Primed for another run

In 2010, Poulos guided the team to an undefeated Peninsula Athletic League Lake Division title and into the Central Coast Section Division II championship game.

This year, the Cherokees are hoping to take that last step and win not only the Peninsula Athletic League Ocean Division title, but the whole ball of wax. This might just be the team to do it. Led by third-year starting quarterback James Beekley, one of the best two-way players in the league in senior Josh Lauese, along with a strong supporting cast, Sequoia has the tools to make such a run.

But Poulos knows to take it one step at a time.

"We need to be competitive in the Ocean (Division first),” Poulos said. "If we’re competitive in the Ocean, everything else will take care of itself.

” Sequoia had one of the highest octane offenses in the PAL last season, averaging over 35 points per game. That offense was triggered by Beekley, who has developed into a Division I-caliber quarterback.

And while Beekley was effective last year in both the running and passing department, he has a chance to be even better this season.

"I think we have a few more receiver weapons for him. He’ll have a chance to show his arm a little more this year. Last year, we were so ground oriented,” Poulos said. "This year, he’ll get a chance to throw the ball a little more. He throws a really good ball.

” Dalton Diaz, who caught the game-winning pass against Carlmont in overtime to secure the Cherokees’ spot in the playoffs, will pair with Gabe Ortiz, one of the fast sprinters in the PAL, as Beekley’s main receiving weapons.

But they will be far from alone as Poulos will rotate a number of players at both receiver and running back.

"[The receivers] all hooked up with James over the summer and just worked on timing,” Poulos said. "It’s starting to pay off.

” While Lauese will probably start games at running back, he will have plenty of help to keep him fresh to play on defense. Dylan Anderson, Matt Jenkins, Mike Taylor and Jordan Veamau will also see plenty of carries out of the backfield.

Jenkins, only a sophomore, appears to be the heir apparent to Lauese. He was the Cherokees’ kicker last year as a freshman, as well as a starting linebacker. He will add more running duties to his list this year and is constantly looking to do everything right.

"He’s fast and athletic and strong as heck,” Poulos said of Jenkins. "It’s kind of funny to watch him sometimes. He’s so self critical. … (But) he seems to be able to turn the page.”

Both the offensive and defensive lines are big, but are more athletic than last year, which Poulos believes is a bonus. Julian Bertero, Filipo Fatele, Cooper Knudsen, Avhineet Ram, Nehemiah Teputepu are all well over 200 pounds and will alternate on both the offensive and defensive lines.

"The defense is looking good. It’s looking different,” Poulos said. "We’re not as big as we were last year, but we’re swarming to the ball. Our guys are getting used to that. Guys are moving a little quicker.

"We need to be more … mobile, more football savvy. (But) we’re still going to punch you in the mouth. We’re still going to run (the ball) down your throat when we can.”

The leader of the defense — and quite possibly the heart and soul of the team — is Lauese, who is a beast at linebacker. Arguably one of the biggest hitters in the PAL, he is also getting Division I looks. Jenkins will also man a linebacker spot and Poulos is expecting big things out of Bertero from the defensive end.

While Poulos won’t have many players playing both ways full time, most of the players do have positions on both sides of the ball, as well as know a couple positions on either offense or defense. Poulos said one of the team’s strengths, "is the fact we’re interchangeable. We have guys playing at two different positions.

"Our guys seem a little more flexible this year,” Poulos continued. "If we have to move them, they’ll be able to play that position.”