Seraphs reload for another title run After having two of the top recruits in the nation the last two years, you'd think defending CIF and Channel League champ St. Bonaventure might be due a little drop-off. Seraphs coach Jon Mack doesn't think so. He believes he has one of the nation's best again this year in senior Terrail Lambert. "He's the fastest high school player in the country," said Mack, noting that Lambert ran a 4.21 in the 40 at the Nike camp. Running back Lorenzo Booker signed with Florida State after the 2001 season and receiver Whitney Lewis signed with USC last year. Lambert (5-11, 185) has played safety the last two years and will continue to do so, said Mack, but he will also play extensively on offense, used as both a receiver and running back. "If you have the nation's best player, you'd better get him on the field," said Mack. The Seraphs have a couple of other blue chippers, including 6-8, 275-pound tackle Eric Rouser and linebacker Allen Brunner (5-11, 220), a converted lineman who benched 185 pounds 49 times and ran a 4.6 at the Nike combine. Quarterback Brian Stevens (6-3, 190) is also on recruiting lists after passing for 3,000 yards last year and winning 33 of 34 games as a JV and varsity player. The Seraphs have done even better, of course, winning 55 of 56 varsity games in four years. "That's one loss too many," moans Mack. The lone loss is to Division 2 power Hart, who the Seraphs play Sept. 19. Hart is No. 2 in the CIF preseason poll. St. Bonaventure is No. 1 in Div. 4.
"We're inexperienced, not very talented and not very big," said the veteran Buena coach. Scott, in his 16th year with the Bulldogs, has been known to poor-mouth his team in the preseason and wind up with a league title. But Buena was hit hard by graduation last year, including All-CIF running back Alex Garfio. "We have a tackle back who is 6-foot-6 and 280 pounds," said Scott. "He has size 22 shoes. But's that pretty much our highlight." The Bulldogs are so thin, said Scott, that he's changing the offense to a spread-formation passing attack and changing the defense to a zone-blitz package. Senior Brandon Williams is the returning tackle but most of the other lineman are much smaller, said Scott. The triggerman of the new offense will be Schuyler Smith (6-3, 190), last year's backup at quarterback. Josh Strebol returns at receiver and juniors Travis Vierra and Alonzo Rafael should be fine, said Scott. Linebacker Brandon Michel leads the defense. "I'm not sandbagging," insisted Scott. "You can call me a liar if we're leading the CIF in scoring after six weeks but, if that happens, I'm the best coach in the world."
To go with the spruced up stadium, third-year coach Brad Steward looks to have his best team. "I'm cautiously optimistic," he said. Steward feels good enough about last year's backup quarterback Jeremy Berg to make him the starter and move last year's starter, Evan Rodarte, to tailback. Rodarte ran for 477 yards last year but only passed for 524 and the Cougars have two receiving targets they like a lot, Ken Dietz and tight end J.D. Larson. Larson (6-5, 210), the son of basketball coach Dan Larson, ran a 4.57 at a scouting camp 40. John Flores (6-2, 260), junior T.J. Prell (6-3, 225) and junior Skylar Goodner (6-1, 215) return on the line. Another player to watch, said Steward, is junior running back Tavaris Barraza, who had a big year for the JV team. Matt Starn, a junior who is deaf, returns at kicker. TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE
All-CIF senior quarterback Matt Halzle, for instance, has thrown for 45 touchdowns in two years. But coach Bill Redell said Halzle will share the field some this year with freshman Jimmy Clausen (6-3, 185). If the name sounds familiar that's because Tennessee quarterback and Heisman candidate Casey Clausen is his older brother. Likewise, junior Aaron Ware, the brother of UCLA star Matt Ware, ran for 1,300 yards in about half a season last year and runs a 10.6 in the 100 meters. But he's being "pushed" by freshmen Marcus Jones (6-0, 180) and Mark Tyler (6-0, 198), the son of former Rams and 49ers star Wendell Tyler. "We could have as many as six freshman play and a few will start," said Redell. Four offensive linemen return, along with senior receiver Joe Giuliani (27 catches) and tight end Sean Travis. Junior Mike Richardson (6-3, 175) will catch a lot of passes, too, said Redell. On defense, All-CIF linebacker Mark Cordell (6-1, 230) had six interceptions last year. John Giangregorio, All-CIF in Div. 13 as a sophomore, and Ware are key figures in the secondary. Despite the Lions' experience and young star power, Redell said he still thinks the TVL title will have to pass through Carpinteria. "They are still the team to beat," he said. "They are the defending champs."
"It's a pretty good bunch," said longtime coach Dick Billingsley. "We're looking forward to this year." Running back Mike Christensen (5-10, 180) had to play quarterback last year when Nolan McNair got injured. He averaged 6.0 yards per carry and completed 65 percent of his passes. But McNair, who also kicks, is an all-league player if he's healthy. Another injured star, Anthony Monteleone (5-11, 190), is back at fullback and linebacker. Junior Gavin Ketchum, all-league as a sophomore, and Brandon Koller return at receiver at Casey Webb is back at tight end. So, together, with all-league center Lucas Sayin (6-1, 240), every player who handles the ball is a returning player. On defense, Andrew Henggeler (6-4, 230), was All-CIF at end and Max Hodge (6-3, 240) was all-league at tackle. Loren Rosenberg (6-4, 265) also started. "It's the biggest we've ever been," said Billingsley.
"We had a young team last year so we have a lot of people back," said veteran (17 years) coach Cliff Farrar. "We'll be alright." Micah Reed (6-4, 280) and Josh Bonsworth (6-5, 280) provide some big bookends at tackle. Reed, an all-county selection, is being courted by several colleges. They will power the way for a committee of running backs, led by junior Will Strong (6-0, 180), senior Josh Catlett (6-2, 220) and all-county safety/kicker Clark Bigler (6-0, 195). Six players who carried the ball last return, and that doesn't count quarterback candidates Paul Chesser, Ryan Whitcomb and Robert Erickson.
"We have some good guys back but, after that, there's a pretty big drop off," second second-year coach Matt Dann.
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Carpinteria Warriors • Dos
Pueblos Chargers • Laguna Blanca
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Buena:
Rick Scott doesn't think much of his chances.