Bay League faces gridiron challenge in new division
J.R. Tavai, the CIF Defensive Player of the Year in 2009, returns to lead Mira Costa in its quest for back-to-back CIF titles. Photo
Mira Costa head football coach Don Morrow has his sights set on a third straight trip to a CIF title game, but he knows his squad won’t repeat as the Western Division champion. That’s because members of the Bay League, along with those in the Golden League, have switched divisions and will be competing in the CIF Southern Section Northern Division this season.
If the Mustangs, who are ranked No. 7 in the CIF Northern Division poll and 83rd in the state by maxpreps.com, hope to repeat they will have their work cut out for them from the start when the team faces its usual tough non-league schedule beginning tomorrow with a home game against Loyola (the 49th-ranked team in the state in the maxpreps.com poll), followed by second-ranked Serra (No. 1 in Western Division) in a game to be played at El Camino College, then Narbonne, Chaminade (No. 4 in Western Division) and Newport Harbor (No. 9 in PAC-5 Division and 50th in state).
The Bay League race is always a challenge (Palos Verdes is ranked No. 9 in the Northern Division) and the post season will now include teams from the formidable Marmonte League that includes six teams listed in the top 100 in the state including Westlake, which holds the top spot in the pre-season rankings. Perennial powers Moorpark (No. 14), St. Bonaventure (No. 26), Valencia (No. 32), Oaks Christian (No. 51), Thousand Oaks (No. 77) and Newbury Park (No. 86) are expected to make deep runs in the playoffs.
Although it lost most of its starters from its 2009 CIF championship squad, Mira Costa will be among the favorites to win the Bay League, highlighted by a quick, physical defense, a strong kicking game and two returning all-league linemen. Mira Costa’s JV team captured the Bay League title last season.
The Mustangs come off a 12-3 season and look to achieve the same balanced offensive that carried the team to league and CIF titles. Morrow begins his 18th season as head coach at Mira Costa with an impressive 184-73-3 record.
Quarterbacks Dalton Crawford (5-10, 185) and Dennis Falcone (5-11, 190) are battling for the starting job after leading Mira Costa to the quarterfinals in the Beverly Hills and Santa Fe Passing Tournament this summer.
“Coach Morrow might wait until two minutes before game time to tell us who the starting quarterback is going to be,” Falcone said. “But that helps keep both of us prepared.”
Falcone said he expects the Mustang offense to be well-balanced.
“We have great running backs in Dante Bavis (5-11, 170) and Deon Morris (5-10, 170),” Falcone added. “Sam Stekol (6-3, 195) is a bigger, stronger receiver this year who runs great patterns and Derek Largent (6-3, 210) is a big tight end who will contribute a lot.”
Troy Saeman (5-9, 165) appears to be the Mustang’s possession receiver and Stephen Giovati (5-8, 170) will add to a running game bolstered by returning All-Bay League linemen Bret Darragh (6-2, 270) and Jimmy Lee (6-5, 255) along with fullback J.R. Tavai (6-2, 260). Ryan Daly (5-11, 235) will anchor the line at center.
Tavai, the CIF Western Division Defensive Player of the Year, returns as a bigger, stronger nose guard and will form a tough tandem with sophomore R.J. Coleman (6-3, 260). Tavai led last year’s team with 92 tackles, seven sacks and three fumble recoveries.
Noah Rossi (6-1, 195) returns at linebacker where he will be joined by Geoff LaPonte (5-11, 180), Eli Rivas (6-0, 190), Trei Tamura (5-10, 165) and Alec Weaver (5-9, 180).
Safety J.R. Oshima (5-10, 170), who had key interceptions in Mira Costa’s postseason run last year, returns and will be joined by versatile Tajee Moble (5-9, 160) who can play safety or corner.
The Mustang’s kicking game features punter Brendan Sofen (5-10, 175) and kicker Grant Meersand (6-1, 215).
Mira Costa looks to avenge last year’s 28-18 season-opening road loss when the Mustangs host Loyola tomorrow at 7 p.m. Loyola is coming off a 4-6 season but has athleticism at the skill positions including its returning quarterback and top running back.
