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2007 Prep Football
San Diego Section
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2006 Season in Review
2005 Season in Review

2004 Season in Review

2003 Season in Review

2002 Season in Review

2001 Season in Review

Are you ready for some high school football?

San Diego Section Log
San Diego Section Scoreboard
San Diego Section Division Standings
San Diego Section All-League Teams
Metro Conference Player Profiles


San Diego Section Undefeated Teams
•Poway 12-0; Bishop’s 12-0


Football Finals
Dec. 7 at Qualcomm Stadium
Division V: (2) Bishop's 17, (1) Christian 7
Division III: (2) Cathedral Catholic 41, (2) Pt. Loma 3
Division II: (1) Oceanside 26, (3) MIssion Hills 7
Division I: (1) Poway 21, (7) RBV 7

Dec. 8 at USD
Division IV: (3) Valley Center 26, (1) Mission Bay 0

Game Reports
Week 1 Game Reports
Week 2 Game Reports
Week 3 Game Reports
Week 4 Game Reports
Week 5 Game Reports
Week 6 Game Reports
Week 7 Game Reports
Week 8 Game Reports
Week 9 Report (Games cancelled, wildfires)
Week 10 Game Reports
Week 11 Game Reports
Week 12 Game Reports (First-round CIF playoffs)
Week 13 Game Reports (Quarterfinal-round CIF playoffs)
Week 14 Game Reports (Semifinal-round CIF playoffs)
Week 15 Game Reports (Championship-round CIF playoffs/awards)

Prep Previews
East County preview (Grossmont Conference, Christian)
Metro Conference preview (Mesa League, South Bay League)



San Diego Section
Divisional Playoffs
DIVISION I
First Round
Friday, Nov. 16
(1) Poway (9-0) bye
Rancho Bernardo (4-5) at El Camino (4-6), 7:30 p.m.
Fallbrook (2-7) at Mira Mesa (6-3), 7:30 p.m.
(4) Otay Ranch (6-3) bye
(3) Eastlake (7-2) bye
Vista (5-4) at Chula Vista (7-2), 7 p.m.
Calexico (5-4) at Rancho Buena Vista (6-3), 7:30
(2) Carlsbad (8-1) bye
Results:
Chula Vista 25, Vista 22
Mira Mesa 14, Fallbrook 0
RBV 63, Calexico 8
El Camino 46, Rancho Bernardo 10

Quarterfinals
Friday, Nov. 23
El Camino (5-6) at (1) Poway (9-0), 7:30 p.m.
Mira Mesa (7-3) at (4) Otay Ranch (6-3), 7:30 p.m.
Chula Vista (8-2) at (3) Eastlake (7-2), 7:30 p.m.
Rancho Buena Vista (7-3) at (2) Carlsbad (8-1), 7:30 p.m.
Results:
Poway 55, El Camino 6
Eastlake 27, Chula Vista 0
Mira Mesa 31, Otay Ranch 24 (OT)
Rancho Buena Vista 24, Carlsbad 20

Semifinals
Friday, Nov. 30
Mira Mesa (8-3) at (1) Poway (10-0), 7:30 p.m.
Rancho Buena Vista (8-3) at (3) Eastlake (8-2), 7:30 p.m.
Results:
Poway 16, Mira Mesa 0
Rancho Buena Vista 41, Eastlake 17

Championship
Friday, Dec. 7
Qualcomm Stadium
(1) Poway (11-0) vs. (7) Rancho Buena Vista (9-3), 8 p.m.
Result:
Poway 21, Rancho Buena Vista 7


DIVISION II
First Round
Friday, Nov. 16
(1) Oceanside (8-1) bye
Scripps Ranch (5-4) at Grossmont (6-3), 7:30 p.m.
Hoover (6-3) at San Pasqual (7-2), 7:30 p.m.
(4) La Costa Canyon (6-3) bye
(3) Mission Hills (8-1) bye
Mt. Carmel (4-5) vs. Bonita Vista (6-3) at College Southwestern, 7:30 p.m.
Westview (4-5) at West Hills (5-4), 7:30 p.m.
(2) Helix (7-1-1) bye
Results:
San Pasqual 62, Hoover 21
Scripps Ranch 28, Grossmont 3
Bonita Vista 17, Mt. Carmel 14
West Hills 28, Westview 21

Quarterfinals
Friday, Nov. 23
Scripps Ranch (6-4) at (1) Oceanside (8-1), 7:30 p.m.
San Pasqual (8-2) at (4) La Costa Canyon (6-3), 7:30 p.m.
Bonita Vista (7-3) at (3) Mission Hills (8-1), 7:30 p.m.
West Hills (6-4) at (2) Helix (7-1-1), 7:30 p.m.
Results:
Helix 35, West Hills 7
Mission Hills 37, Bonita Vista 0
Oceanside 42, Scripps Ranch 14
La Costa Canyon 34, San Pasqual 20

Semifinals
Friday, Nov. 30
(4) La Costa Canyon (7-3) at (1) Oceanside (9-1), 7:30 p.m.
(3) Mission Hills (9-1) at (2) Helix (8-1-1), 7:30 p.m.
Results:
Oceanside 14, La Costa Canyon 10
Mission Hills 17, Helix 14

Championship
Friday, Dec. 7
Qualcomm Stadium
(1) Oceanside (10-1) vs. (3) Mission Hills (10-1), 4:30 p.m.
Result:
Oceanside 26, Mission Hills 7


DIVISION III
First Round
Friday, Nov. 16
(1) Cathedral Catholic (7-2) bye
Central (6-3) at Lincoln (5-4), 7:30 p.m.
El Capitan (5-4) at Mount Miguel (6-3), 7:30 p.m.
(4) Ramona (6-3) bye
(3) Steele Canyon (6-3) bye
Monte Vista (4-5) vs. St. Augustine (5-4) at Balboa Stadium, 7 p.m.
Montgomery (6-3) at Brawley (7-3), 7:30 p.m.
(2) Point Loma (6-3) bye
Results:
Mt. Miguel 34, El Capitan 17
St. Augustine 20, Monte Vista 6
Lincoln 36, Central Union 34
Brawley 31, Montgomery 28

Quarterfinals
Semifinals, Nov. 23
Lincoln (6-4) at (1) Cathedral Catholic (7-2), 7:30 p.m.
Mount Miguel (7-3) at Ramona (6-3), 7:30 p.m.
St. Augustine (6-4) at (3) Steele Canyon (6-3), 7:30 p.m.
Brawley (8-3) at Point Loma (6-3), 1 p.m.
Results:
Cathedral Catholic 51, Lincoln 7
Point Loma 47, Brawley 14
St. Augustine 35, Steele Canyon 21
Mt. Miguel 29, Ramona 27

