2018 high school football preview

A SUPPLEMENT OF THE

2018 HIGH SCHOOL

Football PREVIEW

Placer

HILLMEN

Colfax

FALCONS

Bear River

BRUINS

Foresthill

WILDFIRES

ILLMEN H !

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2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW | Placer Hillmen | Colfax Falcons | Bear River Bruins | Foresthill Wildfires

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT OF THE AUBURN JOURNAL

PLACER

Unfinished Business HILLMEN SEEK RETURN TO STATE TITLE GAME IN NEW LEAGUE

BY NICK PECORARO OF THE AUBURN JOURNAL

hree points is all that separated T the Placer High football team from making history.

After rallying from 21 points down in the Northern California final against Salinas for a glorious 43-42 overtime victory, the Hillmen fell just under two minutes short of capturing the Division 4-AA State Championship against Crenshaw.

But it was not a season short of accomplishment. The Hillmen went 13-2 in 2017 and captured their sixth consecutive league title — a nice undefeated parting gift from the Pioneer Valley League — and rewarded head coach Joey Montoya with his first Sac-Joaquin Section Championship.

“It was a special year,” said Montoya, who enters his 12th season patrolling the Placer sidelines. “It was my fifth trip to the show… Every year we’ve been here, we’ve felt like we could get to that level. As great as last year was and as great as those memories are, that was last year. This is a whole new ballgame.”

A new ballgame with a new playing field entering the newly formed Foothill Valley League. Placer and Lincoln exit the PVL and join Nevada Union, Oakmont, Ponderosa and Rio Linda through the 2022 season. The Hillmen and the Fighting Zebras, with an abundance of talent returning

NICK PECORARO • AUBURN JOURNAL

Placer head coach Joey Montoya has held the reins for the Hillmen since 2007. this season, seem to be early favorites.

The two former PVL foes collectively went 21-5 last year, while all other new FVL teams were a combined 18-24.

But don’t be fooled, says Montoya.

“I think we’re going into this league at the perfect time,” he said. “It’s the great unknown. Our kids don’t know what to expect. It’s going to be a heck of a league. There are no slouches. We

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really embrace the challenge. We’re excited about being the small school in the league.”

Sure, Placer is a small school, but it has a large number or returning players who were either All-League or All-Metro in 2017, including Oregon commit Joey Capra, Nevada-Reno commit Blake Baughman and Colton McElroy to bolster an offensive line that returns six starters to ensure

protection for senior quarterback Michael Stuck, another All-Metro Honorable Mention returnee.

“It’s great,” laughed Stuck with an ‘Are you kidding me?’ type of tone. “I’m, like, the most blessed quarterback of all time.”

The Hillmen also return Marshall Chapman, whose 1480 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior were the most in the entire section. Louis Fudge, who Montoya thinks will be a college tight end, and Brad Bishop also return to an offense that averaged over 40 points per game last year.

Defensively, Chase Laguana-Scott was a Top 10 tackler in the section in 2017 from the linebacker position.

Hans Grassman, Andrew Garza, Micah Yokum, Kyle Christensen and Ian Howes, among others, will anchor the rest of the defensive front.

“This team is amazing,” said Capra.

“I think we’ll do as good or better this year. We’re very lucky to have (returning players), but you definitely have to have the motivation to do it again. You can’t just expect it.”

Just as Montoya said; it’s a new year; a new league; a new opportunity to return to unfinished business.

“We’re nails,” said a confident Stuck. “A lot of the sophomores who are now juniors have got to go, ‘I’ve got to step up. I’ve got shoes to fill. I’ve got to be a guy.’ We’re just carrying on the tradition that’s been here for a long time.”

Placer Hillmen | Colfax Falcons | Bear River Bruins | Foresthill Wildfires | 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

