Dreaming of a repeat
The Warriors graduated a slew of seniors from last year's 14-0, CIF championship team. Among them was quarterback and county MVP Aaron Gonzales, whose masterful control of the veer offense helped produce a staggering 502 points. Also gone were players that accounted for more than 4,600 yards of offense. And then head coach Coley Candaele left to start a new program in Temecula. "If you looked at our roster the night after our (CIF championship) game with Valley Christian, you would have said, ÔThey're done,ÕÊÓ conceded John Hazelton, who moved up from defensive coordinator to replace Candaele. "And it wasn't like we had all these guys who were going to come up from the JV team." But that was then. This is now. Hazelton is brimming with optimism and it isn't simply because everyone feels good before the start of the season. To begin with, he noted, the Warriors had two aces in the hole — Tri-Valley League defensive MVP Joel Carty and an offensive line that returned almost completely intact. Then they caught a couple breaks, attracting a handful of transfers and new players who filled needs at key positions. "Without those things, we're probably done," said Hazelton. "With them, I do think we have a realistic shot to repeat." Carty averged 9.1 yards a carry as a fullback last year, rushing for 750 yards despite splitting time in the backfield and focusing more on his spot at linebacker. "He's bigger, better and much faster," said Hazelton. "You see the things he does in practice and he looks like he could play for anyone." More important, said Hazelton, is the return of the line. Though none of the four returning starters stands out as a big-time recruit or superstar, they may collectively have been the unsung hero of last year's team. "If you watch the films at the end of the year, our line was the force that won those games," said Hazelton. "Against Paraclete (in the semis) and Valley, we were gaining eight yards a carry against good teams. They were doing that because they had come together as a group, because they totally understood what we were trying to do. "We joke about it in the weight room, because last year when we started out, they could barely walk straight," he said. "We got by on Aaron and our skill guys for half the season before they started to click. This year, you watch them in practice and it's obvious, they're ready to go."
OFFENSE Quarterback: One of the spots where a transfer fits in. Senior Billy Toner, a backup for Santa Barbara last year, fits the Warriors' veer athletically but lacks the game understanding of the savvy Gonzales. "We're keeping things simple for now," said Hazelton. Still, his presence means less shuffling of other positions. Running Backs: Carty will be a featured player. Duh. The 6-foot, 190-pound senior will line up "all over the field," according to Hazelton. Two newcomers, however, could figure prominently, Rogie Romero and Eddie Adame, a transfer from Santa Barbara. Romero (5-10, 205) didn't play last year so he could concentrate on soccer but is a definite "impact" player. "Ben Hallock (assistant coach and offensive coordinator) says that if Rogie played with us last year, he would have been All-CIF," said Hazelton. Receivers: Track star Vino Jacinto and soccer star Virgil Martinez both skipped football last year but have returned to the fold. Funny how 14-0 can do that. Expect more action this year, however, from all-league tight end Evan Boardman. "Oh, yeah," said Hazelton. Line: All-league center Paul Ramirez (6-0, 250) is the leader but the rising star is athletic junior Chris Targoni (6-3, 220). Targoni was being groomed as a quarterback and fullback before settling in — due to injury — at tackle. The other starters are Ben Echevarria, Diego Gonzales (before getting injured) and Ryan Methmann. Kicker: Rigo Ramirez set a county record with 66 PATs last year. DEFENSE Line: Targoni is back at end while junior Brett Karr (6-3, 260) played tackle in the final last year. Seniors Ryan Quiroga (6-0, 190) and Mike Borello (5-8, 200) return to the team after missing last year. "We have five guys who started for the JV team and didn't play last year," noted Hazelton. "It would have been better to have them last year but they're guys who have been in our system and we're glad to have them back." Linebacker: Carty, a devoted surfer, is being recruited as a safety by some colleges. He had 135 tackles while Boardman had 74. Romero and Echevarria also figure prominently, said Hazelton. Backs: This group will be all new. Chris Almaguer (5-10, 172), Sal Robles (6-3, 175), Martinez and Jacinto are the leading candidates. |
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| Bishop Diego Cardinals
• Cabrillo Conquistadores •
Carpinteria Warriors • Dos
Pueblos Chargers • Laguna Blanca
Owls |
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Coach: John Hazelton (1st year)
Repeating
at any level is tough. For Carpinteria, it seemed an impossibility.