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What’s the De La Salle score? Page 10 Best places to watch high school football Page 6

Ex-NFL player gets you ready Page 25

starring east bay athletes • August 26, 2010

Training systems 101

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FIFA 11 puts you on the team Page 44

Avoid chucking your clubs Page 32

TIRES • SERVICE • STRAIGHT TALK

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Las lomas gets an early morning leg up

pittsburg’s Julius Mozee is right on target

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boys soccer stampede roundup. locker room First Pitch ..................................................... 6 SportStar of the Week .............................. 7 Locker Room .............................................. 8 Wally’s World ............................................ 10 Health Watch ............................................ 29 Training Time ............................................. 34 Twenty-Four7 ............................................ 35 Advertiser Index ...................................... 43 What’s Next .............................................. 44

Strap in, because it’s football time and SportStars will get you ready for the season like nobody else can.

League previews? Got ’em. Predictions? Done.

Naming names of the region’s best?

No problem.

Get focused. Get ready.

The fun starts on PAGE 12.

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ON THE COVER College Park’s Taylor Valdez

by Bob Larson.

Contact Bob at larsonpic.@aol.com August26, 26,2010 2010 August

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M

Friday Night Fever: Five FB fields that feel like home

y high school football experience as a player is pretty slim: Three weeks of freshman team tryouts, spent mostly with the quarterbacks.

I made it through each of the first two rounds of cuts, before realizing that basketball was my true passion as an athlete.

I still logged quite a few yards on the high school football field in my youth.

As a ball boy for my dad’s football teams, every Friday was the greatest day ever.

Seriously, the day at school COULD NOT go fast enough.

To this day, the hours bridging 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. on a Friday continue to go by way too slow. As a reporter over the past several years, I would show up to work around 4 p.m. and simply sit at my desk fidgeting. Focusing on any real work was hardly an option.

By the time 5:30 rolls around, the building usually can’t hold me any longer.

It would be time for a pre-game meal and then a drive to the field.

Over my eight seasons of covering high school football in this area, I’ve grown partial to certain stadiums.

So to help kick off our first of what we hope will be several football previews, I will list my Top 5 Favorite East Bay football venues/communities. We’ll go in descending order, to build suspense.

No. 5: John Swett: I’ve covered just two games there, but it took only five minutes inside the gates for me to instantly dig it.

The way the school neighbors a hillside community, makes it an extremely unique setting. People can gather along the street above the field and look down on the game. Heck, some fans can watch from their living rooms. Looking up, one can see the towers of the new Carquinez Bridge, and to the east of the home sideline one can see and hear the C&H Sugar Factory. And the field itself is getting a major facelift this year, too — an all-weather surface.

No. 4: Liberty: Perhaps it’s because I grew up in a more rural Northern California setting, but driving into oldtown Brentwood on a Friday night just feels right. I maintain that the best rivalry crowd and atmosphere I’ve encountered over the past eight years were the Battle for the Bell games in 2002 (at Liberty) and 2003 (the first one held at Freedom).

And, before you quip, I have covered at 6

SportStars™

August 26, 2010

FIRST PITCH Chace Bryson Editor

Chace@ SportStarsMag.com (925) 566-8503

least one playing of all the major East Bay rivalries (except for the Island Bowl). Also, you can’t beat the tri-tip sandwiches at Liberty. Don’t fight me on this.

No. 3: Alhambra: I enjoy the Home of the Bulldogs for much the same reasons as I like John Swett. It’s the community setting. Alhambra Avenue runs parallel to the field. There are houses across the street in two directions. Also, it’s hard to beat the Friday night atmosphere of a town which features just one high school. There aren’t very many of those left in the East Bay. No. 2 Monte Vista: Among the most important ingredients for a great Friday night atmosphere is the presence of the student body. And the Monte Vista student body SHOWS. UP. In fact, a good portion of the East Bay Athletic League student bodies support their football teams quite well, but it always seems like Monte Vista packs in a few extra. The crowds there are louder and more lively than anywhere else.

I typically need to arrive more than an hour early to get parking, but it’s worth it.

No. 1 Pittsburg: There are so many things that make Pirates Stadium my favorite place to watch a game — and I married an Antioch graduate, so this is bound to not go over well — but I can mostly narrow it down to two: 1) The history, and 2) the band.

The community of Pittsburg LOVES its football, and you don’t have to spend much time inside the gates to realize it. You can spot fans from ages 4 to 95, if you try hard enough. And every one will tell you how this is the year the Pirates are going to beat De La Salle again. Yeah, that’s right, I said “again,” because they remain the last Bay Area team to beat the Spartans (way back in 1991).

Finally, the band. It sets the standard for pep bands in the East Bay — I mean, playing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade isn’t for chumps (which they did last November). What the band adds to the Pirates Stadium vibe is something else. The band is practically part of the game, in fact, it’s even been penalized. More than once!

Everything just comes together at Pittsburg. ◆◆◆ Got your own Top 5 list of HS football venues. Email it to me. If I get enough responses, I’ll post some results. In the meantime, enjoy our preview and I’ll see you under the lights. ✪

PHONE 925.566.8500 FAX 925.566.8507 Editorial Editor@SportStarsMag.com Editor Chace Bryson. Ext. 104 • Chace@SportStarsMag.com Contributors Bill Kolb, Erik Stordahl, Mike Wolcott, Dave DeLong, Mitch Stephens Photography Butch Noble, Bob Larson Creative Department Art@SportStarsMag.com Production Manager Mike DeCicco. Ext. 103 • MikeD@SportStarsMag.com Publisher/President Mike Calamusa. Ext. 106 • Mike@SportStarsMag.com Advertising & Calendar/Classified Sales Sales@SportStarsMag.com Account Executives Mike Wolcott Ext. 109 • MikeW@SportStarsMag.com; Patrick McCormick Ext. 102 • Patrick@SportStarsMag.com; Erik Stordahl • EStordahl@Sport StarsMag.com (Special Sections, Calendar, Marketplace sales) Hometeam network Mary Stewart, Peter Trekteris and Michelle McEuen, 925.827.4686 • hometeam@sportstarsmag.com Reader Resources/Administration Ad Traffic, Subscription, Calendar & Classified Listings info@SportStarsMag.com • Deb Hollinger. Ext. 101 • Distribution/Delivery Mags@SportStarsMag.com Distribution Manager Butch Noble. Ext. 107 • Butch@SportStarsMag.com Information technology John Bonilla CFO Sharon Calamusa • Sharon@SportStarsMag.com Office Manager/Credit Services Deb Hollinger. Ext. 101 • Deb@SportStarsMag.com Board of Directors Dennis Erokan, CEO, Placemaking Group Roland Roos, CPA, Roland Roos & Co Susan Bonilla, Contra Costa County Supervisor Drew Lawler, Managing Director, AJ Lawler Partners community SportStars™ Magazine A division of Caliente! Communications, LLC 5356 Clayton Rd., Ste. 222 • Concord, CA • 94521 info@SportStarsMag.com www.SportStarsMag.com

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of the week

parker deuel san ramon valley . track & field

powered by:

Hunter Deuel/Contributed

nominate your star at editor@sportstarsmag.com

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For those of you who didn’t get much done this summer, San Ramon Valley Track star Parker Deuel was named an All-American – for the sixth year in a row.

He earned that title at the U.S. National Junior Olympic Track Championships in Sacramento.

Deuel set two Northern California records when he finished the Steeplechase in 6:14.23 and crossed the finish line fourth in the 1,500-meter race with a time of 4:04.01.

He’ll begin his junior year at SRV this month.

SportStars: How did you get roped into running?

Parker Deuel: In first grade I ran the mile and got an award. A year later, my PE teacher encouraged me to pursue it.

SportStars: With all the events you compete in, how do you stay focused?

PD: Kevin McCarthy, my coach, calls me a big race guy. I usually do horrible in the qualifier, then do well in the final.

I just get this nervousness right before each race and I’m ready.

SportStars: How does it feel to be called an All-American six years in a row?

PD: Most people don’t really know.

It’s nice having that title but I don’t want to be an All-American; I want to be the national champion.

Parker’s Quick Hits: How many miles do you run a day: About 13 Track or Cross-Country: Track.

Pairs of running shoes burned in a year: 8 or 9

honorable mention

derek wilcox He helped lead the Diablo FC 95 Gold team to the semifinals of the U15 Gold Division, which included a seven-save shutout of Mustang United 95 during pool play.

allison gargalikis The Carondelet junior closed out her summer swimming success by taking first in the 100-meter breaststroke at the Speedo Junior National Championships in Irvine from Aug. 9-13.

ali gibson Gibson was a key member of the Cal Stars Girls AAU Elite High basketball team, headed

by Miramonte girls coach Kelly Sopak. The team went 19-4 in July and won seven tournaments on the summer.

August 26, 2010

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HE SAID WHAT?!?

“Hopefully we don’t go through any growing pains early. Because I didn’t schedule lightly.”

Pittsburg High football coach,Victor Galli, speaking about a nonleague schedule that includes Foothill, McClymonds, Monte Vista, Berkeley and Granite Bay — all playoff teams from a season ago.

Reasons to get excited about fall sports not named ‘football’ ◆ 1. There are fall sports that don’t involve football? ◆ 2. Don’t you want to see if Alameda Senior golfer Grace Na, last year’s NCS champ, can repeat and make a run at a state title — you know, before she goes pro?

We do. ◆ 3. Is anyone else the least bit interested in whether someone other than the Miramonte boys (five straight NCS crowns and six of the past seven) or the Monte Vista girls (four straight; six of seven) can win a water polo title? ◆ 4. We’re even weirdly excited about standing around in the mud waiting for cross country races to wrap up. Hey. It’s been a long summer. ◆ 5. Aren’t we about due for one of the ‘C’s — Carondelet or Campolindo — to win a girls volleyball title? Or is maybe this the year Miramonte breaks through and knocks Bishop O’Dowd off its perch in Division III? — Bill Kolb 8

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Sup

m

I I E D E P M STA After patiently waiting their turn while the girls went first during the first weekend of August, the boys took to the fields of Danville on Aug. 20-22 for the second Mustang Soccer Stampede in three weeks.

The tournament is on a slightly smaller scale than the girls’ tournament that precedes it, with ‘only’ 118 teams this time around.

Here are a few of the championship game scores. ◆ U12 Premier: De Anza Force ’98 Blue 2, Ajax United Elite ’99 1 ◆ U12 Gold: Burlingame Heat 3, Bay Oaks Road Runners 1 ◆ U13 Premier: Juventus Heat 2, Santa Clara Sporting 1 ◆ U13 Gold: Madera Roja Zorros 3, Central Marin Arsenal 1 ◆ U14 Premier: Mustang Internazionale 3, Minichivas 1 ◆ U14 Gold: NBEFC ’96 3 , Livermore Fusion 2 ◆ U15 Premier: Mustang Hotspurs 4, Almaden Valley YSL Storm ’95 2 Jordan Lebrecht/Contributor

At left, Kevin Neys (in black) of Diablo FC goes up for a header during their game against Mustang United.

Below, Jovany Renteria (left) gets off a shot.

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August 26, 2010

SportStars™

9

B-R-I-I-I-I-N-G! I

Reliving my night with the De La Salle faithful

n the late 1990s and early 2000s, when we still had an economy and all was right with the world, I was deputy sports editor of the Contra Costa Times. In the world of newspapers, this meant two things: 1. I got to work more day shifts than most people on the staff, and 2. People kept asking me if I got to wear a badge. (No.) It was a good gig. I got to plan, write and, especially, converse with readers on the phone. I can honestly say I enjoyed that part of the job.

Until … that one night.

That one night where, thanks to a copy editor’s mistake, my personal phone number ended up being printed in the newspaper in place of the “De La Salle Hotline” — a phone

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August 26, 2010

line set up just to handle the large number of calls we got whenever the Spartans played a football game.

On this particular night, Sept. 29, 2000, “The Streak” was still intact and De La Salle was playing on the road at Mater Dei. It was probably the most-anticipated prep football game in 10 years.

And, by night’s end, I had sworn off any notion that the Times covered De La Salle football too much.

If anything, I began to wonder why they ever covered anything else.

The following is from my “Two-Minute Drill” column as it ran on Sept. 30, 2000. The next time anyone asks “Why does De La Salle get so much coverage?” I’ll refer ‘em right to

this: There’s an old saying in this business: For every phone call you get on any subject, there are usually 100 more readers out there who feel the same way.

If that’s true, we figure millions of people must have had a passionate rooting interest in last week’s De La Salle-Mater Dei high school football game. How do we know? The Drill’s phone was put to the test....

2:30 p.m.: The Drill arrives at work. There’s a voice mail message. “Hi, I saw the number in the paper and was just calling to check on the De La Salle score. How come there’s no update?” Uh, that would be because the game doesn’t start for 4 1/2 hours, ma’am, just like it says right next to the phone number in the paper.

WALLY’S WORLD Mike Wolcott

MikeW@SportStarsMag.com (925) 566-8500 Ext. 109

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2:31: Another call. “Hi, do you have the De La Salle score?”

2:34: Another call. “No, sir, the game doesn’t start for 4 1/2 hours. Please call back.”

2:35: The Drill decides it’s a good idea to send all incoming calls directly into voice mail with the following message: “Hi, thank you for calling. Tonight’s De La Salle game will begin at 7 p.m. and we will have our first update at 7:45 p.m.”

3:40: The phone keeps ringing. Even when our calls go into voice mail, there’s a quick, shrill “brrring.” It starts to sound annoying after awhile, sort of like a swarm of mosquitoes seeking refuge in your ears.

6:00: The Drill checks the voice mail. There are 22 messages, which is about 21 more than we usually get by this time Saturday. Most are quick hangups. Coincidence?

7:00: Kickoff time. Forget the mosquitoes. By this time, the “brrrriiing” sounds more like an alarm clock with no off button and no volume control.

7:01: “Hi, Mike? Steve Trosky, calling from the De La Salle game. Hey, just wanted to let you know, kickoff ’s been moved back to 7:30.”

7:02: First update. “Hi, thank you for calling. Kickoff time for the De La Salle-Mater Dei game has been moved back to 7:30. We’ll have our first update by 8:15 p.m.”

7:15: The phone keeps brrrinnngging. I’ve heard Pete Townshend hears that noise in his head all day long, and he’s probably never even heard of De La Salle football.

7:35: Time to check messages again. There’s 32. Thirtytwo! The Drill quickly learns that when someone hears the

De La Salle message, and doesn’t hang up quickly enough, they end up in voice mail.

7:36: Begin deleting messages. Hear disillusioned people say “Kickoff ’s moved to 7:30” 32 consecutive times before hanging up.

8:05: Brrrrinnngg. We have an update. De La Salle off to quick 14-0 lead. Brrrrinnngg.

8:20: The Drill deletes 27 more messages. Most of them consist of a loud voice, in a loud, crowded room, screaming “It’s 21-0!” to the sounds of uncontrollable laughter in the background. Those Spartans fans, they love their team and they love to party.

8:42: Mater Dei is coming back. It’s 21-14. The Drill is getting punchy. “The score is now De La Salle 21, Mater Dei 14, with five thirty-sex left in the first half.”

8:43: “Uh, Mike, you just said thirty-sex, not thirty-six,” points out the Big Boss Man. “You should start charging $1.99 per minute,” says copy editor Dave Taxier.

9:11: The ringing never stops. The Drill adds up the voice mail count. It’s 221, roughly 100 higher than the decibel level in the Drill’s ears. The next update says, “At halftime, the score is De La Salle 21, Mater Dei 14 and 221 readers have called the Times to ask. Thank you!”

9:12: Begin deleting 35 more voice mails from callers who didn’t hang up fast enough. The Drill hears voice after voice say “Hey, 221 people have called! Hahahahahahah “ 10:09: Voice mail count is over 280. The Drill’s recently broken left finger, strained by constantly erasing voice mail messages, has swollen to approximately twice the size of

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Terrell Owens’ head. The game is coming down to a field goal attempt. It misses. One more update 10:11: Final update for the night. Now the phone really starts ringing. You know that annoying car alarm that keeps going off in the middle of the night? You get the idea.

Brrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiinnnnngggg.

11:02: The first edition of the Times is out, and the Drill pauses to clear the voice mail again. News of the final missed field goal attempt, which would have tied the game, seems to unnerve the Spartans faithful. There are more than 40 new messages, most of which sound something like this: “Oh ohhhh . wow oooohhhh OOOOOHHH ... (click).”

We’re starting to think maybe we should have charged $1.99 per minute.

11:22: The phone stops ringing. Just for a second.

We’re momentarily concerned that the power is going off. False alarm. The phone rings again. And again.

Brrrrinnnnnggggg.

Midnight: The Drill clears out. A final tally of the voice mails for the evening: 436.

And that’s just from the callers who didn’t hang up fast enough. No telling how many times the phone actually did ring. A couple thousand seems like a safe bet. ✪ Comments? Call Mike Wolcott at 925-566-8500. If you get sent into voicemail, just leave your name, number and ask if we’ve heard anything about the De La Salle score.

August 26, 2010

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P

Passions

within

which come from

Traditions and rituals of high school football programs vary, but the catalyst remains the same — finding identity

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August 26, 2010

By Chace Bryson | Editor

regame chants and fiery cadences can be commonplace before a high school contest of any team sport nowadays.

But for those who attended an Ygnacio Valley High football game during the first part of the decade, they saw something completely different.

After pregame warmups, before heading to their sideline, the Warriors would gather in a tight circle and the spectacle would begin.

This wasn’t just a chant. It was a dance. An exhibition.

It could last as short as 15 seconds, or as long as 30. The entire team became one entity. Opponents at the other end of the field could try to ignore it and focus on their own preparation, but they were often unsuccessful. The Warriors ritual was captivating. And it was their own. Entirely.

“That was just something that originally happened at Ygnacio Valley (because of our number of players with Tongan heritage),” said Mike Ivankovich, who coached at Ygnacio Valley from 2001-05. “It was a version of the Haka war dance, and it meant something to those kids. We were so fortunate to have something that was so meaningful to so many kids year after year.”

That ownership is what made the Haka such a meaningful tradition for those Ygnacio Valley teams, and it was a major reason that Ivankovich had no intention of suggesting a revival of it when he returned to the sideline as the coach of Acalanes in 2009.

“If you want to have a ritual or something that you do before the game, it has to have meaning,” Ivankovich said.

“If it has meaning for everyone, you can derive strength from that. The coaches can’t make it up. If I could, I would.

It has to reveal itself.”

That concept is echoed throughout various tales of local high schools and the traditions they hold onto, as well as those they are hoping to build and foster.

The night before There aren’t many programs who don’t participate in a Thursday night meal together anymore.

There are several different spinoffs of the ritual, but perhaps the most famous, at least in the Bay Area, belongs to De La Salle — primarily because of the exposure it received in the book “When The Game Stands Tall” and the film documentary “Perfect Effort.”

Spartans coach Bob Ladouceur began the tradition in 1982, in hopes to improve upon his teams’ slow start to seasons. His idea was to foster a team-building environment that would prepare the team, both mentally and emotionally, a full night before the game.

As the Thursday night tradition evolved, it became much more than dinner. Dinner was just the first phase, and a second phase involving an intimate team meeting developed where players share realistic goals about the upcoming game and pledge commitments to each other.

“It morphed over time,” said Pat Oswald, a member of the 1982 team. “It originally was about getting everybody together off the field and out of the normal practicing grind. But as it evolved, it became a good environment where we were able to share ideas and goals. I think it had an effect that the coaches didn’t really think it was going to have.”

That 1982 team was the first Ladouceur-coached team to go undefeated.

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here or there since 1982, the core idea remains the same.

“We feel that, as coaches, if you’re trying to get a team emotionally ready by doing some big fiery speech before a game — than you’re already too late,” said De La Salle defensive coordinator Terry Eidson, a member of the Spartans coaching staff since 1983. “The whole point of the night before is for the mental preparation. So that by the time they’re in the locker room before the game, they are totally prepared and in the proper mindset. They’re not trying to scramble around and thinking about a bunch of different things.”

For the players at Las Lomas, that preparation and team-sharing happens over Friday morning breakfast.

Knights players and coaches meet each game day morning at Sunrise Bistro in Walnut Creek. At the conclusion of breakfast and around 7:40 a.m., the players convene at the middle of the field.

“I don’t know what they do up there,” Las Lomas coach Doug Longero said. “It’s their deal. We’re not involved.”

According to Longero, for as long as he can recall, the tradition started when George DeKlotz Stadium featured a grass field with patches of dirt. The players would refer to the middle of the field as “The Breadboard”.

While “The Breadboard” has long since been replaced by an all-weather field, the

Ygnacio Valley High School (left); Bob Larson/Courtesy of ‘When the Game Stands Tall’

At left, members of the Ygnacio High School football team join together a before a game to perform their version of the Haka, a traditional war dance/chant that has become a Warriors pre-game tradition. Above, De La Salle coach Bob Ladouceur leads a Thursday night team meeting during ‘The Streak’. Meetings like this began in 1982 and have evolved over the years to become a staple in the Spartans’ winning ways. tradition of “breaking bread” together the morning before the game remains.

Building a Heritage When Jeff Haagenson became the first football coach at Heritage High, he knew that he would be building the foundation

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for what took place on the field. But the character and identity of the program was going to be shaped by the kids themselves.

“I remember sitting down with that first group of kids and we stressed the word ‘heritage’ and talked about what it meant,” Haagenson said. “We may have been called

Heritage, but we didn’t have a heritage.

That was something that was going to come from them.”

According to Haagenson, one of the primary things that came out of those first meetings was a desire to have ownership of the program. The team — which was just a junior varsity squad in its first two years (2006 and 2007) — wanted to pass on the little things like self-starting practice without the direction of a coach, recognizing hard work, and so forth.

Haagenson instituted team dinners in the cafeterias on Thursday nights. And, rather than the traditional “Play Like A Champion Today” sign that the University of Notre Dame has made famous, the team wanted to put Heritage’s star logo in all the football areas and weight room.

“The players will tap the star when they enter and exit the rooms,” Haagenson said.

“But they make sure each other realizes that they aren’t just hitting the star to hit it. They’re hitting the star to remember the guys who came before them who put the same amount of work in they did that particular day.”

Meanwhile, a walk into the Deer Valley locker room can be a tad overwhelming when it comes to signage.

The Wolverines have motivational messages and nods to past teams plastered

August 26, 2010

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Chace Bryson

Deer Valley sophomore Andrew Crawford reaches up to tap the helmet that each Wolverine player hits on the way to or from the locker room. across nearly ever inch of the wall. That includes their own “Play Like A Champion” with a Deer Valley helmet attached to it which players tap as they enter.

But perhaps the most important sign to Wolverines players involves the acronym TDC. It stands for Teamwork, Dedication and Commitment. And coach Rich Woods isn’t sure exactly at what point it became the identity of his program.

“It was something that came up with the 2005 team, my first year (at Deer Valley),” Woods said. “Suddenly in 2006, the parents had included the TDC in a team sweatshirt they designed. I had not nothing to do with it. And it just took off.”

TDC decals are prevalent on each door to the team room, and one would be hard-pressed to spot a player who doesn’t touch it on his way in or out.

“It really became an identity for what we have going here,” Woods said. “The kids have something to come back to.”

Identity and ownership is what it always comes back to.

First-year Livermore coach Greg Haubner had that in mind when he asked the seniors what kind of tradition they wanted to be part of. It turned into a chance for the athletes can give back to the school.

For five consecutive Sundays this summer, Cowboys seniors met to paint the locker room with school colors and, including words they want to use within the program— Commit, Compete, Succeed and Fight.

Haubner said the tradition will continue as this year’s junior class has plans to paint the weight room once they become seniors.

“Traditions have to come from the kids,” Ivankovich reiterated. “If you try to manufacture or make-up rituals, I don’t think there’s a lot of value in that. Those sort of things just reveal themselves.” ✪ 14

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sportstars welcomes you to ‘king’ football!

2009 FINAL LEAGUE STANDINGS accal - page 16

League Overall Berkeley...............................................................5-1..................10-2 El Cerrito..............................................................5-1....................7-4 Alameda...............................................................4-2................ 5-5-1 Pinole Valley........................................................4-2....................7-3 Richmond............................................................2-4....................3-7 Hercules...............................................................1-5....................3-7 De Anza...............................................................0-6..................0-10

bfl - page 17

League Overall Salesian...............................................................5-0..................11-2 Berean Christian..................................................4-1....................8-3 Valley Christian....................................................3-2....................7-6 St. Elizabeth.........................................................2-3....................7-5 Harker..................................................................1-4....................5-5 CSD.....................................................................0-5....................2-8

bval - page 18

Welcome to the first SportStars Magazine High School Football Preview. When the staff here at SportStars sat down to plot this preview — specifically the league-by-league breakdown — it was agreed upon that we wanted to offer the average (and die-hard) high school football fans a different look from any season preview they might have seen in recent years. Being a magazine, we wanted to blend storytelling with information-gathering. And in so doing, make the preview not just something to look at, but something to dig into, as well. The next 12 pages will highlight all-things high school football for the primary SportStars region (Contra Costa County and portions of Alameda County). And while it may be a first effort, we’re confident it’s an issue that fans will still be referring back to come November.

Dig in. Enjoy.

– Chace Bryson, Editor

League Overall Deer Valley.........................................................5-0..................11-1 Pittsburg...............................................................4-1....................9-5 Heritage...............................................................3-2....................7-4 Antioch.................................................................2-3....................4-6 Freedom..............................................................1-4....................1-9 Liberty..................................................................0-5................ 3-6-1

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List of contributors Writers: Chace Bryson (BVAL, DVAL, De La Salle), Bill Kolb (BFL, DFAL), Jim Mannion (ACCAL, EBAL) Photography*: Bob Larson, Chace Bryson *Thanks to a few schools who helped provide mug shots for the SportStars All-Preseason team.

Bob Larson

Pittsburg’s Deon Turner goes through drills during an evening workout.

League Overall Alhambra.............................................................6-0..................11-2 Acalanes..............................................................4-2....................5-6 Las Lomas...........................................................4-2....................6-6 Campolindo.........................................................3-3....................5-6 Dublin...................................................................2-4....................3-7 Miramonte............................................................2-4....................6-7 Dougherty Valley.................................................0-6....................2-8

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League Overall Ygnacio Valley.....................................................4-1....................9-3 Concord...............................................................4-1....................8-3 College Park........................................................3-2....................6-6 Clayton Valley......................................................2-3....................8-4 Mt. Diablo.............................................................2-3....................6-5 Northgate.............................................................0-5....................4-6

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League Overall De La Salle..........................................................7-0..................13-2 Amador Valley.....................................................5-2....................8-3 Monte Vista..........................................................4-3....................9-4 California..............................................................4-3....................5-6 San Ramon Vly....................................................3-4....................6-5 Foothill..................................................................3-4....................7-5 Granada...............................................................2-5....................4-6 Livermore.............................................................0-7....................2-8

2009 NCS Championship scores

Division I: De La Salle 49, Pittsburg 14 Division II: Eureka 30, Montgomery-Santa Rosa 17 Division III: Marin Catholic-Kentfield 27, Encinal 0 Division IV: Fort Bragg 23, Justin-Siena-Napa 18 Division V: St. Elizabeth 26, St. Vincent-Petaluma 13

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August 26, 2010

SportStars™

15

in the SPOTLIGHT

accal

Middle man: LB Lyonel LOUIS leads EC defense

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The adage that defense wins championships has become one of the most overused sayings in sports.

However, in the Alameda Contra Costa County Athletic League, any team with hopes of bringing home a league title must be able play hard-nosed defense, and in particular, stop the run.

For El Cerrito and coach Kenny Kahn, this theory suits his team just fine.

“To put it a simple way, we want to play with reckless abandon,” said Kahn, whose 2009 squad was co-league champs, and advanced to the North Coast Section Division III playoffs.

“Our defense wants 3-and-out’s. We want to defend the run, and if you want to try to throw the ball, we’ll make you pay.”

El Cerrito will look to contend again with a 4-3 defense that returns six starters, and is led by standout linebacker Lyonel Louis. Louis, a 6-foot-3, 204-pound senior, who has offers from Arizona and Utah State, has started for two years, and will be the focal point of a defense that will face strong ground attacks from Berkeley and Alameda.

“Lyonel wants to control the interior run, and wreck shop,” Kahn said. “You have to respect him as an offense.”

Louis, who is big enough to take on interior linemen, and fast enough to pursue from sideline to sideline, will line up at middle linebacker. While Louis controls the middle of the unit, juniors Trevor Kroll and Chaquil Coutee round out the group at outside linebacker. The pair was called up midseason last year, so they enter 2010 with varsity game experience.

To claim another banner, the Gauchos will have to outlast the usual suspects: Alameda, Berkeley and a much-improved Pinole Valley.

Khan knows the linebackers can’t do it alone, but they might not need to. Defensive tackles Charles Conner and Jamarrio Harris fortify the El Cerrito front seven.

“They want a loss of yardage on every play,” Kahn said of Conner and Harris. “They (won’t) wait around for Lyonel to make a play.”

SportStars™

August 26, 2010

How they'll finish 1. Berkeley 2. El Cerrito 3. Alameda 4. Pinole Valley 5. Hercules 6. Richmond 7. De Anza

Best of the ACCAL

Top Offensive Player: Mike Cunningham, RB, Alameda Top Defensive Player: Lyonel Lewis, LB, El Cerrito Old-School Fullback: Keir Abrams, FB, Berkeley Coolest Under Pressure: Byron Thomas, QB, El Cerrito Defensive Hybrid: Travis Feeney, LB/S, Pinole Valley Tough as Nails: Tom Ruckman, QB, Alameda Fastest to the Quarterback: Antione Davis, DE, Pinole Valley Road-Grading Lineman: Zack Gilmore, Pinole Valley Friday Night Atmosphere: Thompson Field, Alameda Picking up the Load: Michael Ned, RB, Berkeley Shutdown Corner: Chris Jackson, El Cerrito Top College Prospect: Isaiah Henderson, OL, Berkeley Special Teams Ace: Maxwell Naterman, K, Pinole Valley Keep an eye on: Kevin Fortich, QB, Hercules

TOP5 GAMES 1. Berkeley @ Marin Catholic-Kentfield, Sept. 18 2. Alameda vs. Encinal (@ Thompson Field, Alameda), Sept. 24 3. Berkeley @ Pittsburg, Sept. 24 4. El Cerrito @ Pinole Valley, Nov. 5 5. Alameda @ El Cerrito, Nov. 12

coaches'take

Lyonel LOUIS

On facing Lyonel Lewis and El Cerrito’s 4-3 defense Alameda coach Steve Rochlin’s first recollection of the Hornets’ 28-21 loss to El Cerrito a year ago? “They drove down the field in the final 25 seconds, and we lost it in the last four.”

This season’s match-up should be no different — Rochlin has a strong offense returning but it will need to solve EC’s 4-3 defense and linebacker Lyonel Lewis. “In high school, you’ve got to be careful of a true collegiate kid,” Rochlin said. “If he’s in the middle of the field, he will be hard to avoid.

We’ll look at their scheme, and try not to run straight at him.”