Semifinals
Friday, Nov. 30
Mt. Miguel (8-3) at (1) Cathedral Catholic (8-2), 7:30 p.m.
St. Augustine (7-4) at (2) Point Loma (7-3), TBA
Results:
Cathedral Catholic 37, Mt. Miguel 0
Point Loma 25, St. Augustine 21

Championship
Friday, Dec. 7
Qualcomm Stadium
(1) Cathedral Catholic (9-2) vs. (2) Point Loma (8-3), 1 p.m.
Result:
Cathedralk Catholic 41, Point Loma 3


DIVISION IV
Quarterfinals
Friday, Nov. 23
Santana (4-6) at (1) Mission Bay (7-2-1), 1 p.m.
Madison (7-2) at (4) Mater Dei (5-4), 7:30 p.m.
Santa Fe Christian (3-5-1) at (3) Valley Center (6-3), 7:30 p.m.
Coronado (6-3) at (2) La Jolla (5-4), 7:30 p.m.
Results:
Madison 34, Mater Dei 31
Valley Center 38, Santa Fe Christian 21
La Jolla 31, Coronado 7
Mission Bay 40, Santana 7

Semifinals
Friday, Nov. 30
Madison (8-2) at (1) Mission Bay (8-2-1), TBA
(3) Valley Center (7-3) at (2) La Jolla (6-4 ), 7:30 p.m.
Results:
Mission Bay 17, Madison 14
Valley Center 42, La Jolla 0

Championship
Saturday, Dec. 8
University of San Diego
(1) Mission Bay (9-2-1) vs. (3) Valley Center (8-3)
Result:
Valley Center 26, Mission Bay 0


DIVISION V
First Round
Friday, Nov. 16
(1) Christian (9-0) bye
Olympian (2-7) at Holtville (5-4), 7:30 p.m.
Mountain Empire (4-5) at La Jolla Country Day (6-3), 7:30 p.m.
(4) Francis Parker (4-5) bye
(3) Horizon Christian (2-7) bye
Julian (5-3) at Imperial (6-3), 7:30 p.m.
Tri-City Christian (3-6) at Vincent Memorial (4-4), 7:30 p.m.
(2) Bishop's (9-0) bye
Results:
La Jolla Country Day 36, Mt. Empire 19
Imperial 47, Julian 0
Holtville 6, Olympian 3
Vincent Memorial 47, Tri-City Christian 28

Quarterfinals
Friday, Nov. 23
Holtville (6-4) vs. (1) Christian (9-0), 7:30 p.m. (Valhalla High School)
La Jolla Country Day (7-3) at (4) Francis Parker (4-5), 7:30 p.m.
Imperial (7-3) vs. (3) Horizon Christian (2-7), 7:30 p.m.
Vincent Memorial (5-4) vs. (2) Bishop's (9-0), TBA
Results:
Christian 55, Holtville 0
Francis Parker 38, La Jolla Country Day 7
Horizon Christian 35, Imperial 21

Semifinals
Friday, Nov. 30
(4) Francis Parker (5-5) at (1) Christian (10-0), 7:30 p.m.
(3) Horizon Christian (3-7) at (1) Bishop's (10-0), TBA
Results:
Bishop's 63, Horizon Christian 45
Christian 26, Francis Parker 21

Championship
Friday, Dec. 7
Qualcomm Stadium
(1) Christian (11-0) vs. (2) Bishop's (11-0), 10 a.m.
Result:
Bishop's 17, Christian 7


EIGHT-MAN DIVISION
Championship Game
Saturday, Nov. 10
(2) San Pasqual Academy 46, (1) Warner Springs 6

SDPrepSports.com
Top 25 Rankings
(Final Regular Season)
1. Oceanside (8-1)
2. Poway (9-0)
3. Mission Hills (8-1)
4. Carlsbad (8-1)
5. Helix (7-1-1)
6. San Pasqual (7-2)
7. Eastlake (7-2)
8. La Costa Canyon (6-3)
9. Point Loma (6-3)
10. Otay Ranch (6-3)
11. Cathedral Catholic (7-2)
12. Rancho Buena Vista (6-3)
13. El Camino (4-6)
14. Bonita Vista (6-3)
15. Mission Bay (6-2-1)
16. Chula Vista (7-2)
17. Mira Mesa (6-3)
18. Vista (5-4)
19. Steele Canyon (6-3)
20. La Jolla (5-4)
21. Valley Center (6-3)
22. Christian (9-0)
23. Bishop's (9-0)
24. Mt. Miguel (6-3)
25. Lincoln (5-4)
Honorable mention: Scripps Ranch (5-4), Ramona (6-3), El Capitan (5-4), Santa Fe Christian (3-5-1), West Hills (5-4), Brawley (7-3), Central Union (6-3), St. Augustine (5-4), Grossmont (6-3), Hoover (6-3), Rancho Bernardo (4-5), Westview (4-5), Mt. Carmel (4-5), Mater Dei (5-4), Madison (7-2), Coronado (6-3), Montgomery (6-3), Santana (4-6), La Jolla Country Day (6-3)

San Diego Section
Preseason Rankings
SD Sportswriters/Sportscasters Poll
1. Carlsbad Lancers
2. Oceanside Pirates
3. Helix Highlanders
4. Poway Titans
5. Vista Panthers
6. Escondido Cougars
7. Mission Hills Grizzlies
8. Eastlake Titans
9. Mission Bay Buccaneers
10. St. Augustine Saints
Others: Torrey Pines, Scripps Ranch, Pt. Loma, Cathedral Catholic, Rancho Buena Vista, Otay Ranch, Mt. Miguel, Mira Mesa, Christian, Coronado, El Camino, Valhalla

Week 1 Top 10 Matchups
•Carlsbad 20, St. Augustine 3
•Helix 28, Oceanside 20
•Poway 27, Eastlake 14
•Mira Mesa 31, Vista 7
•Escondido 22, Fallbrook 14
•Mission Hills 20, El Camino 14
•Mission Bay 21, Granite Hills 14

Week 2 Rankings
SD Sportswriters/Sportscasters Poll
(Poll results released Sept. 5)
1. Carlsbad Lancers
2. Helix Highlanders
3. Poway Titans
4. Mission Hills Grizzlies
5. Oceanside Pirates
6. Torrey Pines Falcons
7. Mission Bay Buccaneers
8. Scripps Ranch Falcons
9. Mira Mesa Marauders
10. Rancho Bernardo Broncos
Others: La Costa Canyon, Pt. LOma, Cathedral Catholic, Vista, St. Augustine, Escondido, Rancho Buena Vista, Eastlake, Grossmont, Mt. Miguel, Christian, El Camino

