|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Friday Night Lights — also known as the high school football season — started last week, and both Amador Valley and Foothill suffered opening night setbacks.
Amador fell 49-27 to Del Oro of Loomis at home, while Foothill was defeated 45-28 at San Leandro.
The two Pleasanton schools are back in action Friday night, with the Dons hosting Irvington and the Falcons on the road in Brentwood at Heritage. Both games kick off at 7 p.m.
It promises to be an interesting season this year as the East Bay Athletic League will offer a new look.
The league is divided into two separate divisions this year — the Mountain and the Valley. Based on records posted over the last five years, there are “A” and “B” divisions. Each division will have a league champion, with the winner getting an automatic berth to the North Coast Section playoffs.
Foothill is in the Mountain (A division), with Amador in the Valley (B division).
“With the team we have and with the league as it is, gives us a great opportunity,” said Amador coach Danny Jones. “We go with five non-league games and then go into league.”
Foothill coach Greg Haubner, who takes over the Falcons’ program from long-time coach Matt Sweeney after being an assistant, is happy with what he’s seen thus far, but he knows there is still work to do for his team, especially being in the upper division.
“We have a fantastic group of kids that are physically a strong team,” Haubner said. “I think most of the teams in our league will be better, including De La Salle.”
Following is a look at both teams.
Foothill Falcons
For a new coach, with a new quarterback replacing a three-year starter, it’s beneficial to have a strong offensive line.
Check that box off.
Seniors Elijah Blockmon (6-foot, 250 pounds), Carter Pierce (5-10, 230), Alan Zlotnikov (5-9, 205) and Carlos Cerdas (5-10, 225) and junior Tyler Rocha (5-9, 180) give Haubner a solid starting point.
“The seniors are all captains and are great kids,” Haubner said. “Zlotnikov was on the varsity as a sophomore but missed his junior year with an injury.”
At quarterback, Haubner will turn to junior Bryce Lombardi (6-0, 175) who takes over for Ben Wooldridge, who has moved on to Fresno State.
“We have been working with him to get mentally tough enough and have him understand what he can improve on,” Haubner said of Lombardi.
Lombardi will have some talent at the skill spots to make his job easier. Senior Josh Shields (5-6, 150) is back at running back and will handle the kicking duties as well.
“Josh is incredibly quick, tough and explosive, got a great burst,” the coach said. “He is critical as the kicker as well.”
Junior Peter Montini (6-1, 225) is back for his second year on the varsity as the tight end and is one of the elite skill players in the league as well.
“Pete will be more like an H-back,” Haubner said. “He will run and catch the ball. He is a very good offensive player, and we want to get the ball into his hands.”
Ryan Stemplinger (6-0, 165) is the top receiving threat and Max Masajlo (5-9, 165) is another multi-purpose player that will get the ball several ways.
On defense the Falcons will rely on largely the same players as offense, with a few key additions.
On the defensive line, look for Montini, Blockmon, junior James Parisi (5-11, 175), Cerdas and Pierce to lead the way. At linebacker, Ben Perkins (5-11, 175) will man the middle with Vincent Schillaci (5-9, 175) and Masajlo figuring outside.
Shields and Stemplinger are set at corner, with three players — Brayden Mahdavi (5-8, 160), Jack Kroll (5-8, 155) and Justin Weigel (5-11, 160) getting time at safety.
“If we stay healthy, we will be competitive,” Haubner said. “We are lacking some depth, and we have to handle the mental aspect regarding the physicality of the game.”
Amador Valley Dons
Jones has stated his team may be sitting in a great spot this year in the Valley Division and running through the roster, it’s easy to see why.
In fact, Amador has a strong enough base to compete with the four teams other than De La Salle in the Mountain Division.
The Dons were dealt a serious setback when Kannon Dote, a starting safety and someone who figured to get time at quarterback as well, suffered an ACL injury two weeks ago.
On the offensive line, Brett Severance (6-3, 250), Jaxen Gurley (5-9, 210), Jordan Urquhardt (6-1, 265) and Ian Rondoni (6-3, 250) are all returning starters and physical linemen.
“They are the heart of the team,” Jones said.
The coach has got senior Dominick Mazotti (6-4, 230) returning as the starter at quarterback.
At running back, look for sophomore Dajhae Wiltshire (5-7, 170) and junior Cal Ewanich (5-10, 170) to carry the bulk of the work, along with senior fullback Connor Murphy (5-11, 210).
Lucas Heverly (6-1, 200) will get time as the tight end, receiver and fullback. Basketball player Tyler Nanney (6-8, 240) makes his football debut as a tight end and gives the Dons a big threat in the red zone.
Senior Collin Tamas is back as the kicker.
“These are our dudes,” Jones said of the offense. “This is a pretty good group of guys.”
On the defensive side of the ball, look for multiple players to lead the way on the line.
“We will rotate guys regularly,” Jones said of the D-line.
Spencer Mobley (6-1, 300), Heverly, Rondoni and Urquhardt, along with Severance, give the Dons a talented lot up front.
Trevor Asbery (6-1, 215) and Spencer Oxe (5-11, 170) are the keys at the inside linebacker, with Murphy, Mazotti and Troy Nassar (6-3, 180) working on the outside.
Joey Battilega (5-10, 170) is penciled in at one safety, with David Florio (5-9, 160), Erik Tomonari (5-9, 165) and Chase Fitch (5-8, 165) at corner.
“We are good on defense; we have a lot of returners,” Jones said. “Heverly and Murphy are returning all-league players and leaders of the defense. Good at all levels right now.”
2018 Season Schedules
Foothill Falcons
Aug. 17 at San Leandro (45-28, L)
Friday at Heritage
Aug. 31 vs. Berkeley
Sept. 7 vs. Granada
Sept. 14 BYE
Sept. 21 at Dougherty Valley
Sept. 28 vs. San Ramon Valley
Oct. 5 vs. California
Oct. 12 at De La Salle
Oct. 19 vs. Monte Vista
Oct. 26 at Amador Valley
Amador Valley Dons
Aug. 17 vs. Del Oro (49-27, L)
Friday vs. Irvington
Aug. 31 at American Canyon
Sept. 7 at Heritage
Sept. 14 at Castro Valley
Sept. 21 BYE
Sept. 28 vs. Dougherty Valley
Oct. 5 vs. Granada
Oct. 12 at Dublin
Oct. 19 at Livermore
Oct. 26 vs. Foothill
*** All games start at 7 p.m.
-
Amador Valley and Foothill varsity football teams continue their 2018 season tonight. Top two-way players include the Dons’ Dominick Mazotti (QB/LB) and the Falcons’ Ryan Stemplinger (WR/CB). Amador photo by Mike Shaffer. Foothill photo by Robert Stemplinger. Graphic design by Doug Young. -
Junior Bryce Lombardi is the new starting quarterback for the Falcons. (Photo by Robert Stemplinger) -
Foothill’s Carter Pierce sacks the Pirates’ quarterback during the season-opener last week. (Photo by Robert Stemplinger) -
Amador quarterback Dominick Mazotti is also a threat outside of the pocket, as he showed against the Golden Eagles last Friday. (Photo by Mike Shaffer) -
Amador Valley’s Chase Fitch runs through an open hole during the Dons’ season-opener against Del Oro. (Photo by Mike Shaffer) -
Lucas Heverly will line up in a variety of positions for the Dons’ offense this season. (Photo by Mike Shaffer)
Pre-game is nice. But most papers put their efforts into post-game coverage.
Thank you. Reminds the community (and families like ours) that we should go check these games out.