By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
Following is the fifth in a series of stories previewing the upcoming football season in California. Today's previews include the leagues that play in the Redwood Empire area of the North Coast Section. Next - Central Coast Section.
NORTH COAST SECTION - REDWOOD EMPIRE
Humboldt-Del Norte Big 5 League
The Del Norte Warriors (10-2, 7-0) ran away with the Big 5 last year, topping the next closest teams by three games (Eureka does not play a double round-robin schedule). The Warriors should be a force again with returning league MVP Trevor Rook at running back and starting quarterback Chad Freeman and his favorite receivers Saxon Schultz (Te) and Cody Hoffman (WR). Eureka (3-7, 3-1) will be improved with Jimmee Jessee back at quarterback.
Team to Beat: Del Norte Warriors
Top MVP Candidate: Trevor Rook, Del Norte
Players to Watch: Trevor Rook, Del Norte, RB, All-League, league MVP; Chad Freeman, Del Norte, QB, All-League; Saxon Schultz, Del Norte, TE, All-League; Cody Hoffman, Del Norte, WR, Jr., All-League; Phillip Bailey, Del Norte, OL, All-League Honorable Mention; Roger McCovey, Del Norte, OL, Jr., All-League Honorable Mention; Jimmee Jessee, Eureka, QB, All-League; Greg Allen, Eureka, WR, Jr, All-League; Corey Doyle, Eureka, RB, All-League Honorable Mention; Steven Rosa, Eureka, DL, All-League Honorable Mention; Matt Richards, Eureka, OL, All-League Honorable Mention; Trevor Hash, Eureka, WR, All-League Honorable Mention; Jason Johnson, Fortuna, QB, All-League; Kory Martis, Fortuna, TE, All-League; Travis Savers, Fortuna, WR, All-League Honorable Mention; Carson Wilson, Fortuna, OL, All-League Honorable Mention; Mike Larson, McKinleyville, RB, All-League; Brandon McPhearson, McKinleyville, WR, All-League Honorable Mention.
Humboldt-Del Norte Little 4 League
Ferndale (11-1, 6-0) is always the team to beat in the Little 4 and that doesn't change in 2007. The Wildcats have quarterback Jake Morris and running back Brice Titus returning in the backfield while Matt Pedrotti returns to anchor the line. Hoopa Valley (8-3, 4-2) was much improved last year and returns running backs Nolan Colegrove and Matt Lewis.
Team to Beat: Ferndale Wildcats
Top MVP Candidate: Jake Morris, Ferndale
Players to Watch: Matt Pedrotti, Ferndale, OL, All-League; Jake Morris, Ferndale, QB, All-League; Shea McKay, Ferndale, TE, All-League; Brice Titus, Ferndale, RB, All-League Honorable Mention; Nolan Colegrove, Hoopa, RB, All-League Honorable Mention; Matt Lewis, Hoopa, RB, All-League Honorable Mention; Khan Johnston, South Fork, RB, Jr., All-League Honorable Mention, 112 tackles, 11 sacks; Kyle Arreguin, South Fork, RB, Jr., All-League Honorable Mention, 108 tackles; Cory Hebard, South Fork, OL, Jr., All-League Honorable Mention.
Marin County Athletic League
Not many teams have ever had the type of season Novato (12-1, 8-0) had last year. After losing the season opener to Foothill of Pleasanton, the Hornets won 12 straight games and captured the section championship with a 48-3 win over Miramonte. The three points marked the only points Novato allowed in its final eight games of the season. Novato posted nine shutouts on the season and returns several standouts from that defense, including DB Jamil Wade, LB Ian Von Tellrop and DB Kirk Pingatore. Justin Siena (8-3, 6-2) will have a number of solid players back, including RB David Ichikawa and TE Chris Myer. The MCAL is traditionally very competitive, so expect Redwood (6-5, 5-3), San Marin (6-5, 5-3), Marin Catholic (6-6, 4-4) and San Rafael (5-6-1, 4-4) to be in the hunt as well.