Week 2 Top 10 Matchups
•Helix 14, Lone Peak (Utah) 7
•Poway 7, Mission Hills 6
•Oceanside 27, La Costa Canyon 20
•Eastlake 31, Torrey Pines 14
•Mission Bay 48, Clairemont 16
•Mira Mesa 37, Escondido 14
•Vista 21, Rancho Bernardo 13

Week 3 Rankings
SD Sportswriters/Sportscasters Poll
(Poll released Sept. 12)
1. Carlsbad Lancers (1-0)
2. Helix Highlanders (2-0)
3. Poway Titans (2-0)
4. Oceanside Pirates (1-1)
5. Mission Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
6. Mission Hills Grizzlies (1-1)
7. Mira Mesa Marauders (2-0)
8. Scripps Ranch Falcons (2-0)
9. Eastlake Titans (1-1)
10. La Costa Canyon Mavericks (1-1)
Others: Cathedral Catholic (2-0), Rancho Buena Vista (1-0), St. Augustine (1-1), Torrey Pines (1-1), Vista (1-1), Mt. Miguel (2-0), Christian (2-0), Grossmont (2-0), Lincoln (1-0)

Week 3 Top 10 Matchups
•Carlsbad 14, Helix 10
•Poway 35, Scripps Ranch 13
•Oceanside 42, Escondido 7
•Bonita Vista 30, Mission Bay 14
•Mission Hills 28, West Hills 0
•Mira Mesa 17, Torrey Pines 0
•Eastlake 47, Brawley 0
•Mission Viejo 44, La Costa Canyon 14

Week 4 Rankings
SD Sportswriters/Sportscasters Poll
(Poll released Sept. 17)
1. Carlsbad Lancers 2-0
2. Poway Titans 3-0
3. Helix Highlanders 2-1
4. Oceanside Pirates 2-1
5. Mission Hills Grizzlies 2-1
6. Mira Mesa Marauders 3-0
7. Eastlake Titans 2-1
8. Cathedral Catholic 3-0
9. Vista Panthers 2-1
10. El Camino Wildcats 2-1
Others (in order of votes): Mt. Miguel Matadors (3-0), Scripps Ranch Falcons (1-1), Mission Bay Buccaneers (2-1), Otay Ranch Mustangs (2-0), Ramona Bulldogs (3-0), Lincoln Hornets (2-0), Rancho Bernardo Broncos (2-1), La Costa Canyon Mavericks (1-2), Christian Patriots (2-1), Chula Vista Spartans (3-0).

Week 4 Top 10 Matchups
•Carslbad 27, Cathedral Catholic 24
•Poway 15. El Camino 14
•Helix 7, Santa Fe Christian 7
•Eastlake 35, Steele Canyon 14
•Vista 26, Mission Viejo 14



Week 5 Rankings
SD Sportswriters/Sportscasters Poll
(Poll released Sept. 24)
1. Carlsbad Lancers 3-0
2. Poway Titans 4-0
3. Oceanside Pirates 2-1
4. Mira Mesa Marauders 3-0
5. Mission Hills Grizzlies 2-1
6. Helix Highlanders 2-1-1
7. Eastlake Titans 3-1
8. Vista Panthers 3-1
9. Cathedral Catholic Dons 3-1
10. Chula Vista Spartans 4-0
Others (in order of votes): Mission Bay (3-1), Ramona (4-0), San Pasqual (2-1), El Camino (2-2), Otay Ranch (2-1), RBV (2-1), Scripps Ranch (1-2), El Capitan (3-1), Valley Center (2-1), Santa Fe Christian (1-1-1), Christian (3-1).

Week 5 Top 10 Matchups
•Carlsbad 28, Rancho Bernardo 10
•Poway 35, Fallbrook 6
•Oceanside 30, Eastlake 14
•Mission Hills 35, Valley Center 21
•Helix 35, West Hills 0
•Vista 58, Morse 0
•La Costa Canyon 31, Mira Mesa 3
•San Pasqual 28, Ramona 20
•Otay Ranch 21, Cathedral Catholic 9
•Rancho Buena Vista 29, El Camino 28

Week 6 Rankings
SD Sportswriters/Sportscasters Poll
(Through Oct. 3)
1. Carlsbad Lancers 4-0
2. Poway Titans 5-0
3. Oceanside Pirates 3-1
4. Mission Hills Grizzlies 3-1
5. Helix Highlanders 3-1-1
6. Vista Panthers 4-1
7. Chula Vista Spartans 4-0
8. Mira Mesa Marauders 3-1
9. San Pasqual 3-1
10. Otay Ranch Mustangs 3-1
10. RBV Longhorns 3-1
Others (in order of votes): La Costa Canyon (2-2), Bonita Vista (3-1), Eastlake (3-2), Point Loma (3-2), Lincoln (3-1), Westview (3-1).

Week 6 Top 10 Matchups
•Carlsbad 8, La Costa Canyon 7
•Oceanside 56, Torrey Pines 25
•Mission Hills 13, San Pasqual 12
•Chula Vista 10, Mira Mesa 0
•Rancho Buena Vista 27, Bonita Vista 0
•Sultana (Hesperia) 24, Otay Ranch 6

Week 7 Rankings
SD Sportswriters/Sportscasters Poll
(Through Oct. 8)
1. Carlsbad Lancers 5-0
2. Poway Titans 5-0
3. Oceanside Pirates 4-1
4. Mission Hills Grizzlies 4-1
5. Vista Panthers 4-1
6. Helix Highlanders 3-1-1
7. Chula Vista Spartans 5-0
8. RBV Longhorns 4-1
9. San Pasqual 4-1
10. Otay Ranch Mustangs 3-2
Others (in order of votes): La Costa Canyon (2-3), Mira Mesa (3-2), Point Loma (4-2), Eastlake (3-2), Ramona (5-1), Mt. Carmel (4-2), Cathedral Catholic (3-2), Christian (5-1).

Week 7 Top 10 Matchups
•Oceanside 31, Carlsbad 7
•Poway 20, Torrey Pines 16
•Mission Hills 49, Frontier (Bakersfield) 7
•Helix 43, Valhalla 0
•Rancho Buena Vista 49, Fallbrook 21
•San Pasqual 33, San Marcos 14
•Otay Ranch 21, Chula Vista 17
•El Camino 22, Vista 21


Week 8 Rankings
SD Sportswriters/Sportscasters Poll
(Through Oct. 15)
1. Poway (6-0)
2. Oceanside (5-1)
3. Mission Hills (5-1)
4. Carlsbad (5-1)
5. Helix (4-1-1)
6. Rancho Buena Vista (5-1)
7. San Pasqual (4-2)
8. Chula Vista (5-1)
9. Vista (4-2)
10. Otay Ranch (4-2)
Others (in order of votes): Point Loma (5-2), Eastlake (4-2), Mira Mesa (4-2), La Costa Canyon (3-3), Cathedral Catholic (4-2), Christian (6-1), Valley Center (4-2).

