oakdale and Kimball last year, finishing with six touchdowns. He's also a reliable strong safety for Sierra's defense. “(Peterson) is going to get attention because of (last year’s) accolades but we have a lot of other seniors who have stepped up and taken leadership roles as well,”

Johnson said. One of those seniors is Jordan Black, who anchors the offensive line at center and leads the defense at middle linebacker. Senior Chase Sperbeck, who was hit by pitches seven times for the Sierra baseball team last season, will instead get to dish out the hits as he joins the Timberwolves defense. Johnson is also high on the progress of senior Josh Moore, who will bolster the defense along with junior newcomers Frankie Vela and Carlos Tovar.

Sperbeck, sr., Frankie Vela, jr., Carlos Tovar, jr. Trap game: Ripon Schemes – Offense: Hybrid Wing-T, jet sweep, Defense: 3-5 Area of Strength: Experience and depth at skill positions Area of Concern: Inexperience at quarterback

spent 12 seasons coaching his alma mater Ripon High from 2004-2015. Johnson became a teacher at Sierra before taking the job. Ironically, he opens against Ripon on Aug. 25 at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium. Twelve is also the amount of seasons Jeff Harbison was head coach at Sierra before resigning last offseason. Harbison, a Manteca High product, started in 2005 and guided Sierra to its

only two VOL championships: shared titles with Oakdale in 2009 and 2014.

BY THE NUMBERS

New Timberwolves coach Chris Johnson

There were only two sophomores on the varsity roster when Sierra won the 2015 Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV, CIF NorCal Division IV-A and CIF State Division IV-A championships. Those two were Peterson and Caden Worth, who remain on varsity for Sierra.

Black

Peterson

“I have no (preconceived) expectations for our team,” Johnson said. “I know it’s coaching cliché but this year it’s just ‘one game at a time’ for us.” But that first one could be special.

2017 SCHEDULE Aug. 25 – Ripon Sept. 1 – Central Valley Sept. 8 – Pacheco Sept. 15 – BYE Sept. 22 – Kimball Sept. 29 – Central Catholic Oct. 6 – Lathrop Oct. 13 – Oakdale Oct. 20 – East Union Oct. 27 – Manteca Nov. 3 – Weston Ranch All games start at 7 p.m. *Valley Oak League game Home games in bold

The Record

Wednesday, August 23, 2017 |

V O L L AT H R O P S PA R TA N S

‘Get six’ the theme for Spartans’ season By Scott Niendorf Record Correspondent

ride” is a word embedded in the chain link fence that surrounds Paul Wiggin Stadium on the west end of Lathrop Road. But the Spartans, under the tutelage of third year coach Joe Pirillo, have grown immensely. A few years ago, the Lathrop football team may have just been playing for pride. Now, the Spartans want much, much more: the playoffs. Lathrop earned the school’s first playoff berth in Pirillo’s first season in 2015 but missed the 2016 postseason with a 4-6 mark. Pirillo and company feel strongly they have a chance to return to the playoffs. “For our kids it’s ‘Get Six,’” Pirillo said, referring to the usual amount of wins it takes to clinch a Sac-Joaquin Section at-large playoff berth. “If you get six you get to go dance. That’s what it’s all about – trying to get back into (the playoffs).” Getting a half dozen victories is a tough order playing in the Valley Oak League, which boasted not one, but two section champions last season in Division III Oakdale and Division IV Manteca. But the Spartans don’t just believe Pirillo that they can win against good teams. They know they can. Lathrop was the last team to beat Division IV section champion Sierra (37-35) in 2015 before the Timberwolves reeled off six

“P

SEASON OUTLOOK Head coach: Joe Pirillo (third year) 2016 results: 4-6, 3-4 VOL, did not qualify for playoffs Toughest losses: RB/LB Tre Tuipuloto Willis Jr., TE/ILB Idowu Olaleye, WR/FS R.J. Tisdell Key returners: QB Keonnee Linnell, sr., RB Michael Ramos, sr. Top newcomers: RB/LB Mariano Rocha Jr., C Justin