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How they'll finish 1. Valley Christian 2. Salesian 3. Berean Christian 4. St. Elizabeth 5. California School for the Deaf 6. Harker

bfl

BEST OF THE BFL Top Offensive Player: Camryn Harris, QB, Valley Christian Top Defensive Player: Jonathan Lim, DL, Berean Christian Best Arm: Ikaika Woolsey, QB, Salesian Top Newcomer: Zach Parrella, LB/TE, Valley Christian OL/DL, Salesian Road-Grading Lineman: Matt Brown, Valley Christian Most Versatile: Devin Alexander, RG/TE/LB/ UTL, Berean Christian Best Athlete: Demitrius Woodson, DB, Valley Christian Keep an eye on: Carlos Lopez, QB, California School for the Deaf Don’t be surprised by: Aaron Prier, RB, Salesian

TOP5GAMES 1. Salesian @ Middletown, Sept. 10 2. Valley Christian @ Northgate, Oct. 2 3. Berean Christian vs. Valley Christian (at Chabot College, Hayward), Oct. 14 4. Salesian vs. Valley Christian (at Chabot College), Oct. 22 5. Berean Christian @ Salesian, Nov. 13

coaches'take Impressions of Demitrius Woodson: Salesian coach Chad Nightingale breaks down Woodson.

“He was a tall, thin kid as a junior, but you could see as the season went on that he got better and better and better. When I scouted him, he was just spectacular. He has a nose for the ball. Good speed. He’s not afraid to stick his nose in there. Like I said, he’s a tall, skinny kid — not that much to look at. But he puts his nose in every play. He’s fearless.”

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vikings, Harris poised to mix things up

It might be time for a change.

The football team at Valley Christian High School in Dublin would certainly welcome it.

The change? Seeing any team not named Salesian finish atop the Bay Football League standings. The Pride has won 12 straight BFL games, dating back to a 9-0 loss to Sacred Heart Prep on Nov. 3, 2007, and has had at least a share of the past eight BFL crowns.

It bears mentioning that the Vikings didn’t even have a football team in 2007. However, as it enters just its second full season of varsity athletics, Valley Christian is poised to make the leap into elite status in the BFL — and possibly among the smaller schools in the North Coast Section “The team that is really going to make a dent is Valley Christian,” Salesian coach Chad Nightengale said. “They return basically their entire team. They were junior-laden last year, so they have a bunch of seniors on a team that made playoffs. They should be dynamite.”

Opinions vary, of course. Berean Christian coach Mark Barcelon would argue that, until somebody knocks off Salesian, the Pride remains the team to beat. “Until someone beats them, that is the position they have earned,” Barcelon said.

Still, the Vikings boast bruising offensive and defensive lines, and possibly the top one-two punch in the league in standout senior quarterback and defensive back Camryn Harris and senior wide receiver and defensive back Demitrius Woodson, son of Hall of Fame safety Rod Woodson.

Valley coach John Parrella has trouble containing his enthusiasm about Harris.

“He is one of the better athletes in the area,” Parrella said. “He’s a tremendous talent and a great person. He can play quarteback, wide receiver, defensive back, you name it. … He’ll be our starting quarterback. He can run; he can throw. He really is a tremendous athlete and a great leader. We can reenvsion him down the road and put him at wide receiver in certain matchups.”

And Woodson?

“He’s in the same type of mold as Camryn,” Parrella said. “He of course camryn has a great champion harris bloodline. ...He’s continued to work and improve his play, and find that athlete inside of him. We’re hoping to see it really come out of him this season.

August 26, 2010

bfl

Best in the Trenches: Freddie Tagaloa ,

in the SPOTLIGHT

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in the SPOTLIGHT

bval

mozee could have pirates poised for title

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It was nearly three years ago when Pittsburg coach Victor Galli watched from the sidelines as the Pirates lost 28-7 in a nonleague contest to James Logan.

On that night, Colts senior quarterback Rashad Evans torched the Pittsburg defense, rushing for 133 yards and two touchdowns and passing for 40 yards and another score. “I remember saying to myself three years ago watching (Evans) and saying to myself, ‘Man, I wish I had one of those,’” Galli said.

Evans is now a redshirt sophomore playing wide receiver for Fresno State. Galli is still coaching Pittsburg — which is favored to reclaim the Bay Valley Athletic League title due in large part to senior quarterback Julius Mozee.

“I got what I wished for,” Galli quipped. “So let’s see what I can do with him.”

Mozee might even be more than Galli wished for. The 6-foot, 190-pound QB has a more balanced skill set than Evans did while at James Logan. As a junior in 2009, Mozee led the BVAL in completions (127), completion percentage (56.2 percent), passing yards (1,828) and passing touchdowns (21). In the playoffs, he showed he can run the ball, too. He chalked up 194 yards and four trips to the end zone.

“When it’s all said and done, he could be the best quarterback I’ve worked with (at Pittsburg),” Galli said of Mozee. “He’s very intelligent. Very talented. He can throw. He can run ... And, he’s also our leader.”

Mozee leads a Pirates team which reached the North Coast Section Division I championship game last year before falling to De La Salle.

Despite being hit some by graduation, plenty of talent still returns (DB Javen Buter, DE/TE Richard Renteria). It should mix well with new talent, including transfer running back Deon Turner.

Defending BVAL champion Deer Valley will remain formidable behind its very strong front seven on defense. Heritage and Freedom could also surprise some teams, as could Antioch behind new coach John Lucido.

Still, there’s a good chance Lucido and the rest of the BVAL coaches may find themselves on the sideline wishing they had a Julius Mozee.

SportStars™

August 26, 2010

How they'll finish 1. Pittsburg 2. Heritage 3. Deer Valley 4. Freedom 5. Antioch 6. Liberty

best of the bval Top Offensive Player: Julius Mozee, QB, Pittsburg Top Defensive Player: Garrett Ransom, LB, Deer Valley Top Two-way Player: Kruger Story, RB/LB, Heritage Top Newcomer: Deon Turner, RB/DB, Pittsburg Sophomore Sensation: Darrell Daniels, WR, Freedom Tough as Nails: James Hickman, SS, Antioch Fastest to the Quarterback: Richard Renteria, DE, Pittsburg Road-Grading Lineman: Matt McKeen, Freedom Friday Night Atmosphere: Pirates Stadium (Pittsburg) Most Versatile: Shamawn Wright, WR/RB/DB, Antioch Shutdown Corner: Javen Butler, Pittsburg Shutdown Corner II: Davon Morgan, Heritage Biggest Speed Threat: Jesse White, WR/RB, Deer Valley Keep an eye on: Nick West, WR, Liberty

TOP5GAMES 1 Washington-Fremont @ Deer Valley, Sept. 10 2 Montgomery-Santa Rosa @ Heritage, Sept. 10 3 Monte Vista @ Pittsburg, Sept. 17 4 Pittsburg @ Deer Valley, Oct. 15 5 Heritage @ Freedom, Oct. 29

coaches'take

julius mozee

On defending against Julius Mozee: When asked for guys he’ll be watching out for in league this year, Freedom coach Kevin Hartwig had just one name.

“Julius Mozee. He’s the guy,” Hartwig said. “He’s a returning senior quarterback and he’s just athletic.

They use him in that role where he can make a zone-read and react. So (as a defense), when you get a dual threat QB back there, you have to worry about more things than you need to.

He can throw and then he can run. He’s developed into a pretty good quarterback now. He’s come a long way.”

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Week-by-week schedule/top 10 All games at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted WEEK 1 September 2 Berean Christian vs. Mission San Jose (at Tak Fudenna Stadium, Fremont) September 3 De Anza at Tennyson, 3:30 p.m.

Albany vs. Campolindo (at Albany MS), 5:30 p.m.

Dublin at Northgate Alameda at Newark Memorial Alhambra vs. College Park (at Diablo Valley College) Analy at Miramonte, El Cerrito at Kennedy-Richmond Freedom at Amador Valley Liberty at Clayton Valley Novato at Heritage Pinole Valley vs. Irvington (at Tak Fudenna) Pittsburg at Foothill Redwood-Larkspur at Mt. Diablo Valley Christian at American Ygnacio Valley at Acalanes Burton-S.F. at Hercules Granada at Patterson Las Lomas vs. Vintage (at JustinSiena HS), 7:30 p.m.

Pitman-Turlock at Antioch, 7:30 p.m.

September 4 De La Salle at Serra-San Mateo, 1 p.m.

St. Patrick/St. Vincent at Salesian, 1:30 p.m.

Dougherty Valley at Riordan-S.F., 2 p.m.

Paradise vs. Deer Valley (at FoothillPalo Cedro HS), 4:30 p.m.

Concord vs. Whitney-Rocklin (at Del Oro-Loomis HS), 5 p.m.

Marshall-S.F. at Richmond, 5 p.m.

California at Washington-Fremont WEEK 2 September 10 Mt. Diablo at San Lorenzo, 3:30 p.m.

Tennyson at Northgate, 3:30 p.m.

Amador Valley at Concord Campolindo at Mt. Eden Clayton Valley at Antioch College Park at California El Cerrito at Encinal Freedom at Berkeley Healdsburg at Alhambra Hercules at San Rafael Kennedy-Fremont vs. Dougherty Valley (at Tak Fudenna) Liberty at Livermore Marin Catholic-Kentfield at Las Lomas Montgomery-Santa Rosa at Heritage Rancho Cotate-Rohnert Park at Pinole Valley Washington at Deer Valley Burton-S.F. at Richmond McClymonds at Pittsburg Mitty at San Ramon Valley Serra-San Mateo at Monte Vista Lower Lake at John Swett, 7:30 p.m.

Berean Christian at St. Helena, 7:30 p.m.

Novato at Foothill, 7:30 p.m.

Salesian at Middletown, 7:30 p.m.

Albany at Vallejo, 7:30 p.m.

Valley Christian at St. Patrick/St. Vincent, 7:30 p.m.

September 11 Hayward vs. Acalanes (at Dublin HS), 12:30 p.m.

Bethel-Vallejo at Ygnacio Valley, 1 p.m.

Alameda at Bishop O’Dowd, 1:30 p.m.

Fortuna vs. Miramonte (at Dublin HS), 5 p.m.

De Anza vs. Mission San JoseFremont (at Tak Fudenna) Galt at Dublin, 7:30 p.m.

WEEK 3 September 17 Amador Valley at Washington American at Liberty California at Castro Valley College Park at Las Lomas Dublin at Livermore El Cerrito at Campolindo Foothill at James Logan Kennedy-Fremont at Heritage Kennedy-Richmond at Hercules Monte Vista at Pittsburg Northgate at Dougherty Valley San Marin at Acalanes San Ramon Valley at Antioch Ygnacio Valley at Alhambra Burton-S.F. at De Anza Concord at Skyline Fremont at Deer Valley Granada at Sierra-Manteca Pinole Valley at Sequoia-Redwood City St. Mary’s-Stockton at De La Salle West-Tracy at Freedom Alameda vs. San Lorenzo (at Thompson Field, Alameda), 7:15 p.m.

Salesian at John Swett, 7:30 p.m.

Berean Christian at St. Patrick/St. Vincent, 7:30 p.m.

Valley Christian-Dublin vs. Sacred Heart Prep (at Chabot College), 7:30 p.m.

September 18 Clayton Valley vs. Vintage-Napa (at Justin-Siena HS), 12 p.m.

Berkeley at Marin Catholic-Kentfield, 2 p.m.

Miramonte vs. Mission San JoseFremont (at Tak Fudenna) WEEK 4 September 24 Deer Valley at College Park, 3:30 p.m.

American-Fremont vs. Concord (at Tak Fudenna) Castro Valley at Granada Hayward at Monte Vista Heritage at James Logan Kennedy-Fremont at De Anza Liberty at Miramonte Livermore at Dougherty Valley Mission San Jose-Fremont at Hercules Mt. Diablo at Tennyson, 3:30 p.m.

Northgate at Las Lomas Sonoma Valley-Sonoma at Dublin Washington-Fremont at San Ramon Valley Golden Valley-Merced at Freedom Oakland at Campolindo Berkeley at Pittsburg Encinal vs. Alameda (at Thompson Field), 7:15 p.m.

Alhambra at El Molino-Forestville, 7:30 p.m.

Ferndale at John Swett, 7:30 p.m.

Healdsburg vs. Acalanes (at Rec Park, Healdsburg), 7:30 p.m.

Antioch vs. Napa (at Justin-Siena HS), 7:30 p.m.

September 25 St. Mary’s at Salesian, 1:30 p.m.

Galileo-S.F. at Berean Christian, 1:30 p.m.

El Cerrito at Lincoln-S.F., 2 p.m.

Valley Christian vs. Millennium-Tracy (at Chabot College)

Preseason Top 10 The SportStars Preseason Top 10 are rankings set by the SportStars staff which includes teams throughout the East Bay. For the Sept. 9 issue, SportStars will unveil its first coaches poll.

Varsity coaches wishing to participate can email Editor@SportStarsMag.com.

2009 Team Record 1. De La Salle................................................13-2 2. Monte Vista..................................................9-4 3. Pittsburg.......................................................9-3 4. Washington-Fremont..................................9-4 5. Deer Valley................................................11-1 6. Foothill.........................................................7-5 7. Heritage.......................................................7-4 8. Berkeley.....................................................10-2 9. Encinal.......................................................12-2 10. Concord.....................................................8-3 On the bubble: San Leandro (8-3), Miramonte (6-7), Las Lomas (6-6)

Bishop Gorman-Las Vegas at De La Salle, 8 p.m.

WEEK 5 October 1 ACCAL: De Anza vs. Alameda (at Thompson Field) El Cerrito at Hercules BFL: California School for the Deaf at Harker BSAL: Moreau Catholic at Kennedy-Richmond, 3:30 p.m.

Albany at John Swett, 7:30 p.m.

DFAL: Alhambra at Las Lomas Campolindo at Dougherty Valley Miramonte at Acalanes EBAL: Amador Valley at Livermore Foothill at De La Salle Granada at San Ramon Valley Monte Vista at California Nonleague: Skyline at Ygnacio

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Valley, 3:30 p.m.

Freedom at College Park, 3:30 p.m.

Fremont vs. Clayton Valley (at Curt Flood Field, Oakland), 3:30 p.m.

Heritage at Concord Mt. Diablo at Antioch McNair-Stockton at Liberty Vacaville at Deer Valley Pittsburg at Granite Bay, 7:30 p.m.

October 2 Nonleague: Valley Christian at Northgate, 1 p.m.

McClymonds at Salesian, 1:30 p.m.

WEEK 6 October 7 ACCAL: Alameda vs. Berkeley (at Thompson Field) BSAL: Swett at Encinal, 7:30 p.m.

October 8 ACCAL: Richmond at Hercules

BSAL: Kennedy-Richmond at St. Patrick/St. Vincent, 7:30 p.m.

DFAL: Acalanes at Campolindo Dougherty Valley at Miramonte Dublin at Alhambra EBAL: California at San Ramon Valley De La Salle at Amador Valley Foothill at Granada Livermore at Monte Vista Nonleague: North Salinas at Clayton Valley October 9 Nonleague: Casa Grande-Petaluma at Ygnacio Valley, 1 p.m.

Monterey at Berean Christian, 1:30 p.m.

WEEK 7 October 14 BFL: Valley Christian at CSD October 15 ACCAL: Alameda at Pinole Vlly, TBA El Cerrito at Richmond, TBA BSAL: John Swett at Piedmont BVAL: Antioch at Freedom Heritage at Liberty Pittsburg at Deer Valley DFAL: Acalanes at Alhambra Campolindo at Dublin Miramonte at Las Lomas DVAL: Ygnacio Valley at Mt. Diablo, 3:30 p.m.

Clayton Valley at Concord Northgate vs. College Park (at Diablo Valley College) EBAL: Granada at Amador Valley Livermore at California Monte Vista at De La Salle San Ramon Valley at Foothill October 16 BFL: Harker at Salesian, 1:30 p.m.

St. Elizabeth at Berean Christian, 1:30 p.m.

BSAL: St. Mary’s at KennedyRichmond, 1:30 p.m.

WEEK 8 October 22 ACCAL: Berkeley at Richmond De Anza at El Cerrito Hercules vs. Alameda (at Thompson Field), 7:30 p.m.

BFL: Valley Christian vs. Berean Christian (at Chabot College), 7:30 p.m.