Week 8 Top 10 Matchups
•Poway 38, Westview 14
•Oceanside 49, Rancho Buena Vista 7
•Mission Hills 42, Ramona 3
•Carlsbad 29, El Camino 14
•Helix 49, Granite Hills 0
•San Pasqual 49, Orange Glen 0
•Chula Vista 38, Sweetwater 0
•Vista 21, Fallbrook 7
•Eastlake 14, Otay Ranch 6


Week 9/10 Rankings
SD Sportswriters/Sportscasters Poll
(Through Oct. 22-29)
1. (tie) Poway 7-0
1. (tie) Oceanside 6-1
3. Mission Hills 6-1
4. Carlsbad 6-1
5. Helix 5-1-1
6. Vista 5-2
7. San Pasqual 5-2
8. Chula Vista 6-1
9. Eastlake 5-2
10. Pt. Loma 5-2
Others (in order of votes): La Costa Canyon (4-3), Mira Mesa (5-2), Rancho Buena Vista (5-2), Cathedral Catholic (5-2), Otay Ranch (4-3), Steele Canyon (5-2), Christian (6-1), Valley Center (5-2)

Week 10 Top 10 Matchups
•Poway 41, Mt. Carmel 20
•Oceanside 40, Vista 7
•Mission Hills 21, Escondido 14
•Carlsbad 41, Rancho Buena Vista 36
•Helix 35, Steele Canyon 7
•San Pasqual 45, Valley Center 28
•Bonita Vista 21, Chula Vista 3
•Eastlake 72, Sweetwater 14
•Point Loma 27, La Jolla 3

Week 11 Rankings
SD Sportswriters/Sportscasters Poll
(Through Nov. 6)
1. Poway (8-0)
2. Oceanside (7-1)
3. Mission Hills (7-1)
4. Carlsbad (7-1)
5. Helix (6-1-1)
6. San Pasqual (6-2)
7. Eastlake (6-2)
8. La Costa Canyon (5-3)
9. Pt. Loma (6-2)
10. Cathedral Catholic (6-2)
Others (in order of votes): Vista (5-3), Mira Mesa (6-2), Chula Vista (6-2), Mt. Miguel (6-2), Otay Ranch (5-3), Rancho Buena Vista (5-3), Bonita Vista (6-2), Valley Center (5-3), Christian (8-0).

Week 11 Top 10 Matchups
•Poway 31, Rancho Bernardo 15
•Oceanside 49, El Camino 28
•Mission Hills 49, San Marcos 7 (Discovery Bowl)
•Carlsbad 41, Fallbrook 27
•Helix 48, Monte Vista 7
•San Pasqual 42, Escondido 7
•Eastlake 27, Bonita Vista 16
•La Costa Canyon 30, Torrey Pines 0
•Lincoln 25, Pt. Loma 20
•Cathedral Catholic 42, Mira Mesa 35

Week 12 Rankings
(Final Regular Season)
SD Sportswriters/Sportscasters Poll
(Through Nov. 13)
1. Poway (9-0)
2. Oceanside (8-1)
3. Mission Hills (8-1)
4. Carlsbad (8-1)
5. Helix (7-1-1)
6. San Pasqual (7-2)
7. Eastlake (7-2)
8. La Costa Canyon (6-3)
9. Cathedral Catholic (7-2)
10. Rancho Buena Vista (6-3)
Others (in order of votes): Chula Vista (7-2), Vista (5-4), Christian (9-0), Otay Ranch (6-3), Valley Center (6-3), Steele Canyon (6-3), Mission Bay (7-2-1), Pt. Loma (6-2), Mira Mesa (6-3), Bishop's (9-0), Lincoln (5-4)

Southern League Spotlight
Midway Baptist Patriots go to head of the class in new league for small schools
The Midway Baptist Patriots could be returning to former days of glory with the creation of the new Southern League. The Patriots are charter members of the five-team small schools-oriented circuit. They could end up as its first champion.

The Patriots finished 3-7 last year, 2-4 as members of the Pacific League. Joining them in making the transition from the Pacific League to the Southern League this year are Foothills Christian and Julian. Sun Valley and Christian Life, which played independent schedules last year in start-up seasons for both programs, join the three established teams.

Midway Baptist kicks off 2007 with perhaps the most experienced of the five teams in the new league after losing just three seniors to graduation. Top returners include quarterbacks Joseph Altig, Roland Hansen and A.J. Miller, wide receivers Tim Borgogna and Deleon Dallas and Luis Molina, linemen Josue Diaz and David Miller, and offensive lineman/linebacker Aaron Lazaro. Hansen and Molina are also likely to see action at the safety positions as well on defense.

Lazaro earned first team all-league honors last season on offense.

The Patriots defeated both Foothills Christian and Julian in Pacific League play last year. The question remains how do the two second-year schools — Sun Valley and Christian Life — stack up in 11-man play this season.

Sun Valley, coached by former Midway Baptist coach Jerry Webb, finished 7-3 in its inaugural season and looks to be the Patriots’ top challenger for the first Southern League championship banner. The Falcons lost just one senior to graduation and are benefiting from increased interest on campus.

Braced by 14 returning starters, Julian expects to rebound from a 1-9 season in 2006. Meanwhile, Christian Life, which took its lumps on the field last season at 1-8, looks to struggle once again this year.

Midway Baptist hosts the Escondido Charter White Tigers in a junior varsity-varsity double header Aug. 31 (4 and 7 p.m.) to kick off what could be a highly successful season.

Friday Night Lights
Channel 4 San Diego will showcase prep football once again but the schedule moves from Thursday to Friday nights this season in an effort to broadcast the best matchups. The local sports cable channel has announced the lineup for the first five weeks and, perhaps not surprisingly given their run of success in recent years as well as more affluent population base, it is heavily slated toward North County teams.

The TV game of the week kicks off Aug. 31 with a non-league matchup pitting Division I champion Carlsbad against Division III champion St. Augustine (at Mesa College). Division II champion Oceanside visits defending Palomar League champion La Costa Canyon on Sept. 7, followed by Carlsbad’s prime time collision at Helix on Sept. 14, a North County battle pitting defending Valley League champion Escondido at Rancho Buena Vista on Sept. 21 and an all-East County matchup featuring Grossmont at Valhalla on Sept. 28.

All five games will be telecast immediately following Padres games.

The sports channel’s remaining schedule will be announced at a later date as the standings in the section’s various leagues take shape. Visit www.4SD.com.