3

2018 varsity

FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

PLACER HIGH

WHEN

OPPONENT

WHERE

7:30 p.m. Aug. 17

Pleasant Grove

7:30 p.m. Aug. 24

Whitney

7:30 p.m. Aug. 31

Bishop Manogue

7:30 p.m. Sept. 7

Vista Del Lago

7:30 p.m. Sept. 14

El Dorado

Sept. 21

Bye

7:30 p.m. Sept. 28

Nevada Union

7 p.m. Oct. 5

Rio Linda

RIO LINDA

Rio Linda High School

6309 DRY CREEK ROAD, RIO LINDA

7 p.m. Oct. 12

Oakmont

ROSEVILLE

Oakmont High School

1710 CIRBY WAY, ROSEVILLE

7:30 p.m. Oct. 19

Ponderosa

7:30 p.m. Oct. 26

Lincoln

ELK GROVE

ROCKLIN RENO

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GRASS VALLEY

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Pleasant Grove High School

9531 BOND ROAD, ELK GROVE

Placer High School

275 ORANGE STREET, AUBURN

Placer High School

275 ORANGE STREET, AUBURN

Placer High School

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Placer High School

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Placer High School

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2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW | Placer Hillmen | Colfax Falcons | Bear River Bruins | Foresthill Wildfires

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NO.

NAME

YEAR

3 4 5 6 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 21 22 24 25 28 32 34 34 35 35 40 42 44 45 47 50 51 53 54 55 56 58 62 63 64 65 71 72 73 74 75 77 80 82 84 88

Brad Bishop Chase Laguana Scott Andrew Garza Jacob Mason Michael Stuck Ryan Arnel Cyrus O’neal Marshall Chapman Carson Espedal Ian Howes Kane Martin Zac Rohde Chandler Dakin Jorge Maldonado Andy Alvarez Sergio Ramirez Hans Grassman Logan Groth Jesse Jordan Isaak Smith Jesse Whigam Hayden Lacurelle Drew Vincent Samuel Bender Mitchell Moore Jesus Castillo Austin Hollitz Louis Fudge Isaiah Clayborn Keith Messerall Zaeron Fuller Evan Robinson Micah Yokum Austin Mader Michael Callas Rand Grenier Matthew Maloney Blake Baughman Jackson Sabins Jaden Desrochers Aiden Skinner-plunkett Kyle Christensen Joey Capra Clayton Bonner Colton McElroy Caeden Espedal Adrian Monroe Nathan Russell Ben Bean

Senior 5’9” 175 lbs.

Senior 5’9” 215 lbs.

Senior 5’8” 160 lbs.

Junior 5’10” Senior 6’0” 180 lbs.

Senior 5’8” 165 lbs.

Senior Senior 5’11” 173 lbs.

Senior 5’7” 155 lbs.

Senior 6’1” 165 lbs.

Senior 5’10” 153 lbs.

Senior Senior 6’1” 200 lbs.

Senior 5’6” 155 lbs.

Junior 5’10” 162 lbs.

Junior 5’7” 155 lbs.

Junior 6’3” 210 lbs.

Junior 5’7” 150 lbs.

Junior 5’10” 149 lbs.

Junior 5’11” 150 lbs.

Junior 5’7” 160 lbs.

Senior 5’8” 150 lbs.

Junior 5’9” 160 lbs.

Junior 5’8” 150 lbs.

Junior 6’3” 216 lbs.

Junior 6’0” 225 lbs.

Junior 5’10” 155 lbs.

Senior 6’3” 200 lbs.

Senior 5’11’ 206 lbs.

Junior 6’1” 175 lbs.

Senior 5’9” 187 lbs.

Junior 6’1” 185 lbs.

Junior 6’1” 223 lbs.

Senior 6’0” 195 lbs.

Sophomore 6’2” 240 lbs.

Sophomore 5’10” Junior 5’11” 170 lbs.

Senior 6’5” 250 lbs.

Junior 6’0” 210 lbs.

Junior 6’1” 235 lbs.

Junior 5’10” 165 lbs.

Junior 6’3” 230 lbs.

Senior 6’4” 278 lbs.

Junior 5’10” Senior 6’1” 243 lbs.

Junior 5’10” 140 lbs.

Junior 5’9” 155 lbs.

Junior 5’9” 135 lbs.

Junior 6’2”

2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW | Placer Hillmen | Colfax Falcons | Bear River Bruins | Foresthill Wildfires

HEIGHT

WEIGHT

POSTITIONS

LB, RB LB, OL LB, RB HB, S QB RB, DB RB, LB WR, CB DB, WR WR, CB DE, TE RB, CB RB, DB DB, WR DE, FB RB, CB

RB, CB S, RB DB, RB QB, DB ILB, TE DT, T DB, WR TE, OLB T, DT MLB, G OLB G, OLB DE, T DE, OL OT, DT DE G, DT T, DT OG, DE OT, DT OL, DL C, DE DL, OL OL, DL DB, WR DB, WR DE

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COLFAX

Falcons hope to fly high COLFAX ENTERS 2018 SEASON WITH A CHIP ON ITS SHOULDER

BY MIKE RAY FOR THE AUBURN JOURNAL

COLFAX – If there’s ever been a football

team that has entered a season with a chip on its shoulder, you might want to put a check mark by the 2018 edition of Tony Martello’s Colfax Falcons.