Joe Pirillo, the third-year head coach of the Lathrop football team, speaks to his players during a preseason practice at Lathrop High. The Spartans are seeking their second Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berth in three years. [SCOTT NIENDORF/FOR THE RECORD]

consecutive wins en route to a state championship. “They got a taste of (the playoffs) two years ago,” Pirillo said. “Maybe 5-5 might have got us in (last season) with our strength of schedule but we only got four (wins). You’ve got the strength of schedule for playing in the VOL.” Lathrop graduated running back Tremayne TuipulotoWillis and linebacker Idowu Olaleye but the Spartans have new talent the coaches are high on to support several key returners in 2017.

Joining senior tailback Michael Ramos in the backfield could be junior running back Mariano Rocha, who transferred in from Tracy High. Ramos was a 1,000-yard rusher (1,015) last season with a 7.6 yards per carry/101.5 yards per game average and six touchdowns. Lathrop senior Keonnee Linnell returns as the Spartans’ starting quarterback, looking to improve over last year’s 1,088 passing yards and 13 touchdowns.

“If we would have won one more game we might have gotten a wild card,” Linnell said. “That would have helped. We have to keep faith and hope in this season. We need to have everybody do what they (can) do." Pirillo is counting on hardhitting senior Ayiende Dukes and the rest of the defense to give Lathrop a chance. “Dukes played linebacker for us all last season next to (Olaleye) so he’s got all that experience to go with him this year,” said Pirillo, eying

Munoz-Romero Jr., WR/DB Justin Manuel Jr. Trap game: West Schemes – Offense: Multiple/Iform, Defense: 3-4 Area of Strength: Experience on defense Area of Concern: Depth up front

Funniest player on the team and why: “Justin Manuel. Always has a question no matter what we’re doing. It could be good or bad, you never know. He is a character right there.”

Lathrop’s ﬁrst six seasons as a program, it had just seven wins combined. Pirillo is a 2004 Manteca High graduate, who played for current Manteca coach Eric Reis.

2004

BY THE NUMBERS TWO FROM THE COACH Scariest player to get hit by: Ayiende Dukes

Upstart Lathrop has 10 wins in the ﬁrst two seasons of Pirillo’s tenure. In

2017 SCHEDULE Aug. 25 – West, 7 p.m. Sept. 1 – Hilmar, 7:30 p.m.

Linnell

M. Romero

the strength his returners will bring to the gridiron. The coach needs his linemen to step up to control the action and he feels junior Justin Munoz-Romero will be a solid anchor for the Spartans’ O-line.

Sept. 8 - BYE Sept. 15 – Elk Grove-Franklin (at Cosumnes Oaks), 7 p.m. Sept. 22 – Weston Ranch, 7 p.m.* Sept. 29 – Manteca, 7 p.m.* Oct. 6 – Sierra, 7 p.m.* Oct. 13 – East Union, 7 p.m.* Oct. 20 – Central Catholic, 7 p.m.* Oct. 27 – Oakdale, 7 p.m. Nov. 3 – Kimball, 7 p.m.* *Valley Oak League game Home games in bold

| Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Prep Football Preview

VO L W E S T O N RA N C H CO U G A R S

Coach, teammates show faith in new QB By Kevin Niendorf Record Correspondent

espite having lost the majority of last year’s players to graduation, not once did Weston Ranch football coach Seth Davis use the word “rebuilding” in his 20-minute interview regarding the Cougars’ prospects for this season. Instead, Davis spoke highly of the abundance of young talent being integrated into a team that may fly under the radar entering the Valley Oak League schedule. Junior quarterback Amier Bowen was tabbed the starter in the spring given his range, versatility and command of the playbook. “He has a strong arm, and really impressed some people at some of the quarterback camps over the summer,” said Davis, in his fifth season at the helm. “(Bowen) probably would have been very effective for us last year had we brought him up midway through last season. And, we