Newly announced games include:
Oct. 5 - Mission Bay at Lincoln, 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 - Carlsbad at Oceanside, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19 - Eastlake at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.
Oct. 26 - West Hills at El Capitan, 7 p.m.
Nov. 2 - Helix at Steele Canyon, 7 p.m.
Nov. 9 - San Marcos at Mission Hills, 7 p.m.

College Football Spotlight
Former Monarch standout Mack leads Utah past SDSU

Posted Oct. 18, 2007
Former Monte Vista High School standout Darrell Mack rushed 22 times for a game-high 131 yards and caught a touchdown pass to help lead the Utah Utes past the San Diego State Aztecs in a Mountain West Conference game Oct. 13 in Salt Lake City. The victory was the first in conference play for Utah (1-2, 4-3 overall) and leveled the Aztecs’ conference record at 1-1 (2-4 overall).

Mack, who led the Monarchs with 2,454 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns his senior year in 2004 after earning MVP honors in the San Diego Section II championship game in 2003 (when he rushed 52 times for 254 yards), caught a seven-yard pass from Corbin Louks in the third quarter to seal the Utes’ win, their third straight. Utah had led SDSU 9-7 at halftime.

A junior with two years of varsity experience with the Utes, Mack caught six passes against the Aztecs for 45 yards. His longest run from scrimmage was 27 yards.

For the season, Mack has appeared in six games, rushing 127 times for a team-high 647 yards (107.8 per game average) and scored five touchdowns. He ranks fourth on the team with 16 catches for 112 yards with three touchdowns. The ex-Monte Vista standout leads Utah with eight touchdowns and ranks second in team scoring with 48 points to place-kicker Louis Sakoda (50 points on 11 field goals and 17 PAT conversions).

Mack, who appeared in eight games and rushed for just 143 yards last year, has had a breakout season in 2007. He caught two touchdown passes and rushed for another score in Utah’s 44-6 victory over UCLA on Sept. 15. He totaled 148 offensive yards in the showcase match-up, including 107 rushing yards. He had 132 rushing yards and scored once in the Utes’ 34-18 victory against Utah State on Sept. 29. He totaled 165 rushing yards on 32 carries and scored three times on the ground to lead Utah to a 44-35 non-conference win Oct. 5 at Louisville.

“Darrell Mack is turning into someone that we can count on, and our offensive line did a good job for him,” Utes coach Kyle Whittingham said following the victory against SDSU. “We got 280-plus running yards and you can attribute that to the play of the offensive line.”

Utah next plays Thursday, Oct. 18, at TCU (4-3, 1-2) in a nationally televised game while SDSU hosts New Mexico (1-1, 4-2) in its annual homecoming game Saturday, Oct. 20. Kick-off is 5:30 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium.

BYU (4-2 overall) leads the MWC standings at 3-0, followed by Air Force Academy (4-1, 5-2).

Aztecs notes
•SDSU entered the Oct. 13 game against Utah riding the momentum of its 24-20 victory at Colorado State on Oct. 6 to kick off conference play. Kevin O’Connell (La Costa Canyon) scored three touchdowns and Garrett Palmer (Rialto) kicked a 33-yard field goal to go with three PAT conversions to account for SDSU’s points in the win over the Rams. Brett Swain (Carlsbad) had four catches for 111 yards to lead the Aztecs.

•SDSU linebacker Russell Allen (Vista) earned Mountain West Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors after breaking a 36-year old school record with 22 tackles, including 10 solo stops, in the loss at Utah. Allen’s 22 tackles are one shy of the MWC record.

•Grossmont College alumnnus Brian Stanbra has appeared in four games for SDSU with three assisted tackles to his credit.

•SDSU team leaders include O’Connell (1,447 passing yards, seven touchdowns), RBV grad Brandon Bornes (274 rushing yards, 45.7 game average) and Swain (28 catches for 561 yards, three TDs) on offense and Allen (64 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery) on defense. B.J. Williams (Aurora, Colo.) leads the Aztecs with three sacks while Vonnie Holmes (Palmdale) leads the team with four interceptions. Palmer leads SDSU in scoring with 34 points on six field goals and 16 PAT conversions.

Mountain West
Conference Football
Team Conf. Overall
BYU 3-0, 4-2
Air Force 4-1, 5-2
New Mexico 1-1, 4-2
Wyoming 1-1, 4-2
SDSU 1-1, 2-4
TCU 1-2, 4-3
Utah 1-2, 4-3
UNLV 1-2, 2-5
Colorado State 0-3, 0-6

SDSU Scoreboard
Sept. 8: Washington State 45, SDSU 17
Sept. 15: Arizona State 34, SDSU 14
Sept. 22: SDSU 52, Portland State 17
Sept. 29: #24 Cincinnati 52, SDSU 23
Oct. 6: SDSU 24, Colorado State 20
Oct. 13: Utah 23, SDSU 7

Homegrown talent making strides for SDSU Aztecs

Posted Sept. 28, 2007
The 2007 edition of the San Diego State University football team’s program lists 33 players on its roster who attended high schools in San Diego County, including four freshman recruits. They hail from all reaches of the county — north (15), south (six), west–central (seven) and east (five).

Three of them — running back Brandon Bornes (Rancho Buena Vista), quarterback Kevin O’Connell (La Costa Canyon) and wide receiver Brett Swain (Carlsbad) — both figured prominently in SDSU’s 52-17 non-conference victory against Portland State last Saturday at Qualcomm Stadium as a prelude to SkyShow 32.

It’s only a matter of time before more local talent steps forward to help take leadership roles with the Aztecs, including the five players with East County connections.

Junior offensive lineman Dan Hathaway (Grossmont) and senior defensive back Brian Stanbra (USDHS) are both members of Grossmont College’s national championship team in 2005. Both drew redshirt assignments last year. Stanbra (6-4, 240) has worked hard to bulk up his frame to earn one of two starting positions at defensive end on the final spring depth chart. Hathaway (6-7, 315) finished spring drills as the backup at left tackle to senior Will Robinson (Pomona).

Both did not play in 2006, instead using their redshirt year to bulk up their physical size to play at the Division I level.

While at Grossmont College, Hathaway was part of a defensive line that allowed just 13 sacks in 14 games as the Griffins powered to conference, state and national titles. Stanbra helped Grossmont to a 23-2 record during his two years as a Griffin, earning all-conference honors both years and first team all-state honors as a sophomore.

Stanbra practiced with SDSU last season but did not see any field action. “It kind of happened,” he said with a good-natured smile. “I wasn’t developed enough — too small — to play at defensive end. I was switching off in the spring with B.J. Williams. It was back and forth.”

The two former Griffins are joined by three highly prized 2007 recruits from East County: El Capitan’s Tommie Draheim (offensive line) and Ryan Lindley (quarterback) and Mt. Miguel’s Juan Bolanos (offensive line).
Both Draheim (6-4, 274) and Lindley (6-3, 205) were suited up on the sidelines of last Saturday’s game. Bolanos (6-7, 310) is not expected to join the Aztecs until spring camp.