Colfax, 9-4 a season ago, just missed winning its first California Interscholastic Federation Sac-Joaquin Section Championship since 2003 when the Falcons absorbed a painful lesson in losing a 30-27 Division V championship game to Bear River.

For Colfax it was its second straight trip to the section finals. In 2016, the Falcons fell to Capital Christian in the title game.

“It was a tough loss, and I hope our kids and coaches learned from it,” said Martello. “We didn’t play our best, but you have to tip your hat to Bear River.

They did a good job and earned it.”

For Martello, the 2017 season was one of peaks and valleys. The Falcons started off the season with five straight wins before going toe-to-toe with Pioneer Valley League heavyweights Placer and Lincoln and dropping respective, 41-35, and 48-42 decisions.

Colfax then drubbed Bear River, 3114, lost to Center, 48-34, and defeated Foothill, 55-26, to qualify for the playoffs.

Once in the postseason, the No. 5 seed Falcons went on the road and handed previously undefeated Orestimba a 43-20 lashing before

venturing to Sonora and outgunning the favored Wildcats in a epic 56-55 shootout.

The Falcons were then thwarted

by Bear River, their second loss to the Bruins in a section title game in the last four seasons.

“Think about it,” said Martello, “Placer went to a state championship game, and Lincoln gets beat on a last second field goal by Del Oro. We were just a few plays away from having a special season.”

Now, the Falcons seemed poised to take things a step further. For starters, when Colfax opens the season at home Aug. 17 against Golden Sierra, the Falcons, with a win, could hand Martello his 200th career victory.

“That stuff is all nice, but it’s really about the kids who have played here and are playing here now,” said the Colfax coach. “Looking back we have been pretty fortunate.”

Martello’s biggest chore this season will be replacing 3,000-yard, 38-touchdown quarterback Ryland Heimann and 2,300 all-purpose yards from versatile halfback Mason Ahrens, who also accounted for 29 touchdowns.

“Those two were a big part of our offense no doubt,” said Martello about Heimann and Ahrens. “But we have some good players I thing that are ready to step up this season.”

Colfax also received another boost to its season when veteran coach Jason Stowers returned to the falcons’ staff.

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Stowers will be working with the offensive line.

OFFENSE Senior Alex Weir, who played mostly in the secondary last season, seems poised to take the Falcons’ quarterback reins.

Two seasons ago, he guided Colfax’s JVs to a 9-1 record.

Weir should have some capable receivers to throw to as Jake Green (53 catches, 859 yards), Colton Reeves (38, 565) and Max Wolff (13, 248) all return. In two seasons, Green has 74 varsity catches for 1,245 yards and 12 touchdowns.

At tight end, Martello noted that both senior Christian Evenson and junior Peter O’Brien looked good over the summer.

Hoping

Colfax High’s Jake Green (18) begins the 2018 season with 74 varsity receptions in two seasons.

MICHAEL KIRBY • AUBURN JOURNAL

➧

Placer Hillmen | Colfax Falcons | Bear River Bruins | Foresthill Wildfires | 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

7

2018 varsity

FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

COLFAX HIGH

WHEN

OPPONENT

WHERE

7:15 p.m. Aug. 17

Golden Sierra

7:30 p.m. Aug. 24

Woodland

Aug. 31

Bye

7:30 p.m. Sept. 7

Colusa

7:30 p.m. Sept. 14

Union Mine

7:15 p.m. Sept. 21

Wheatland

7:30 p.m. Sept. 28

Foothill

7:30 p.m. Oct. 5

Marysville

7:30 p.m. Oct. 12

Lindhurst

OLIVEHURST

Lindhurst High School

7:30 p.m. Oct. 19

Bear River

GRASS VALLEY

Colfax High School

24995 BEN TAYLOR ROAD, COLFAX

7:30 p.m. Oct. 26

Center

Colfax High School

24995 BEN TAYLOR ROAD, COLFAX

GARDEN VALLEY

WOODLAND

COLUSA

Colfax High School

24995 BEN TAYLOR ROAD, COLFAX

Woodland High School

21 NORTH WEST STREET, WOODLAND

Colusa High School

901 COLUS AVENUE, COLUSA

EL DORADO

Colfax High School

24995 BEN TAYLOR ROAD, COLFAX

WHEATLAND

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2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW | Placer Hillmen | Colfax Falcons | Bear River Bruins | Foresthill Wildfires