Weston Ranch tailback Cory Floyd, left, runs the football during a nonleague game against Edison on Sept. 2, 2016, at Weston Ranch High in Stockton. [CALIXTRO ROMIAS/RECORD FILE 2016]

feel like we have some really good receivers that people don’t know about.” Bowen’s primary targets will be difficult to tackle as newcomer Jovian Johnson, 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, will mirror an equally intimidating target in Antoine Brown. Junior Fletcher Pitts has the speed to get into the end zone, completing a corps that will make their

SEASON OUTLOOK

BY THE NUMBERS

Head coach: Seth Davis (ﬁfth year) 2016 results: 4-6, 1-6 VOL, did not qualify for playoffs Tough losses: RB/LB Bryant Bowen Jr., WR/DB James Walker, WR/DB Elijah Harper, FB/LB Andrew Farley, WR/CB Malik Vega-Tatum, OLB Albert White Key returners: RB Cori Floyd, sr., OL/DT Chandler Brock, sr., WR/FS Antoine Brown, sr., OL Jesus Guerrero, sr. Top newcomers: QB Amier Bowen, jr., WR Jovian Johnson, WR Fletcher Pitts, jr. Schemes – Offense: Spread, Defense: 6-2 Area of Strength: High-ceiling QB, experienced tailback linemen and dangerous skill position players Area of Concern: Inexperienced secondary, graduation of top pass-rusher White

8.7

The Cougars graduated most of 2016’s leaders, but Floyd returns as the team’s leading rusher, according to MaxPreps. com. Floyd averaged 8.7 yards per carry for Weston Ranch, which was in playoff contention until Week 10. Weston Ranch will certainly miss White from its pass rush. White had a team-high 11 sacks in 2016.

2017 SCHEDULE Aug. 25 – Ceres, 7 p.m. Sept. 1 – Edison, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 8 – Bear Creek, 7 p.m. Sept. 15 – BYE Sept. 22 – Lathrop, 7 p.m.* Sept. 29 – Oakdale, 7 p.m.* Oct. 6 – Kimball, 7 p.m.* Oct. 13 – Central Catholic, 7 p.m.* Oct. 20 – Manteca, 7 p.m.* Oct. 27 – East Union, 7 p.m.* Nov. 3 – Sierra, 7 p.m.* Home games in bold *Valley Oak League game

varsity debut for the Cougars. “We feel we have a lot of depth in that skill position area,” Davis said. “We feel we have a really talented quarterback, as well as a great running back coming back.” Senior Cori Floyd led the team in rushing last season

with an 8.7-yard average. The soft-spoken ball carrier prefers to let his running speak for him, but did say he’s eager to get the season underway. “I’m so excited for the season, I just can’t sleep,” said Floyd, sporting a 4.6second speed in the 40-yard dash. “I like getting around the edges and getting up field. I’m ready to show the people what Weston Ranch is about.” Bowen has no problem giving a shout out to Floyd. “Cori is so explosive,” Bowen said. “Every time he gets the ball it’s one cut and he’s up the field. I’m excited about (our team). I’ve dreamed about this ever since I was about 8 years old.” Anchoring the offensive line will be junior Manuel Torres, who started as a sophomore and has caught the eye of UC Davis coaches. Senior center Jesus Guerrero and tackle Chandler Brock are given the task of getting

Floyd to run free. “I don’t feel we lost too much size-wise from last year, and we’re playing a lot smarter and disciplined,” Davis said. “Our technique is becoming flawless, and we’re playing really aggressive.” Torres said the days of overlooking Weston Ranch are over, citing a harder work ethic on the field and in the weight room, along with dedicated teammates. “We’ve had some bad seasons in the past, but this is a new group of guys,” he said. “They’ll see. It’s been a big change from the last few years where we’ve had the same record. We’re looking to change that.” When asked about Bowen behind center, Torres smiled without hesitation. “He’s one of the best quarterbacks,” Torres said. “I know what he can do, how he performs and what he has. He has everything.”