Lindley earned honors as the San Diego Section Player of the Year in 2006 by passing for 3,521 yards and 35 touchdowns while leading the Vaqueros to a perfect 10-0 regular season and 11-1 finish. He was rated among the top 50 prep signal-callers in the nation — No. 6 in California. He finished his varsity career with 5,741 passing yards and 49 touchdowns.
Draheim played center and defensive tackle on that history-making 2006 El Capitan team, earning all-state (medium schools) honors.

Draheim was an honors student while in high school; Lindley was presented with the Russ Saunders Award by the San Diego Hall of Champions as the section’s top student-athlete in football.

Draheim entered the season listed No. 2 at center on the team’s depth chart behind Trask Iosefa (Ewa Beach, Hawaii) while Lindley shared the No. 2 position with Kelsey Sokoloski (Greenwood Village, Colo.).

Of the 33 players from area high schools, 11 saw action in last Saturday’s victory. O’Connell, Swain, Bornes, offensive linemen Fred Amano (Rancho Bernardo) and Mike Schmidt (Madison) and linebacker Russell Allen all earned starting assignments. Seeing action in replacement/reserve roles were wide receiver Roberto Wallace (Oceanside), running back Brandon Sullivan (Poway), linebacker Marcus Yarbrough (Eastlake), Stanbra and wide receiver Jon Toledo (La Costa Canyon).

O’Connell completed 19 of 31 passes for 443 yards and five touchdowns without an interception while rushing six times for 33 net yards. Swain caught six aerials for 224 yards and three touchdowns — his longest TD jaunt 75 yards. Bornes carried the ball 18 times for 39 net yards, scoring one rushing touchdown, while making four catches for 33 yards.
Allen had one interception while racking up four solo hits and three assists to finish in a tie for second as his team’s second-leading tackler in the game with seven tackles.

Wallace had one catch for nine yards while Sullivan rushed twice for six yards. Yarbrough was credited with three tackles, including two solo hits.

A total of eight players caught passes in the game. O’Connell also connected with Darren Mougey (five catches, 86 yards) and Vincent Brown (two catches, 71 yards) for passing touchdowns. Sokoloski, appearing in reserve duty, completed all three of his passes for 31 yards.

Alston Umuolo scored the Aztecs’ seventh touchdown on a 10-yard fumble recovery. Garrett Palmer kicked a 36-yard field goal and added seven extra-point conversions to round out SDSU’s scoring.

SDSU scored on its opening drive of its Sept. 8 season opener against Pac-10 member Washington State and scored 10 first-quarter points en route to a 45-17 setback. The Aztecs had seven players make their first-ever starts and 18 overall who saw their first career action in an Aztec uniform. Bornes (59-yard run) and Mougey (19-yard pass from O’Connell) each scored touchdowns while Palmer booted a 23-yard field goal.

Bornes rushed for 73 yards on 19 carries in the Aztecs’ 34-13 loss at Arizona State on Sept. 15 while O’Connell passed for 180 yards.

For the season, O’Connell has passed for 896 yards (69-of-113 attempts) with six touchdowns and two interceptions. Swain stands as the Aztecs’ leading receiver with 16 catches for 336 yards and three TDs.

Allen ranks third on the team’s defensive chart with 19 tackles (11 solo hits) with one interceptions and one fumble recovery. Yarbrough has appeared in all three games with seven tackles (four solo hits). Crawford has appeared in two games with one assist. Dunkle appeared in SDSU’s season opener and recorded one one solo hit.

The win against Portland State improved SDSU’s season record to 1-2, 1-0 all-time against Portland State and 10-0 against teams from the Big Sky Conference.

The win was SDSU’s most lopsided since 1996. The Aztecs allowed their fewest rushing yards since 1999 and recorded their highest offensive output since 2002.

SDSU's 52 points were the most in a game since defeating San Jose State, 52-21, on Sept. 24, 2005. The 35 points the Aztecs put up in the first half were the most in the first 30 minutes of a game since a matchup against San Jose State on Nov. 8, 1997, when SDSU also scored 35 points.

SDSU's 596 yards of total offense were the most since recording 632 yards at Hawaii on Dec. 7, 2002. The 474 yards through the air were the most since that same Hawaii game when the Aztecs threw for 507 yards.

Head coach Chuck Long called the victory “a great night.”

“I think we had about 600 yards of total offense and Brett Swain probably had about half of them,” Long said. “It was a great night for him and our offense. The two things that stepped out to me were we created four turnovers on defense and didn’t have any on offense. Once again, so that goes along way in a successful season and we want to continue that trend, I was very pleased. Hats off to Portland State. They did a nice job in throwing the ball. I am really proud of our guys.

“It was a good win, good home opening win I like the fact we had a new sideline and it felt like we were on the home sideline with everyone behind us, the band and the student. It really felt good. We have a big opponent, I told them, ‘Hey let’s enjoy it for a moment but we have a big opponent in Cincinnati coming in this week.”

SDSU (1-2) will host No. 24 Cincinnati (4-0) Saturday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium. The Aztecs will have to shore up their defensive secondary after yielding 445 passing yards to Portland State.

SDSU Aztecs Homegrown Talent
Player Year Position High School
Russell Allen Junior Linebacker Vista
Fred Amano Senior Offensive Line Rancho Bernardo
Victor Andujo Freshman-RS Defensive Back Eastlake
Demetrius Barksdale Freshman Linebacker University City
Austin Bice Freshman Offensive Line Torrey Pines
Garrett Blevens Freshman Linebacker Mira Mesa
Brandon Bornes Senior Running Back Rancho Buena Vista
Ryan Chohany Freshman-RS Tight End Rancho Bernardo
Travis Crawford Junior-Transfer Defensive Back Chula Vista
Freddy Dunkle Senior Linebacker Castle Park
Dan Hathaway Junior-RS Offensive Line Grossmont
Zack Kusnir Freshman Quarterback Whittfield
Terry Love Freshman Wide Receiver Bonita Vista
Eric Miclot Junior Tight End Vista
Marcus Montgomery Junior Wide Receiver Oceanside
Johnny Nguyen Freshman Linebacker Mission Bay
Josh O’Brien Freshman-RS Quarterback Santa Fe Christian
Kevin O’Connell Senior Quarterback La Costa Canyon
Ray Patterson Freshman-RS Defensive Back Crawford
Jose Perez Freshman-RS Defensive Back Oceanside
DeMarco Sampson Sophomore Wide Receiver Castle Park
Mike Schmidt Junior Offensive Line Madison
Bryan Shields Sophomore-Transfer Place-kicker/Punter Bonita Vista
Brian Stanbra Senior Defensive Line USDHS
Brandon Sullivan Freshman-RS Running Back Poway
Brett Swain Senior Wide Receiver Carlsbad
Jon Toledo Sophomore Wide Receiver La Costa Canyon
Roberto Wallace Sophomore Wide Receiver Oceanside
Kyle Williams Freshman Wide Receiver San Diego
Marcus Yarbrough Freshman-RS Linebacker Eastlake