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COLFAX HIGH

COURTESY

Colfax Falcons cheer team. to pick up Ahrens’ slack in the running game will be senior Troy Little (552 yards, 11 touchdowns), senior Jack Watts and juniors Daniel Bliss and John Beckman.

Offensively up front, the Falcons have some experience in returnees Mike O’Neil, John McCann, Jacob Lahaie and Tyler Austin. A junior to watch is 6-foot-4, 265-pound Wiley Drummond while Nick Thompson returns after missing his junior season.

➧

DEFENSE Martello noted that the Falcons have to improve defensively to be successful this season. The Falcons surrendered 30 or more points in five games a year ago.

“We have to play better defense, there’s no question,” said the Colfax coach.

LINE Martello hopes that a playing rotation that Lahaie, Evenson, Jacob Schwartz, Angelo Margherita, Parker Sullivan and Virginia transfer Hudson Stroup will be able to do the job. Stroup, who played varsity as a sophomore at a Div. I school, is 6-foot-6, 220 pounds.

LINEBACKERS The Falcons will have plenty of

MICHAEL KIRBY • AUBURN JOURNAL

Alex Weir hands off during a Colfax practice session. experience with senior returnees in Dylan Owens, Tucker Klopotek, McCann and Sullivan. Lahaie and Bliss will also lend a hand in this department.

SECONDARY Green and Reeves both saw defensive back action last season. Meanwhile, hoping to bounce back after suffering an injury early last season is senior Zach Fejes. Others to watch include juniors Beckman, Jason Holm and Tyler Gansberg.

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT OF THE AUBURN JOURNAL

2018 varsity FOOTBALL ROSTER

NO.

NAME

YEAR

HEIGHT

WEIGHT

POSTITIONS

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 16 17 18 19 21 22 24 26 30 48 50 52 54 55 58 60 62 66 99

Travyn Heimann Peter O’Brien John Beckman Tucker Klopotek Dylan Owens Maxx Wolff Jack Watts John McCann Colton Reeves Zach Fejes Daniel Bliss Tyler Gansberg Klay Calvert Jason Holm Jake Green Parker Sullivan Logan Harris Spencer Chriss Alex Weir Troy Little Christian Evensen Jacob Schwartz Dylan Garcia Michael O’Neill Nick Thompson Christian Wood Jacob LaHaie Angelo Margherita Tyler Austin Wiley Drummond Hudson Stroup

Senior Junior Junior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Junior Junior Senior Junior Senior Senior Junior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Junior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Junior Junior

5’10” 6’1” 6’1” 5’10” 6’2” 6’7” 6’ 6’1” 5’11” 6’ 6’1” 5’10” 6’6” 6’ 6’2” 6’1” 5’10” 5’11” 6’2” 5’9” 6’3” 5’11” 6’ 6’1” 6’2” 5’10” 6’1” 5’10” 6’1” 6’5” 6’6”

150 lbs.

175 lbs.

170 lbs.

185 lbs.

185 lbs.

185 lbs.

170 lbs.

215 lbs.

175 lbs.

170 lbs.

185 lbs.

170 lbs.

185 lbs.

170 lbs.

190 lbs.

190 lbs.

175 lbs.

185 lbs.

180 lbs.

185 lbs.

205 lbs.

185 lbs.

205 lbs.

230 lbs.

205 lbs.

190 lbs.

205 lbs.

220 lbs.

205 lbs.

270 lbs.

220 lbs.

DB, QB, WR TE, OLB RB, DB ILB, RB OLB, RB WR, DB RB, DB TE, DL WR, DB DB, RB RB, LB DB, RB DE, TE ATH, DB WR, DB DL, RB ATH, LB DL, LB QB RB, LB LB, TE DL, RB ILB OL, DL OL, DL OL, DL ILB, OL DL, OL OL, DL OL, DL DE, TE

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2018 varsity FOOTBALL ROSTER

NO.

