Ocean Division Capsules

2003 Record: 7-3 overall, 4-3 Ocean Division

Returning starters: 10

2004 Schedule (Home games in CAPS): Sept. 10 at Washington-SF, 3:15 p.m.; Sept. 17 at Aragon, 3:15 p.m.; Sept. 24 at Riordan, 3:15 p.m.; Oct. 1 MILLS, 3 p.m.; Oct. 8 JEFFERSON, 3 p.m.; Oct. 15 at Hillsdale, 3 p.m.; Oct. 22 HALF MOON BAY, 3 p.m.; Oct. 29 WOODSIDE, 3 p.m.; Nov. 5 at Sequoia, 7 p.m.; Nov. 13 at South City, 2 p.m.

Outlook: With the entire offensive line coming back intact, the Colts have a chance to move back into the Bay Division with a solid season.

Senior center Roberto Garcia (5-10, 185) is the smallest on the line that feature two tackles over 300 pounds - junior Joseph "Big Show" Herrera (6-4, 325) and senior Adam Stokes (6-5, 325). The guards are no pee-wees, with senior David Jweinat (6-3, 265) and senior captain Niko Paraiso who is a three-year starter.

Replacing departed do-everything quarterback Calvin Roberts won't be an easy chore, but the Colts will probably split up the passing and running duties this season. Dupre Miller gets the call under center and has shown to be a tremendous athlete. He was named the Ocean Division Player of the Year in baseball in the spring. Senior David Goff will handle some of rushing chores with the size to play fullback and the speed of a tailback.

Coach Eric Jacobson is excited to see what twins Travis and Dakota White can do. Neither played last season but Jacobson believes they have the talent to spread the field. Joining them is junior Myron McDaniel, who won the PAL frosh-soph 100 meter titles his freshman and sophomore seasons.

"I want an offense that has these three guys at wide receiver," Jacobson said. "Let's spread the field and see if [teams] can cover us."

El Camino's success will hinge on its ability to be competitive early in the season and stay healthy. With games against Washington-San Francisco, Aragon and Riordan, the Colts will find out what kind of team they have.

"If we can be healthy through the first three games, we have a shot at winning the next seven," Jacobson said. "If we can compete with those three teams, we'll be OK."

Half Moon Bay Cougars

Coach: Matt Ballard

2003 Record: 4-5 overall, 3-4 Ocean Division

Returning starters: 8

2004 schedule (Home game in CAPS): Sept. 10 SCHURR, 7 p.m.; Sept. 17 MONTEREY, 6:30 p.m.; Sept. 23 JEFFERSON, 7 p.m.; Oct. 1 at Sequoia, 7 p.m.; Oct. 8 SOUTH CITY, 7 p.m.; Oct. 15 at Mills, 3 p.m.; Oct. 22 at El Camino, 3 p.m.; Oct. 29 HILLSDALE, 7 p.m.; Nov. 5 at Woodside, 7 p.m.; Nov. 12 TERRA NOVA, 7 p.m.

Outlook: In his first year on the job, coach Matt Ballard took a team that didn't win a game in 2002 and guided the Cougars to a respectable mark in 2003. This year, Ballard and the Cougars hope to take another step to returning to the Bay Division.

"We have a pretty upbeat, strong junior class coming up. We're a pretty dedicated team," Ballard said.

The Cougars' biggest strength should be a running back, where Ballard said "we have about four [who] can play there."

Two of the three are seniors with Steve Adragna and Nico Morales providing the leadership. Both played a lot last season and will have to step up in helping guide the younger players. Look for junior Mike Seaton to make an impact as well as the season wears on.

"He's a hard hitter with a smart football sense," Ballard said of Seaton.

Both Seaton and Morales will also start at linebacker for Half Moon Bay.

Triggering the offense is senior Nick Colvin, who is also a basketball and baseball standout for the Cougars. He replaces Riley Bateman, a three-year starter before graduating in the spring. Colvin played a bit last season after not playing his sophomore year. He worked hard in the offseason preparing for the starter's job.

"He did a lot (in the summer). A lot of passing league," Ballard said. "He knows (the offense)."

Ballard expects big things from a trio of juniors who are playing at the varsity level for the first time. Richard Herbert will be in the running back and linebacker mix and Ricky Simms should make an impact at wide receiver, defensive back and linebacker. Marshall Whelen, a defensive end, started on the frosh-soph team last season.

"He's really tenacious and quick," Ballard said.

With junior players taking 18 of 31 varsity spots, look for Half Moon Bay to make a strong push for an Ocean Division championship next season.

