Acorns have put 2008 behind them
MORGAN HILL — Was it all just a bad dream?
Michael Singleton couldn’t explain it, neither could Dylan Frechette, Mark Weber, or any of Live Oak’s current players. Those who can recall why the Acorns struggled to a playoff-less 4-6 record in 2008, a year after playing for a Central Coast Section title, would rather not talk about it.
“Last year was really disappointing,” said Singleton, who last year recorded the second-most tackles in league as a junior. “I don’t even know what happened. We had way too much talent to finish like that. I don’t know what was missing.”
But Acorns coach Jon Michael Porras does know, and he is certain his players can emerge from the unforgiving Mount Hamilton Division this fall if they make amends.
“I think the most important thing always for these guys is to encourage each other and to trust in their teammates. That unites any championship team,” the third-year head coach said. “We had it two years ago, but we did not have it last year.”
The bad taste of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006 was more than enough to bring the team together this offseason. Spurred by the seniors, who are the last active members of that CCS finals team, the Acorns are stronger, faster and more solidified than a year ago.
“We’ve come together more and more every day,” Weber said. “Being on varsity for that playoff run in 2007 was great for us; we got to see how the older guys bonded. That’s been our goal ever since.”
The 2008 Acorns had plenty of talent at the skill positions but lacked experience in the trenches. The tables are turned this year. Live Oak’s new pistol-fleer offense will feature a first-year starting quarterback — be it the sure-handed senior Dylan Frechette or the hard-hitting junior David Pelz — plus a promising group of green running backs headed by senior Taylor Alonzo, the team’s fastest player. Alonzo will split carries with Julio Aguayo and Blair Zerr, a pair of bruising juniors.
“Aguayo has worked his way all the way up the depth chart,” Porras said. “He’s very impressive. Pelz has impressed me, too. He’s pushing Frechette pretty good.”
Frechette also will spearhead a young secondary at free safety, flanking rover Cody Van Aken and young defensive backs Kean Vaziry, Artie Valencia, Jacob Montoya and Rich Martinez. Zerr and Ryan Hennings are making a case to start at free safety.
“I’d say our DBs are the biggest surprise,” Singleton said. “They’re young, but they give it all they got.”
With 6-foot-3 senior Dominic Leach, the team’s leading receiver in 2007, back at wideout and Van Aken learning fast as a junior tight end, Live Oak’s seldom-used passing attack appears in good hands.
They get to build off a dedicated front five that includes returning starters Erik Poulsen, Thomas Mangano and Justin Santos, plus Andrew Michel and Nick Robles. Junior Isaac Camarillo can spell each of them.
“We came together and worked really hard this offseason on our pass blocking and run blocking,” Mangano said. “Now we just have to come together as a team and be a solid group.”
Poulsen, a 6-foot-3 260-pound senior, will double on the defensive line with Robles, Nico DeVillires and Luke Van Dahlen (6-foot-2 300 pounds).
“I’d say the linemen are the strongest unit,” Porras said. “We have a pretty solid linebacking corps, too.”
Weber and Singleton — both in the neighborhood of 5-foot-11 205 pounds — are just the beginning. Live Oak’s prized group of linebackers also features senior Eric Webb and Valley Christian transfer T.J. Ornduff.
“We’ve been playing with each other the past four years, so we’re pretty much a tight-knit group,” Weber said. “We can trust each other, that’s for sure.”
If the family bliss holds up, the Acorns will be ready to take on their remaining goals, which are the same each season: Make the playoffs and still be in uniform Thanksgiving weekend.
“If we do that,” Porras began, “I’m buying them two turkeys.”
WHO TO WATCH
LINEBACKERS: The vaunted senior troupe of Michael Singleton, Mark Weber and Eric Webb will carry the flag for Live Oak this fall. Singleton leads the bunch, fresh off a junior season in which he recorded the second most tackles in league. The fast-moving 205-pounder also will get some carries, coach Jon Michael Porras said.
QUARTERBACKS: Senior Dylan Frechette and junior David Pelz were neck and neck for the starting job through the final week of offseason camp. Don’t be surprised, however, if the Acorns use both athletic signal-callers this fall.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Three starters — Erik Poulsen, Thomas Mangano, Justin Santos — return to a front five that will be one of the Acorns’ strongest units. The group welcomes Andrew Michel and Nick Robles.
