Mills needs others to step up

Lataimua can bench-press 335 pounds, squat 455, power clean 315 and dead lift 500. He's one of the most powerful players to ever come through Mills, and his importance to the team cannot be overstated. Lataimua literally never left the field last season, playing every single down. Moss is hoping that doesn't happen this season, but due to the team's low numbers (28-man roster), Moss can ill afford to take his best player off the field.

"I'm trying to stress to the other guys (reserves) to step up and take a position," Moss said. "Give us a series so players like Tevita don't have to play on special teams. It would be nice if I could take him off the field, but right now I don't have that luxury."

Mills is coming off a 2-8 season, but against the teams it will play in the Lake Division this season -- El Camino, Capuchino, Sequoia and Hillsdale -- it went 2-2, with both losses coming by a combined eight points. So it's no wonder then that Moss is plenty optimistic entering the upcoming season. The third-year Mills coach knows everything will be fine if -- and it's a big if -- his starters stay healthy.

"Our biggest concern and fear every game on every snap is someone getting hurt," Moss said. "Last year our studs ran out of gas (towards the end of the season) because they were playing every snap of every game. We need to get them some rest every once in a while."

The Vikings have seven returning starters, all of whom played both sides of the ball. It's a strong core group with plenty of experience. That's the good news. The bad news is there are three to four players who are expected to play a key role who don't have a single snap of varsity experience.

One of those players is sophomore quarterback Brandon Berkovatz, whose future on the varsity was fast-tracked a bit because Moss wanted a legitimate passing threat this year to complement the team's strong ground game. Mills threw all of 30 passes last year -- yes, for the entire season. At 6-5 and 180, Berkovatz possesses a strong arm.

The key is getting the signal-caller comfortable and up to varsity speed. Berkovatz will be at ease in at least one respect because his brother Anthony -- a three-year varsity standout -- will be playing tight end and defensive end. Sam Warring, a 5-9, 155-pound burner, will be the team's vertical threat at receiver.

The Vikings' passing attack won't have to be great; it just has to be respectable. That's because Mills should be potent on the ground once again, with Lataimua, wing back Erik Kramer and tailback Jared Puamau all returning in Mills' triple-option fly offense. The trio accounted for 90 percent of the team's total offensive output last year, and expect that number to be similar this season.

Center Blaine Mapa returns to anchor an offensive line that will include newcomers Jeff Shu, Johann Zapata, Nick Armanasco, Matt Matilla and Kelvin Ip. How quickly the line jells will be a key issue. Moss likes the potential of his unit but knows they must come together right out of the gate.

"I feel really good about our line," Moss said. "We're not asking them to pancake people, but we're asking them to be scrappy and tenacious. It will be a work in progress, but I feel they'll get better with experience."

One area where the Vikings don't need help is at linebacker. Mapa, David So, Zapata and Billy Austin lead the strength of the defense and all four are adept at reading the defense and making plays. If the Vikings can stay relatively injury-free, they'll have a legitimate shot of winning the Lake. If they don't ...

"God forbid because then we'll be hurting," Moss said.

Coach: Packy Moss

2008 record: 2-3 Ocean Division 'A,' 2-8 overall

Returning starters: 7

Key returners: Tevita Lataimua (sr., FB/LB, 5-11, 210); Erik Kramer (sr., WB/DB, 6-1, 175); RB Jared Puamau (sr., RB, 5-10, 170).

Key newcomers: OT Jeff Shu (so., OT, 6-4, 225); QB Brandon Berkovatz (so., QB, 6-5, 180).

2009 Schedule: 9/12 at Los Altos, 1:30 p.m.; 9/19 at Mountain View, 1:30 p.m.; 9/25 at Half Moon Bay, 6 p.m.; 10/2 at Monte Vista Christian-Watsonville, 7:30 p.m.; 10/10 at Stagg-Stockton, 2 p.m.; 10/16 JEFFERSON, 3 p.m.; 10/23 EL CAMINO, 7 p.m.; 10/30 HILLSDALE, 3 p.m.; 11/6 at Sequoia, 7 p.m.; 11/13 at Capuchino, 3 p.m.