NAME

YEAR

HEIGHT

WEIGHT

POSTITIONS

2 6 7 9 11 16 21 23 24 25 27 30 34 54 56 57 58 59 62 66 69 75 79

Colton Jenkins Jeremy Rodrigues Dylan Bergez- Scott Chad Bucher Logan Jenkins Josiah Cregar Austin Slining Calder Kunde Tre Maronic Erik LaCoss Clayton Anderson Zach Fink Hunter Daniels Zane Beaton Shelbi Beghetti Jonny Carrillo Jared Baze Sam Davis Alex Dewsen Trae Nix Caleb Hurst Warren Davis John Luzzi

Junior Junior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Junior Junior Senior Junior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Junior Sophomore Senior

6’1” 5’6” 6’2” 6’ 6’ 5’9” 5’11” 6’2” 6’3” 5’9” 5’8” 5’8” 5’11” 6’1” 5’4” 5’9” 5’11” 5’9” 5’9” 6’2” 6’ 6’2” 6’2”

170 lbs.

140 lbs.

171 lbs.

145 lbs.

180 lbs.

170 lbs.

170 lbs.

185 lbs.

180 lbs.

153 lbs.

154 lbs.

150 lbs.

186 lbs.

257 lbs.

151 lbs.

265 lbs.

185 lbs.

180 lbs.

186 lbs.

211 lbs.

190 lbs.

192 lbs.

183 lbs.

QB, WR, CB WB, DB WR, FS WR, DB TE, LB TE, DB FB, LB QB, WR, CB QB, HB, CB WR, FS WB, DB FB, NG FB, LB OT, DL OT, DL OT, DT OG, DL OG, DL OT, DL C, DL OL, DL OG, DL OT, DL

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2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW | Placer Hillmen | Colfax Falcons | Bear River Bruins | Foresthill Wildfires

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT OF THE AUBURN JOURNAL

BEAR RIVER

Bruin up a legacy LED BY LONGTIME COACHES, BEAR RIVER AIMS FOR ANOTHER SECTION RUN

BY MIKE RAY FOR THE AUBURN JOURNAL

t Bear River High School these days, the more things change A with the Bruins’ football program, the

more they remain the same.

“We think we’ll be competitive if we can stay healthy,” said Bear River coach Terry Logue. “We have some kids back with experience from last season, but we don’t have a lot of numbers out this year. We’ll be trying to build our depth early.”

For Logue and fellow co-coach Scott Savoie, Bear River is coming off a banner campaign, where the Bruins qualified for the playoffs by winning an overtime game over Center in Week 10.

Once in the postseason, Bear River marched through Capital Christian, Ripon and Colfax to win its second CIF Sac-Joaquin Section crown in the past four seasons.

“We have eight players on offense returning that started last season and seven on defense,” said Logue. “Some of those are two-way players, so again, we really need to stay healthy”.

Logue talks about the Bruins needing to stay healthy from experience.

The longtime Bruins coach, whose 231 career wins ranks 7th all-time among CIF Sac-Joaquin Section coaches, is beginning his 45th year of coaching. After coaching stops at Paradise High and Butte College,

COURTESY • OBFOTO.COM

Bear River’s Calder Kunde eludes Center defenders in a game played in 2017. Kunde is expected to line up in multiple positions this season for the Bruins..

Logue came to Bear River in 1986.

“It’s been a long time, but I still enjoy it,” said Logue.

Two players who should be keeping the Logue-Savoie coaching tandem happy this season are senior Calder Kunde and junior Tre Maronic. Both tall, rangy and fast, Kunde and Maronic figure to be in the hub of what the Bruins do on both sides of the ball.

“They’re both very good players,” said Logue about Kunde and Maronic.

“We need to keep the two healthy.”

Kunde was a display of versatility last season as a junior. The 6-foot-2,

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180-pounder rushed 29 times for 222 yards and caught 30 passes for 484 more yards. Expected to start the season at quarterback this season, Kunde was 14-of-20 for 130 yards passing and two scores in his lone start in 2017. Kunde also intercepted four passes a year ago.