The Record

Wednesday, August 23, 2017 |

VO L K I M BA L L JAGUA R S

Defense a focus for young Kimball team By Scott Niendorf Record Correspondent

imball football coach Dave McPherson can see the potential lined up as the Jaguars prepare to kick off their new season. If Kimball does find success the defensive side may be the key that gives the Jaguars a chance to help post some wins in 2017. “I’m excited about the guys we have,” McPherson said. “I think they’re finally understanding what we’re trying to do. There’s a lot of communication and excitement there. I feel good about the defense.” Junior Noah Mainarick was just one of several players, including fellow junior Connor Sterritt, who turned heads this summer. Meanwhile, seniors Niko Bidanian and Chinedu Nwadike are looking to rebound from injuries to add to Kimball’s depth. “We’re excited about (Mainarick),” said McPherson of new talent joining the Jaguars. “He looks real good and is going to play linebacker and some at tailback.” Sterritt and Nwadike will see plenty of opportunities for tackles at defensive end while Bidanian will play middle linebacker. Senior Jace Chavez may not be noticed for his height but teams will see his quickness in the secondary. “I’m going to keep working hard and doing what I’m doing,” said Chavez, who should get some looks at wide receiver on offense. “I have my teammates there to help me when I need it.” Jaguars faithful will

SEASON OUTLOOK Head coach: Dave McPherson (third year) 2016 results: 1-9, 0-7, did not qualify for playoffs Toughest loss: RB/LB Ryan Rivera, T/DT Garren Harris II Key returners: RB/CB Joseph Parungao, sr., G/MLB Niko

Bidanian

Nwadike

Chavez

Mainarick

no-doubt miss graduated senior Ryan Rivera, a 1,000yard rusher (1,059) along with his 7 yards per carry average. “This is a different type of team that doesn’t have a Rivera,” McPherson said. “He was an (outstanding) player. We have a number of good kids and there’s good chemistry. These guys have been in the weight room since January working hard, which is something we’ve struggled with in the past.” But Kimball senior Joseph Parungao doesn’t come into the backfield without experience, as he averaged 6.6 yards per carry on 60 attempts and will be the starter on Aug. 25 at Livermore. “(Parungao) got some carries last year at tailback and will play some outside linebacker for us,” McPherson said. The Jaguars are looking at sophomore Kyle Gibson and junior Cam Sims to quarterback the spread zone read offense coming into 2017. “We’re still in competition but we’re excited about (Gibson),” McPherson added. “He looks good.”

Bidanian, sr., TE/DE Chinedu Nwadike, sr., RB/S Jace Chavez, sr. Top newcomers: RB/LB Noah Mainarick, jr., DE Connor Sterritt, jr. Schemes – Offense: Spread zone read, Defense: 3-5 Area of Strength: Experience returning on defense

Kimball football coach Dave McPherson prepares to throw a pass during a preseason practice at Kimball High in Tracy. [SCOTT NIENDORF/FOR THE RECORD]

Area of Concern: Team-wide depth

Kimball went winless in league play in 2016 and was 1-6 in both 2015 and 2014.

BY THE NUMBERS

2013

The Jaguars’ only .500 season, 2013, was also their only winning season in the Valley Oak League (4-3).

2017 SCHEDULE Aug. 25 – Livermore, 7 p.m. Sept. 1 – BYE Sept. 8 – West, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 15 – Tracy, 7 p.m.