2007 Signing Class
Juan Bolanos Freshman Offensive Line Mt. Miguel
Vincent Camarda Freshman Defensive Back Cathedral Catholic
Tommie Draheim Freshman Offensive Line El Capitan
Ryan Lindley Freshman Quarterback El Capitan

Scholarship is reward for SDSU senior Dunkle
By Scott Hopkins
The transition must have been tough for Freddy Dunkle. But he never gave up.
An all-league defensive player at Castle Park High in 2002, Dunkle didn’t find himself in demand when four-year universities began passing out scholarships. So Dunkle took matters into his own hands.

He walked onto the San Diego State University practice field with attitude and determination filling the scholarship void. But Dunkle had concerns.

“I was afraid I’d feel like I didn’t belong,” he admitted about those first days. But his worries soon proved unfounded as he was quickly accepted by former head coach Tom Craft and all his new teammates.

“From the first day, I felt like a part of the team,” Dunkle said. “When we were on the field, nobody cared who the walk-ons were. Every coach here (at SDSU) has made me feel like a part of the team.”

That was prior to the 2003 season, and Dunkle, now a fifth-year senior, saw his perseverance pay off when he was recently awarded a scholarship that will help him finish his degree in criminal justice.

Dunkle sees himself working soon as a probation officer or in juvenile hall, where many young people might benefit from his never-quit attitude.

“Getting that scholarship and earning the respect of my teammates has been my goal ever since I arrived here,” the 6-1, 230-pound linebacker said after last Saturday’s annual Aztec Family Day scrimmage on their home turf at Qualcomm Stadium.

SDSU head coach Chuck Long, entering his second season after taking over for the departed Craft, has taken note of Dunkle’s efforts, saying, “I have all the admiration in the world for him.”

Known as a hard-hitting tackler, Dunkle currently backs up junior strong side linebacker and defensive captain Russell Allen. But it is on special teams where Dunkle has left his mark — literally — on opposing players. He was named the co-winner of last year’s Iron Man Special Teams Player of the Year with safety Nick Sandford.

As for the upcoming season, Dunkle is proud of the Aztecs’ new-found team unity.

“There is a different attitude this year,” he said. “The approach to practice and dedication to weightlifting shows we all have made a commitment to follow our coaches,” Dunkle explains. “Nobody had to be pressured to show up for 5 a.m. running and 6 a.m. voluntary workouts.”

And if a player wasn’t eager to show up? “I wouldn’t want to be that guy,” Dunkle said shaking his head.

Leadership is not a concern, as Dunkle cites 20-30 players with a take-charge mindset. “I would like to think I’m one of those,” he said.

After all the years of sweat and pain, a bowl game at the end of the upcoming season would be the icing on Dunkle’s Aztec cake. The team has yet to enjoy a winning season in his nearly concluded collegiate career.

For bowl consideration, the team will need to finish at least 6-6. The Mountain West Conference champion receives a berth in the Las Vegas Bowl, which would be just fine with Dunkle. But the second-place team just happens to play in the local Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. “I would love to play at home in front of family and friends,” Dunkle said. Both these outcomes would likely require better than a 7-5 finish.

The Aztecs continue preparations for their Sept. 8 season opener against Washington State in Seattle. The Sept. 22 home opener against Portland State (3:30 p.m. kick-off) also features the annual KGB SkyShow that draws more than 50,000 fans for the post-game spectacular.

Extra hits
•Seniors Ray Bass (safety), Mike Kravetz (offensive line), Nick Osborn (defensive line) and Chaz Schilens (wide receiver), along with Allen (linebacker) and O’Connell (quarterback), were elected by their teammates as team captains for this season.

•Allen has been named to the 2007 Butkus Award Watch List as one of 66 candidates for the annual honor, which is presented to the nation’s best collegiate linebacker. With his 7.3 tackles per game average, Allen finished last season ranked ninth in the conference and among the top 100 nationally. For his career, Allen has 149 total tackles, four pass break-ups and two interceptions to his credit.

SDSU Aztecs kick off 2007 practices
With a successful offseason already under its belt, the San Diego State University football team officially began its preparations for the upcoming 2007 season with a three-and-a-half hour practice Aug, 10 at the Aztecs’ on-campus workout facility.

“It is tough to stand out when you are not in pads, but I thought (wide receiver) Vincent Brown jumped out and (offensive lineman) Fred Amano did as well with his quickness up front,” SDSU head coach Chuck Long said. “I thought those two guys really looked good.”

SDSU ended its first practice with offense against defense, followed by field goals, conditioning and extra drills for the team’s nearly 30 newcomers.

Among the newcomers is former Grossmont College standout Dan Tufele (Morse High School), a junior transfer. The 6-3, 310-pound lineman earned Second Team All-Foothill Conference honors this past season for the 10-2 Griffins, who claimed their fourth-straight conference title.

Tufele joins fellow Grossmont alums Brian Stanbra and Dan Hathaway on the Aztecs’ roster and hikes the number of players with East County connections to five, including recent prep recruits Ryan Lindley (quarterback) and Tommie Draheim (offensive lineman), both from El Capitan.

Quarterback Kevin O’Connell, a product of La Costa Canyon High School, echoed the comments of teammates about the upcoming season and the work put in over the offseason by his teammates.

“I think the coaching staff was really excited about the enthusiasm,” he said. “We did a lot of good things. It was obvious how many players stayed and worked out here over the summer. For the most part I think we are really happy with where we are at.”
Fellow signal-caller Darren Mougey called the first day of practice a “great start.”
“We had players who worked hard all summer and carried that energy out onto the practice field,” he said. “We were excited to finally get on the field with the coaching staff.”

The Aztecs kick off the season with road games at Washington State (Sept. 8) and Arizona State (Sept. 15) before hosting Portland State (Sept. 22) in another non-conference matchup.

SDSU has been picked to finish eighth in the Mountain West Conference in a preseason poll of MWC media members. The Aztecs, who return 15 starters, including nine on the offensive side of the ball, received 56 points. Last year’s runner-up, TCU, was selected to win the conference title after receiving 18 first-place votes and 202 overall. Brigham Young, the 2006 league champion, earned 178 points and three first-place tallies to come in second, while Utah was picked third after garnering 165 points (two first-place votes).

