Young Wildcats figure to challenge for the title
Coach is new
By Dick Sparrer
Every year, it seems, the Los Gatos frosh-soph football team challenges for the title in the rugged De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League.
And this year should be no different.
Well, that's not entirely true. It will be a little different since longtime frosh-soph coach Scott Downs has moved up the varsity staff and Dale Gustafson, a frosh-soph assistant last year, slides into the head coach position.
But despite the coaching change, the expectations in 2000 are the same as they've always been for the young Wildcats.
"We hope to challenge for league title," said Gustafson. "Our goal is to win at least eight games."
Los Gatos will begin the quest for that goal this week when the Cats host Leland on Sept. 8, 5:15 p.m., at Helm Field.
Leading the Wildcats into action this season will be returning starters Eric Brown, a 6-foot, 185-pound linebacker, and Matt Rose, a 6-foot, 190-pound guard. Special team standouts Derek Tam (5-foot-9, 160) and Brian Miguel (5-foot-8, 150) are other top returners.
Quarterback Alex Rollin (6-foot, 200) is expected to move in and run the offense with tailbacks Miguel, Zac Tabb and Patrick Michaelson leading the ground attack.
"We're very excited for our upcoming season," said Gustafson. "We hope to be very balanced in our offensive attack."
The backs will work behind a talented offensive line that should include Rose, Matt Losch (6-foot, 260), Carter Wallace (5-foot-10, 180), Logan Graff (6-foot, 210), Cormac Ryan (6-foot-2, 210 and Bryce Murray (6-foot, 200).
Cameron Fee (6-foot-2, 175) is a top prospect at wide receiver.
Over on the defensive side, ends Drew Hoffman (6-foot-3, 195) and Dennis Freeman (5-foot-10, 190) are top prospects.
"From the initial look of things, we will have a very stingy defense that most likely will set the pace early on," added the coach.
Gustafson is no stranger to football at the frosh-soph level. Prior to working as assistant on Downs' staff last year, he worked as an assistant at Hillsdale High School in San Mateo from 1992-95 and was the frosh-soph head coach at the school in 1996 and '97, leading the Knights to the Peninsula Athletic League title in 1997.
Gustafson figures the Cats can contend for the title in the De Anza Division this fall, but knows that the road will be a tough one.
"Wilcox and Milpitas are always tough," he said, "and Saratoga will also be strong again this year."
Los Gatos opens the league season on Sept. 28, 3:30 p.m., at Palo Alto.
"We will face some tough tests early in Leland and Leigh, which will get us ready for a rugged schedule," said Gustafson. "Our coaches have set very high standards for ourselves, and our players are working extremely hard."
Gustafson has a capable staff of assistants for the 2000 season, including Doug Allen, Brett Carlson, Dave Johnson, Kevin Reeves, Matt Oetinger, Charlie Wedemeyer, Matt West and Craig Williams.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
