Lamorinda's Friday Night Lights Season Preview for Local Varsity Football Teams
Kevin D. Shallat
Michael Hoffman (19), senior Photo Doug Kohen
MIRAMONTE
Miramonte is coming off a great year in which they finished with a 10-3 record, with a 4-1 record in league. The Matadors were 8-1 at home, and made it to the North Coast Section (NCS) playoffs last year. Of the three Lamorinda teams, the Matadors may have the best potential to return to the playoffs this year. Miramonte returns eight starters on defense and four players on offense. However, the Mats are inexperienced at a few key positions, with an entirely new offensive line. In addition, their quarterback will either be a junior or sophomore, depending on which player wins the starting job. "The good part is that we return our backfield, so hopefully that will take some pressure off our quarterback to do a whole lot, because I think we'll be able to run the ball pretty well," said head coach John Wade.
It has been close to eight years since the Matadors have traveled outside the Bay Area to play another team in a pre-league game. This year Wade is taking the team up to Seattle to play Glacier Peak on September 19th, in the Best of the West Classic.
There are a few players to keep on eye on, as they look to make another big impact on this team. Third year starter and utility player James King will turn some heads this year, as well as third year starting tailback Kevin Paulsen. ACALANES
Acalanes had a tough season last year in which they finished with a 2-8 record, coupled with a 0-5 league record. Last year's results were largely due to injuries and the Dons have reason for optimism this year. Acalanes has ten returning varsity linemen, and a tough, no-nonsense first year head coach in Mike Ivankovich. His main focus this pre-season is to keep the players healthy, and to instill his core values including hard work, loyalty, discipline, teamwork, dedication, and accountability. Senior quarterback Tyler Caldwell is the incumbent elder statesman at the position, but coach Ivankovich insists that junior Mike Leamy will also see significant playing time at the quarterback position.
Some players to look out for are junior wide receiver Trent Baker, brother of former Don standout Brooks Baker. Lining up down the line of scrimmage will be senior wide receiver Kevin Mutch. Captains Mat Lewis, Brian Moss, and Ryan Bullen will all be playing on both offense and defense this year.
"We don't talk about winning...winning is an outcome of adhering to the set of core values." "I want to have a team or program that Lafayette can be proud of," said head coach Mike Ivankovich. CAMPOLINDO
Campolindo's senior-laden team had arguably the most successful Lamorinda football squad last year, as they won the Foothill Athletic League outright, and advanced to the third round of the NCS championships. They finished with a 10-2 overall record, as well as an undefeated record in league play. This year they will lose an unprecedented 21 of their starting 22 players from last year. The consensus is that senior wide receiver Michael Hoffman must have a big year for the Cougars if they want to compete for another league title.
All is not lost though, as the Cougars still have some pieces that will make them a tough match when league play rolls around. They return one of the better starting quarterbacks in all-league senior Tommy Stephens. They will also have home field advantage against a tough Miramonte team this year. Despite the fact that both head coaches do not think this will help or hinder either team, last year's home/away stats suggest otherwise, as Campolindo boasted a 7-0 record at home, and a 3-2 record in their away contests.
Some players that might excite the fans include wide receiver Patrick Wirth and J.T. Chritton. Chritton is a good athlete who is making the switch from rugby to football this year. Charlie Zaharoff looks to be a threat on defense.
"We are going to have some simple goals for next year, but we have a great bunch of guys, and they have been a joy to coach," said head coach Kevin Macy.
Acalanes player at practice Photo Doug Kohen
Schedules (* denotes DFAL game):
Miramonte:
Date Time Opponent
9/04/09 7:00 PM @ Antioch (Antioch, CA)
9/12/09 2:00 PM @ San Marin (Novato, CA)
9/19/09 11:00 AM @ Glacier Peak (Snohomish, WA) (Memorial Stadium)
9/25/09 7:00 PM vs. Foothill (Pleasanton, CA)
10/09/09 7:00 PM vs. Dublin (Dublin, CA) *
10/16/09 7:00 PM @ Campolindo (Moraga, CA) *
10/23/09 7:00 PM vs. Acalanes (Lafayette, CA) *
10/30/09 7:00 PM vs. Las Lomas (Walnut Creek, CA) *
11/06/09 7:00 PM @ Dougherty Valley (San Ramon, CA) *
11/13/09 7:30 PM @ Alhambra (Martinez, CA) *
Campolindo:
Date Time Opponent
9/04/09 7:00 PM vs. Albany (Albany, CA)
9/11/09 7:00 PM vs. Mt. Eden (Hayward, CA)
9/18/09 7:00 PM @ El Cerrito (El Cerrito, CA)
9/25/09 7:30 PM @ Oakland (Oakland, CA)
10/02/09 7:00 PM vs. Dougherty Valley (San Ramon, CA) *
10/09/09 7:00 PM @ Alhambra (Martinez, CA) *
10/16/09 7:00 PM vs. Miramonte (Orinda, CA) *
10/23/09 7:00 PM vs. Dublin (Dublin, CA) *
11/06/09 7:00 PM @ Acalanes (Lafayette, CA) *
11/13/09 7:00 PM @ Las Lomas (Walnut Creek, CA) *
Acalanes:
Date Time Opponent
9/04/09 7:00 PM vs. Aptos (Aptos, CA)
9/11/09 7:00 PM @ Justin-Siena (Napa, CA)
9/19/09 1:30 PM @ St. Mary's (Albany, CA)
9/25/09 7:00 PM vs. Healdsburg (Healdsburg, CA)
10/02/09 7:00 PM vs. Las Lomas (Walnut Creek, CA) *
10/09/09 7:00 PM @ Dougherty Valley (San Ramon, CA) *
10/16/09 7:00 PM vs. Alhambra (Martinez, CA) *
10/23/09 7:00 PM @ Miramonte (Orinda, CA) *
10/30/09 7:00 PM @ Dublin (Dublin, CA) *
11/06/09 7:00 PM vs. Campolindo (Moraga, CA) *
Miramonte is coming off a great year in which they finished with a 10-3 record, with a 4-1 record in league. The Matadors were 8-1 at home, and made it to the North Coast Section (NCS) playoffs last year. Of the three Lamorinda teams, the Matadors may have the best potential to return to the playoffs this year. Miramonte returns eight starters on defense and four players on offense. However, the Mats are inexperienced at a few key positions, with an entirely new offensive line. In addition, their quarterback will either be a junior or sophomore, depending on which player wins the starting job. "The good part is that we return our backfield, so hopefully that will take some pressure off our quarterback to do a whole lot, because I think we'll be able to run the ball pretty well," said head coach John Wade.
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA