Getting Back on Track vs. Dos Pueblos

Dos Pueblos (2-2)

at Rio Mesa (3-1)

It was bounce back week at Rio Mesa for America's favorite freshman football team. For the first time last week, the Spartans tasted defeat and, as it turned out, didn't like it! Our players responded with a solid week of practice and a great effort in this week's game.

That is not to say that there were not the usual freshman oddities in the pre-game locker room. After seven weeks of practice, a scrimmage and four games one of our defensive starters was observed asking our starting nose guard, Zach Saldana, how the football belt worked. Of course, Zach was more than happy to show him the intricacies of the double D-ring belt. It was wonderful to see teaching and learning taking place plus the sense of awe in the eye of the player Zach was teaching brought a tear to my eye!

Then I observed one of our back-up players putting on his white practice pants with all his knee, thigh, hip and tail pads in place. We wear black pants on game days. Since I was busy preparing equipment for the game, I asked Blake Selig, our fine wide receiver/defensive back who was not suiting up for the game, to tell the player to get the right pants on. Blake then informed me that this was not a mistake, the player in question likes to wear his game pants over his fully loaded practice pants on game days... JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT YOU'D SEEN IT ALL!

#3 DE James "Batman" Turner

James and #11 Tanner Wrout tracking down Dos Pueblos' excellent running back #23 Joshua Bartley. He was hard to handle all game long.

#32 Falcon/Tight End Ben Quantock

Ben picked off this pass on the opening series of the game and returned it 41 yards for the games first touchdown! He would also catch 5 passes for 89 yards and a two point PAT.

#26 Tailback/Free Safety Darren Gales

Darren had a very solid day with 7 carries for 41 yards and a TD. He was also in on 7 tackles and broke up a pass.

#15 Tailback/Cornerback Roderick White

In our Tailback by committee scheme, Roderick had 5 carries for 58 yards and 2 TD's. He also made 8 tackles.

#11 Tailback/Fullback/Falcon Tanner Wrout

Although he occasionally looked like a pregnant longhorn on ice during the first two weeks of practice, Tanner has, BY FAR, been our best, most consistent player in the first half of the season.

His work load against the Chargers was no exception as he had 10 carries for 94 yards and a TD and 4 pass receptions for 52 yards and another TD. On defense, Tanner had 8 tackles, intercepted 2 passes that he returned 10 yards, 1 tackle for a loss of 2 yards and a QB sack that resulted in a 10 yard loss.

His best play of the day in my opinion was on a sweep away from his side by Dos Pueblos' good tailback. It looked like he was gone for a long touchdown but Tanner did not give up on the play and chased him down after a 58 yard run to make a touchdown saving tackle at the 9 yard line. GREAT EFFORT!!!

#40 Tight End Mitch Haerterich

Mitch had a good day catching two passes for 16 yards including this two point PAT grab.

"Me and My Shadow", a great song from days gone by

#67 Caleb Litten and I enjoying a chat at halftime about the current political scene in Guatemala.

#7 Quarterback Trenton Thornton

Another EXCELLENT game by Trenton as he completed 10 of 11 passes for 154 yards, a TD and a two point PAT.

#10 Kicker Jason Ah Sue

Jason has a great work ethic and made 3 of his 4 PAT attempts against the Chargers.

 

#55 Outside Linbacker Sam Zielsdorf

Good pressure on the Dos Pueblos QB here, Sam was in on 3 tackles including a tackle for a loss of 3 yards.

One of Tanner Wrout's 2 interceptions on the day

The 5th Quarter

Here our Offensive Coordinator, Brian FitzGerald, instructs QB Richard 'Slick" Vasquez during the start of the "5th Quarter".

One of the great things about this season to date is that we have had 3 games with 5th Quarters to insure that all of our players who dress out get a chance to compete during 10 offensive and 10 defensive plays after the regular game is over if they didn't get many reps in regulation.

Fortunately, the two games without 5th quarters were games in which we were able to get big leads early and played everyone who dressed out during the regular course of the game.

It has been great to know that for five straight weeks, the only kids who did not get a chance to compete were the ones who were unable to dress due to injury or missed practice time.

#34 Tailback Josh Quolas..."BUST A MOVE!"

#23 Tailback Devin Hinds with his version of the Heisman Trophy pose

To sum up our game, it was a great team win with several players contributing mightily.

The final score was Rio Mesa 43 - DosPueblos 28

Our running game saw seven different backs account for 212 yards on 29 carries, a 7.3 yards/carry average, and 4 TD's.

Our vaunted passing attack completed 11 of 12 passes for 157 yards, 1 TD and two 2 point PAT's.

That adds up to Total Offense figures of 41 plays for 369 yards, 5 TD's, two 2 point PAT's and a very neat 9.0 yards per snap average!

Defensively, 20 different players made at least one tackle. We returned 3 interceptions for a total of 51 yards and a TD. We also had 3 QB sacks for -23 yards and 5 tackles for losses totaling another -15 yards.