BSAL: John Swett at KennedyRichmond BVAL: Deer Valley at Freedom Liberty at Antioch Pittsburg at Heritage DFAL: Campolindo at Miramonte Dougherty Valley at Acalanes Las Lomas at Dublin DVAL: Concord at Mt. Diablo Northgate at Clayton Valley EBAL: Amador Valley at Monte Vista California at Granada De La Salle at San Ramon Valley Foothill at Livermore October 23 BFL: St. Elizabeth vs. Salesian (at Burrell Field, San Leandro), 1:30 p.m.

DVAL: College Park at Ygnacio Valley, 1 p.m.

WEEK 9 October 29 ACCAL: El Cerrito at Berkeley Pinole Valley at Hercules Richmond at De Anza BFL: Berean Christian at CSD Harker vs. St. Elizabeth (at Burrell Field), 7:30 p.m.

Valley Christian vs. Salesian (at Chabot College), 7:30 p.m.

BSAL: Kennedy-Richmond vs.

Albany (at Albany MS), 5:30 p.m.

Moreau Catholic at John Swett BVAL: Antioch at Deer Valley Heritage at Freedom Liberty at Pittsburg DFAL: Alhambra at Campolindo Dublin at Acalanes Las Lomas at Dougherty Valley DVAL: College Park at Concord Mt. Diablo at Clayton Valley EBAL: Amador Valley at California De La Salle at Granada Monte Vista at Foothill San Ramon Valley at Livermore October 30 DVAL: Ygnacio Valley at Northgate, 1 p.m.

WEEK 10 November 5 ACCAL: Alameda at Richmond Berkeley at Hercules El Cerrito at Pinole Valley BFL: Salesian at CSD St. Elizabeth vs. Valley Christian (at Chabot College), 7:30 p.m.

BSAL: Kennedy-Richmond at Encinal John Swett at St. Patrick/St. Vincent, 7:30 p.m.

BVAL: Deer Valley at Liberty Freedom at Pittsburg Heritage at Antioch DFAL: Dougherty Valley at Alhambra Las Lomas at Campolindo Miramonte at Dublin DVAL: Mt. Diablo at College Park, 3 p.m.

EBAL: California at Foothill Granada at Monte Vista Livermore at De La Salle San Ramon Valley at Amador Valley November 6 BFL: Harker at Berean Christian, 1:30 p.m.

DVAL: Concord at Northgate, 1 p.m.

Clayton Valley at Ygnacio Valley, 2:30 p.m.

WEEK 11 November 10 BVAL: Freedom at Liberty November 11 BFL: CSD vs. St. Elizabeth (at Burrell Field), 7:30 p.m.

November 12 ACCAL: Alameda at El Cerrito Hercules at De Anza Pinole Valley at Richmond BFL: Valley Christian at Harker BSAL: St. Mary’s at John Swett, 7:30 p.m.

BVAL: Deer Valley at Heritage DFAL: Acalanes at Las Lomas Alhambra at Miramonte Dublin at Dougherty Valley DVAL: College Park at Clayton Valley Northgate at Mt. Diablo Ygnacio Valley at Concord EBAL: De La Salle at California Foothill at Amador Valley Livermore at Granada San Ramon Valley at Monte Vista November 13 BFL: Berean Christian at Salesian, 1:30 p.m.

BSAL: Piedmont at Kennedy-Richmond, 1:30 p.m.

BVAL: Pittsburg at Antioch, 1:30 p.m.

August 26, 2010

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1. Ricky Lloyd

4. Bryce McGovern

7. Isaiah Henderson

10. Ross Dolbec

QB, Concord, Sr., 6-3, 190 BOTTOM LINE: Southern Misscommit tossed for 36 TDs in ‘09.

WR, Monte Vista, Sr., 5-9. 180 BOTTOM LINE: Set new state receiving mark with 2,063 yards last year.

OL, Berkeley, Sr., 6-5, 300 BOTTOM LINE: Was backbone of Berkeley’s vaunted run game last season.

OL, Miramonte, Sr., 6-5, 290 BOTTOM LINE: Will be key in keeping QB Ross Anderson protected.

5. Cameron Rowland

8. Jacob Welter

11. Freddie Tagaloa

WR, Foothill, Sr., 6-1, 175 BOTTOM LINE: Caught 18 passes for 410 yds. over just two ’09 playoff games.

OL, Monte Vista, Sr., 6-5. 280 BOTTOM LINE: Returning star committed to Ohio U. on Aug. 9th.

OL, Salesian, Jr., 6-8, 270 BOTTOM LINE: Has offers from six Pac-10 schools, plus San Diego St.

2. Marquis Waters RB, Las Lomas, Sr., 5-10, 175 BOTTOM LINE: Led DFAL w/ 23 TDs in 10 regular season games.

3. Cameron Stover RB, Northgate, Sr., 6-0, 205 BOTTOM LINE: With experienced O-line, has shot at getting NHS to playoffs.

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August 26, 2010

6. Jared Leaf RB/TE, Alhambra, Sr., 6-2, 225 BOTTOM LINE: Versatile star can make impact at FB, TE and LB.

9. Mitch Frentescu OL, Las Lomas, Jr., 6-3, 275 BOTTOM LINE: Transfer from Tennessee should make immediate impact.

12. Maxwell Naterman K, Pinole Valley, Sr., 5-7, 150 BOTTOM LINE: Entering third season as the Spartans kicker.

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Sup

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1. Dylan Wynn

4. Richard Renteria

7. Garrett Ransom

10. Travis Feeney

DL, De La Salle, Sr., 6-2, 235 BOTTOM LINE: All-State DE committed to Oregon State in early August.

DL, Pittsburg, Sr., 6-0, 225 BOTTOM LINE: Key to the Pirates pass rush in 2010.

LB, Deer Valley, Sr., 6-1, 210 BOTTOM LINE: Led DV in tackles (103), and was 2nd in sacks (4.5) last year.

DB, Pinole Valley, Sr., 6-3, 200 BOTTOM LINE: Arizona-bound Feeney will float between SS and LB for PV.

8. Josh Atkinson

11 Davon Morgan

2. Tavita Taito DL, Deer Valley, Jr., 6-2, 306 BOTTOM LINE: Anchors a formidable front seven for the Wolverines.

3. Jesus Rios

DL, Ygnacio Valley, Sr., 5-9, 230 BOTTOM LINE: Relentless motor has him around the ball at all times.

5. Blake Renaud LB, De La Salle, Sr., 6-1, 225 BOTTOM LINE: Listed among early favorites for state’s Mr. Football award.

DB, Granada, Sr., 6-0, 190 BOTTOM LINE: He and twin brother have Mats thinking big.

DB, Heritage, Sr., 5-10, 175 BOTTOM LINE: His cover skills were singled out by more than one league coach.

6. Kruger Story

9. Javen Butler

LB, Heritage, Sr., 5-9, 185 BOTTOM LINE: Posted a staggering 77 solo tackles for Patriots in 2009.

DB, Pittsburg, Sr., 6-0, 185 BOTTOM LINE: The next in a long line of talented secondary players for the Pirates.

12. George Atkinson III

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UTL, Granada, Sr., 6-2, 194 BOTTOM LINE: Has the most Division-I college offers of any player in region.

August 26, 2010

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dfal

How they'll finish 1 Las Lomas 2 Miramonte 3 Alhambra 4 Acalanes 5 Campolindo 6 Dublin 7 Dougherty Valley

BEST OF THE DFAL Top Offensive Player: Marquis Waters, RB, Las Lomas

Top Defensive Player: Jared Leaf, LB, Alhambra

Best Arm: Ross Anderson, QB, Miramonte

Top Newcomer: Ondre Rudolph, RB, Dublin

Best Hands: Andrew Ahr, WR, Campolindo

Best Athlete: Trevor Davis, WR/DB, Alhambra

Top Two-way Player: Trent Baker, WR/FS, Acalanes

Tough as Nails: Charlie Zaharoff, MLB, Campolindo

Keeping the QB’s Jersey Clean: Ross Dolbec, OL, Miramonte Best in the Trenches: Maurice Poyadue, DL, Alhambra Toughest Nonleague Schedule: Las Lomas

Keep an eye on: Michael Spivey, RB/S, Dougherty Valley

TOP5GAMES 1. Ygnacio Valley @ Acalanes, Sept. 3 2. Marin Catholic-Kentfield @ Las Lomas, Sept. 10 3. El Cerrito @ Campolindo, Sept. 17 4. Miramonte @ Las Lomas, Oct. 15 5. Alhambra @ Miramonte, Nov. 12

coaches'take On defending against Marquis Waters: Campolindo coach Kevin Macy doesn’t mince words.

“I saw him play rugby, and he was just an animal. After seeing that, he’s scarier now than he was last year. It’s not just running in rugby — it’s open-field tackling and toughness. ...Waters is the man in the league. ...They could move him up to linebacker, as physical as he’s playing. ...As a runner, he was more of a slashing style last year. But he added a different attitude playing rugby. He’s going to be a different football player. ...He’s got a reputation. He scares kids out here. ...How do you defend him? Well, we didn’t do it last year.”

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marquis waters

Running waters: running back gives Knights an edge All things being equal, Alhambra, Miramonte and Las Lomas all probably have about an even-money shot at taking home the Diablo Foothill Athletic League trophy this year.

All things being equal, each of those teams lost some serious talent, and returns some quality players on both side of the ball.

All things being equal, Dublin and Campolindo have a legitimate shot to make a run at this thing. All things being equal, they aren’t.

Allow us to introduce you to the grand un-equalizer. His name is Marquis Waters. He is a senior running back for Las Lomas. His performance this season will be the difference between a Las Lomas league title and, well, somewhere around the middle of the pack.

“We’ll put it this way: We’re going to get him the ball,” Las Lomas coach Doug Longero said. “He’s a special player. He’s 5-10, 175-180, and he’s all muscle. He’s focused.

He had a great summer. We’ve just got to block up front and play defense.”

Given the fact that the DFAL should see a significant drop-off in passing with the graduation of key senior slingers from Campolindo, Las Lomas and Alhambra, and that most coaches in the league expect something of a black-and-blue division league season, the Knights stand to reap the benefits of having one of the top two or three running backs in the East Bay lining up in the offensive backfield.

“He’s one of those top 10 percent of kids you’ll ever play against or have on your team,” Miramonte coach John Wade said of Waters, who rushed for 1,574 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior. “I would put him in an elite class of player. …You try to limit as much as you can of what Marquis can do and make some other kids on their team beat you.”

Waters is the key. If he’s healthy and the Knights can provide any kind of blocking for him (and maybe get a stop or two on defense), it is probably Las Lomas’ league to lose. But if Miramonte junior QB Ross Anderson makes the quantum leap of which many think him capable, or if Alhambra’s Jared Leaf can dominate… well. Take your pick.

August 26, 2010

dfal

Anderson

in the SPOTLIGHT

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23

in the SPOTLIGHT

dval

you can't hurry lloyd: calm qb leads concord

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dval

For Concord High quarterback Ricky Lloyd, the 2010 season is about only one thing.

It’s not about numbers. No he took care of those last season when he completed nearly 60 percent of his passes for 2,449 yards and 32 touchdowns — in just 11 games.

It’s not about a scholarship. Nope, nailed that one down with an oral commitment to Southern Mississippi in late July.

Lloyd’s senior season is about finishing what he and the Minutemen before him have started — winning the Diablo Valley Athletic League title outright, and getting past that first round of the playoffs.

“I don’t want to do the co-champs thing again,” Lloyd said prior to a mid-August practice. “I want just one banner. For us.”

There’s no reason to think it’s not attainable.

With practically every DVAL program undergoing some roster turnover on one side of the ball or the other, the top spots are basically up for grabs. So what gives Concord the edge? A much improved defense, and Lloyd’s right arm.

“The kid is just outstanding,” said Clayton Valley coach Herc Pardi, whose Eagles faced Lloyd twice in 2009. “Teams are going to have to get him in a hurry.”

But is that even possible?

According to Minutemen coach Brian Hamilton, perhaps the most significant weapon that Lloyd features is his ability to get rid of the ball so quickly within Concord’s spread offense.

“Last year our offensive line was the worst I’ve ever coached,” Hamilton said. “We were so young and so small that (Ricky) had to get the ball off in 2.5 seconds. So, when you talk about that natural clock that a QB develops, his clock is set a full second earlier than everybody else’s because he’s used to that.”

With bruising tailback Alec Pica returning to carry primary running duties, Lloyd’s only concern will be finding a favorite target among his new crop of wide receivers.

Meanwhile, teams like perennial league contenders College Park and Ygnacio Valley will be scheming to figure out how to make Lloyd uncomfortable. ricky lloyd Here’s a hint: Try to deny him that league title banner.

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August 26, 2010

How they'll finish 1. Concord 2. College Park 3. Ygnacio Valley 4. Northgate 5. Clayton Valley 6. Mt. Diablo

best of the dval

Top Offensive Player: Ricky Lloyd, QB, Concord Top Defensive Player: Jesus Rios, DE, Ygnacio Valley Best Athlete: Matt Butler, RB/DB, Northgate Most Versatile Player: Robbie Byers, RB/ WR/LB/S, College Park Toughest Guy to Tackle: Alec Pica, RB, Concord Biggest Downfield Target: Grant Jones, WR, Ygnacio Valley Top Player Opening Season w/ Injury: Rudy Ellison, RB/LB, Clayton Valley Best In the Trenches: Kevin Chase, DE/OL, Concord Tough as Nails: Cameron Stover, RB/LB, Northgate Early Favorite to lead DVAL in rushing: Vince Ferrante, RB/DB, College Park Most Likely to Have Breakout Year: Kelly Starnes, WR/DB, Concord Keep an eye on: Nick Schloss, WR, Mt. Diablo

TOP5GAMES 1 Ygnacio Valley @ Alhambra, Sept. 17 2 Deer Valley @ College Park, Sept. 24 3 Northgate @ Las Lomas, Sept. 24

4 College Park @ Concord, Oct. 29

5 Ygnacio Valley @ Concord, Nov. 12

coaches' take

On scheming against Ricky Lloyd: First-year Ygnacio Valley coach Todd Bauleke was the defensive coordinator last year when the Warriors knocked off Concord 36-30 and forced Lloyd into a pedestrian effort of two TDs and two interceptions. “(Scouting him), his decision process stands out,” Bauleke said. “He takes care of the ball and makes great decisions on the field. ...We tried to disrupt him. We threw different blitzes at him to disrupt the timing because most of (Concord’s) routes are timing routes.

He adjusts so well, though. He figured it out in the second half.

He’s a very good student of the game.”

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5

keys to a successful season

Anthony Trucks

I am Anthony Trucks, an Antioch native whose football career took me to the University of Oregon — where I received a degree focused in biology, anatomy and human physiology — to stints in the NFL for Tampa Bay, Washington and Pittsburgh until a shoulder injury cut short my career. Using my experience and some of the highest certifications in the world, I opened a training facility. I’ve spent 15 years preparing myself and other athletes for football and there are some simple things you can do to excel this season. Here are five.

HYDRATE: When you’re thirsty it’s too late. Drink fluids before you feel the need to. Drink water, not just sugary sports drinks. Sports drinks are ok during practice and immediately after, because sweat is more than just water. The closer you get to dehydration, the quicker your physical and mental abilities decline. eat right: You are what you eat. Most athletes’ nutrition is so bad I don’t know where to start, even some

NFL athletes. If you want to perform optimally, you must fuel your body correctly. Eat good carbohydrates for energy, protein to keep and build muscle, and a multivitamin to keep your body operating correctly.

SLEEP: Just as important as sleep, is sleep consistency. Without proper sleep, sore muscles won’t recover and busy minds won’t relax. You’ll feel tired throughout the day and have minimal energy to play. Get on a consistent sleep schedule and your body will take more advantage of your rest.

in-season training: Want to keep the muscles you spent so much time building? Once the season starts, everyone gets so busy they neglect the most important tool, the athlete’s body. Maintenance is key for a healthy season. You always need lightning speed, brute strength, and explosive power. But if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.

