Sobrato football coach Nick Borello sounded upbeat and
optimistic Tuesday when asked about Saturday’s jamboree at Oak
Grove High School, where the Bulldogs scrimmaged Live Oak, Yerba
Buena, Leigh and the host Eagles. It was Sobrato’s final warm-up
for Saturday’s 6 p.m. season opener against the Christopher
Cougars. And Borello was pleased with the way his starters handled
themselves against two teams they will face this year, Live Oak and
Leigh, plus a section powerhouse in Oak Grove
MORGAN HILL
Sobrato football coach Nick Borello sounded upbeat and optimistic Tuesday when asked about Saturday’s jamboree at Oak Grove High School, where the Bulldogs scrimmaged Live Oak, Yerba Buena, Leigh and the host Eagles.
It was Sobrato’s final warm-up for Saturday’s 6 p.m. season opener against the Christopher Cougars. And Borello was pleased with the way his starters handled themselves against two teams they will face this year, Live Oak and Leigh, plus a section powerhouse in Oak Grove.
Borello mostly played his second string against C league Yerba Buena.
“In the past we kind of played down sometimes to lesser opponents,” the fourth-year coach said. “This time we played the way we should have played the whole time.
“Against Oak Grove, we played our brand of football. They scored on us a couple times, and we actually did not score on them, but we moved the ball. Had it been a real game, it could have been different.”
The Cougars will be the ones trying to play the role of upstart Saturday at Richert Field, led by their first senior class. Christopher coach Tim Pierleoni has said this game has been three years in the making.
If any team understands the magnitude, it is the eighth-year Sobrato program.
“They’re kind of where we were a few years ago,” said Borello, whose Bulldogs beat the Cougars of the Monterey Bay League 28-10 to open the 2010 season. “Not too many people know a lot about their staff and their players. It takes time to build that.
“We do know they have some very talented guys, guys any team would love to have.”
Those include quarterback Brandon Pickens — the Cougars’ starter under center since the program’s inception in 2008 — who threw for 1,510 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior, and the team’s one-two punch of running backs Rayshon Mills and Nic Slater.
The Cougars will try to slow Sobrato’s wing-T attack, led by quarterback Jerry Jacob, fullback Obi Mbonu, tailback Drew Glines and wingback Derrick Taylor, with linebacker Dillon Babb and safety Bryant Cid — both seniors. Babb had a team-high four in sacks in 2010, while Cid led the Cougars in tackles (78) and interceptions (three).
“They have plenty of talent, a lot of talent,” Borello said. “Every starter, unless they didn’t come out again or got hurt, is back. Luckily we’re in the same boat.”
- Sobrato visits Leland next Friday, then “hosts” Live Oak in El Toro Bowl V on Sept. 17 to wrap nonleague play. The Bulldogs’ Santa Teresa Division slate begins Oct. 1 against Westmont.
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Sobrato’s battles at the safety positions were settled Saturday. Senior Conor Havstad reclaimed his starting spot at one safety position, while 6-foot-1, 180-pound junior Isiah Hardy grabbed the other one. Hardy is new to the varsity team but had a very productive offseason.
“He’s one of the strongest guys we’ve got,” Borello said. “He’s got all the tools: good range, long arms, long legs. He looks taller because he can reach so high.”
