Live Oak High coach Mike Gemo said he’ll start around five sophomores this season, speaking to the makeup of this year’s team.
“We’re trying to get everyone up to varsity speed,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of young kids coming up who are trying to understand what varsity football is all about. This is probably one of the youngest returning classes we’ve had, and we need them to step in and get the experience. A couple of players probably weren’t thinking they were going to come up, but with only being a 38-man roster, we need everyone we can and they’ve proven they’re ready to be varsity players.”
Despite the team’s youth, Gemo is guardedly optimistic of the squad’s chances, even in the ultra-tough Blossom Valley League Mount Hamilton Division. That’s because with all-league returning quarterback Jonathan Singleton under center, the Acorns have a poised playmaker who elevates the level of his teammates.
“Everything runs through Jonathan Singleton, whether it’s the offense, practice, anything,” Gemo said. “He’s one of the premier quarterbacks in this league and in the CCS. He’s a strong kid who throws the ball well, is accurate with it and can run. We’ll probably play him on defense at safety as well. He’s the most important piece of this team right now.”
Singleton was a freshman the last time he played the safety position.
“I’m up for the challenge,” the 6-foot, 190-pound Singleton said. “I’m looking forward to hitting someone.”
Singleton used the summer to get in sync with his wide receivers and running backs. In particular, Singleton got junior Jesse Isais and sophomore Caleb Ojeda up to speed at the wide receiver slot. Both players came up to the varsity squad for the playoff run last season, and they’re also expected to make an impact as cornerbacks.
“We’re working hard, grinding and getting better everyday,” said Singleton, who is coming off a terrific junior season in which he threw for 2,184 yards and 25 touchdowns and rushed for 494 yards and five TDs. “We’ve worked a lot on our timing, getting on the same page and just getting to know each other. I’m excited for the season to start.”
Singleton’s value to the team cannot be overstated. However, the Acorns are hardly a one-man show. Even though Live Oak has a healthy number of underclassmen, it returns 16 players, of which half started at some point in the 2017 season. A.J. Gustavenson is set to take over the starting running back position, as the junior packed on some muscle and speed in the off-season. The effect has been noticeable.
“Guys are looking forward to seeing what he can do,” Gemo said. “The (running lane or) hole doesn’t have to be very big for him to get through. He can squeeze in there and has breakaway speed.”
Senior fullback/linebacker Connor Dietz is entering his third year on the varsity and is one of the more reliable players in the program.
“He’s a very hard working kid, and he knows what we need out of him,” Gemo said.
Julian Mendoza returns to lead a promising offensive line. The junior offensive tackle made “huge gains” in the weight room in the off-season, increasing all of his core lifts.
“Julian got bigger, stronger and faster,” Gemo said. “He’s in better shape this year, and he’s leading the linemen in sprints instead of being in the middle of the pack.”
Gemo expects sophomores Ashton Green, Mosiah Saulala, Logan Wiemann and Nathan Zavaleta to grow up quick and make an immediate contribution. Greene plays linebacker/quarterback, Saulala is a running back/linebacker, and Wiemann and Zavaleta are both centers and defensive linemen.
“We’re trying to get the kids to understand they have to play with passion at this level and bring it to practice every time out,” Gemo said. “We can’t have lulls.”
Especially in the Mount Hamilton Division. The Acorns went 5-2 a year ago in division play, and that’s a successful season for just about any team competing in an A league. Live Oak had plenty of twice daily practices in the summer, with the intent to strengthen the players mentally and physically while fostering a bond.
“On two-a-days, the kids would have a three hour break in between practices, which allowed them to eat and hang out,” Gemo said. “It brought the team together a little bit.”
Gemo knows it’s not all about winning and losing, the proper perspective for a high school coach.
“We want to win, but if the only thing the coaches teach is X’s and O’s, we’re not doing our job,” he said. “We want them to develop into great young men and good citizens in the community. Playing high school football is an experience they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. We want them to enjoy the journey.”