Team to Beat: Novato Hornets
Top MVP Candidate: Chris Myers, Justin-Siena
Players to Watch: Chris Myer, Justin Siena, TE, All-League, Napa Register all-area team, 21 catches, 436 yards, 6 TDs; Eric Datangel, Justin Siena, G, All-League, Napa Register all-area team; Greg Graniss, San Marin, P, All-League; Colin Bettis, Marin Catholic, LB, All-League; David Ichikawa, Justin Siena, RB, 2nd team all-league, Napa Register all-area honorable mention, 122 carries, 783 yards, 5 TDs; Mike Gonzalez, San Marin, RB, 2nd team all-league; Derrick Jones, San Rafael, RB, 2nd team all-league; Nick Gingold, Justin Siena, G, 2nd team all-league, Napa Register all-area team; Evan Loker, Novato, G, 2nd team all-league; David Ashburn, San Marin, K, 2nd team all-league; Kirk Pingatore, Novato, CB, 2nd team all-league; Joe Mariani, Justin Siena, S, 2nd team all-league, Napa Register all-area team; James Furderer, Terra Linda, LB, 2nd team all-league; Ian Von Tellrop, Novato, LB, 2nd team all-league; Jesse DeLong, Marin Catholic, DL, 2nd team all-league; Jason Mahood, Terra Linda, RB, All-League Honorable Mention; Alex Blalock, Terra Linda, WR, All-League Honorable Mention; Zach Sweeney, Terra Linda, TE, All-League Honorable Mention; Anthony Dotto-Mihelich, Terra Linda, G, All-League Honorable Mention; Dalton Ryken, San Marin, G, All-League Honorable Mention; Kenny Haynes, San Rafael, AP, All-League Honorable Mention; Michael Scott, Redwood, K, All-League Honorable Mention; Jim Saribalis, San Rafael, S, All-League Honorable Mention; Dan Larkey, Drake, LB, All-League Honorable Mention; Matt Cadelago, Redwood, LB, All-League Honorable Mention, 76 tackles; Dan Marsali, Drake, DL, All-League Honorable Mention; James Thompson, Justin Siena, DL, All-League Honorable Mention, Napa Register all-area team; Kevin Reinell, Justin Siena, QB, Jr, Napa Register all-area team, 62-126, 881 yards, 10 TDs; Jordan Clayton, Justin Siena, DE, Jr., Napa Register all-area team; Jose Mendez, Novato, RB, Jr.; Jamil Wade, Novato, DB.
North Bay League
The Cardinal Newman Cardinals (13-2, 6-1) may have reached the CIF Division 3 Bowl Game last year, but it was Montgomery (11-2, 7-0). The Vikings won the league game 27-24, but the Cardinals defeated Montgomery handily in the playoffs 39-0. Montgomery could be the favorite this year with the return of RB Jeff Marks and LBs Jamie Klem and Robert Keegan. Cardinal Newman moves the versatile Max Pond from receiver to quarterback this year. He'll get plenty of protection from Ryan Nulton and Travis Amaral.
