|
In the game of football, there is one universal rule for success, no matter what level: If a defense can stop the opponent’s running game, that team has a very good chance to win. Now, that is not always the case, especially at the professional level. But at the high school level, where many teams run the ball a majority of the time, stopping the ground attack is paramount to success.
Which leads the Sports Lounge to believe that there are a lot of deficient defenses in the Peninsula Athletic League. How else to explain the abundance of rushing yardage this year? Just off the top of my head, I can name 10 players who could rush for at least 1,000 yards — usually the benchmark for a successful running back. Eight of the 10 are virtual locks.
One thousand yards rushing at the high school level means averaging at least 100 yards per game over a 10-game schedule. Granted, staying healthy for a full season helps but as long as they guys don’t get hurt, 1,000-yard seasons are in the cards.
Can’t miss: Amir Carlisle (The King’s Academy), Ilan Lesov (Burlingame), Adonis Smith (Serra) and David Rango (San Mateo). All four of these runners go into this weekend’s play with over 900 yards rushing. Even a subpar performance from any of these four — and subpar for these guys would be rushing for ONLY 100 yards in a game — would get them to the 1,000-yard plateau.
On their way: Matt Walter and Chris Gaertner (Sacred Heart Prep), Dominic Sena and Josh Dunne (Half Moon Bay). These guys have already surpassed the 600-yard mark through the midway point of the season. As long as they keep their average per game up, they are assured of reaching the mark.
Outside chance: Rudy Galli and Shadi Azar (South City), Leeroy Richardson III (The King’s Academy). These teammates have been the one-two punch for the Warriors. Galli is just over the 500-yard halfway through the season and Azar, who was banged up earlier in the year, is just under 500. As long as Galli maintains his 111 yards per game mark, he’ll reach 1,000. Azar, who is averaging just over 90 yards per contest, will have to pick up the pace.
Richardson, playing behind Carlisle, is having a decent season with over 400 yards rushing thus far. He’ll need to have a big finish to the season and if anyone can slow down Carlisle, Richardson should benefit.
***
There is no question the Menlo School volleyball team — a three-time defending Central Coast Section Division IV champion — is struggling this season. The Knights have just one win in West Bay Athletic League play and are in danger of missing out on CCS altogether unless they step up their play.
But when you consider how much talent the Knights have lost to graduation over the last few years, it really puts into perspective just how good those CCS championship teams were.
Four starters from last year are playing significant roles for their college teams. Molly Bagshaw, a three-year varsity setter at Menlo, has become the starting setter at Princeton and leads the Tigers in assists.
Lizzie Hale, a three-year middle blocker for Menlo, worked her way into the University of Miami lineup as a serving specialist early in the season and her all-around game now has her as a major contributor for the Hurricanes.
Alexis Schwartz, a defensive specialist for the Knights, has assumed the libero duties at New York University in the last couple of weeks but has been a regular part of the rotation the entire season.
Eliza Pyne is having a monster year at Division III Bates College in Maine. She earned a starting spot during the preseason and has done nothing to make the coach regret that decision. She led the team in kills in the first two matches of the season and currently leads the team in blocks and is second on the team in hitting efficiency.
Members of Menlo’s 2007 championship squad are also finding success at the college level. Aly McKinnon leads Williams College in service aces and is fifth on the team in digs.
Natalie Sandman is contributing at Harvard while Katherine Gorman played one season at Cal before giving up the sport to pursue other interests.
Meanwhile, 2005 Menlo grad Alex Fisher is performing on the biggest stage as a significant contributor at Stanford.
***
In other Menlo School news, Danny Diekroeger will be joining older brother Kenny at Stanford University next fall. Danny Diekroeger is currently lighting up opponents as the Knights’ quarterback, but he’ll join Kenny on the Cardinal baseball team.
Jamin Ball will be joining Stanford’s tennis team.
Nathan Mollat can be reached by e-mail: nathan@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 117. |