It was a great way to finish our non-league schedule at 4 wins and 1 loss. Next week we open the Pacific View League season at home Thursday at 4:00 p.m. against a Channel Islands team that is reportedly 5-0 on the season.

 

UW Huskies Invade the Home of the Arizona Wildcats

Months ago in Catania, Jason and I agreed to meet in Tucson with our wives to watch my Washington Huskies play his Arizona Wildcats in a PAC-10 game. They played last Saturday.

We drove together from Jason and Christie's temporary digs, the home of Adam Johnson, a long time friend of Jason's (no relation), in Rancho Cucamonga to Tucson, about a 6 hour drive with stops to eat and fill up the gas tank. We talked about many things in the car, most importantly to me was the prospects of getting him to return to the Elephants as our QB in 2009. We will still have to wait on a final decision on this one until Christie's job situation is clearer... I'm still hoping.

Sean and Amy Johnson's Halloween festooned home in the desert

When we arrived in Tucson on Friday night we were welcomed into the home of yet another Johnson family, still no relation, Sean and Amy's beautiful home in Tucson. They REALLY take Halloween seriously at their house as you are about to see. That is Sean in black hugging Jason with his daughters Jenna and Jordan in the background.

Jordan and Jake

Every square inch of their large home is covered with something related to Halloween or terror in general. The kids appear comfortable with the Texas Chainsaw Massacre guy moving in to the upstairs area of the house.

The Johnson's were great hosts, have great kids and were fun to be with.

Thanks for the hospitality!!!

Arizona Sunset

Same view a little later

Both of the above pictures were taken from the Johnson's balcony. 

After a great dinner at El Charro's we just had to stop at Frost's for gelato.

Oh my goodness!

On Saturday before the game, Jason took us on a tour of the University of Arizona's campus. First stop was the athletic facilities via the football office. They have two small trophy cases in the reception area and look what I found. Everything you would ever want to know about Jason's Arizona career on a football.

We thought he might have planted this in the case himself as he was in their for a couple of minutes getting permission to tour the building while we waited outside. 

Wildcat Strength Facility

I like slogans!

Pre-game meal at the Frog and Firkin

After the tour of the McKale Center's athletic facilities, we made our way into this nearby restaurant where it is rumored that Jason's mother was first introduced to Long Island Iced Teas. We sat, ate, talked and people watched for the better part of two hours.

Christie was asked to show her ID card to prove that she was old enough to drink alcoholic beverages. We were asked if we were Jason or Christie's parents...

 

We just wanted to enjoy a quiet moment at the Frog and Firkin...

Behind us is the "Old Main" 

This was the first building erected on the University of Arizona's campus. We passed it on our way to the tailgating area.

This cool "Dia de los Muertos" style skeleton is permanently on display outside of a building on the U. of A.'s Mall.

The College Football Ritual of Pre-Game Tailgating

The Wildcats set up their tailgates on the University's Mall.

BBQ Pig anyone?

Out of nowhere, an Arsenal Gunner fan, proudly wearing his colors, walked by us!

We had to celebrate being atop the English Premier League Table while we still could.

Where is Ben Todd when you need him?

Husky Alumni Tent

At every road game the Huskies set up a tent to welcome Alumni Dawgs. They serve food and entertain us with the band and cheerleaders.

#6 Sonny Sixkiller

Sonny was the record setting QB of the Huskies in the 1970's just after I graduated. He is known for his GREAT sense of style when it comes to clothes!

Time to attack the Stadium

Young kids forced to take sides by their parents!

Making our way to our seats

We will be sitting in the lower loge seats, i.e., the bottom level of the Luxury boxes you see at the top of the stands.

The great view from our seats

Yes, we do have leg room, the seats are wide and the free food and drink is part of the deal!

Again, a HUGE thanks to Sean and Amy Johnson for letting us have two of their season tickets to enjoy the game in such a wonderful setting!!!

Close up view of the field during a rare Husky kickoff

Old Style

This is the facade of the south endzone side of the stadium. It is actually still two sets of dorms that can only be entered from the street and no, the back of the dorm rooms offer no views of the game. The stadium's seats are the back wall of the dorms, I'm guessing that very little studying or sleeping goes on in these two dorms during a game.

 

Oh, the game itself? Arizona (4-1) was able to eke out a victory over the Huskies (0-5) 48-14. How can we lose when we are SO sincere?

As an afterthought to the Los Angeles Dodgers three game sweep of the National League Division Series, I would have to concur with a Cub fan I met this weekend in Tucson that the Chicago Cubs performance indeed  merited screaming "PIECE OF CRAP!" at the television repeatedly.

The three day weekend ended with the long drive back to Camarillo. We had a smashing good time with Christie and Jason. They are GREAT people and I really do miss seeing them on a daily basis like we did sharing Malibu in Catania.

Frosh Spartans Suffer the Agony of Defeat

St. Francis (3-0)

at Rio Mesa (3-0)

Two undefeated teams battled hard for three quarters with St. Francis holding a slim 16-14 lead as the fourth quarter started. The Golden Knights outlasted the Spartans and won the game 30-14 to hand Rio Mesa its first loss of the season.

