Dons seniors team hungry for new football season Dons seniors team hungry for new football season (August 27, 2004)

Amador makes changes to give players focus, motivation
by Heidi Massie

Amador Valley High's 2003 season (7-3 overall, 4-2 EBAL) ended on a sour note. Its 9-6 loss to Foothill cost it a share of the East Bay Athletic League title, and denied it a well-earned North Coast Section playoff berth. Last year's juniors, who felt the sting of this loss, are now this year's seniors and are ready to take on the league and win.

"These guys are hungry," said varsity head coach Rick Sira, now in his 19th season at Amador. "Last year's team set a great example for this year's guys. The graduated seniors helped them get fired up for this year."

Amador has 35 returning seniors this year, including Brett Zollman, last year's back-up quarterback. Zollman is competing for the starting quarterback position with junior Pat Glen, who led last year's JV team to an EBAL title.

"Both guys are battling it out to start as quarterback," explained Sira. "Glen is doing very good and quarterbacked both his freshman and sophomore year, but so did Zollman."

Amador has several key returners that Sira expects to lead the team this season. On offense, key contributors include Jeff Mehl at center, Marcus Sylva as wide receiver, Stephen Gatehouse and Nate Young at fly, and big Peter Lenz at tackle. On defense, Cory Guillory, Corey Dehl, and Vince Bartholdi form a strong linebacker corps.

Sira made some changes this year to gain an additional advantage. For the first time, players were cut from the varsity team after spring football training. Knowing cuts would be made based on ability, commitment and attitude, many players were more focused and motivated throughout spring conditioning.

"What's happened following the cuts is that the players are seeing even the little things that they do in practice and conditioning are more important now," said Sira. "What you do makes a difference for the team."

Some coaching changes were made following spring training as well. Former JV coach Dan Fenton was moved up to varsity to coach the defensive line. Amador alumnus Mike McCafferty, who played varsity football in 1996 and 1997, and went on to play and coach at Montana State, will coach the linebackers and wide receivers.

Amador has added two new teams to its schedule this year. In the preseason, the Dons will face Irvington High School where Sira coached prior to coming to Amador. In an interesting twist, Irvington's current head coach played for Sira at Irvington, so the game will have special meaning to both coaches. The Dons' "bye" week game will be played against San Leandro, a very athletic team, according to Sira, making it a big game for Amador.

Of course, the biggest game of the season is always the last game against Foothill.

"It's the game the seniors look forward to the most," explained Sira. "It's always an important game. Foothill has done a good job with their teams and we'll play them like we always have - tough."
JV preview

This year's JV football squad was co-champions of the EBAL as freshmen and have the skills and coaching to retain last year's JV EBAL title.

Head coach Bob Riddle, who has coached Amador JV for 15 years, with several league championships on his record, is once again optimistic about this year's team. "Many players are taking charge as leaders," said Riddle. "It's a great group of team-oriented young men who want to succeed very much."

As with varsity, there's a battle for the starting quarterback position. "The two players working out for quarterback are Wes Garwood and Brett Lewis," explained Riddle. "Both played quarterback as freshmen and are solid players."

Though Riddle considers all the games important, the match-ups they'll focus on are Monte Vista, San Ramon and Foothill, of course. "Castro Valley will be a key pre-season game and Granada will also be key as it's our first league game," he said.
Opening games

Amador opens its 2004 season at Castro Valley on Friday, Sept. 10. The JV game begins at 4:30 p.m., followed by varsity at 7 p.m. The freshman game will be at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 9, at Amador. For more information on the team, its schedule and game results throughout the season, visit www.amadorsports.com.
Next week: Foothill's football preview

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