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conditioning: How do you or your team feel when you hold up the famous “four fingers” of the fourth quarter? An easier way to condition than gassers is having players, “finish at the ball!” On every snap, have players sprint to the ball like maniacs. Yes, the linemen too. This builds two priceless attributes: Athletes get into shape doing game-day movements, and it builds an instinct to get to the ball for that touchdown-saving tackle or touchdown-springing block.

August 26, 2010

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in the spotlight

ebal

Bryce mcgovern is searching for an encore

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Heading into the 2009 football season, Monte Vista coach Craig Bergman knew he had a good football player in Bryce McGovern.

But nobody. not even Bergman, could’ve expected the type of season the 5-foot-9 receiver and defensive back delivered as a junior.

“We knew he’d be good,” Bergman said, “but he far exceeded all expectations on both sides.”

His numbers shattered state and national receiving records alike: 106 catches (breaking the Northern California record for catches in a season), 2063 receiving yards (eclipsing California’s record for yards in a season) and 16 touchdowns.

McGovern’s success didn’t go unnoticed on the national level, as he garnered a spot on ESPN’s Second Team All-American squad.

Beyond the numbers, and the team’s overall success (9-4 overall record) last year, Bergman has seen McGovern’s role as a team leader grow in preparation for the 2010 campaign. “Bryce is a fierce competitor,” Bergman said. “His actions speak louder than his words, but he has become a more vocal presence.”

But as good as McGovern was in 2009, his quarterback, Brett Nottingham, deserves some of the credit, too. Nottingham threw for more than 3,900 yards and now suits up for Stanford. So the big question mark is who will get McGovern the ball this season?

It remains a question as junior Jeff Lockie and Sacred Heart Cathedral-transfer Seamus Finnegan battle for the starting role.

“We have two fine quarterbacks vying for the spot,” Bergman said. “Whoever steps up to take the job will certainly benefit from the returning receivers and offensive line.”

McGovern doesn’t just have to learn the nuances of a new quarterback, he also has to focus on stopping guys much like himself. He will again be lined up at cornerback for the Mustangs, where he intercepted four passes as a starter last year.

The EBAL returns a slew of wide receiver talent, including Foothill’s Cameron Rowland, California’s John Sarmenta and De La Salle’s Lucas bryce mcgovern Shapiro.

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August 26, 2010

How they'll finish 1. De La Salle 2. Monte Vista 3. Granada 4. Foothill 5. San Ramon Valley 6. California 7. Amador Valley 8. Livermore

best of the EBAL

Top Offensive Player: Bryce McGovern, WR, Monte Vista Top Defensive Player: Dylan Wynn, DL, De La Salle Top Newcomer: Zach Kline,QB, San Ramon Valley Coolest Under Pressure: Bart Houston, QB, De La Salle Best Hands: Cameron Rowland, WR, Foothill Shutdown Corner: Josh Atkinson, Granada Road-Grading Lineman: Tim Mustion, Monte Vista Tough as Nails: Kyle Egan, LB, San Ramon Valley Top College Prospect: George Atkinson, RB/DB, Granada Best Rivalry Game: Foothill vs. Amador Valley Special Teams Ace: Kyle Alvarez, RB/DB, California Atmosphere: San Ramon Valley Most versatile player: Collin Kacinski, RB/DB/P, Foothill Keep an eye on: Carson Ewanich, WR/DB, Amador Valley most likely to breakout: DeMariay Drew, RB, Livermore

TOP5GAMES 1. Pittsburg @ Foothill, Sept. 3

2. California @ Washington-Fremont, Sept. 4

3. Mitty-San Jose @ San Ramon Valley, Sept. 10

4. Bishop Gorman-Las Vegas @ De La Salle, Sept. 25 5. Monte Vista @ De La Salle, Oct. 15

coaches' take

Stopping Bryce McGovern, Dane Turner and the Monte Vista passing game: “Keeping them off the field will be our best defense,” California coach Eric Billeci said. “Making them one dimensional will be our first step – pressuring the quarterback and mixing our coverages will hopefully give them problems.”

Granada’s strategy? Putting two of the most athletic players in the league on the outside — head coach Tim Silva stated that standouts George and Josh Atkinson will both spend time at the cornerback position.

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De La Salle de la salle: an inside look

coaches' take

On the development of senior LB Blake Renaud: If anybody can speak to how far Renaud has come as a linebacking talent, it’s DLS assistant coach Justin Alumbaugh. “We’re scouting Serra right now and I just watched him on film (against Serra) as a sophomore and a junior.

His sophomore year he just looked like a wimpy sophomore. He was getting knocked around, spun around and turned around. He was in the wrong spot a lot. He was still physical, but he didn’t have a lot behind his hits. ...This year, (during practice) we put him in against our first team offense and he stopped six of the seven plays we ran. We had to pull him out because we couldn’t get any yards.

He can cover the pass now, he can go sideline to sideline, and he’s so strong.”

blake renaud

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Defensive duo leads way for state power

It’s hard to fathom that Dylan Wynn and Blake Renaud didn’t instantly bond the first moment they took a football field together at De La Salle High.

“Renaud and I weren’t exactly friends during our freshman year,” Wynn said after a mid-August practice. “I tend to be pretty competitive. We were both linebackers, and since he’s the quiet guy, it tends to be that the coaches give him a lot of props. ... And me being the loud one, I tended to get reprimanded quite a bit.”

Actually for those who know Wynn, that’s actually not so hard to believe. The Spartans’ defensive end has shown no lack of competitive drive, or boisterous outbursts, while posting double-digit sack figures in each of his first two years at defensive end.

Renaud, who is now one of Wynn’s closest friends, has proceeded in a similar, yet softerspoken path. Both have arrived at their senior year after a summer of being heavily recruited by some of the top collegiate programs in the nation — Wynn chose Oregon State; Renaud chose Boise State. Both now anchor a defense which could carry the Spartans — which begins the season ranked No. 3 in the state by CalHiSports — to their third-straight EBAL crown, their 19th consecutive North Coast Section title and quite possibly their fifth straight appearance in the California Interscholastic Federation state bowl championship games.

There’s no question that they are up for it. Even if it means tapping into their leadership qualities more than even before.

“Last year we had a lot of senior leadership.” said Renaud, who posted a team-leading 10 tackles and had the game-clinching interception in De La Salle’s 28-14 defeat of Crenshaw-Los Angeles in the CIF Open Division state bowl championship. “I’m kind of a quiet guy, and this year I have to step up and talk more. I’ve been through this. I know what to do and what to expect.”

The two are not alone, of course. The Spartans also return quarterback Bart Houston, receivers Lucas Shapiro and Anthony Williams, running back Lucas Dunne, linebacker Michael Barton and strong safety Antione Pickett. “I’m sure a lot of eyes are going to be on us, though,” Renaud said.

Don’t expect that to bother them.

“You never hear people say, ‘Oh, he won state his junior year,’” Wynn said. “It’s all about the senior season, and you want to go out with a bang.”

de la salle

TOP RETURNING PASSER (2009 stats): Bart Houston, Jr. (69-for-110, 1,258 yards, 10 TD, 2 int.)

TOP RETURNING RUSHER: Lucas Dunne, Sr. (64 carries, 401 yards, 4 TD) TOP RETURNING RECEIVER: Lucas Shapiro, Sr. (21 catches, 422 yards, 5 TD) TOP RETURNING TACKLER: Dylan Wynn, Sr. (66 tackles, 10 sacks) Top returner nobody’s talking about: LB, Michael Barton, Jr. A name you’ll learn quickly: OL/DL, Kyle Miller, Sr. Scariest game: Serra-San Mateo, Sept. 4. Sure, many avid DLS followers might think it will be the Sept. 25 contest against visiting Bishop Gorman-Las Vegas, but few teams have put a scare into the Spartans like the Padres over the past two seasons. De La Salle has trailed in the second half of both games.

Plus, the game is at Serra and will be the first game for the Spartans’ new offensive and defensive lines.

Rankings (as of Aug. 23): CalHiSports (State) — No. 3 USAToday (Nation) — No. 12 PrepNation (Nation) — No. 14 MaxPreps (Nation) — No. 21 ESPNRise (Nation) — No. 21

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dylan wynn

August 26, 2010

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Being flexible takes more than a stretch

H

eading into the gym and getting ready to play some basketball, I see men and women off to the side sitting down and reaching for their toes. I assume that they are trying to stretch their hamstrings, but the only real work I see getting done is the sharing of weekly gossip.

As a physical therapist in the sports medicine realm, I think to myself ‘Do people really know when to statically stretch versus when to dynamically warm-up?.’ My answer is, probably not.

So, what exactly is flexibility? And, why should you stretch?

Flexibility is basically a joint’s ability to move freely through a full and normal range of motion (ROM).

Stretching gives you greater flexibility.

Benefits of stretching include increased flexibility, improving ROM, reducing muscle tension, promoting better posture, and a boost in skill execution. It’s essential for achieving top performance and it aids in relaxation.

If you don’t stretch before an activity, you may experience restricted movement, reduced performance, breakdown in body tissues and long-term injury.

Some stretching essentials are: ■ Always include a warm-up ■ Target major muscle groups ■ Perform balanced stretching with correct technique ■ Avoid over-stretching ■ Focus on pain-free stretching So, what is the buzz regarding dynamic warm-ups?

A dynamic warm-up is a more active,

sport-specific method of preparing the body for the demands of the sport. It helps to maintain warmth in your muscles; it primes the fast-twitch muscle fibers, increases coordination and helps with injury prevention. It’s also shown to increase activation of the central nervous system and better improve oxygen uptake and removal of carbon dioxide.

But, if you just sit and think about it, sports require active movements. And what better way to prep the body for activity than a dynamic warm-up. Static stretching is ideal to do at the end of your workout or sport. It is a great way to help cool down the body, remove lactic acid, help regulate your heart rate and breathing, increase recovery rate, and to improve ROM. Research surrounding dynamic warm-ups show pre-exercise static stretching may actually reduce performance by decreasing force and power.

Examples include: ■ 3% decrease in sprint performance ■ 9.6% decrease in lower extremity power in teen gymnasts ■ 5% decrease in vertical jump height Please refer to our website (www.childrenshospitaloakland.org) for examples of a dynamic warm-up and static stretches. ✪

Health Watch Kristen Welsh

Kristen Welsh is a physical therapist for the Sports Medicine For Young Athletes center in Walnut Creek. If you have questions or comments regarding the “Health Watch” column, write the SMFYA staff at Health@SportStarsMag.com.

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August 26, 2010

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Tee2green

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Tee2green

Expect the unexpected in match play The most prestigious tournaments for a junior or amateur golfer are often times match play events.

There is a huge difference between it and a stroke-play event, and it requires a totally different mindset.

I was fortunate to win my share of matches and went the distance in the Pacific Amateur Championship quite some time ago. My key has been to expect the unexpected.

What this means is take nothing for granted, ever, period. If you think for a second you have it in the bag, that is when things can take a turn for the worse. Once that momentum shifts, you are no longer in the driver seat.

Dave De Long

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notes from the pros I don’t care how far you get ahead, continue to expect the unexpected and you will prepare yourself to perform well in each and every shot. Playing well in match play requires you to play your own game for the majority of the match but, it is also important to watch your opponent.

Don’t take unnecessary chances. Your goal is to win and move on. Play the percentages and resist the temptation to go for it when there is no need to do so.

If you are down, don’t force things. Be patient, hang tough and at some point the door will open. Your opponent, no matter how well they are playing is human and will make mistakes. When that happens, your opportunity will emerge. Remember, most matches are lost because the players beat themselves.

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Tee2green

Family affair

notes from the pros

Overzealous parents have become one of the true problems with youth sports.

In fact, there are junior golf organizations, specifically, that have gone so far as to permanently remove parents from the tournament site. Some of the policies dictate that parents should refrain from any contact or input whatsoever. This is not only a poor use of resources, but an absolutely ludicrous endeavor considering the parents are the paying customers.

They pay the entry fee, pay for food, the hotel, arcade games, etc. They are the driving force behind the child even being in the event.

Family golf has become somewhat of a subculture in recent years. This is mainly due to two social factors: the American workplace and the new American family. As the baby boomers get older, their children (Generation X) are becoming the new family leaders of the 2000’s. This generation also values time with family. The men of Generation X are not going to leave their family for six hours to play golf, leaving a career mother to take care of the kids.

The largest benefit any youth sport organization can take from this generation change is to focus on the majority of parents that love their kids and can be used as a resource to benefit certain aspects of your league, tour, tournament, etc. There are already organizations committed to the family model. U.S. Kids began running local tournaments in 2001 under their 501(c )3 Foundation. They run local events where the parents can act as caddies for the younger age divisions. An-

Gary Xavier

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www.twitter.com/sportstarsmag other organization is The Northern California PGA Junior Tour which also allows parents to caddie for not only 11 & under boys and girls, but for 12-18 year olds as well.

I encourage all new young golf families to seek out opportunities to be together on the golf course. It makes it a lot more fun to learn the game and it makes it that much more enjoyable being actively involved with your player’s competitive journey — as opposed to trying to see them with a pair of binoculars from the parking lot.

You should not have to stalk your own child. We’ll leave the crazy acts to the parent yelling at his three year old for missing a two foot putt.

Keeping your cool!

Anyone who has ever played golf would probably agree that while having a great round of golf is a very rewarding experience, it can be, at times, a very frustrating sport.

So how do you keep from displaying poor golf etiquette by losing your temper?

At The First Tee of Contra Costa PAR Level players have learned to display respect for themselves, other players, and the game by utilizing the 4Rs! The 4Rs are: ■ Replay: Think about what happened. What did you want to happen and what actually happened.

■ Relax: Take a deep breath.

Tee2green

■ Ready: Think about what you need to do next time ■ Redo: Try it again and imagine how to do it better.

PAR Level participants practice the 4Rs and apply them in role-play situations. By role playing the 4Rs become second nature. By utilizing the 4Rs on a regular basis we see less frustrated players. These players can use the 4Rs to help themselves remain clearheaded and improve their game in both the physical and mental aspects. It also makes for a more enjoyable round of golf, not only for the individual but also for those playing along side of them.

In addition to the application of the 4Rs on the golf course, participants learn how to transfer the use of the 4Rs to home and school. By keeping a clear head and using the 4Rs to replay situations participants find they can do better in school and stay out of situations that may get them in trouble.

Managing emotions in challenging situations can help participants throughout a lifetime. And a more enjoyable round of golf doesn’t hurt either.

Pro Notes is a regular item compiled by Gary Xavier (Northern California Junior Golf Tournament director), Angela Paradise (Executive Asst. of First Tee Contra Costa), and Dave DeLong (PGA professional and director of instruction at Boundary Oak GC).

Contact them at the following addresses: gxavier@pgahq.com; angela@thefirstteecontracosta.org; ddelongolf@aol.com.

Angela Paradise

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Tee2green

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Tee2green

CYC presents its annual Golf Challenge

One of our very first community partners, the Community Youth Center in Concord, is preparing for its biggest fundraiser of the year — the annual CYC Golf Challenge. SportStars is glad to be lending a hand in the event, which takes place Aug. 30 at Orinda Country Club. Part of that means helping to get the word out. Here are some of the basic details: ■ Format: Four-player scramble ■ Time: Noon, shotgun start ■ Wanna play?: Golfer tickets are $350 for individuals and $1500 for a foursome.

■ Wanna sponsor?: Tee signs are $500, other sponsorship prices may vary.

■ Where’s the money going?: All the funds raised at CYC’s Golf Challenge go directly back to the center and its athletes. With your help it can keep its doors open and continue its mission of maintaining a positive environment for these young athletes to grow and develop.

For more information, contact Gina Longmire, Director Of Corporate Events at the Community Youth Center: glongmire@cycmail.org, (925) 566-7566.