#11 Tanner Wrout

Seen here running over a defender early in the game, Tanner played hard gaining 31 of the paltry 33 yards rushing we had against St. Francis' stout defense. He also had four tackles on defense.

#9 Jaylen Stewart

Jaylen is setting up here to throw a Sweep Pass, will it work...

#2 Payton Palmer-Newton

... YES, to perfection! Touchdown Spartans!

#32 Ben Quantock

Ben would be our co-Player of the Game with 7 catches for 90 yards and a TD from his tight end spot. He also forced a fumble from his spot at Falcon.

#11 Tanner Wrout showing off his tackling form

#7 Trenton Thornton throwing to #32 Ben Quantock

Our other co-Player of the Game, QB Trenton completed 10 of his 14 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown. His passing kept us in the ball game.

#32 Ben Quantock trying out a new move

#42 Punter Alex Torres boomed a 50 yard punt on this attempt!

On the plus side, this was our first game without turning the ball over. Our passing attack was very efficient as we threw our first two TD passes of he season.

We will need to get much better in our run blocking and tackling to win this week.

Football is TRULY such a simple game, blocking and tackling, imagine that...

We will be at home again this Thursday at 4:00 p.m. vs. Dos Pueblos H.S. from the Santa Barbara area. We have no idea how good they are as they have played their four games against teams out of our area, San Luis Obispo, Lompoc Cabrillo, Lompoc and Santa Maria Righetti. We WILL work harder to earn the right to win these next few days.

Italian Football League News on American TV

Time Warner Cable has a Ventura County High School Football Game of the Week every Friday night during the season. Last Friday's game was Rio Mesa at Agoura. During halftime they ran a clip on American football in Italy based on former Thousand Oaks H.S./Harvard University wide receiver Corey Mazza and myself.

Corey was a great WR for the Parma Panthers and I coached the Catania Elephants as you may have heard.

2008 Parma at Catania game action

Corey Mazza on the left after the game

If you want to see the Time Warner piece on the Italian Football League, click on the link below.

http://www.twcsocalnews.com/index.php?option=com_seyret&Itemid=26&task=videodirectlink&id=1102

Canadian Invasion of Ventura County

Christie and Jason, my housemates in Catania, arrived in Camarillo Sunday night as the latest stop in their multinational world tour! Of course the fair city of Camarillo rolled out the red carpet for our friends.

First Camarillo city highlight, Casa Contreras

After hosting the Washington friends Valentine's Day party the night before, Casa Contreras was able to make the smooth transition to hosting our Edmonton globetrotting amici.

Although we had not seen each other since leaving Catania in mid-July, we all just picked up where we left off except Jason was no longer sporting his man purse.

As our evening went along, I realized how much I missed being around these two young people. They really are like a part of our family! It was so much fun to hang out with them again for a few hours.

The love couple at Camarillo Cronies

In Sicily, Jason and Christie heard me talk many times about our favorite locals hangout in Camarillo, Cronies Sports Grille. Naturally we went there Sunday night to eat, drink and watch the Chicago Bears beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-20 on the Sunday night game.

GOOD TIMES INDEED!

Look who was hanging out at Cronies with us...

None other than former World Champion Junior Middleweight Champion Fernando Vargas who grew up in nearby Oxnard and now lives in Camarillo.

As luck would have it, Jason is a BIG boxing fan and the Champ was one of his favorites. At least that was our story to get this picture taken and we are sticking to it!!!

Actually, Jason admitted that he once saw the movie "The Champ" with Ricky Schroeder and cried at the end. Close enough...

Group Photo at Cronies

We have a regular at Cronies who we have nicknamed "Slappy". When he walked in to Cronies he thought Jason and Christie were David and Posh Beckham. Hence his nickname.

As luck would have it, if you can blow up this picture, there are a few items of interest on the wall behind us.

The red bordered picture on the top left is of our godson Scott Fujita when he played for the Kansas City Chiefs. To the right of that picture is one of Scott's mom and dad, Helen and Rod, with Scott, Laurie and me at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio when the Chiefs played the Green Bay Packers in the Hall of Fame game about six years ago.

Framed behind us is a black Rio Mesa H.S. football game jersey. Rio Mesa is where I coach during the Elephants' off-season.

The picture on the top right is of a baseball player in a Seattle Mariners uniform. As you may recall, Jason grew up in the Seattle suburb of Puyallup as a Mariner fan. The player in the picture was a star relief pitcher for the Mariner in the 1990's who was instrumental in their drive for a World Series berth, graduated from Rio Mesa H.S. in 1989 and, as it turns out, was one of Jason's favorite sports heroes in Seattle as he grew up.

The name of this legendary Mariner pitcher...BOBBY AYALA!!!

BAM and AMAZING all in one!

Our adventures together will continue this weekend when the four of us drive down to Tucson, Arizona to see if Jason's 3-1 Arizona Wildcats can come up with some sort of a game plan to defeat my 0-4 Washington Huskies Saturday night. It should be nothing short of amazing!