Jerry Neuheisel (6-2, 180), son of UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel, returns as the Cubs’ signal caller after averaging 162 yards per game in 2009 while passing for 1,621 yards, 13 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.
Averaging 6.92 yards per carry and 145 yards per game last season, Jared Baker (5-9, 185) returns at running back after a 1,453-yard, 10-touchdown campaign in his junior year.
Senior wide receiver Darren Rosenberg (5-9, 170) returns after averaging 14.4 yards per catch last season. He also carried the ball nine times for 108 yards.
Defensively, the Cubs are led by linebacker Nicholas Nasse (6-1, 190) and defensive back Lee Hightower (6-1, 170). Both averaged four tackles per game in 2009.
Redondo running back Ryan Spiwak will play a vital role in the Sea Hawk's running game. Spiwak was selected to the All-Bay League team as a linebacker in 2009. Photo
Redondo reloads
Head coach Gene Simon’s team faces the same non-league opponents as last season as the Sea Hawks look to improve on their 6-6 record after tying for second place in the Bay League and reaching the second round of the CIF Western Division playoffs in 2009.
“I think we’ll be right in the thick of the race,” Simon said. “Mira Costa will be tough but I feel Palos Verdes has the edge on everyone right now.”
Simon is disappointed with the realignment of the divisions, feeling Mira Costa’s recent success moved the Bay League to a higher level of competition in which its members are not accustomed of playing.
“I hate the move. It think it’s terrible,” Simon said. “The Marmonte League is a 10-team league. The Bay League champion could face a third- or fourth-place team in the opening round and it would be the best opponent it has faced all year. On the other hand, it will be a challenge and a win would put us more on the map.”
Redondo begins its campaign with three straight road games beginning at North Torrance tomorrow at 7 p.m. The Saxons are ranked No. 5 in the CIF Northwest Division.
The Sea Hawks then travel to take on Serra, the state’s second-ranked team and Simon’s alma mater, before going to Long Beach to face Moore League adversary Millikan.
The Sea Hawks return home to battle Culver City (No. 7 in Western Division) before closing out their non-league schedule against Banning who is ranked 17th in the L.A. City Section.
Redondo returns two All-Bay League players in junior running back/linebacker Ryan Spiwak (6-2, 195) and lineman John Miller (6-1, 300) but, for the second consecutive year, the team will start its season without the talents of wide receiver/defensive back Brandon Boyd (6-2, 170) who suffered what is likely a season-ending knee injury during a summer passing tournament. Boyd’s injury is to the opposite knee he injured prior to the 2009 campaign.
Miller and Adam Ammentorp (6-2, 225) are the senior leaders for Redondo on a line Simon feels is the strength of his team. Sam Ben-amor (5-11, 220), Taylor Bongiovanni (6-1, 210), Gyo Shojima (6-2, 220) and Matt Ulizio (5-11, 200) will pave the way for the Sea Hawks.
“We should have a much better running game than last year.” said Simon, who enters his 15th season with an 87-53-3 record. “We have a lot of skill players who are mostly juniors.”
Junior quarterback Nick Pope (6-2, 185) will have a variety of receivers including Brandon Engel (6-0, 175) and Jon Catsavas (5-11, 170). Simon said he has been impressed with tight end/linebacker L.J. Ben-amor.
Catsavas and Engel will anchor the defensive backfield for Redondo who looks to make it two in a row against North.
“North has a talented team,” Simon said. “Their linebackers and running backs are good and they have a much better line. It’s going to be a tough first game.”
The Sea Hawks defeated the Saxons 27-14 in a hard-fought, opening-game battle last year. North finished with a 5-5 record last season and is coming off a disappointing fourth-place finish in the Pioneer League.
North has some beef on its line led by Joe Valdez (6-2, 280), Stephen Geluz (6-1, 210) and Joe Parks (6-1, 240) who will pave the way for running backs Ryan McDaniel (6-0, 210) and Tyree Marshall (6-2, 215). Daniel Ramos (5-6, 150) provides support at the wide receiver and defensive back positions.
Redondo is ranked No. 214 in the state while North holds the 361st spot. ER