Team to Beat: Montgomery Vikings
Top MVP Candidate: Jeff Marks, Montgomery
Players to Watch: Mitchell Rowan, Rancho Cotate, K, All-League, All-Redwood Empire large schools 2nd team; Therman McGowan, Santa Rosa, RB, Jr, All-League, All-Redwood Empire large schools 2nd team; Jeff Marks, Montgomery, RB, All-League, All-Redwood Empire large schools team, 173 carries, 939 yards, 10 TDs; Max Pond, Cardinal Newman, DB, All-League, All-Redwood Empire large schools team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 2nd team, 26 catches, 412 yards; 5 Int; Jamie Klem, Montgomery, LB, All-League, All-Redwood Empire large schools 2nd team, 100 tackles; Rylan Thew, Santa Rosa, QB, 2nd team all-league, All-Redwood Empire large schools 2nd team; Josh McFarland, Rancho Cotate, RB, 2nd team all-league, All-Redwood Empire large schools 2nd team; Robby Marsh, Santa Rosa, RB, 2nd team all-league; Keaton Kovatch, Maria Carrillo, QB, 2nd team all-league; Robert Keegan, Montgomery, LB, Jr, 2nd team all-league, 91 tackles; Jack Carpenter, Montgomery, line, DL, 2nd team all-league, 53 tackles, 10 sacks; Ryan Nulton, Cardinal Newman, OL, All-League Honorable Mention; Travis Amaral, Cardinal Newman, OL, All-League Honorable Mention; Bari Mims, Cardinal Newman, WR, All-League Honorable Mention; David Azevedo, Cardinal Newman, DL, All-League Honorable Mention; Charlie Kelly, Maria Carillo, RB, All-League Honorable Mention; Noah Feeney, Montgomery, LB, All-League Honorable Mention; Matt Murrin, Montgomery, OL, All-League Honorable Mention; Fred Duerr, Montgomery, QB, All-League Honorable Mention, 58 carries, 363 yards; Cameron Loomis, Montgomery, DB, All-League Honorable Mention; Mike Ohumukini, Elsie Allen, WR, All-League Honorable Mention; Freddy Serrano, Elsie Allen, WR, All-League Honorable Mention; Ernesto Ramirez, Elsie Allen, RB, All-League Honorable Mention; Shane Audiss, Elsie Allen, RB, All-League Honorable Mention; Andrew Bassett, Elsie Allen, LB, All-League Honorable Mention; Jose Flores, Elsie Allen, OL, All-League Honorable Mention; Anthony Albini, Elsie Allen, G, All-League Honorable Mention; Eddy Soto, Elsie Allen, DL, All-League Honorable Mention; Tony Madriz, Elsie Allen, T, Jr, All-League Honorable Mention; Jordan Hall, Elsie Allen, C, All-League Honorable Mention; Kade Blackwelder, Elsie Allen, WR, All-League Honorable Mention; Patrick Drauyawa, Elsie Allen, K, All-League Honorable Mention
North Central 1 North
The defending champion Middletown Mustangs (9-2, 4-0) were senior dominated last year, however so was much of the rest of the league. Middletown does return top defender Victor Cole while Willits (7-3, 2-2) has its best defender from last year, Chris Bickford, back on the defensive line. Look for Middletown, Willits, Fort Bragg (7-3, 1-3) and Kelseyville (6-4, 3-1) to be in another tight race for the crown in 2007.
Team to Beat: Willits Wolverines
Top MVP Candidate: Chris Dahl, Fort Bragg
Players to Watch: Chris Dahl, Fort Bragg, RB, All-League, All-Redwood Empire small schools team; Mike Deakins, Lower Lake, RB, All-League, All-Redwood Empire small schools 2nd team; Chris Bickford, Willits, DL, All-League, All-Redwood Empire small schools 2nd team, 75 tackles; Steven Arson, Lower Lake, LB, All-League, All-Redwood Empire small schools 2nd team; Chris Sisco, Lower Lake, DL, All-League Honorable Mention; Victor Cole, Middletown, LB, 91 tackles.
North Central 1 South
The Clear Lake Cardinals (6-4, 3-1) return the league's best payer in Collin Coddington, who is solid on both sides of the line. The return of lineman Shane Tanti and linebacker Chaz Ballew gives the Cardinals the edge in the North Central 1 South. St. Helena (7-4, 4-0) has to replace a lot on offense, but does have leading tackler Chris Yeakey back at linebacker.
Team to Beat: Clear Lake Cardinals
Top MVP Candidate: Collin Coddington, Clear Lake
Players to Watch: Collin Coddington, Clear Lake, RB, All-League, All-Redwood Empire small schools team; Shane Tanti, Clear Lake, OL, All-League, All-Redwood Empire small schools 2nd team; Sean Keaney, St. Vincent, DL, All-League, All-Redwood Empire small schools 2nd team; Zack Stroud, Cloverdale, QB, All-League Honorable Mention; Cesar Galvin, Cloverdale, LB, All-League Honorable Mention; Chaz Ballew, Clear Lake, LB, All-League Honorable Mention; Chris Yeakey, St Helena, LB, 117 tackles.