Maronic, meanwhile, was just as impressive as he rushed 66 times for 416 yards and also latched on to 24 passes for 418 more yards and six scores.

Also a demon on defense, Maronic also averaged 23 yards a punt return.

Ready to mix and match this season

to maximize their players, Logue and Savoie can envision using both Kunde and Moronic at quarterback along with junior Colton Jenkins.

“We’ll be using a lot of different players in different spots,” said Logue.

“Kunde, Maronic and Jenkins all are capable.”

The Bruins hope to also utilize the experience and strength of their offensive line this season.

Returning starters include center Trae Nix, tackle Jonny Carillo and guard Sam Davis. Others to watch up front include tight end Logan Jenkins and Warren Davis.

Bear River will also be counting on running back-linebacker Hunter Daniels who picked up 123 rushing yards and scored a touchdown last season. In addition, senior Austin Slining, another linebacker candidate, returns after missing last season with an injury.

With a switch due to realignment, Logue said that the Bruins enter this season with a legitimate shot at a Pioneer Valley League title.

“With Placer and Lincoln gone, our kids can go into a year with at least the chance of winning a league championship,” said the Bear River coach. “Center is going to be real good, and we play them in the leagueopener, and we’re hearing that Colfax is better than they were last year. It will be a tough league.”

Placer Hillmen | Colfax Falcons | Bear River Bruins | Foresthill Wildfires | 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

11

2018 varsity

FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

BEAR RIVER HIGH

WHEN

OPPONENT

WHERE

7:30 p.m. Aug. 17

South Tahoe

7:30 p.m. Aug. 24

El Dorado

7 p.m. Aug. 31

Pershing County

7:30 p.m. Sept. 7

Liberty Ranch

7 p.m. Sept. 14

Encina Prep

Sept. 21

Bye

7:30 p.m. Sept. 28

Center

7:30 p.m. Oct. 5

Lindhurst

7:30 p.m. Oct. 12

Foothill

7:30 p.m. Oct. 19

Colfax

7:30 p.m. Oct. 26

Marysville

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FORESTHILL

Attitude Adjustment SHIFT IN CULTURE HAS THE WILDFIRES READY FOR 2018

hat a difference a year can W make. A year ago, the Wildfires matched their 2016 output of three

wins and seven losses along with a 1-3 mark in the Sacramento Metropolitan Athletic League, missing the postseason for the third straight year.

But last year was not about wins and losses, says second-year head coach Steve Collier. In his first season at the helm for the Wildfires, Collier said that after a few down years for the Foresthill football program, it was time for a culture shift.

“Last year, we were focused on work ethic, discipline and our expectations,” said Collier. “In the past, kids would miss practice because they wanted to go fishing. Now football is priority No. 1. (The coaching staff ) is here to show them the new way.”

The new Foresthill way is not limited to just the football field, and the players are buying in. “(It’s about having) better attitude, more intensity, both out of school and in school,” says junior

➧

NICK PECORARO • AUBURN JOURNAL

Second-year head coach Steve Collier has Foresthill excited about the 2018 season.

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Placer Hillmen | Colfax Falcons | Bear River Bruins | Foresthill Wildfires | 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

13

wideout Caleb Medrano. “Just be a better person in general.”

Former head coach and Foresthill athletic director Jim Herlehy agrees.

“Collier’s brought a lot of excitement to the program,” he said.

Other reasons to be excited as a Wildfire fan include returning experience. The 2017 was loaded with sophomores who are stepping into 2018 as varsity-tested juniors eager to bring that experience to the table.

Junior quarterback Kaiden Pennington will make the calls under center for the Wildfires with weapons like Medrano, Cole Moore and Caleb Westphalen to target. Pennington will rely on Paul Clifford, Robert Schredl, RJ Napoles, Carter Kelley and Casey Baldwin, among others

for protection up front.

Most of the offensive players will pull double-duty defensively as well — sort of an occupational hazard of a small-school football program.

Expect contributions from Ezra Aldrich, Ben Esparza, Brody Johnson-Siefker, Elias Estrada, Stephano Baulwin, Justin Leyba, Landon Pratt and many more.

“Last year, we competed with everyone,” said Pennington. “We didn’t win that many games, but we were really young as a sophomore team. This year, I think we have more experience so it will be better.

There’s better intensity.”