Sept. 22 – Sierra, 7 p.m.* Sept. 29 – East Union, 7 p.m.* Oct. 6 – Weston Ranch, 7 p.m.* Oct. 13 – Manteca, 7 p.m.* Oct. 20 – Oakdale, 7 p.m.* Oct. 27 – Central Catholic, 7 p.m.* Nov. 3 – Lathrop, 7 p.m.* Home games in bold *Valley Oak League game

| Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Prep Football Preview

M OT H E R LO D E L E AG U E

The Sullivan Era takes shape at Linden Lions feature new offense, defense, culture

Keeter, Reese Gilmore and Anthony Burns are all gone. But senior linebacker Brandon Wright, kicker Juan Herrera and linebacker and tight end Dustin Martin bring the championship experience.

By Thomas Lawrence Record Staff Writer

he members of the Linden football team, especially veterans like seniors Rowdy Reed and Cody Leppert, know that the future of their program depends on much more than the current varsity roster. That’s why Reed, Leppert and the Lions are on-board for a grassroots effort to rebuild their prowess, orchestrated in large part by first-year head coach Andy Sullivan. Sullivan, who was hired in January, organized a meeting for parents and families, an overnight campout oncampus for the players, and a “Friday Night Lights”-type event on Aug. 4 where fans came to the stadium to watch all levels of Linden football practice together. And it was truly all levels, from varsity to the town’s Pop Warner teams. “Coach Sullivan has brought a lot to the community. He brings the community together,” said Reed, a running back and strong safety. “He’s brought our youths together. He brings the parents into it.” Reed (406 rushing yards, three touchdowns in 2016) is the leading returning rusher, but the offense has a different look. Linden is transitioning to a Wing-T approach, after being a veer team out of the

LINDEN LIONS Head coach: Andy Sullivan (ﬁrst year) 2016 results: 1-9, 0-6 MLL, did not qualify for playoffs Toughest losses: RB/LB Hunter White, K/P Maximo Rodriguez, WR Scott Hushaw Key returners: LB Cody Leppert, sr., RB/SS Rowdy Reed, sr. Top newcomers: QB Kage Camper, jr., OLB/DE Kalei Leppert, jr., RB Christian

Calaveras

A year after reaching the section semifinals, Calaveras was shocked in a lopsided, section quarterfinals loss to Marysville in San Andreas. Gone is dynamic running back Noah Preuss and the defense's leader in linebacker Nick Quinday. However, seniors at key positions return, in quarterback Kyle Byrd and offensive lineman John Kelley. Bret Harte and Argonaut Amador linebacker Brandon Wright, center, celebrates after a fumble recovery during the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI ﬁnal against Bradshaw Christian on Nov. 26, 2016, at Lincoln’s Spanos Stadium in Stockton. [CRAIG SANDERS/RECORD FILE 2016]

shotgun in years past. The Wing-T is a favorite among many traditional high school powers, utilizing the deception of players taking fake handoffs. Junior quarterback Kage Camper, who is slated to be Linden’s starter, is learning the craft quickly. “It’s a lot different. We’re used to (longer) pitches,” Camper said during Linden’s practice on the evening of Aug. 9. Said Reed: “We’re doing more of the running back faking, so it makes it easier on the quarterback.” Sullivan is excited for the inclusion of top newcomers like Camper, senior

linebacker Cody Leppert’s younger brother Kalei Leppert, a junior outside linebacker, and new featured tailback and junior in Christian Sanders. Linden is making a change on defense too, which is Sullivan’s forte, as a former defensive back for UC Davis. The Lions are moving to a 5-2 — five linemen, two linebackers — after running a 4-4 last season. This, Cody Leppert said, is a simplistic but effective scheme which does well to protect against an up-the-middle running game that many Mother Lode League teams feature. “It will create more chaos on the line,” Leppert said.

Sanders, jr. Trap game: Bret Harte Schemes – Offense: Wing-T, Defense: 5-2 Area of Strength: Solid talent at wide receiver, tailback and tight end Area of Concern: Lack of depth on the offensive line

mood, and the kids really like him a lot.” Scariest player to get hit by: Cody Leppert: “He’s a senior, he’s got a year under his belt, his been in the weight room. …he’s just really aggressive. Every single day he’s saying ‘I’m ready to hit someone.’’