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Orinda Country Club

August 26, 2010

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What goes into a training system Editor’s note: This is the second in a three-part series on the things to look for when choosing and beginning work with a trainer. You can find part one on our website at www.SportStarsMag.com.

I

n my last column I explained that when choosing a trainer for your young athletes you must ensure that trainer has a system. By following the ‘Vince Lombardi School of Coaching’ which requires every training session to be a blood, guts, sweat and vomit kind of event, trainers will set your young athletes up for injury and over-training concerns.

I’m going to give you a look at what a sound, proven quality system looks like when it comes to improving your young athlete’s athletic potential while reducing their chance of injury.

It entails a progressive system of development involving intricate details — including sensitive developmental periods, learning styles and lifestyle monitoring. My hope is this will empower you as a parent to see through all the hype when it comes to choosing an appropriate and effective trainer for your young athlete’s development.

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At the heart of each session is and should be skill development.

Not unlike academics, the basis for improvement is founded entirely on a building-block style of skill acquisition and development.

You cannot teach kids how to perform advanced calculus before they master the basic elements of math. The same holds true of training and developing your young athletes. It requires patience, and a strong focus towards long term athletic development – not only the prospect of immediate gains, which are at best short term, and negatively affect the future development and health of your young athlete.

Think of training as a way to introduce, teach, master and integrate various skills and abilities into your young athlete and the sports they play.

When working with teenage athletes (14 years and up), I have a set daily plan that has proven effective throughout the year (whether in season or out). It’s a broad system within which reps, sets, loads, volumes and intensities can be altered based on a number of factors.

Here’s what the training sessions includes:

■ Mobility/Tissue Quality ■ Flexibility (primarily active) ■ Torso (Core) ■ Movement Prep ■ Movement Technique ■ Stength: power and/or strength skill.

■ Warm-down (generally static-active flexibility) Depending on the time of year, and how my athletes feel that day, each of those categories take between 5 - 15 minutes. And, I can alter any part of the elements to fit the needs of my young athletes on any given day.

Training Time Tim Rudd

I hope this helps in your efforts to find a trainer for your young athlete. In the next issue; I’ll start breaking down each of those categories. ✪ Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning (level 3), speed and agility (level 2), and nutrition specialist (level 1).

You can contact him with questions or feedback at tim@fit2thecore.com.

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twenty-four7 Baseball Through Dec. 31: Antioch — Batting Cages. For all ages at Golf N Games Family Fun Center. Enjoy one of cages: 40, 50, 60 and 70 mph. Also available: fast pitch softball at 40, 50, and 60 mph. Tokens: $2 each or 8 for $14. Ask about rentals for your team. 925-754-5053, www.golfngames.com.

Oct. 2: San Francisco — Pre-game Scout tailgate in Lot D. Game time 6:05 p.m.

For all Scouts, their families and their friends. All special event ticket holders receive a Giants-themed Boy Scout patch, with a portion of ticket proceeds donated back to the Boy Scouts of America.

Part of the 2010 National Scout Jamboree and the Giants’ “Pitch for Scouting Program.” 415-972-2298, specialevents@sfgiants.com; http://sanfrancisco.giants. mlb.com.

Basketball Sept. 11-12: Concord — Excel In Basketball Shooting Camp. For grades 5-12 at De La Salle High School. $90. 925-798-6502, www.excelinbasketball.com; excelcamp@gmail.com.

Sept. 11-25: Pleasant Hill — United Cerebral Palsy Special Needs Youth Basketball Camp. 2-4 p.m.

Saturdays for boys and girls 6-12. At Oak Park Christian Center Gym, 2073 Oak Park Blvd. $30; includes t-shirt.

Head Coach Doug Senz, 925-890-8088, dsenzswim@ aol.com; http://ucpgg.org.

Sept. 18-19: Concord — Excel In Basketball Defensive Skills Camp.

For grades 5-12 at De La Salle High School. $90. 925-798-6502, www. excelinbasketball.com; excelcamp@gmail.com.

Oct. 2-3: Concord — Excel

sportstars

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SportStars Magazine publishes complimentary listings of youth sports-related events. Our print publication is released twice each month, and our Web site is available .

To have an upcoming or ongoing event considered for publication, please submit all pertinent information (name of event, location, brief description, and event contact information), including a way to reach you in case we have questions, to calendar@SportStarsMag.com. If you wish to post your event directly to our Web site, please log on to www.SportStarsMag.com, click on the Calendar option at the top of the home page, and choose “Sign Up or Log in to Create Your Teams or Events.”

Simply fill in the required fields, click Submit, and your entry will be posted to the Web site the next business day.

If you have questions, reach Deb Hollinger at 925-566-8500.

In Basketball Competition Camp. For grades 5-12 at De La Salle High School. $90. 925-798-6502, www. excelinbasketball.com; excelcamp@gmail.com.

Oct. 9-10: Concord — Excel In Basketball Competition Camp. For grades 5-12 at De La Salle High School. $90.

925-798-6502, www. excelinbasketball.com; excelcamp@gmail.com.

925-934-4775, www. playboundaryoak.com.

Aug. 28: San Leandro — 16th Annual Northern California Dick Dobbins Pacific Coast League Player & Family Reunion.

9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Ryan O’Connell Hall. Events will

include an informal morning social time, a catered lunch and an afternoon program including player discussions and highlights from the 1946 PCL season. Admission: $20/person w/ lunch; $4 members and $8 nonmembers w/o lunch. RSVP

by Aug. 22: Mark Macrae,

calendar

510-538-6245.

Sept. 24: Walnut Creek — 4th Friday Dinner ~ Asian Night. Asian Night Buffet Dinner at Boundary Oak Golf Course. $14.99/ adults; $9.99/children U12.

Time and reservations: 925-934-4775, www. playboundaryoak.com.

Sept. 25-26: Pleasanton — Kidsfaire: America’s Family Expo! 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Alameda County Fairgrounds. Family entertainment, attractions, interactive pavilions, and fun. Featuring educational resources, clothing and gear, home and garden products, and products and services designed to enrich the lives of babies, children and families. 866-283-8600, www.thekidsfaire.com.

Dec. 3-6: Martinez — Holiday Frolic & Snow Park. For all ages,

downtown. A winter wonderland with real snow.

925-228-3577, www. mainstreetmartinez.org.

Oct. 22: Walnut Creek 4th Friday Dinner ~ Oktoberfest Dinner.

German Themed Dinner Buffet at Boundary Oak Golf Course. $14.99/ adults; $9.99/children U12.

Time and reservations: 925-934-4775, www. playboundaryoak.com.

Cycling Through Sept. 22: Walnut Creek — Summer Cycling & Brick Run Series.

6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Sports Basement. Details: Coach Paul Kinney, swimbikeruncoach@yahoo. com. 925-941-6100, www. sportsbasement.com.

Through Dec. 26: Walnut Creek — Mountain Bike Group Ride. Meet at 8 a.m. Sundays at Sports

Bowling Through Dec. 31: Concord — Parties for kids at Clayton Valley Bowl. All packages: bowling first hour, Party Room second hour, Birthday Bowling Pin, Birthday Host to assist.

Packages include invitations, plates, napkins, cups, balloons and a bowling souvenir for the birthday child. $11-$17/bowler, depending upon package selected. 925-689-4631, BowlClayton@Astound.net; www.claytonvalleybowl.com.

Community Event Aug. 27: Walnut Creek — 4th Friday Dinner ~ Fiesta Night. At Boundary Oak Golf Course. $14.99/ adults; $9.99/children U12.

Time and reservations:

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twenty-four7 Basement. All levels welcome. Up to 20 miles on local roads/trails. Routes/ trails vary. 925-941-6100, www.sportsbasement.com.

Through Nov. 3: Walnut Creek — Women’s Daylight Savings Group Ride Series. 6-8:30 p.m.

Wednesdays at Sports Basement. All levels welcome; women only.

925-941-6100, www. sportsbasement.com.

Oct. 23: Richmond — Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay’s Youth Mountain Bike Adventures.

9:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline.

Adults from BTCEB take a group of youth on a ride to this East Park. Learn the basics of safe mountain biking. Healthy lunch, helmet, and T-Shirt provided.

RSVP, Jeff Edmonston, 510325-2417.

Equestrian Aug. 1-Dec. 31: Martinez — Horse Vaulting Program.

Gymnastics on Horseback at Franklin Canyon Stables.

Classes for ages ranging from 6-18+. $25/class; $75/month. Reservations: Kim, 925-876-8269; www. kimshorsetraining.com.

Fitness Through Dec. 31: Concord

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sportstars — Sports Performance.

At East Bay Sports Academy. For ages 10+.

Flexibility, Upper Body Training, Core Strength & Conditioning, Speed/Power/ Agility. Schedules and fees: 925-680-9999, info@ eastbaysportsacademy.com; www.eastbaysportsacademy. com.

Through Dec. 31: Antioch — Public Skating. For all ages at Paradise Skate.

Public Skating: noon-2:30 p.m. and 3-5:30 p.m. Sun.; 3-5:30 p.m. Wed.; 10 a.m.noon and 3-5:30 p.m. Thur.; 4-6:30 p.m., 6-8:30 p.m. and 8:30-11 p.m. Fri.; noon2:30 p.m.; 3-5:30 p.m. and 8:30-11 p.m. Sat. Additional summer skating sessions: 1-3:30 p.m. Wed., Thur., Fri. 925-779-0204, www. paradiseskate.com.

Through Dec. 31: Concord — Mix It Up LVL 2-3. 8:309:30 a.m. Tues., Thurs., for all levels, at In-Shape Health Club. Lo-impact, Step, kickboxing, sculpting with weights, body bars, stability balls. Fees and registration: 925-602-5600, www. inshapeclubs.com.

Through Dec. 31: Concord — Mix It Up LVL 1-3. 10:3011:45 a.m. Sat. and 4-5 p.m. Thurs., for all levels, at In-Shape Health Club.

Lo-impact, Step, kickboxing, sculpting with weights, body bars, stability balls. Fees and registration: 925-602-5600, www.inshapeclubs.com.

Through Dec. 31: Antioch — Group Cycling LVL 1-3.

5:45-6:30 a.m. Tues., Thurs.; 7:30-8:15 a.m. Mon., Thurs.; 7-7:45 a.m. Sat.; 8:30-9:15 a.m. Mon., Wed., Fri.; 9:3010 a.m. Wed.; 9-10 a.m.

Sat.; 7-8 p.m. Mon., Thurs.

For all ages and fitness levels, at In-Shape Health Club. Fees and registration: 925-602-5600, www. inshapeclubs.com.

Through Dec. 31: Antioch — In-Shape Kids LVL 1.

4:30-5:30 p.m., for ages 6-12, at In-Shape Health Club. Designed for children to embark on an adventure in fitness and wellness. Fees and registration: 925-6025600, www.inshapeclubs. com.

Through Dec. 31: Brentwood — Group Cycling LVL 1-3. 4:45-5:30 a.m. Mon.-Thur.; 5:45-6:30 a.m. Mon., Wed.; 5:30-6:15 a.m. Fri.; 7-8 a.m. Sat.; 8:309:15 a.m. Wed.; 9:30-10:15 a.m. Mon.; 7-8 p.m. Mon.Thur.; . For all ages and fitness levels, at In-Shape Health Club. Fees and registration: 925-602-5600, www.inshapeclubs.com.

calendar Through Dec. 31: Brentwood — Treading Trends LVL 1-3. 9-10 a.m.

Tues., at In-Shape Health Club. An intense water workout for the athlete wanting a variety of treading water techniques. Fees and registration: 925-602-5600, www.inshapeclubs.com.

Through Dec. 31: Concord — Rocktopia. Open climb 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays at Encore Gym. Open to all types of climbers, ages 5-adult. $12 members/ guests. 925-932-1033, office@encoregym.com; www.encoregym.com.

Through Dec. 31: Concord — Group Cycling LVL 1-3.

5:30-6:30 a.m. Mon., Wed., Fri.; 8:30-9:30 a.m. Tues, Thurs., Fri., Sun.; 8:15-9:15 a.m. Sat., 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Mon., Wed.; 6-7 p.m Tues., Thur., for all ages and fitness levels, at In-Shape Health Club. Fees and registration: 925-602-5600, www. inshapeclubs.com.

Through Dec. 31: Concord — AIRobics. Classes, 6-7 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. Tues./ Thur. and 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Sat. at Sky High Sports. First come, first served. Arrive 5-10 minutes early. $7/ all classes. 925-682-5867, http://CON.jumpskyhigh.com.

Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsMag.com

twenty-four7 Through Dec. 31: Martinez — Sports, Fitness & Recreation. For ages 6-18.

Ongoing programs in Sports, Fitness and Recreation at the Boys & Girls Club of Diablo Valley. Develop fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment, and social skills. 925-370-6838, www.bgcdv.org.

Through Dec. 20: Walnut Creek — Bootcamp and Cardio Self-Defense.

Calorie-blasting Bootcamp ongoing, with a.m. and p.m. sessions; Cardio SelfDefense beginning this fall in six-week sessions.

Both at All In One Fitness.

925-939-1001, www. allineonefitnessinfo.com.

Through Dec. 31: Pleasant Hill — Tae Kwon Do, Fitness Kickboxing, Kickboxing, Yoga, Birthday Parties. For adults, teens, children. Ongoing at Fitness Innovations & Tae Kwon Do in County Square Shopping Center. 925-685-8338, chooseFIT@aol.com; www. choosefit.net.

Through Dec. 31: Walnut Creek — Youth training program. Ongoing at Forma.

A foundation in fitness and nutrition. Focus is on better overall performance. 925262-1339, www.formagym. com.

Through Sept. 8: Concord — Cardio Kickboxing.

Course No. 86240, ages 14+, 6:20-7:10 p.m. Wed. at Willow Pass Community Center. Offered by City of Concord. $65 residents/$70 nonresidents. Info: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. weekdays, 925-6713404, www.cityofconcord. org. Registration: www. concordreg.org; by fax or in person drop-off sites available.

Through Dec. 22: Walnut Creek — CPR Certification.

6-8:30 p.m. Tues. and Wed. at Sports Basement. ASHI CPR/AED certification card for Adult and Child issued after all class requirements are met. Register by emailing your name, address and phone number to sb.cpr.walnutcreek@ sportsbasement.com.

calendar Through Sept. 20: Concord — Aerobic Bar Training.

Course No. 86238, ages 14+, 7-7:50 p.m. Mon. at Centre Concord. Offered

by City of Concord. $69 residents/$74 nonresidents.

Info: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. weekdays, 925-6713404, www.cityofconcord. org. Registration: www. concordreg.org; by fax or in person drop-off sites available.

Through Sept. 20: Concord — Stability Ball-Swiss Ball Training. Course No. 86244, ages 14+, 6-6:50 p.m. Mon. at Centre Concord. Offered

by City of Concord. $69 residents/$74 nonresidents.

Info: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. weekdays, 925-6713404, www.cityofconcord. org. Registration: www. concordreg.org; by fax or in person drop-off sites available.

Football Through Sept. 17: Pleasant Hill — Recreational Youth Flag Football. Signups through Sept. 17; play begins Oct. 9. Recreational, non-professional. At Pleasant Oaks Park or P.H. Education Center. Pleasant Hill Recreation District. $139/nonresidents; $129/ residents. Registration: 925-682-0896, www. pleasanthillrec.com.

Fundraisers Aug. 29: Concord — CYC Judo Car Wash. 10 a.m.2 p.m. at Union 76 Gas Station, 2380 Willow Pass Road. Supports CYC’s Competitive Judo Team. $10/all cars. All proceeds benefit Community Youth Center. 925-566-7568, www. communityyouthcenter.com.

Oct. 9: Walnut Creek — Light the Night Walk: Taking Steps To Cure Cancer™. Raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 5 p.m. at Civic Park. Walk two miles; as an individual or on a team.

Shana Aires Olson, 415-6251107, Shana.Olson@LLS. org. 877-586-9255, www lightthenight.org.