Collier recognizes the intensity too. He can see that this year’s group has matured and is unafraid of the Friday night stage.

“Every now and then, as a coach, you’ll get lucky to get

WHEN FORESTHILL

2018 varsity

FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

HIGH

14

NICK PECORARO • AUBURN JOURNAL

Junior quarterback Kaiden Pennington will steer the offense for the Wildfires.

➧

OPPONENT

WHERE

7 p.m. Aug. 17

Turlock Christian

7 p.m. Aug. 24

Esparto

ESPARTO

Foresthill High School

7:30 p.m. Aug. 31

Portola

PORTOLA

Portola High School

7 p.m. Sept. 7

Vacaville Christian

7 p.m. Sept. 14

Johnson

Sept. 21

Bye

7:05 p.m. Sept. 28

Western Sierra

7 p.m. Oct. 5

Encina Prep

7 p.m. Oct. 12

Woodland Christian

7 p.m. Oct. 19

Delta

Valley Christian

noon Oct. 27

TURLOCK

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SACRAMENTO

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Vacaville Christian

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Foresthill High School

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ROCKLIN

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WOODLAND

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Foresthill High School

23319 FORESTHILL ROAD, FORESTHILL

Highland High School

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2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW | Placer Hillmen | Colfax Falcons | Bear River Bruins | Foresthill Wildfires

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➧

FORESTHILL HIGH

2018 varsity FOOTBALL ROSTER

NO.

NAME

YEAR

HEIGHT

WEIGHT

POSTITIONS

6 7 8 11 13 17 23 24 30 32 34 36 49 60 60 67 73 78 84 85

Cole Moore Drew Stroup Nick Meltz Brody Johnston-siefker Trace Hendrickson Kaiden Pennington Ben Esparza Ezra Aldrich Caleb Westphalen Angel Napoles Nick Lechner Michael Gaddy Silas Holbrook Carter Kelley Kendall Carpenter Casey Baldwin Stephano Baulwin Rj Napoles Caleb Medrano Justin Leyba Andrew Fleming Anthony Gaddy Ben Warton Brayden Durant Brenden Harrison Chandler Svoboda Chet Matz Clay Cantrell Elias Estrada Ethan Callahan Ethan Hilt Isacc Davis Jered Vculek Jesse Phariss Joe Vigarino Justin Thompson Kiernan Hammer Landon Pratt Luke Trejo Michael Beitman Paul Clifford Robert Schredl Steele Roper Steven Radford

Junior Junior Sophomore Junior Junior Junior Senior Senior Junior Junior Junior Junior Junior Junior Sophomore Senior Junior Senior Junior Senior

5’10” 5’8” 5’5” 5’6” 5’10” 6’0”

135 lbs.

150 lbs.

135 lbs.

145 lbs.

150 lbs.

150 lbs.

WR, FS OLB, TE QB RB, OLB WR, FS QB, MLB

6’0” 5’8” 145 lbs.

6’1” 170 lbs.

5’4” 105 lbs.

5’5” 115 lbs.

5’8” 135 lbs.

5’9” 210 lbs.

5’0” 115 lbs.

5’11” 165 lbs.

5’10” 220 lbs.

6’0” 160 lbs.

5’9” 115 lbs.

5’9” 170 lbs.

RB, MLB RB, FS RB, MLB RB, CB WR, CB

Junior

NICK PECORARO • AUBURN JOURNAL

C, T DT T, DT G, DT T, DE WR, CB OLB, TE

Estrada- Senior Elias Estrada boots a kickoff during a Foresthill practice in July. .

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that once-in-a-generation group that makes things a lot easier,” he said.

The Wildfires begin the season Aug. 17 on the road at Turlock Christian.

Their home-opener will be in Week 2 against Esparto. Trips to Portola and Vacaville Christian and another home game against Johnson precede the bye week Sept. 21. Then SMAL play begins with a home conference-opener against Western Sierra Collegiate Academy Sept. 28. Contests with Encina Prep, Woodland Christian, Delta and Valley Christian follow in succession to round out the season.

“Last year was about the culture change; about getting talent on the field and spreading the ball. Our skill guys are starting to hit their stride.

This year, we’re focusing on winning football games and making the playoffs.”

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Placer Hillmen | Colfax Falcons | Bear River Bruins | Foresthill Wildfires | 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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