TWO FROM THE COACH

BY THE NUMBERS

Funniest player on the team: “He’s a quirky kid. He’s always telling jokes, always in a good

Sullivan replaces former coach Mark Miller after Miller guided the

Rest of the MLL Amador Thundering Herd

Last November and December were blissful for the football-loving residents of Sutter Creek, and Amador County in general. Amador earned its first-ever Sac-Joaquin Section and CIF Northern California championships, and head coach Bill Baker and the community savored every moment. Now, it's back to reality for the Herd, a team which shocked the area by becoming the MLL runner-up a year ago despite being undersized and thought a borderline playoff team. Former senior leaders Daylan Thetford, Andrew

Lions for a total of 29 seasons: from 1976-1997 and from 2010-2016.

2018-22

This is the ﬁnal year of the current alignment cycle for leagues in the Sac-Joaquin Section (2014-18). Next year, Linden will move from its traditional MLL to the Sierra Delta League, which features teams from the Sacramento area and the northern half of the section.

It was a dream season in 2016 for the Bullfrogs, who had been mired in a long, long slump. While they lost in the first round of the D-VI playoffs to Newman-Orestimba, Bret Harte made an important step in earning a winning season for the first time since at least the turn of the century. Argonaut showed strong throughout, but lost a heartbreaker to Bradshaw Christian in the section semifinals, missing an opportunity to face arch rival Amador in the championship. A key for the Mustangs is finding a leader to replace former quarterback Ryan Albiani, a dangerous dual-threat QB. Sonora and TuolumneSummerville, the final two MLL teams, are not in The Record's coverage area.

2017 SCHEDULE Aug. 25 – Franklin, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 1 – Gustine, 7 p.m. Sept. 8 – Galt, 7 p.m. Sept. 15 – Le Grand, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 – Amador, 7 p.m.* Sept. 29 – Summerville, 7 p.m.* Oct. 6 – BYE Oct. 13 – Sonora, 7 p.m.* Oct. 20 – Argonaut, 7 p.m.* Oct. 27 – Bret Harte, 7 p.m.* Nov. 3 – Calaveras, 7 p.m.* *Mother Lode League game Home games in bold

The Record

Wednesday, August 23, 2017 |

CCAA, TVL , & SL

Brookside homecoming: Huber returns Veterans Lee, Vickers to fuel both sides of ball By Thomas Lawrence Record Staff Writer

hen Mike Huber says he feels a part of the Brookside Christian football program, he really means it. And his history backs him up. Huber was one of the coaches, though then an assistant, responsible for the genesis of the program in 1997. He was also head coach from 2000-2005, and this offseason, returned and replaced former head coach Jordan McGowan. Huber, standing inside the Knights’ locker room and weightlifting facility near their small practice field on Aug. 8, pointed to the blueand-white lockers that he helped bring to his program well over a decade ago. Although, admittedly, he had been enjoying his temporary retirement from coaching. “I was pretty happy on the couch after being away for four years,” Huber said. But, he’s friends with the Gibson family, which includes Brookside Christian principal Greg Gibson. When former Brookside Christian baseball coach George Tovar died earlier this year, Huber was one of the people the

BROOKSIDE CHRISTIAN Head coach: Mike Huber (1st year second stint, 7th year overall) 2016 results: 9-5, 4-1 CCAA, beat Merced-Stone Ridge Christian 54-21 in section Division VII ﬁnal, beat Biggs 52-30 in CIF NorCal Division 6-A play-in game, lost to Vallejo-St. Patrick-St. Vincent 47-18 in NorCal 6-A bowl game. Toughest losses: LB/WR Jalen Williams, WR/DB Justin Williams, OL Eryk Schaftlein, QB Quincy Glasper, LB Nate Banks Key returners: WR/RB/KR Reuben Lee, sr., WR/DB Tyrone Vickers Jr., sr., OL/DL John