Golf Through Aug. 31: Brentwood — B.A.Y. Intermediate Junior Program Golf. Instruction

for beginning, intermediate and advanced skill levels.

At Shadow Lakes Golf Academy. $120 per session. Jr. Green Fees June-Aug. for intermediate and advanced program participants, $5. 925-5162837. Online registration: www.golfinbrentwood.com.

Through Dec. 31: Berkeley — Junior Academy.Ages 5U. At Tilden Park Golf Course. $159/two hours per week (Core Program); $99/ one hour per week (Try-Out Program. 510-848-7373, doi@tildenparkgc.com; www. thegolflearningcenters.com/ tildenpark.

Through Aug. 31: Brentwood — 2010 PGA-Sponsored Junior Promotions at B.A.Y. Golf. Bring your kids to the practice range. 925-5162837. Online registration: www.golfinbrentwood.com.

Through Sept. 19: Concord — Beginning Golf - Youth/Teen. Pleasant Hill Recreation District coed Activity #5538.906, for ages 8U-U18. 1-2 p.m.

Sun. at Buchanan Fields Golf Course. Designed for first-time player. $105.

Registration: 925-682-0896, www.pleasanthillrec.com.

Aug. 30: Concord — CYC Golf Tournament. CYC Corporate Event at Orinda Coutry Club. Sponsored by Community Youth Center.

Contact Gina, 925-6717070, Ext. 209; www. communityyouthcenter.com.

Aug. 30-Sept. 2: Walnut Creek — Dave DeLong Junior Golf Camp 2010. For junior golfers of all abilities. $295, payable to DeLong Junior Camp. Information: 925-997-3683, ddelongolf@ aol.com, www.delonggolf. com. Registration: www. playboundaryoak.com.

Sept. 12, 19: Antioch — Junior Golf Clinics. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $80 per student.

Information and registration: 925-978-44653, www. roddyranch.com.

Sept. 27: Antioch — Junior Golf Clinics. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $80 per student. Information and registration: 925-97844653, www.roddyranch. com.

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twenty-four7 Oct. 03: Antioch — Junior Golf Clinics. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $80 per student. Information and registration: 925-97844653, www.roddyranch. com.

Oct. 9 , 23: Brentwood — B.A.Y. Intermediate Junior Program Golf Clinics. Single Day Clinics, 2-3 p.m. $15 individual day. At Shadow Lakes Golf Academy. 925-516-2837.

Online registration: www. golfinbrentwood.com.

Oct. 15-17: Pleasanton — Fall Bay Area Golf Show.

11a.m.-5 p.m. Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sun. at Alameda County Fairgrounds. $10/adults, $9/ seniors 62+ and students 13-17, free/ages 12U. Visit http://bayareagolfshow.com.

Gymnastics Aug. 30: Orinda — Community Youth Center 2010 Golf Challenge.

At Orinda Country Club.

Individual and foursome spots, pending availability.

Sponsorships available.

Contact Gina Longmire, Director of Corporate Events, 925-566-7566, glongmire@ cycmail.ort; www. communityyouthcenter.com.

Oct. 16-17: Concord — Fall Fest Gymnastics. Two day-long gymnastics events at a time and location to be determined. Sponsored by Community Youth Center.

sportstars 925-671-7070, www. communityyouthcenter.com.

Martial arts Through Dec. 31: Concord — Kids Karate LVL 1. 5-6 p.m. Tues., Thur., for ages 9U, at In-Shape Health Club. Fees and registration: 925-602-5600, www. inshapeclubs.com.

Through Sept. 30: Concord — KenpoKajukenbo Karate-Youth.

Course No. 86119, ages 10-13, 6-7 p.m. Tues. and Thur. at Willow Pass Community Center. Offered

by City of Concord. $117 residents/$122 nonresidents.

Info: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. weekdays, 925-6713404, www.cityofconcord. org. Registration: www. concordreg.org; by fax or in person drop-off sites available.

Through Sept. 30: Concord — KenpoKajukenbo Karate-Adults.

Course No. 86123, ages 14+, 7-8:30 p.m. Tues. and Thur. at Willow Pass Community Center. Offered

by City of Concord. $141 residents/$146 nonresidents.

Info: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. weekdays, 925-6713404, www.cityofconcord. org. Registration: www. concordreg.org; by fax or in person drop-off sites available.

Aug. 30-Oct. 1: Concord — Taekwondo and Kenpo.

Give us a try!

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Diablo Valley is a comprehensive development program that provides life-enhancing opportunities to people between the ages of 6 and 18 years old.

Every program is developed around the five Core Program Areas of: Education and Career Development; the Arts; Character and Leadership Development; Life Skills; and Physical Education, Sports and Recreation.

1301 Alhambra Avenue in Martinez 925.228.3896 ext. 109 38

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August 26, 2010

Course No. 86155, ages 14+, 6:45-7:30 p.m. Mon., Wed., Fri., at Baldwin Park Dance Studio. Offered

by City of Concord. $95 residents/$100 nonresidents.

Info: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. weekdays, 925-6713404, www.cityofconcord. org. Registration: www. concordreg.org; by fax or in person drop-off sites available.

Aug. 30-Oct. 1:Concord — Taekwondo and Kenpo-Youth-Beginning.

Course No. 86149, ages 5-13, 6-6:45 p.m. Mon., Wed., Fri., at Baldwin Park Dance Studio. Offered

by City of Concord. $95 residents/$100 nonresidents.

Info: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. weekdays, 925-6713404, www.cityofconcord. org. Registration: www. concordreg.org; by fax or in person drop-off sites available.

Aug. 30-Oct. 1: Concord — Taekwondo and KenpoYouth-Intermediate.

Course No. 86151, ages 5-13, 6:45 p.m.-7:15 p.m.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Baldwin Park Dance Studio. Offered

by City of Concord. $95 residents/$100 nonresidents.

Info: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. weekdays, 925-6713404, www.cityofconcord. org. Registration: www. concordreg.org; by fax or in person drop-off sites available.

Sept. 7-30: Concord — Kenpo-Kajukenbo KarateYouth. Course No. 86118, ages 10-13, 6-7 p.m. Tues. and Thur. at Willow Pass Community Center. Offered

by City of Concord. $49 residents/$54 nonresidents.

Info: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. weekdays, 925-6713404, www.cityofconcord. org. Registration: www. concordreg.org; by fax or in person drop-off sites available.

Sept. 7-30: Concord — Kenpo-Kajukenbo KarateAdults. Course No. 86122, ages 14+, 7-8:30 p.m. Tues. and Thur. at Willow Pass Community Center. Offered

by City of Concord. $59 residents/$64 nonresidents.

Info: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. weekdays, 925-671-

calendar 3404, www.cityofconcord. org. Registration: www. concordreg.org; by fax or in person drop-off sites available.

Sept. 9-25: Concord — Karate-Shorinji Ryu-Youth.

Course No. 86126, ages 10-14, 6-7 p.m. Thur. and 9:30-10:30 a.m. Sat. at Centre Concord. Offered

by City of Concord. $39 residents/$44 nonresidents.

Info: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. weekdays, 925-6713404, www.cityofconcord. org. Registration: www. concordreg.org; by fax or in person drop-off sites available.

Sept. 9 - 25: Concord — Karate-Shorinji RyuAdults. Course No. 86130, ages 15+, 7:15-8:45 p.m.

Thur. and 8-9:30 a.m. Sat., at Centre Concord. Offered

by City of Concord. $45 residents/$50 nonresidents.

Info: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. weekdays, 925-6713404, www.cityofconcord. org. Registration: www. concordreg.org; by fax or in person drop-off sites available.

Sept. 11: Concord — Concord Kung Fu Academy Events. Plum Blossom Annual Tournament.

Fees and registration: 925-672-9800, www. concordkungfu.com.

Oct. 16: Concord — Concord Kung Fu Academy Events. Annual Kick-a-thon Fundraiser for St. Judes Children Hospita.

925-672-9800, www. concordkungfu.com.

Nov. 13: Concord — Concord Kung Fu Academy Events. Seminar

by Sifu Evelina Lengyel.

Fees and registration, 925-672-9800, www. concordkungfu.com.

Recreation Through Dec. 31: Antioch — Public Skating. At Paradise Skate. Wed.Sun.; Mon.-Tues. reserved for private skating/parties.

Admission: $8 general/$2 stay over to next session; group rates and inline skate rentals available. 925-7790200, www.paradiseskate. com.

Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsMag.com

calendar

twenty-four7 Soccer Aug. 1-31: Walnut Creek —Walnut Creek Soccer Club U6 House Program.

For boys and girls age 5 and older. Practices begin in Aug. ; games on weekends, Sept.-Nov. $125/player.

Registration: www.wcsc.org.

Through Sept. 12: Concord — MDSA Pre-Season Camp. 9 a.m.-noon each day at Boatwright Sports Complex. Presented by Diablo Futbol Club Academy. $95. Online registration: www.diablofc.org. 925-7984625.

Through Oct. 1: Pleasant Hill — IFX International Futbol X-Change High School Study Abroad.

Apply by Oct. 1, 2010, for Spring 2011, to study in Germany, France, England, Spain, Italy, Brazil, or Argentina. Downloadable application packets at www. ifxsoccer.com. 510-5994625.

Through Nov. 5: Pleasanton — BUSC U7/8

Summer Academy. 4-5:15 p.m. Fridays at Hansen Park. $175. Info: Tony Chavarria, Tonyatallstar@comcast.net; www.busc.org. Registration: Cindy Free, 925-463-6313, buscsoccer@aol.com.

Swim Through Dec. 31: Concord — Swim Classes in Heated Outdoor Pool. 4-7 p.m.

Mon.-Thur. at In-shape. for all ages. Small groups, no pressure environment. Fees and registration: 925-6025600, www.inshapeclubs. com.

Tennis Through Dec. 31: Richmond— Tennis Instruction for Youth.

Classes Mon.-Thur. at Nichol Park. Ages 7-17 receive novice and intermediate tennis instruction from a certified United States Professional Tennis Association Instructor. $20/ month; includes tennis rackets and balls. Info: Recreation Department, 510620-6793; www.ci.richmond. ca.us.

Track & field/X-country Through Dec. 31: Concord — Sport-Specific Training - Track & Field. At East Bay Sports Academy.

Jumpers, Pole Vaulters, Throwers, Running Technique. For student athletes. Schedules and fees: 925-680-9999, info@ eastbaysportsacademy.com; www.eastbaysportsacademy. com.

Oct. 16-17: Concord — Fall Fest Gymnastics. Two day-long gymnastics events at a time and location to be determined. Sponsored by Community Youth Center.

925-671-7070, www. communityyouthcenter.com.

Nov. 05: Martinez — DVAL Cross Country Meet.

Concord vs. Mt. Diablo, Mt. Diablo vs. Northgate, Northgate vs. Concord, Northgate vs. Ygnacio Valley; Varsity Race 2. At Hidden Valley Park. 925685-8414, Ext. 2405; www. diabloval.com. ✪

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sportstars

game day Bowling June 1-Aug. 31: Concord — Summer at Clayton Valley Bowl. Junior Adult Mixed 4’s, 6:30 p.m. Wed.; Junior League for kids 12:30 p.m. Thur.; Junior Scratch, 5:30 p.m. Thur.; “Digital Thunder” for kids, 4-6 p.m.

Fri. Fees and registration: 925-689-4631, www. claytonvalleybowl.com.

Oct. 12-17: Las Vegas, NV — 2010 ABT/Storm Fall National. At South Point Hotel sino and Spa. (Ask about special Amateur Bowlers Tour room rates, 866-796-7111.) Seniors, Scratch, Doubles, Trio Team, South Point Invitational,

Tournament of Champions, Gold Members Special. $90$100. Office, 801-840-0438, mail@abtbowling.com; Fax, 801-840-0458.

Oct. 23-Nov. 21: Clovis — 41st Annual Cal State Senior Open Championships 2010.

Men and women, 55+.

Team Events at AMF Rodeo Lanes. Saturday noon-3 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Certified by the United States bowling Congress. $100 entry fee. Contact Gina Moura, 925-757-2695; Fax 925-757-5373.

Oct. 23-Nov. 21: Fresno — 41st Annual Cal

State Senior Open Championships 2010. Men and women, 55+. Doubles & Singles at AMF Rodeo Lanes, Fresno. Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Certified by the United States bowling Congress. $100 entry fee. Contact Gina Moura, 925-757-2695; Fax 925-757-5373.

Cheer Nov. 7: Davis — DVYFC Cheer Competition. At UC Davis. Mandatory for all Cheer. 925-927-7377, www.cvaafalcons.com; www.ucdavisaggies.com/ directions/ucda-directions. html.

Community Event Sept. 4: Clayton — Clayton Community Great Labor Day Derby. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Downtown. Ages 7-14.

Presented by Clayton Community Church in assoc. with Insurance Management Corporation. Derby, classic car show, music, food, and more. No participation fee. Info: Doug LaVenture, 925-673-5337, 510-8164221, dlav42@yahoo.com.

Registration by Aug. 29: www.claytoncc.com.

Sept. 4-5: Pleasanton — 145th Annual Scottish Highland Games. Athletic heavy events for men and women, rugby and shinty,

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follow us on facebook! soccer, Highland dancing, and more. Presented by The Caledonian Club Of San Francisco at the Alameda County Fairgrounds.Visit www.caledonian.org.

Sept. 11: San Francisco — Rock on the Green. Marina Green. Join the Challenged Athletes Foundation at Rock On The Green for a threehour Spinning® ride and 5K and 2K family fun walks. Visit www.rockonthegreen.com.

Info: 858-866-0959, info@ challengedathletes.org; www. challengedathletes.org.

Cycling Oct. 2: Richmond — Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay’s Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day. 9:45 a.m.-2: p.m. at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline. Part of the International Mountain Bicycling Association nationwide celebration. 510761-6825, www.btceb.org.

Oct. 23: Danville — The Cruella Challenge.

6:30 a.m. check-in at Oak Hill Park. Coed; presented by Diablo Multisport Connection’s Women’s Endurance Team. Registration: $70/ rider, through Aug. 31; $85/rider, Sept. 1-Oct. 15.

Online at registration@ cruellachallenge.com. Info: www.cruellachallenge.com.

Fundraisers Sept. 11: Carmel — Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle. For all ages.

Select from a 100, 62, 35 or 15-mile bike ride down the Pacific Coast Highway, or a 3K walk or 5K run led by Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis. Event supports Best Buddies. 1-800-718-3536, HCCoach@bestbuddies.org; http://www.hcchallenge2010. org.

Sept. 20: Diablo — 19th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic. At Diablo Country Club. Benefits Thunder Road, Alta Bates Summit’s residential recovery program for chemical dependency for young people and their families, as well as other programs and services that the Medical Center provides to the community. 510-2041667, www.absfdn.org.

Oct. 2: Berkeley — 19th Annual Celebrity Tennis Classic. At Berkeley Tennis Club. Benefits Thunder Road, Alta Bates Summit’s residential recovery program for chemical dependency for young people and their families, as well as other programs and services that the Medical Center provides to the community. 510-2041667, www.absfdn.org.

Oct. 10: Concord — 2nd annual 5K Run & Walk.

calendar Beginning at 9 a.m. A fun family event for all ages, to help save sports in the MDUSD High Schools and help to raise $1.2 million to keep athletics in six high schools for the 2010/2011 season. The United Mt. Diablo Athletic Foundation.

Co-chairs: Marci Finley and Pat Middendorf. Fee info. and sponsorships: www. unitedmtdiabloathletics.org.

Golf Sept. 20: Clayton — Dan Ashley’s Friends of Camp Concord 14th Annual Golf Tournament. 9 a.m., pretournament party; 10:45 a.m. shotgun start, at Oakhurst County Club. Benefits Friends of Camp Concord.

Registration: $250/person; $275/person, after Aug. 1.

Info: www.friendsofcamp. com. Sponsorships: Dave Goldman, President, Friends of Camp Concord, 925-3891984, dave@friendsofcamp. com.

