If talent and potential translate to victories on the field,
then local pigskin fans should be in for an exciting fall
season.
El Molino and Analy appear on the verge of promising gridiron
campaigns, and both share a common goal of reaching the post-season
dance come November.
Both teams will kick off the pre-season schedule on the road
this Friday, Sept. 3, as the Lions head north to Fortuna, while the
Tigers take on Miramonte in Moraga.
Lions looking for playoff run
Head coach Mike Roan returns for his sixth season at the helm,
armed with a seasoned offensive line that just may give his
big-time quarterback time to throw.
Roan strikes a cautiously optimistic tone, hopeful that his
charges will improve on last year’s 2-8 overall record.
“This is as talented a team as we’ve had since I’ve been
around,” said Roan. “We’ve got a lot of skill guys returning so our
expectations are high. Our number one goal is to make the
playoffs.”
Although the Lions will not be deep, beginning the season
suiting up about 30 players, they will feature plenty of talent at
the skill positions.
Senior signal-caller Mike Pierson will assume the role of best
in the league this season, after a junior campaign that saw him
toss 15 touchdown passes last year. With more time to throw, added
seasoning and an improved running game, look for Pierson to
establish several season records for the Lions. He’ll be backed up
by sophomore John Carlson.
The running game will be a big factor in the Lion’s fortunes,
featuring senior back Tommy Krausmann. The 5’ 7” 150-pounder will
be joined by junior Taylor Davis, with third-year senior Joe
Douglass getting some carries as well.
The receiving corps has both speed and ability, most notably
with Douglass, senior Jordan Nordby, junior Chet “The Jet” Lambert,
and senior Garrett Afman. Newcomers that could surprise at wide-out
are juniors Levi Karns, and Nate Palmer. Senior Calvin Sandeen
returns after a year hiatus to fill the tight end spot.
Anchoring the offensive line are senior left tackle Aren Vierra,
junior left guard Jose Rodriguez, senior center Ben Rhoades, senior
right guard Louis Buratto, and senior right tackle Gary Hill.
Senior lineman Angel Razo has the versatility to play any
position.
Davis will handle the kicking responsibilities, while Pierson
assumes the punting chores.
The defensive unit will be manned by middle linebacker Dylan
Licciardo, inside backers Razo and Eric Reab, and outside
linebackers Douglass, Afman and Krausmann. The D-line will consist
of a combination of most of the offensive line.
The defensive backfield will feature a combination of Lambert,
Davis, Karns, Palmer, and Spencer Hansen at the corners, and Nordby
at free safety.
Tigers poised to continue success
The Analy Tigers will have a tough act to follow after a 2009
campaign that saw the team advance to the second round of the NCS
playoffs, and nearly pulled off a stunning upset of top-ranked
Marin Catholic in a 37-35 loss in ending the year at 7-5.
Head coach Dan Bourdon is back for his third season, possessing
a star quarterback of his own in talented returnee Jake Zanutto.
The lanky junior staged a coming-out party last season, tossing a
league-best 25 touchdowns to go with his 23 picks. Look for him to
show more improvement with a year of seasoning under his belt.
Another in a strong nucleus of big-play men for Analy is
third-year senior running back Cooper Maloney, who led the team
with 555 yards rushing and five touchdowns last year, while
averaging 5.7 yards per carry.
The receiving tandem of seniors Julian Titus-Patino and Issak
Olsen should be lethal, while 6’ 4” sophomore Aaron Maher is an
emerging talent for the Tigers.
The offensive line will be anchored by returnees; senior center
Jimmy Pitkin, and senior right tackle Sean Benfield.
The Tiger defensive unit will feature hard-hitting senior middle
linebacker Dallas Hamilton, one of the leading tacklers last
season. Other key defensive returnees include Maloney at strong
safety, and junior Mark Adams, who has developed a reputation as a
real playmaker.
With the SCL looking more balanced than ever this season, the
Tigers could emerge as the surprise team in the league, capable of
beating anybody on a given night. Overall, Analy is a good bet to
land another spot in the NCS playoffs.
2010 Analy JV/Varsity football schedule
Friday, Sept. 3- Analy @ Miramonte, 5/7:30 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 10- Piner @ Analy, 5/7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 18- Analy @ Balboa, 11 a.m. / 2p.m.
Friday, Sept. 24- Santa Rosa @ Analy, 5/7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 1- Analy @ Windsor, 5/7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 8- Healdsburg @ Analy, 5/7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 15- Analy @ El Molino (Golden Apple Bowl) 5/7:30
p.m.
Friday, Oct. 22- Casa Grande @ Analy, 5/7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 29- Analy @ Petaluma, 5/7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 5- Bye
Friday, Nov. 12- Sonoma @ Analy, 5/7:30 p.m.
2010 El Molino JV/Varsity football
schedule
Friday, Sept. 3- El Mo @ Fortuna, 5/7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 11- El Mo @ Drake, 11 a.m./ 2 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 17- Elsie Allen @ El Mo, 5/7:30 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 24- Alhambra @ El Mo, 5/7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 1- Casa Grande @ El Mo, 5/7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 8- El Mo @ Petaluma, 5/7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 15- Analy @ El Molino (Golden Apple Bowl) 5/7:30
p.m.
Friday, Oct. 22- El Mo @ Sonoma, 5/7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 29- Windsor @ El Mo, 5/7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 5- El Mo @ Healdsburg, 5/7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 12- Bye.