North Central League II
Mendocino (0-11, 0-6) actually won the section title over Tomales (12-0, 6-0), but had to forfeit its wins. Both teams should be solid this year with Mendocino returning linebacker Nick Rawlins and Tomales returning running back Bailey Tucker. Calistoga (7-5, 5-2), however, could be the team to beat with its linebacker tandem of Jesus Cachu and BJ Schlieder.
Team to Beat: Calistoga Wildcats
Top MVP Candidate: Jesus Cachu, Calistoga
Players to Watch: Bailey Tucker, Tomales, RB All-League, 65 carries, 692 yards; Aaron Campbell, Laytonville, RB, All-League, All-Redwood Empire small schools 2nd team; Reed Solomon, Tomales, DL, All-League; Jessie Williams, Potter Valley, DB, Jr, All-League; Garth Dightman, Round Valley, DL, All-League; Jesus Cachu, Calistoga, LB, All-League, Napa Register, all-area honorable mention, All-Redwood Empire small schools 2nd team, 134 tackles; Nick Rawlins, Mendocino, LB, All-League, All-Redwood Empire small schools team; BJ Schlieder, Calistoga, LB, All-League, Napa Register all-area team, 86 tackles.
Sonoma County
Casa Grande (9-3, 6-0) returns the league's best running back in Anthony Biasi. He'll look to improve on last year's 1,069 yard performance. Meanwhile Healdsburg (7-4, 3-3) has the best QB-WR combination with quarterback Corey Harms flinding to receiver Jared Garcia. Sonoma Valley (5-6, 4-2) will also be solid in the backfield with running back Matt Darnell. Windsor (9-2, 5-1) loses most of last year's team, including RB Leroy Green, who transferred to California of San Ramon. Windsor still has a solid offensive line with Kyle Kellough and Max Devlin returning.
Team to Beat: Casa Grande Gauchos
Top MVP Candidate: Corey Harms, Healdsburg
Players to Watch: Corey Harms, Healdsburg, QB, All-League, All-Redwood Empire large schools team, SF Chronicle All-Metro Hon. Mention, 122-210, 2,030 yards, 21 TDs; Anthony Biasi, Casa Grande, RB, All-League, All-Redwood Empire large schools team, SF Chronicle All-Metro Hon. Mention, 196 carries, 1,069 yards, 8 TDs, 97 tackles; Matt Darnell, Sonoma, RB, All-League, All-Redwood Empire large schools 2nd team, 163 carries, 740 yards, 10 TDs; Jared Garcia, Healdsburg, WR, All-League, All-Redwood Empire large schools team, SF Chronicle All-Metro Hon. Mention, 45 catches, 938 yards, 12 TDs; Michael Mulas, Sonoma, LB, Jr., All-League, All-Redwood Empire large schools 2nd team, 114 tackles; Matt Nadolski, Casa Grande, WR, Jr, 2nd team all-league, All-Redwood Empire 2nd team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomores, 25 catches, 534 yards, 3 TDs; Ricky Bostic, Analy, DE, 2nd team all-league; Kyle DeTommaso, Analy, LB, 2nd team all-league; Nick Pappas, Sonoma, LB, 2nd team all-league, 111 tackles; Nestor Torres, Analy, OL, All-League Hon. Mention; Juan Moreno, Analy, RB, All-League Hon. Mention; Vince Weaver, Casa Grande, T, All-League Hon. Mention; Andrew Raggio, El Molino, WR, All-League Hon. Mention, 28 catches, 392 yards; Chadd Krist, Petaluma, QB, All-League Hon. Mention; Garrett Gagerta, Petaluma, TE, All-League Hon. Mention; Cameron Ross, Petaluma, WR, All-League Hon. Mention; Danny Hardisty, Windsor, WR, All-League Hon. Mention; Kyle Kellough, Windsor, OL, All-League; Max Devlin, Windsor, OL, All-Redwood Empire large schools 2nd team.
"Players to Watch" derived from all-league and all-area teams from 2006 season. Some players may have transfered or were misidentified as underclassmen.
