The LPL [see 07 results] appears to be wide open this year - just like last year. In 2007, two games separated 2nd from 5th place, and those at the top have som big losses to fill. Champion Morro Bay [11-1, 7-0] lost a couple of dozen seniors including All-State & SLO County / Northwest Division MVP Logan Budd, #2 St Joseph [7-4, 5-2] lost Budd's All-State Division III teammate TE/DE Scott Cathcart, and Templeton [7-3, 4-3] which ended up on the short end of a three-way tie for third looses 20 of 22 starters.
Cabrillo [2-8, 1-6]
The Conqs had a tough year in 07, finishing 2-8 for the second consecutive year after a CIF Semi-Final appearance in 2005. They beat only Santa Maria and Pacifica while putting up huge point totals (99 in the two games) that they were unable to match against better competition (96 points scored in the other 8 games). They lost their dual-threat QB C. J. Simmons during the season and their Head Coach (Don Cross) after it finished. They also lost their top two ground gainers Bennie Garrett (171- 933 5.46 2 TD), and Greg Watson (79 - 429 5.88 4 TD) and best lineman - Jake Farley (above), to graduation.
But don't start weeping for these guys just yet. Craig Knowles, the "coach-in-waiting" has taken over and has some weapons to deploy. Weapons like : Matt "the Horse" Rotundi who played fullback & linebacker last year, and is expected to bring his lunchpail attitude and intensity to the tailback spot. WB/FS Brandon Whittaker , who was by far the top receiver last year (16 - 281 17.56 3 TD Lg 46y) and brings speed to both sides of the ball. Linemen like Chris Zahuta and David Culp (C,NG) and DB Vince Marzullo. And keep your eye on Pat Cook & David Fraats who made major contributions last year. The lines also receive some reinforcement from Kevi Pfister (6-5 240 12), Kavid Kulp (6-2 275 12), Alex Hurd (6-0 250 12), and don't forget Taylor Kidney - a mere 6-3 340 junior.
In addition to HC Knowles , the staff includes: Scott Alvarez (Def Coord), Tony Durham (Line Coach), & Chad McKenzie (DB/Rec).
Schedule (all games 7:30)
12 Sep @ Righetti
19 Sep Vs Dos Pueblos [Parents Night]
26 Sep Vs St Joseph*
03 Oct @ Santa Maria*
10 Oct Vs Santa Ynez [Homecoming]
17 Oct Vs Pioneer Valley*
24 Oct @ Nipomo*
31 Oct @ Templeton*
07 Nov Vs Morro Bay*
14 Nov @ LOMPOC
Rosters -click on to enlarge
St Joseph [7-4, 5-2]
Roster [All three levels] Schedule
Although the Knights lost TE Cathcart the cupboard is not bare. They return nine starters (6 off, 3 def) and have a number of players up from their 2007 JV squad which went 10-0.
St Joe would really like to take back the title they won in 2006, and are counting on senior QB Gavin Kelly and juniors RB Russell Perkins and WR Travis Biegel to carry the load. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have linemen like Zach Perron (6'6" 259 11), Chad Hunstad (6'2" 268 11), Jordan Ibsen (6'2" 252 11), Cai McCray 6'2" 301 12) around either.
Oh, and that vacant TE spot- meet Stephen Buhring (6'3"252 11), he also plays D-line. Expect the Knights to be near the top of the league come December.
Santa Ynez [4-6, 3-4]
Roster Schedule
Santa Ynez HS has another another mystery in the works. After the Principal was dumped last year, setting off a bizarre chain of events, Head Football Coach Josh Cunningham who was about to enter his fourth year in charge of the program has been removed from his post (apparently due to events in the classroom), and replaced by co-coaches Chris Johnson & Brian Wallace [see story]. Johnson, a 15 year coach has been an assistant at SYVHS for 4 years, and Wallace (of Cabrillo's wrestling Wallaces) has coached for 8 years - moving to Santa Ynez HS last year.
The senior laden squad (27 srs, 9 jrs) was expected to challenge for a CIF berth for the first time since 2000. But only 9 starters return and the JV went 2-8 last year. Much of the Pirates sucess is tied to the play of senior QB Casey Eubanks, a varsity returner, but with little game experience at QB. Several positions will be manned on a rotational basis due to the number of kids playing both ways.
On Friday, the Pirates opened play at home against Carpenteria, falling 7-0. The Warriors ammassed only 211 yards total offense, but were able to push across a 1 yd TD run late in the third quarter.
Santa Maria [2-8, 0-7]
Roster [Not Available] Schedule
When the coaching carousel that is the Saint football team made its latest stop the the arrow was pointing at Mike Pope. He has a few players that he can count on, like WR/DB/KR Ryan Duran, and the speedy Josh Marzette, but mostly he is hoping to have some kids step up to the job. The competition is wide open.
