Independence, Willow Glen look strong for 2010
MORGAN HILL — The annual departure of the past champion leaves enough parity in the Blossom Valley Athletic League ‘B’ Division.
Throw in two new members – one that challenged for the ‘C’ league title, and another that was booted out of the ‘A’ conference following a down season — and you have a group that’s as well rounded and hungry as ever.
Welcome to Santa Teresa Division football 2010. It may be second fiddle to the Mount Hamilton Division, but the BVAL ‘B’ league will feature some exciting football each week as eight even-keeled programs battle for precious Central Coast Section playoff berths.
With 2009 champion Hill out of the picture, the Santa Teresa title is up for grabs.
“We’re expecting a good, quality opponent every Friday,” said Sobrato coach Nick Borello, whose Bulldogs entered the league this offseason after placing second in the West Valley Division. “We think we have as good a chance as anyone to finish on top.”
(2009 overall, league records in parenthesis)
Branham (4-6, 2-5): After opening the 2009 league season with victories against Evergreen Valley and Prospect, the Bruins were pounded by Westmont in Week 3 and did not win again.
Snapping that trend will be a challenge. Branham is breaking in a new quarterback in 6-foot-4 senior Daniel Herrera, who saw limited time under center a year ago, and graduated most of its play-makers.
The team could use a big year from senior wideout/defensive back Shintaro Kong and two-way interior linemen Steve Garcia and Adam Sheffield, a pair of 280-pound seniors.
Evergreen Valley (0-10, 0-7): There are few positives to take from the Cougars’ 2009 season, though it did provide some much-needed experience for the team’s younger players. Fifteen of whom are eligible to play this year.
Evergreen Valley’s offense will rely heavily on junior running back Nelson Costa, who rushed for a team-high 486 yards and two touchdowns last season. He also had 65 yards receiving.
The defense returns its second-leading tackler from 2009 in safety Darion Marine, plus a reliable cornerback in Jesse Arenas. The two seniors head a promising secondary.
Gunderson (6-4, 4-3): Always a strong team, the Grizzlies faced every current Santa Teresa program except Lincoln in 2009.
They should have good balance offensively behind veteran quarterback Nick Baity, who threw for 1,252 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior.
Gunderson’s defense graduated most of its heavy hitters from last year.
Independence (6-4-1, 5-1-1): The 76ers are in prime position to challenge for the league title, having returned their top two rushers, Robert Rodriguez and Joe Pauli, plus a big group of two-way linemen. Pauli was their leading tackler in 2009 while doubling at linebacker.
Independence has great size and speed on both sides of the ball.
Coach Norm Brown will get to face his old team from Sobrato again Oct. 1, when the Bulldogs visit Independence.
Lincoln (1-9, 0-7): The Lions are eager to prove they should still be playing with the best teams in the BVAL.
Their effort rests largely on the shoulders of junior quarterback Chris Pope and senior running back/outside linebacker Stephen Robertson, the team’s leading rusher and receiver in 2009. Pope took his lumps as a starting sophomore but still threw for close to 1,000 yards.
Lincoln has experience on its side thanks to a possible 30 returning varsity veterans, but that was the same case a year ago.
Westmont (6-4-1, 4-2-1): The Warriors have an outside chance to win the Santa Teresa title if they grow up fast.
The team bid farewell to a large senior class but looks ready to reload behind second-year starting quarterback Devin Laucher and wideout/linebacker Alex Kamara, a 6-foot-1 215-pound senior who was first-team all-league in 2009.
Westmont has five senior linemen measuring 6-feet or taller, including 315-pound guard/defensive tackle Matt Stumbough.
Willow Glen (6-3-1, 4-2-1): The Rams have every reason to expect big things this fall and possibly winter.
The weapons are there. Quarterback Mitchell Ravizza is coming off a huge season in which he threw for 2,130 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushed for 456 yards on the way to being named conference Sophomore of the Year.
Two of Ravizza’s favorites wideouts are back in first-team all-leaguers Greg Hori and James Aliason.
Junior linebackers Mark Amann and Nick Oreglia also are coming off breakout seasons.