New Mexico was slated to finish fourth (120 points), with Wyoming (fifth place, 110), Colorado State (sixth place, 107) and Air Force (seventh place, 62) finishing ahead of SDSU. UNLV rounded out the poll with 35 points.


2007 Mountain West Conference Preseason Poll
Team Overall points
1. TCU (18) 202
2. Brigham Young (3) 178
3. Utah (2) 165
4. New Mexico 120
5. Wyoming 110
6. Colorado State 107
7. Air Force Academy 62
8. San Diego State 56
9. UNLV 35
Note: first-place votes noted in parentheses.

Grossmont College stops Chaffey 29-7
Grossmont College collected its second Foothill Conference win against one setback after defeating host Chaffey, 29-7, on Saturday, Sept. 29. The Griffins improved to 2-3 overall at the midpoint of the community college regular season.

Six Griffins earned Foothill Conference Player of the Week honors as part of the team’s dominating victory.

•Quarterback Dan Lewis (6-2, 238), a freshman from Tigard, Ore., completed 17 of 32 passes for 196 yards and one touchdown in his first start while freshman running back Michael Yamaguchi (5-5, 190, Pearl City, Hawaii) rushed for 106 yards on nine carries, including an 86-yard TD run that ranks as the second longest in Grossmont history.

•Freshman wide receiver Christopher Smith (6-2, 190, Helix) caught five passes for 108 yards while freshman defensive back Calvin Pearce (6-1, 195, El Cajon Valley) had eight tackles and two sacks.

•Freshman defensive lineman Scott Matheson (6-5, 300, West Lake Village) had five tackles and one sack while freshman defensive back Anthony Shall (6-1, 200, Big Bear) had four pass break-ups, one interception and four tackles.

The Griffins overcame an early 7-0 deficit by scoring the game’s final four touchdowns — all in the second half.

Kimbi Sutton (four-yard run), Jamar Reid (three-yard run) and Kyle Hipp (37-yard pass) all followed Yamaguchi’s blazing 86-yard scoring burst with touchdowns of their own.

Grossmont out-gained Chaffey (1-2, 2-3) in first downs (21-11), rushing yards (219-50), passing yards (266-168) and total offensive yards (485-218).
Chris Smith keyed Grossmont with 108 receiving yards on five catches, including a longest play from scrimmage of 41 yards.

Matt Biggers led Chaffey with 79 rushing yards on 17 carries while David Vazquez passed for 168 yards with one touchdown, three interceptions and four sacks.
For the season, former Valhalla standout Garen Demery ranks as Grossmont’s rushing leader with 163 yards on 31 carries with two touchdowns in three games. Chris Daniels, also in three games, has rushed for 143 yards on 17 carries, followed by Yamaguchi with 139 net yards in five games.

Blake Sutton stands as the Griffins’ passing leader with 853 yards and six touchdowns and four interceptions in four game appearances. In three games, Lewis has passed for 220 yards and one touchdown and one interception.

Grossmont’s receiving leaders include West Hills alum Elijah Brown (12 catches, 200 yards, two touchdowns), Smith (nine catches, 168 yards), Luis Gonzales (nine catches, 133 yards, one touchdown) and Ken Fields (10 catches, 126 yards, one touchdown).

Kaymon Sutton leads the Griffins defense with 30 tackles, including 18 solo hits, while Brett Haase owns a 36.1-yard punting average.

Grossmont hosts College of the Desert Saturday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m. and follows with an Oct. 13 home game against Victor Valley. COD is coming off a 65-24 home game victory against Southwestern.

Pro Football Spotlight
NFL's No. 1 pick making strides as 49ers QB

Posted Sept. 6, 2007
Alex Smith is two seasons removed from his celebrity status as the No. 1 pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. Entering his third season with the San Francisco 49ers, the 2001 Helix High graduate admitted there was much to forget — and learn — from his rookie season.

“There’s nothing that really compares to that. I put a lot of pressure on myself. Sometimes that’s even worse (than everyone else’s expectations),” said Smith, who signed a six-year guaranteed $24 million contract out of the University of Utah. “I was the No. 1 pick. I tried to prove it with every throw.”

Smith did not have the most productive rookie season. He appeared in nine game (seven starts), completed 84 of 165 passes for 875 yards and one touchdown (against 11 interceptions). He rushed for 103 yards on 30 carries and finished with one of the league’s worst quarterback ratings (40.8).

The former Bonita Vista Middle School student set career highs in every category last season, shattering all his rookie marks. He finished with a final quarterback rating of 74.8 — nearly double that of his rookie campaign. He had 257 completions in 442 attempts, passing for 2,890 yards and 16 touchdowns (with 16 interceptions). He rushed 43 times for 147 yards, scoring twice.

Smith set a franchise record by taking every snap from center during the 2006 season, finishing with 34 “explosive” plays of 20 or more yards (compared to just 13 his first season).

While likely wishing to forget his rookie season, Smith said he would like to build on a promising sophomore campaign. He said his third season is finally one filled with expectations,

“The playoffs — whatever it takes,” he said.

The 49ers finished 4-12 in 2005 and improved to 7-9 in 2006.

Smith said the guidance of current Chargers head coach Norv Turner , then San Francisco’s offensive coordinator last year, was the biggest factor in turning around both his expectations and statistics. “His philosophy was geared more toward playing ball. Rather than focusing too much on film and video, it was just go out and play — to react to the plays. I felt I played a lot less robotic,” Smith said.

Smith said he detects an increased confidence level in this year’s team — something that can only bode well. He said it starts with his own position. “With the quarterback showing more experience, I think the team’s fortunes go hand in hand,” he said.

“The thing that’s different from last year is the confidence level of the offense. It’s the little things that stand out — you look around the notice the guys are doing their jobs. The lack of confidence hurt the team last year, especially on offense. I don’t get that sense this year.”

The 49ers finished preseason play 1-3 following their 16-13 loss to the Chargers on Aug. 30. Smith had a rather rude homecoming, finishing a quarter and a half with three completions in eight attempts for 23 yards with one fumble and one interception. He was greeted with a tremendous hit on his first play from scrimmage.

But even reigning superstars might find it difficult to excel against the Chargers defense — one of the NFL’s best. The Chargers finished 14-2 last year and expect to pick up where they left off this season — with some unfinished business, of course (read playoff wins).

“It had been a while since I’d been hit like that. It was nice,” Smith said with a smile. “I got some action for next week. It gets you going. I think the preseason is too long. You want to play hard the opening game. We’re still learning from (the preseason). But getting geared up for Arizona is the real test.”

The 49ers will make their season debut Sept. 10 against the Arizona Cardinals on ESPN’s Monday Night Football telecast. “We’ve been waiting for that one,” Smith said.