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Published on 08/17/1998 All articles from this issue

Hoping to be great in '98

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By Pete Borello

Town Crier Staff Writer

All 5 area high schools could be playoff contenders this fall

Los Altos High

Los Altos' place in the standings may depend on how many players are still standing by season's end. With just 27 players on board, coach Ron Moser knows he can't afford injuries.

"My biggest concern is the health of the kids because we're not deep," said Moser, in his third year at the helm. "But football is a collision sport and things happen. We just have to cross our fingers."

Seven starters return from last year's team, which tied Gunn for second in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division at 4-1-1.

Leading the list of returnees is all-league lineman Pete Bjorklund. At 6 feet 3 inches and 245 pounds, he is "bigger, faster and stronger" this year, Moser said. That must be a scary thought for the rest of the division.

Bjorklund and fellow senior Micah Goins (6-3, 240) are expected to anchor both the offensive and defensive lines.

The Eagles' most versatile performer has to be Alex Ware. The senior does everything but wash the team uniforms. Besides being one of the best kickers in the CCS, Ware punts, plays wide receiver and may even start on defense.

"He has exceptional skills," Moser said. "We can't let talent like that go, so we're going to try him at linebacker and defensive back."

The defense should also be helped by the return of three all-leaguers: defensive backs Eric Handa and Matt Charles, plus linebacker Derrick McQuade.

The Eagles' offense hasn't changed - they continue to use the run-oriented Wing-T attack - but the players operating it have.

The only returning starter in the backfield is fullback Chris Mazurkiewicz.

The new man at quarterback is Jose Murillo, last year's backup. Moser said the senior made great strides over the summer by attending football camp.

Mike Chauvel, a transfer from St. Francis, takes over at halfback.

"He's a great athlete," Moser said. "He's not real big (5-7, 160) but he has good balance, speed and quickness."

Another St. Francis transfer, Matt Cosbie, is expected to help out at tight end. The son of former NFL star Doug Cosbie, the senior has "good genes and good speed," Moser said.

Los Altos opens its season Sept. 12 with an 11 a.m. game at St. Lawrence Academy in Santa Clara.

Mountain View High

With only 10 returning players on its 36-man roster, some people would label this a rebuilding year for Mountain View. But coach Dan Navarro is not one of them.

"I've never believed in a rebuilding year," Navarro said. "It's not fair to the seniors. Every year you should strive for the playoffs."

The team finished fourth in the El Camino last year, but its 6-4 overall record was good enough to earn a CCS berth. Mountain View lost to Monterey in the first round.

If the Spartans are to return to the post-season, a fresh group of players will have to carry them there. The biggest changes come on offense, where there's a new starter at every skill position.

The quarterback will be Jim Starrett, the No. 2 man a year ago. Starrett doesn't have many snaps under his belt, but Navarro said the senior's working hard.

Starrett will be joined in the backfield by quick-footed Leemone Young at halfback and either Nick Miura or John Shipley at fullback. These runners have the unenviable task of replacing Dan Griffin and Mike Caldwell, the best one-two punch in the division last season.

The receiving corps will consist of sure-handed wide outs Phillip Plum and Ross Stanley, along with tight end Dustin Tenbroeck.

The offensive line has three new faces. Returners Josh McDonald and all-leaguer Kyle Wieland will be joined by Jose Deanda, Daniel Morrison and Anthony Schmidt (6-5, 320). The line averages 245 pounds, making it the biggest group Navarro said he's ever had.

"If the line comes through, it could turn into the strength of the team," said Navarro, in his second tour of duty as Mountain View coach. "The potential and size are there and these kids work hard."

On the other side of the ball, Navarro has more experience. The strength of the defense may be at cornerback, where all-leaguer Brian Sam will team with Young. Other starters coming back include Wieland and McDonald up front and Miura at linebacker. Navarro said a new guy to watch is linebacker Zack McDonald, Josh's brother.

With so many inexperienced players in the mix, Navarro knows his team needs to grow up fast.

"The young kids need to mature quickly and show that they can compete at the varsity level for us to be successful," Navarro said.

Mountain View opens the season against Terra Nova at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills.

St. Francis High

This won't be a typical football season for St. Francis.

For the first time in six years, the Lancers don't have a CCS title to defend. Oak Grove put an end to that impressive streak last November, trouncing St. Francis 21-0 in the Div. I championship game.

Twenty-five players return from last year's squad, and coach Mike Mitchell said they're determined to reclaim the crown.

"There's definitely a drive there," said Mitchell, in his third year as coach. "These are highly motivated kids."

Desire, experience and talent can take a team a long way, and St. Francis seems to possess all three attributes.

The Lancers return eight starters on offense and seven on defense. Five of these players were all-league selections last fall.

Halfback Ronald Nunn - the West Catholic Athletic League Sophomore of the Year in 1997 - will again be the focal point of the offense. The No. 2 sprinter in the CCS last spring, few backs can fly like Nunn.