Oct. 3: Brentwood — Shadow Lakes & Deer Ridge 2010 Junior Tournament. B.A.Y. Golf Junior Club Championship, 2 p.m. 925-516-2837.

Online registration: www. golfinbrentwood.com.

Oct. 8: Walnut Creek — 2nd Annual Golf Tournament benefitting

Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsMag.com

GAME DAY the Walnut Creek Soccer Club. 11:30 a.m. registration; 1 p.m. shotgun start, at Boundary Oak Golf Course. $500/foursome; $125/ individual. Registration: www. wcsc.org.

Gymnastics July 10-Dec. 31: Concord — Open Gym. 8-10 p.m.

Mon., 7-9 p.m. Thur., 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sat. For ages 8+. $10/two hours.

925-680-9999, info@east baysportsacademy.com; www. eastbaysportsacademy.com.

Martial arts Jan. 29: Walnut Creek —

sportstars 24th Annual USKS “Just for Kicks” Benefit Show. 6-8 p.m. at Berean Christian High School. USKS Family Martial Arts Center celebrating 24 years serving the Bay Area in an All-School Martial Arts Show. Donation: $10/person or $8 and two cans of food.

Proceeds to be donated to Contra Costa/Solano Food Bank. 925-682-9517, www. usksmartialarts.com.

Nov. 6: Concord — USKS Mini-Tournament. Begins at 9 a.m. at New Hope International Church.

Competition for USKS Students Only. Donation

for spectators: $5/person, free/4U; excludes competitors.

Details: 925-682-9517, www. usksmartialarts.com.

Race Aug. 28-29: San Francisco — San Francisco Triathlon at Alcatraz 2010.

International Distance Triathlon. 1.2-mi Swim, 25.3mi Bike, 7.5-mi Run. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., Sports Expo and Activities; noon-7 p.m. Sat., packet pick up; 7 a.m. Sun., race. At Marina Green. Visit www.tricalifornia.com.

Sept. 5: Anaheim — Disneyland® Half

Support Your Local Business • Say You Found Them In SportStars™

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Marathon. In Anaheim over Labor Day Weekend. A shot at the castle 5th Anniversary finisher medal. Course takes runners through Disney’s California Adventure® Park.

14U. Info: http://espnwwos. disney.go.com.

Sept. 10-12: Pacific Grove — Triathlon at Pacific Grove 2010. Race along the California Coast. Noon-7 p.m. Friday, Sports Expo & Packet Pick Up; 7 a.m. Sat., 10K Run; 7:30 a.m. Sat., Olympic Distance Triathlon; 7 a.m. Sun., 5K Run; 7:30 a.m. Sun., Sprint Distance Triathlon. At Lover’s Point

calendar

Park. Visit www.tricalifornia. com.

Sept. 12: Walnut Creek — Walnut Festival 5K, 10K. 8 a.m., Downtown. $35.

Info: 209-795-7832, info@ onyourmarkevents.com; www.onyourmarkevents. com.

Sept. 18: Pleasanton — Back To School Scholarship Run 5K, 10K, Kids Fun Run. 8:30 a.m., Shadow Cliffs Regional Park. 5K/10K, Scenic, loop fire road/trail; Kids Run, 1 mile. $35/$7.

Info: 209-795-7832, info@

onyourmarkevents.com; www.onyourmarkevents. com.

Sept. 19: Pleasanton — Tri for Real. 7 a.m., Shadow Cliffs Regional Park. 700 yard swim, 19M bike, 4 mile run. $75/$220. Info: 209-795-7832, info@ onyourmarkevents.com; www.onyourmarkevents. com.

Oct. 2: Richmond — YMCA Homefront Run. For all ages. 7:30 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. start; 10:30-noon post-race refreshments and sponsors; 10:30 a.m.

August 26, 2010

SportStars™

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GAME DAY awards. 5K/10K, flat course; starts at Lucretia Edwards Park, ends at Marina.

Registration, by noon Sept.

29: $25/individual adult; $20 individual 18U; $72/ families of 4, $18 each additional family member. $30/person day of race.

Info: 209-795-7832, info@ onyourmarkevents.com; www.onyourmarkevents. com.

Oct. 3: Danville — Mount Diablo Challenge. A 10.8-mile timed bike ride starting at Athenian School, 8:30 a.m. For all ages; U18 accompanied by adult. Proceeds benefit Save Mount Diablo’s land conservation efforts. Fee: $60 (includes electronic timing) before Sept. 10, $75 thereafter. www. savemountdiablo.org.

Grand Prize package

◆ Cannondale Comfort Series Bicycle ◆ Ride Along with Tieni Duro Junior Cycling Team ◆ Tieni Duro Team Jersey ◆ Giro Livestrong Helmet ◆ Fox Low Pro Hydration pack ◆ Fox Incline Gloves ◆ 1 Hammer Gel Sampler ◆ 1 box Hammer Bars ◆ 1 Hammer Bike Mount Seat Bag

And many other prizes!

◆ Including Hammer Nutrition Supplements, sweatshirts, backpack, water bottles,T-shirts, Trek helmets & more!

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August 26, 2010

Oct. 3: San Jose — Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon. 7:55 a.m.

Wheelchair Invitational, 8 a.m. Half Marathon race start, at Almaden Boulevard and Santa Clara Street.

Finish Line Festival & Post Race Concert, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Registration: $100, through Sept. 26; $120 at Expo, Sept. 27-Oct. 2; no race day registration. http:// runrocknroll.competitor.com.

Oct. 10: Fremont — Happy Fish Run for Education.

For all ages, at Lake Elizabeth. 5K/10K walk/ run. All Proceeds Benefit the Fremont Education Foundation’s Guy Emanuele Sports Fund.

Info: 209-795-7832, info@ onyourmarkevents.com; www.onyourmarkevents. com.

Oct. 16-22: San Francisco — CAF Million Dollar Challenge Presented by Qualcomm. A seven-day, 620-mile cycling journey down the California coastline from San Francisco to San Diego. All proceeds benefit Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). Info: 858-866-0959, info@ challengedathletes.org; www. challengedathletes.org.

Oct. 23: Brentwood / Livermore — Los Vaqueros Tarantula Run Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Kids 1K. 8 and

sportstars 8:30 a.m. start times. For all ages. Los Vaqueros Watershed Kellog Creek Picnic Area. Info: www. ccwater.com/losvaqueros/ tarantulaRun.asp; www. onyourmarkevents.com, info@onyourmarkevents. com.

Oct. 24: Livermore — Grape Stomp. 7 a.m., Robertson Park. 700 yard swim, 19M bike, 4 mile run. $50. Info: 209-795-7832, info@ onyourmarkevents.com; www.onyourmarkevents. com.

Nov. 6 Knights Ferry — 14th Annual Salmon Duathlon. 7:30 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. start.

For all ages, at the old Knights Ferry Duathlon course. Run on paved loop, bike paved out and back, all with rolling hills.

Info: 209-795-7832, info@ onyourmarkevents.com; www.onyourmarkevents. com.

Dec. 4: San Ramon — Bah Humbug! 5K by the City of San Ramon. 9 a.m., S/F Camino Ramon/ Bishop Drive. 5K Run/Walk.

Flat, paved, loop. $30.

Info: 209-795-7832, info@ onyourmarkevents.com; www.onyourmarkevents. com.

Dec. 4-5: San Francisco — The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship. Situated in the Marin Headlands, north of San Francisco, The North Face® Endurance Challenge Championship course has surprised runners with its scenery and elevation change.

Participants encouraged to train for repeated uphills and downhills of several hundred feet at a time.

Choose a 5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon, 50K, or 50 mile run.

Proceeds benefit Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF).

Info: 858-866-0959, info@ challengedathletes.org; www. challengedathletes.org.

Dec. 11: Antioch — 34th Annual Holiday Run. 10K/1 mile/3 mile, Run/Walk.

Info: 209-795-7832, info@ onyourmarkevents.com; www.onyourmarkevents. com.

Dec. 25: Richmond — Santa’s Christmas Gold Rush 5 Mile Run, Stroll, Walk. 10 a.m., S/F Marriott Courtyard Hotel, Hilltop Shopping Center. A scenic, semi-hilly 5M course. $20.

Registration begins July 17.

Info: 209-795-7832, info@ onyourmarkevents.com; www.onyourmarkevents. com.

Recreation Sept. 12-Dec. 12: Waterford — Wargaming at The Paintball Zone. Offered second Sundays monthly by Modesto Airsoft and Combat Enterprises. Info: www. modesto.combatenterprises. com.

Roller Derby Sept. 18: Antioch — Undead Bettys vs. Redding Roller Girls. 7 p.m. at Paradise Skate. Doors open at 6:15. $10. 925-597-1687, http://UndeadBettys.com.

Soccer Jan. 8-9: Danville — Mustang Winter Turf Tournament. U12-U14 boys, girls. Held at Danville/Alamo area locations. Application deadline: Dec. 12, 2010.

925-648-4121, fredwilson@ mustangsoccer.com; www. mustangsoccer.com.

Aug. 28-29: Pleasanton — 2010 11th Annual Soccer City Warm-Up. At the Pleasanton Sports Park and Val Vista Soccer Complexes. Application can be downloaded from the CYSA. Info: Jeff and Donna Henninger, tournament directors, jeffreysoccer@ comcast.net; www. pleasantonrage.org.

Aug. 28-29: Walnut Creek — Walnut Creek Soccer Club Summerfest. Boys & GirlsDivision 1/Gold/Silver U11-U14. Entry fees: $400/ U11 (8v8); $525/U12-U14.

Kevin Erwin, tournament director, 925-383-5957, kevinserwin@astound.net; www.wcsc.org.

Sept. 4-5: Danville — Mustang Devil Mountain Tournament. U9-U16 boys and girls. Held at Danville/ Alamo area locations.

925-648-4121; www. mustangsoccer.com.

Sept. 21-22: Concord — 14th Annual Bob Fowler

calendar Memorial. Diablo FC’s U12, U13, U14, U16 and U19 boys & girls Division 3 CYSA tournament in Concord. Info: mwhite@diablofc.org. 925798-4625, www.diablofc.org.

Sept. 25-26: Pleasanton — 2010 BUSC Fall Harvest Classic Tournament.

At Pleasanton locations.

Tournament for CYSA Boys Teams; CYSA age pure group format. For age groups, U11-U16, and U19. U11 will play 8 v 8.

Application deadline: Aug. 15. Application on Web site, www.busc.org.

Oct. 23-24: Pleasanton — BUSC Fall Harvest Jamboree 2010. At Pleasanton Sports Park. A Division 1 and Division 3 Boys U9 and U10 Teams Jamboree. All Teams will play in an 8 vs 8 format.

Sanctioned by U.S. Club Soccer. Inquiries: Jamboree@BUSC.org.

Application on Web site, www.busc.org.

Oct. 30-31: Concord — 12th Annual Halloween Kick or Treat Classic.

Diablo FC’s U9, U10 and U11 US Club Soccer Gold and Silver level boys & girls teams in Concord. Info: mwhite@diablofc.org. 925798-4625, www.diablofc.org.

Oct. 30-31: Walnut Creek — Walnut Creek Soccer Club Octoer Fest. Boys & Girls CYSA Division 3/Norcal Bronze U11(8v8),U12U14(11v11). Entry fees: $400/U11’s (8v8); $525/ all other age groups. Kevin Erwin, tournament director, 925-383-5957, kevinserwin@ astound.net; www.wcsc.org.

Dec. 11-12: Danville — Mustang 6v6 Shootout Tournament. U8-U13 boys and girls. Held at Danville/ Alamo area locations. Cris Gilmore, 408-768-8821, cris.gilmore@sbcglobal. net; 925-648-4121, www. mustangsoccer.com.

Swim Sept. 25-26: Hercules — East Bay Silver Dolphins Swim Meet. At Hercules Swim/Community Center.

Details: Alida Birnam, 510468-9798, a.birnam@gmail. com., Aquatics Office, 510799-8296, www.pacswim. org.

Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsMag.com

Other prize sponsors: Get information you crave and enter to win. Check the boxes of any advertisers from which you’d like more info, then mail or fax it to us! Or drop it off at the SportStars office or the Walnut Creek Sports Basement! ❒❒101.7 KKIQ/92.1 KKDV . . . . . . . . . 37 ❒❒ Absorber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 ❒❒ All Out Sports League . . . . . . . . . . 40 ❒❒ Antioch’s Great Family

Entertainment Centers . . . . . . . . . . 29 ❒❒ Bases Loaded. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 ❒❒ Bay Area Golf Show. . . . . . . . . . . . 33 ❒❒ Big C Athletic Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 ❒❒ Big O Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 ❒❒ Bob Larson Sports Photography. . . . 36 ❒❒ Boys & Girls Club/Diablo Valley . . . . 38 ❒❒ Brenden Theaters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

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Cali Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cheers Gym . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Clayton Community Derby . . . . . . .

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Dave DeLong School of Golf . . . . .

Diablo Car Wash & Detail Center . .

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what’s next

sportstars

Keep your eye on the ball

www.twitter.com/sportstarsmag

So while we know that our SportStars audience is an active one, we also know that a few of us like to sneak some gaming in when we can.

We’re guilty too. Trust us.

Anyway, here’s an EA Sports press release that caught our eye. Releasing on Sept. 28 will be FIFA Soccer 11, with a couple of new features that look pretty sweet.

Ok, so here’s the first nifty new feature we noticed. Using online gaming, you can call 10 other friends and put your own soccer team together.

And then — should you be so popular — you can call 11 more friends and challenge them to a battle royale.

We at SportStars would like to advocate that there is no substitute for getting 21 of your friends together to play REAL soccer. But hey, we still think it’s pretty cool.

Ok, so another cool new feature — in case your 21 friends flake out on you — is 44

SportStars™

August 26, 2010

WHAT’S NEXT

ea sports photos

“Be A Goalkeeper.”

Rather than controlling your virtual Landon Donovan up and down the pitch, you can spend the entire game as a keeper. Punch balls out of danger. Gear up for a corner kick set. Battle your opponent one-on-one in penalty kick shootout. We expect that will get the blood pumping. The feature has three degrees of AI assistance, so you can work up your skill level.

— Chace Bryson Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsMag.com

what’s next

sportstars

eTeam Sponsor group changing fundraising Last week in What’s Next we talked about getting your fundraiser announced. This week, we’re telling you about a fundraising program that basically does all the work for you.

Don’t sweat the car washes, bake sales and whatever else. Take a look into eTeam Sponsor. eTeamSponsor has released an innovative approach to fundraising that can allow coaches to spend more time with their athletes, while at the same time generating more sponsorship donations than ever before.

“The eTeamSponsor staff set up our fundraiser for my football program within minutes,” Diablo Valley College football coach Mike Darr said in a press release.

“My student athletes were able to reach more potential sponsors than in any

other past fundraiser, (and did so) with minimal effort. Within our first week of fundraising we generated twice as much revenue as our entire letter campaign last year! Best of all there are no hidden costs and I already have the funds in our bank account.”

You can check out eTeamSponsor by calling any of their representatives at 888-842-8220.

Or look them up online at www.eTeamSponsor.com.

— Chace Bryson

Support Your Local Business • Say You Found Them In SportStars™

August 26, 2010

SportStars™

45

photo finish

Double-days are over.The schedule is on the locker room wall. It’s go time.The 10-game regular season schedule is posted above the lockers inside the Deer Valley team room: the Wolverines’ five nonleague games on the left, and five Bay Valley Athletic League games on the right. As the season goes on, the team will post the score of each game next to the opponent.The ‘D’ in Freedom is already peeling, but don’t expect anybody to jump up and fix it. Once the season starts, opponents receive no mercy. (Just kidding. Maybe.)

Photo by chace bryson

Want to submit your pic for Photo Finish?

Send it to us at editor@SportStarsMag.com

Photos must be 300 dpi and at least 10 inches wide in the jpeg format.

Please identify every person in the photo and include your contact information.

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Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsMag.com