Gibsons called to help out. This summer, the Knights tabbed him as football coach again, citing his roots and connections in the area and ability to bring stability to a program that, like so many small schools, labors to keep proper roster numbers. “Coming back and being the coach, it’s an honor,” Huber said. “It really is. This is a great environment for the kids. Anything that I ask for, the school is behind me.” Huber doesn’t need to inquire about a running back. Reuben Lee is a returning first-team All-Area selection, who had a massive campaign. In 10 games, the then-junior amassed 1,724 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns; 491 receiving yards and eight TD catches, and 79 tackles and two interceptions on defense. “He’s a special player. He’s the kind of guy who knows the game really well, and plays to his strengths,” said Huber, also Linden’s former head coach. Brookside Christian also features a senior two-way standout in Tyrone Vickers Jr., whom Huber said has an excellent reputation for delivering big hits on defense. Vickers tallied 45 catches for 658 yards and five touchdowns, and in the secondary, had four interceptions and 133 tackles. Huber, moments after watching the Knights

Dumlao, jr., WR/SS Stedman Quartermaine, sr. Top newcomers: TE/DE Raife Porter, soph., James Sherman, frosh., DL Angel Sanchez, soph. Trap game: Sierra Ridge/ROP Schemes – Offense: Multiple, Defense: 3-5 Area of Strength: Skill position depth and talent Area of Concern: Young offensive line lacking depth

ONE FROM THE COACH Funniest player on the team: Quartermaine: “He’s got a voice for radio. He’s got a real deep voice. He’ll come in here and

Rest of the CCAA Millennium, a win away from last year's CCAA title, has six wins each of the past two seasons and returns 1,000-yard tailback Isaiah Woods. Trans-Valley League Escalon coach Mark Loureiro, the section's alltime career wins leader, is back for season No. 29. Loureiro, who has a record of 274-62-1, along with eight section titles, has said he's in his career's homestretch. Ripon was the TVL runnerup a year ago, and will miss now-graduated receiver Aaron Paschini. Mountain House is in its third year of varsity football, and earned its first-ever victory in 2016: a nonleague win over Livingston. Brookside Christian’s Reuben Lee runs for a touchdown against Stone Ridge Christian during the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VII ﬁnal on Nov. 19, 2016, at Bear Creek High in Stockton. [CRAIG SANDERS/RECORD FILE 2016]

condition to end their lateafternoon practice, looked back on how quickly the past 20 years have gone. One of his former players, Jordan Girley, is now an assistant coach. “I feel old,” Huber said. First time out Delta Charter of Tracy has

sing, and he can’t sing a lick.”

2017 SCHEDULE Aug. 25 – Rio Vista, 7 p.m.# Sept. 1 – Fremont, 7 p.m.^ Sept. 9 – Milpitas, 7 p.m.# Sept. 15 – Arroyo, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 22 – Stone Ridge Chr., 7 p.m.* Sept. 29 – BYE Oct. 7 – Riverbank, 7 p.m.# Oct. 14 – Sierra Ridge/ROP, 1 p.m.* Oct. 20 – Big Valley Chr., 7 p.m.* Oct. 28 – Turlock Chr., 7 p.m.*^ Nov. 4 – Millennium, 7 p.m.*^ #Game hosted by Bear Creek ^Game hosted by Lincoln *CAA game Home games in bold

established a football team for the first time in its history. The Dragons open on the road against Vacaville Christian in Week 0, and test themselves in facing defending NorCal champion Amador on Sept. 8 in Sutter Creek. Delta Charter only has six games on its schedule as of Aug. 16, according to MaxPreps.

Southern League Ripon Christian will lean on junior Michael Kamps, a tight end and second-year varsity player, as well as senior William Hoekstra, a fullback, defensive lineman and quarterback who coach Trey Ozenbaugh describes as an emotional leader. The Knights labored to a 2-8 record in 2016, a year after a close loss to Hilmar in the section's Division VI semifinals.

| Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Prep Football Preview