COVER STORY “They are going to have to double him,” said Sweeney. Gates is 6-3, 235 pounds and will be one of the two main running backs for the Falcons. Along with Gates, junior Jamirr Holland — one of the top allaround athletes in the league — will give the Falcons a power and speed combo. Isaiah Langley, only a sophomore, is a breakaway type receiver, as is fellow sophomore Darrell Adams, who also checks in at 6-4. Tight end Jack Finney will be among the elite in the league at the position. Tommy Gamble will also be a threat out of the backfield. Ryan Anderson figures to catch his share of passes at one of the wideout spots. Sophomore Kyle Kearns has been the pick for quarterback by Sweeney. The 6-1, 175 pound Kearns throws a nice ball and earned the spot with a solid summer passing league season. On the line, the Falcons will be looking to Collin Dal Porto, Will Theofanopolous, Perry Cheney, Erik Gallagher and James McGee. The Foothill defense will also be a solid starting group with Gates, Hudson and Holland leading the way. Langley, Dal Porto, McGee, Adams and Finney all also figure to be key players. Trent Morgan (LB/DL), Trevor Maes (FS), Parker Dalton (LB), Marc Luey (LB), Zach Wilhite and Cody Shields (LB) are also all in the mix for starting positions on the Foothill defense.
OTHER FALL SPORTS Football is not the only sport in the fall: There are several others where the EBAL is among the elite leagues in Northern California. Due to the early start of the school year in conjunction with the late practice start for some sports, not all fall sports are being previewed. We hope to catch up with the rest as the season COURTESY SHOTWELL FAMILY
Kelly Shotwell, captain of the Amador Valley High girls golf team, just won the Castlewood Junior championships.
goes on, including girls tennis and boys and girls waterpolo. Here are brief previews of volleyball, cross country and girls golf.
VOLLEYBALL Amador There are a lot of reasons for Amador’s coach Rich Cortez to be fired up for the season. But the longtime coach knows anything can happen as the season unfolds. “My whole thing is, ask me in December,” said Cortez about the end of the season. “We will be competitive if we pass the ball around.” Leading the way for the Dons is a familiar volleyball name in the Valley in Kris Dunworth. The younger sister of former Amador and Duke University star Sophia, Dunworth is an outstanding setter, but also a talented hitter. “We are expecting a big year out of Kris,” said Cortez of the Cornell-bound senior. Joining Dunworth as a leader for the team will be senior middle blocker Bri Day and outside hitter Marisol Tracy. “(Marisol) should be one of the top hitters in the league,” said Cortez. One pleasant surprise for Cortez and his staff has been the play of junior Emani Jackson. After sitting out her freshman year with a back injury, Jackson spent last season on the JV team learning the game. This year she has come to play. “She really has been a surprise,” said Cortez. “She keeps getting better and better.” Also figuring to play a key role will be Rosie Boulden. Boulden usually lines up as an opposite, but can also set, allowing Dunworth to move into a hitting spot. Amber Wright is an outside hitter and a middle blocker who adds to the Amador front line.
Foothill Last year the Falcons advanced all the way to the See SPORTS on Page 14
Pleasanton WeeklyÊUÊAugust 24, 2012ÊU Page 13