Mole plays hard to catch
Ouch! All Mole did last year was run for 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns, while averaging an amazing 9.6 yards per carry. Now Mole (5-10, 185) has grown an inch, added about 20 pounds of muscle and improved his raw speed. "He ran a 4.46 and 4.47 at the Nike combine," noted Dickinson. "He's looking very good." Mole benefits from the Warriors' fly offense. It prevents defenses from ganging up on him at the line of scrimmage by sending a player in motion at full speed (on the fly) and employing a series of ball fakes and misdirection runs. But the Warriors are also down a little in roster size and physical size. "We definitely have some holes to fill," said Dickinson. "We graduated a very good team. So we need to shore up some of our rookies on the offensive line and on defense. But we do have some weapons." OFFENSE Quarterback: Josh Thomas, who started the last two years at quarterback, is skipping football this season to concentrate on baseball. He's rated as one of the top catching prospects in the state. Replacing him is Jon Dally, who backed up Thomas last year and also played in all the JV games. "He's ready," noted Dickinson. "He knows the system. He got a chance to run it all summer. And he has a great arm." Running back: A talented junior joins the mix in Mark Malangko. He ran for 20 TDs on the JV team and placed in the 100 at the Pac-5 meet. All-league linebacker Luke Deras (5-11, 205) and noseguard Danny Lauer (5-11, 230) add some brawn at fullback. Line: Mole won't have the same, big line in front of him this year. "We're going to average around 225 (pounds) this year instead of the 265 we've been averaging," said Dickinson. "We might have to adjust a few blocking schemes." All-leaguer Clayton Rios (6-2, 250) and Jeff Givens (6-3, 245) are the leaders. Chris Van Pelt (5-11, 215) has been a bright spot at guard in training camp, said Dickinson. Jerrod Hibar (6-2, 245) and center Jacob Claborn (6-2, 210) round out the starting five. Receiver: Three-year starter Ben Grover (6-3, 190, 18 catches), returning tight end Steve Smith (6-3, 215) and basketball convert Matt Marshall (6-5, 215) offer some good targets. DEFENSE Line: Lauer (50 tackles), Rios and end Josh Thornton (6 sacks) are back. Linebacker: Deras has 90 unassisted tackles last year and 42 more assists, making him one of the top returning players in the county as his position. Van Pelt played part-time last year. Secondary: Mole will do double duty as free safety. Most of the other spots are still in contention, said Dickinson. Kicker: Sophomore Chad Stevens, who will also play flyback, is the primary kicker. He's solid, said Dickinson, though not quite the long-distance thumper that the Warriors have had the last few years. |
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| Bishop Diego Cardinals
• Cabrillo Conquistadores •
Carpinteria Warriors • Dos
Pueblos Chargers • Laguna Blanca
Owls |
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Coach: Greg Dickinson (7th year, 40-27)
According
to Righetti High coach Greg Dickinson, Ryan Mole is bigger, stronger
and faster this year.