Nunn will line up beside either Jeff Endaya and Benard Thomas in the backfield. The two juniors will rotate at fullback. Endaya brings speed (he's also a sprinter) and Thomas brings brawn (he's 6-5, 215).

St. Francis quarterback Mike Mayon may lack experience, but the senior won't lack weapons. His primary target will be junior Grant Mattos, an all-league receiver last year.

"Grant's as good as any receiver we've ever had here," Mitchell said.

Matt Lemos will complement Mattos, Mitchell said, while dependable Garrett Cook is back at tight end. The offensive line returns two all-leaguers: Gabe Garcia and Mike Riccoboni.

The defense has its share of stars as well, including Mattos (linebacker), Freddie Washington (safety) and Rudy Medina (defensive back).

Mitchell also anticipates big years from defensive end Thomas and linebacker Brian McClenahan.

The Lancers' biggest weakness last season may have been stopping the run, but Mitchell has reason to believe that won't be the case this year. The coach said he likes what he's seen from his defensive tackles: newcomers David Ambler and John Rebero, plus returner R.J. Bates.

St. Francis will be tested early and often this season, playing one of the most brutal schedules in the CCS. They non-league games against three teams that went undefeated in 1997: Oak Grove, Skyline and De La Salle.

St. Francis kicks off the year with a 7:30 p.m. game at Hollister-San Benito Sept. 4.

Homestead High

It's hard for Richard Delgado to hide his enthusiasm about the upcoming season. With 25 returning players, the Homestead coach is confident he has the depth, experience and talent required to compete in the highly competitive SCVAL De Anza Division.

"I'm really excited," Delgado said. "I think we're going to make the move up. I'm hoping we can finish in the top three."

The Mustangs went 4-6 last year, finishing a win shy of the playoffs. While Delgado said he was pleased with the defense, the offense left something to be desired.

"We didn't have much of a passing game," the second-year coach said. "But now we have a quarterback who can put the ball in the air and receivers who can catch it."

That quarterback is 6-foot-4-inch sophomore Matt Root, a frosh-soph standout last season.

"He has a cannon for an arm," Delgado said, "and he has great presence."

But Root doesn't have the job sewn up just yet. Fellow Los Altos resident Casler Johnston - a junior who started the final three games last season - isn't surrendering the spot without a fight. Delgado said Johnston has shown good command of the team's new double-wing offense.

The Mustangs boast an experienced group of receivers, consisting of seniors Jesse Nicholes, Trumaine Green and Daniel Bae.

The running game will feature speedy halfback Nathan Woll, who played behind standout Jason Woods last year. Chacho Nieves will see time at tailback, while Ben Mika and Jason Carl will share the fullback duties.

Homestead returns all five starters on the offensive line, including junior Alex Damsgaard of Los Altos.

The defense should be as good or better than last year's rock-solid unit, Delgado said. The coach expects big things from defensive ends Mark Jolissaint and Paul Papoulias, both juniors. Delgado is excited about the defensive backfield, too, which includes Green, Nicholes and promising new starter Jeremiah Gourevitch.

Special teams should also be an area of strength for Homestead. All-league punter Jim Kiel returns, as does steady kicker Neal Mudgett of Los Altos.

The Mustangs open their season Sept. 11, playing a 3:15 p.m. game at Aragon in San Mateo.

Gunn High

1997 was a landmark year for local high school football. For the first time in a long time, all five local teams were playoff contenders.

In what's becoming an annual tradition, St. Francis High played for the Central Coast Section championship. Mountain View High qualified for the CCS playoffs for the third straight year. Los Altos, Homestead and Gunn highs just missed the post-season party.

With a new season approaching, all five teams look to contend once again. Can it happen in back-to-back years?

Only time will tell, but the coaches seem optimistic. A preview of each team follows:

After 25 years of futility, Gunn finally reached the .500 mark last season. The team actually exceeded it, going 5-4-1 overall.

However, the Titans' playoff drought lives on. Their last post-season appearance dates back to 1971.

1998 may be the year Gunn puts an end to this dubious streak.

"I like our chances - I think they're as good as any team playing in the division," said second-year coach Jeff Remington. "But there's a tough road ahead. Nobody makes the playoffs in September."

The Titans' post-season hopes will hinge heavily on staying healthy, according to Remington. Gunn had just 24 players in practice last week, though that number could increase to 30 this week. The team has only four returning starters.

The Titans had one of the division's best passing offenses a year ago, but most of the key components have graduated. This helps explain why Remington has gone to the run-happy Wing-T offense.

The primary ball carrier will be halfback Anthony Butler, who Remington calls "one of the top backs in the league." Curtis Walker will also get a healthy dose of carries at wing back.

Justin Silverman, a receiver last year, will start at quarterback. He won't have to throw many passes, Remington said, but he will do some running.

The coach lists the offensive line as his team's greatest strength. This unit is led by returning players Rex Finato and Byron Bly. Los Altos Hills resident Justin Marks will provide depth.

Defensively, Remington is particularly excited about the defensive backfield, which features all-leaguers Butler and Silverman.

Gunn opens the season at 2:45 p.m. Sept. 12 at Alvarez.