Sobrato out to spoil Cougars’ first varsity football game
MORGAN HILL — While the Christopher Cougars geared up for their first varsity football game in school history this week, the Sobrato Bulldogs were as relaxed as ever.
Coach Nick Borello insisted his players will be ready to assume the role of biggest party poopers in Gilroy on Friday, when the teams open the season at 7 p.m. in Garcia-Elder Sports Complex. But the Bulldogs were determined not to let the enormity of the game affect them at practice.
“They’re a pretty loose group in general,” Borello said. “They show up when it’s time to show up. They haven’t failed us yet, so I tend to believe they’re ready.
“We’re not talking the game up. It’s our first game, and that’s all that matters.”
Sobrato was in the same situation as Christopher only six years ago, making its varsity debut as “the other school in town.” Borello was an assistant coach during the Bulldogs’ early years before taking the helm in 2008.
“We haven’t really talked about how it’s going to be a big deal for (Christopher),” he said. “We don’t talk things up. We get ourselves ready for the game and deal with what comes during the game.
“In general, we coach them not to get over emotional. We’ve been through some pretty high-emotional games, so we’re tested in that sense.”
In terms of Xs and Os, the Bulldogs don’t know what to expect from Christopher, which has operated out of a multitude of formations. Borello and his staff scoured their sources for film and still know little about the Cougars.
“The things they did in the old films, they don’t do at all anymore, or maybe they do and we didn’t see it,” Borello said. “We have a decent idea of what they run — a lot of I-formation and flex defense.”
Christopher’s seniorless 24-man roster includes two-way standouts Dillon Babb, a freshman fullback/defensive end; Patrick Mank, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound linebacker/offensive lineman; and tight end/defensive end Manuel Avila.
“They have some athletes on that team,” Borello said. “They’re just really hard to gauge. We’re ready for what we’ve seen on film, which could be anything.”