They open on the twelfth against a Gonzales team they have beaten the last two years. Hopefully the renovations to the recently named Ralph Baldiviez Stadium, which surrounds Dave Boyd Field, signal a re-commitment to this once proud program that has been 2-8 each of the last four years.
Pioneer Valley [6-5, 4-3]
Roster Schedule
One of the two 'interlopers' in the LPL, the Panthers participate in the PAC-7 for all other sports. The new school is also are facing their first season after graduating a group of 30 seniors (only their 2nd grad class) that had essentially been on 'varsity' for for years. This season they have a younger group (27 jrs,19 srs) on the roster. The 2007 squad went 6-4 and made a CIF appearance (losing to Serra in the first round), but that was a bit of a step back after a 8-4 (5-2) 2006 campaign that saw them defeat So. Torrance and push Harvard-Westlake in the playoffs.
They don't have as much experience as in the past, but they do have talent. It will just have to be spread thinner than before as the team for the first time will have several players going both ways, and numerous juniors starting.
The Panthers started the season on Friday night against their rival, and Head Coach Greg Dickinson's former team - the Righetti Warriors. [The PV AD Jim Doyle was at Santa Maria, but that rivalry doesn't seem to have gotten off the ground.] Both teams had won at home in the two prior games, the Warriors on an overtime FG last year, and the Panthers continued the trend topping Righetti 29-17 at home. The Warriors led 17-16 with 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter, but PV was able to score on two long plays by Dan Ando (a 42 yard pass from Nick Rucobo and a 67 yard run).
Nipomo [5-6, 4-3]
Roster Schedule
Russ Edwards was able to get the Titans to their first ever CIF playoff game last year, falling narrowly to the playoff perennial Nordoff Rangers (23-20). But that was team with lots of experience. This year he gets to try and work with 5 returning starters (3 off, 2 def), some returning lettermen, and the kids promoted from the 4-6 JV squad.
They opened versus the LOMPOC Braves on Friday and were shutout 32-0 [see post]. They only gained 125, but were able to keep it fairly close untli the fourth quarter. It might be a long year.
Morro Bay [11-1, 7-0]
Roster Schedule
In 2007 Logan Budd, the San Luis Obispo County and Northwest Division MVP, completed 90 of 162 passes for 1,668 yards and 16 touchdowns while also running 189 times for 1,360 yards and 22 scores. On defense, he picked off nine passes and had 20 career interceptions. Budd was named to the All-State Div III team as a K/P with a 40.27 punt average, seven field goals, 44 extra points, and 24 touchbacks. Not easily replaced.
Neither is Jerome Long. The highly touted offensive lineman has moved on to San Diego St. , but the O-line, led by 1st-Team All-Northwest Division selection Jacob Williams still figures to be strong. Head Coach John Andree points out that he will have 4 offensive linemen that can bench press 300+ pounds. The team also gets a infusion from the 6-4 JV squad.
The Pirates opened play last Friday with a 46 - 13 shellacking of Immanuel (Reedley). They had 393 yards on 37 carries, and QB Trevor Barkas was 10-14 187 yds and 4 TD's.
Templeton
Roster Schedule
Three seniors with starting experience are the leaders the Eagles hope will take them to the CIF promised land after a heartbreaking tiebreaker last year. They tied at 4-3 with Pioneer Valley & Nipomo, but got to sit home and watch the other two advance, dispite having a better overall record.
Templeton has been on a mission the last few years, once a Central Section powerhouse (11-1 in '05), they have now had back-to-back 4-3 trips through the LPL and never won a Southern Section play-off game.Head coach Don Crow lost 20 of 22 starters off that squad and will rely on Kris Dearie, Derek Scoville, and Ricky Horn to finish the journey.
Other returners expected to help are: Nathan Matherly (QB/LB), Kyle Millan (LB), Daniel McGillicuddy (LB), and Garret Baldwin (RB). The 7-3 JV squad contributes Senior QB Kaleb Sawdey. Sawdey had been on the varsity but when the JV QB was injured in an automobile accident, he was moved back down.
Two of last seasons losses were nail-biters against the leagues top teams - Morro Bay (27-23) & St Joseph (21-20) and the Eagles hope that improving the passing game this year can give them the boost they need. QB Casey Bogart only threw for 689 yards, while Morro Bay had 1,668 & St Joe had 1,368.
Templeton opened the season last Friday against Taft, who were 12-1 in 2007 and were the Champions of both the South Sequoia league and the Central Section. They were manhandled in a 28 - 3 loss which saw them gain only 78 yards on 36 carries, while Sawdey was 2-9 for 36 yards.
Note: Due to the lenth of this post the LPL Girls Tennis Preview will appear on Tuesday. ---- el stato
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