Jefferson Indians

Coach: Mike DeNatale

2003 record: 2-8 overall, 2-5 Ocean Division

Returning starters: 15

2004 schedule (Home games in CAPS): Sept. 11 at Riordan, 1 p.m.; Sept. 17 BALBOA, 7 p.m.; Sept. 23 at Half Moon Bay, 7 p.m.; Oct. 1 HILLSDALE, 7 p.m.; Oct. 8 at El Camino, 3 p.m.; Oct. 15 at Woodside, 7 p.m.; Oct. 22 at South San Francisco, 7 p.m.; Oct. 29 SEQUOIA, 7 p.m.; Nov. 5 MILLS, 7 p.m.; Nov. 12 MENLO SCHOOL, 7 p.m.

Outlook: The Indians have not had too much trouble scoring over the past few seasons. Their biggest problem has been stopping people.

"We've been having defensive problems. We always score," said coach Mike DeNatale. "The problem has been stopping people. We're a little bigger up front so now we can stop that."

DeNatale said this year's senior class is the most dedicated group he's had in his three years at Jefferson, something he noticed their freshmen year. As such, the team has incorporated an almost year-round training regime, something he hopes will pay off with more wins in 2004.

"This is the first time we've had committed individuals to do year-round training," DeNatale said. "I have to hand it to our staff."

The Indians are set on the offensive and defensive lines, which should be a strength this season. Seniors Ako Poti and Max Borjon give Jefferson a set of massive bookends at the tackle positions, both offense and defense. Both tip the scales near 300 pounds, with Poti at 6-4 and Borjon 6-1. Another big contributor is Isaac Maiava (6-3, 285) who is academically eligible for the first time. Also helping out on the line will be Joe Quiocho, Kevin DeNatale and Jonah Meafua. While Jefferson is not deep on the lines, the player's flexibility allows DeNatale to shuffle them around.

"All those guys have been playing varsity," DeNatale said.

The running back and wide receiver positions are also capably covered. The backfield consists of two seniors - battering ram fullback Bennie Bow (6-0, 245) and lightning-quick tailback Patrick Holmes, who may be the fastest player in the county.

"Both started last year," DeNatale said. "They weren't just scrubs. It's extremely important they've experienced play at the varsity level."

Laquan Woods, who DeNatale said "was our passing attack" last season, should get some help from junior J.R. Tan.

The Indians' biggest question mark is at quarterback. Juan Perez is tentatively penciled in at the position until Johnny Lopez can iron out some issues.

"We want (Perez) to develop as quickly as possible," DeNatale said. "We need to see if he can lead the team."

If Jefferson can stay healthy and execute properly, don't be surprised to see the Indians near the top of the Ocean Division standings.

South San Francisco Warriors

Coach: Frank Moro

2003 record: 3-7 overall,

1-6 Bay Division

Returning starters: 10

2004 schedule (Home games in CAPS): Sept. 10 GALILEO, 7 p.m.; Sept. 18 at Lincoln-SF, 2 p.m.; Sept. 24 at Newark Memorial, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 1 WOODSIDE, 7 p.m.; Oct. 8 at Half Moon Bay, 7 p.m.; Oct. 15 at Sequoia, 7 p.m.; Oct. 22 JEFFERSON, 7 p.m.; Oct. 29 MILLS, 7 p.m.; Nov. 5 vs. Hillsdale at Burlingame High, 7 p.m.; Nov. 13 EL CAMINO, 2 p.m.

Outlook: With nearly two dozen players returning and 10 returning starters, the Warriors stay in the Ocean should be relatively short-lived. Add to that a relatively large team by Ocean standards - 45 on the varsity roster - and the Warriors should challenge for one of the top spots.

"We played a lot (of underclassmen) last year," said second-year coach Frank Moro. "We had a lot guys get injured last year and a lot of juniors were asked to play.

"We started in the Ocean (Division) and spent about four years there. We moved up to the Bay where we just had one down year."

Junior quarterback Eric Moore, was not one of those players who saw extended playing time. He started at wide receiver for the frosh-soph team last season but is being asked to throw to them this season.

"He looks like a quarterback," Moro said of the 6-3, 210 pound Moore. "He had a good scrimmage."

Moore will have a large corp of receiver to throw to including seniors Vonshay Cabarras and Justin Whitly, who did not play last season. Junior Eric Gulbech gives South City depth while sprinter Ryan Johnson provides speed.

The Warriors will also be stacked at the running back position, beginning with the versatile Kenape Eliapo. Moro can and will play Eliapo (6-0, 265) at any of four different positions - fullback, offensive and defensive lines and linebacker.

"We move him all over the place," Moro said. "He's really athletic."

Others to work into the mix are Eric Francis and Raul Lira.

With plenty of talent on offense, Moro believes the key to his team's success rests on the play of the lines.

"We're really confident with the skill positions," Moro said. "If the offensive line and defensive lines come together, we should be OK."

- Nathan Mollat