Summer’s almost gone, the preseason practices and scrimmages are a fading memory, and it’s time to put on the pads for real at high schools across the Central Coast.
Last season, for the first time in nearly 20 years, no Santa Maria-area football teams made the CIF playoffs. This time around, local schools will be looking to right their ships, but they’ll face some stiff opposition from a host of hungry competitors lining up on the other side of the pigskin.
So, without further ado, here’s a look at how the varsity teams across the North County stack up going into the new season:
Los Padres League
Lompoc Braves (11-3 overall, 5-1 league in 2010)
Behind a brutal rushing attack, the Braves rolled through the second half last season, all the way to the Los Padres League championship and the school’s first CIF title since 2003. Though the Braves come in as the favorite in 2011, they’ll face a tough test in their hopes of repeating.
Last season’s MVP running back Marcel Blow is history, as are standout wide receiver Drew Sapp and linebacker Zach Powell. However, in head coach Andrew Jones’ second year at the helm, the Braves hope to keep their six-game winning streak alive.
In what could be toughest regular season test of the year, the Braves open with an interleague contest on Sept. 2 against last year’s Pac-7 runner-up Arroyo Grande.
Santa Ynez Valley Pirates (6-6 overall, 4-2 league in 2010)
Santa Ynez enters this season revenge-minded after a missed extra point in the second round of the CIF playoffs spelled the end of their 2010 campaign. The Pirates had no reason to hang their heads, however, as their first round victory over North High was the school’s first playoff win in 10 years.
Depth and health may be concerns this year, but the Pirates could post the biggest challenge to Lompoc’s league supremacy. Seven offensive starters return, including senior quarterback Ryan Welker, top receivers Zach Foss and Jake Butcher, and All-League offensive lineman Cass Lyyken. On the defense, eight starters are back, including star linebacker Lee Jensen.
“We’re very excited,” said head coach Ken Gruendyke. “We have a number of kids up from the JV or first-year football players that have not been tested varsity-wise, so we have a lot of questions to answer in the first three ballgames.”
The Pirates will face Lompoc in Week 4 and kick off the season at home against Bishop Diego on Sept. 9.
Cabrillo Conquistadores (4-6 overall, 3-3 league in 2010)
Last year, the Conqs came within one victory of making the CIF playoffs for the first time since 2005. This year, ranked sixth in the CIF preseason poll for the Northwest Division, Cabrillo is looking to break through with a tested squad determined to make the postseason. Head coach Craig Knowles welcomes back a host of key returners, including linebacker Nick Bell, running back T.J. Babauta, and senior wide receiver Jeff Aldridge. A star pitcher on the diamond for Cabrillo, senior Henry Fienga will step in as the starting quarterback.
The Conqs open the season against San Marcos at home on Sept. 2.
Santa Maria Saints (3-7 overall, 1-5 league in 2010)
With a slightly easier schedule in 2011, the Saints hope to build off of last year’s three-win season and end the school’s long-running playoff drought.
The Saints gave up a lot of points last year and lost top defensive player Mershad Dillon and running back Joel Enriquez to graduation, but the varsity squad is loaded with seniors. Of the 15 returning starters, eight are from the offense, including last season’s starting quarterback David Wilkerson, who lines up behind a game-tested offensive line. The defense, anchored by All-League safety Sean Portune and lineman Jesse Estrada, should cause problems for any opposing team.
The Saints open the 2011 season on Sept. 9 against Marina High.
Nipomo Titans (0-10 overall, 0-6 league in 2010)
Remember the Titans? Hopefully they’ll forget last year’s dismal run, when their injury-plagued team was outscored by an average of 34-12. Gone are Titans’ top rusher and quarterback from 2010 Devonte Jackson and top receiver Micah Debruno. The secondary is young, too, however the Titans’ outlook is still promising with a more experienced club overall. Head coach Russ Edwards returns a total of 15 starters from last season, including senior linebacker J.T. Wells, senior offensive lineman Russell Moran, and center Brett Kimball.
Nipomo opens the season Sept. 2, hosting
Pioneer Valley.
Pac-7
St. Joseph Knights (5-5 overall, 2-4 league in 2010)
In the Pac-7, Arroyo Grande looks to be the favorite, but the St. Joseph Knights could be nipping at the Eagles’ heels by season’s end. The Knights struggled last year in their first-ever season in the league, going 2-4 and missing the playoffs for the first time in 13 years.
Staying home didn’t sit well with the team, according to head coach Mike Hartman, and the Knights have used the experience as motivation to work harder. Second team All-League quarterback Paul Avila returns for his senior season along with top receivers Zach Karsh and Chad Brooks, and junior tight end Ryan Mediano. The defense could be the Knights’ weakest point, as only two starters return.
“We’re a young team,” Hartman said. “We might have to do some on the job training, but there’s some talent and the kids have been giving good effort. We have some expectations of doing some things this year, so we’re looking forward to it.”
St. Joe’s kicks off the season Sept. 9 against Valley Christian of Cerritos.
Righetti Warriors (6-4 overall, 3-3 league in 2010)
The Warriors come into 2011 as the young pups in the Pac-7. Last year the squad went an even 3-3 in the league, missing the playoffs after taking the Pac-7 title in 2009. A young team, with only two starters held over from 2010, Righetti hopes to get back to prominence by limiting their turnovers, a sore spot for the club last season. Junior quarterback Troy Prober takes over behind center, lining up alongside junior wide receiver Luke Wilson and senior running back Matthew Giddings, who all look to play key roles.
The Warriors open up at home against Dos Pueblos on Sept. 2.
Pioneer Valley Panthers (3-7 overall, 0-6 league in 2010)
Pioneer Valley kicks off the new season, looking to rebound after a winless league schedule last year. Second year head coach Dan Ellington will have experience on his side this time around, bringing back nine offensive starters from last year, including senior quarterback Jason Espinoza, senior running back Gabriel Fuentes, and wide receiver/defensive back Francisco Alcantar. Most of the Panthers’ defensive starters from last season are back, too, including linebacker Matthew Diaz. Lack of depth could be a problem, but for the Panthers, there’s nowhere to go but up. They’ll hope to get off on the right foot on Sept. 2 at Nipomo.
Staff Writer Jeremy Thomas is ready for some foosball. Contact him at jthomas@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Sep 1-8, 2011.
