They didn't want to kick the football in his direction, they didn't want to throw the football in his direction and, most of all, they didn't want to see him running with the football in any direction.

Unfortunately for them, teams couldn't keep the ball away from Los Gatos' Derek Tam, and because of it he led the Wildcats to a 6-0 finish in the De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League.

So when it came time to select to the all-league team in the division a few weeks back, the opposing coaches showed Tam the respect he had earned on the field.

The senior was named the most valuable player in the division after leading the Wildcats to a championship in the De Anza Division.

Whether as a wide receiver, running back, defensive back or kick returner, Tam could be a determining force on a football field. He was even a talented punter for the Wildcats.

Tam topped a list of 18 Wildcats who won all-league recognition this fall, and he was one of five Cats to finish among the special award winners.

Senior linebacker Travis Howell was picked the division's outstanding defensive player and senior John Allen, a two-way tackle, was named the outstanding lineman.

Senior defensive tackle Andrew O'Gorman won the league award as outstanding defensive lineman and senior cornerback Andy Betzina was the league's outstanding defensive back, sharing the award with Mike O'Leary of Milpitas.

Nailing positions on the all-league first team offense were seven Los Gatos seniors—running back Dennis Freeman, quarterback Alex Rollin, wide receiver Cameron Fee, tight end Scott Drew, center Carter Wallace and guards Matt Rose and Logan Graf.

Claiming all-league spots on the first team defense were five more Gatos seniors—noseguard Brian Miguel, cornerback Shaun Sullivan, strong safety Brett Cavanagh, inside linebacker Eric Brown and outside linebacker Drew Hoffman.

Junior placekicker Nick Reimnitz was named the all-league kicker.

Los Gatos finished the season with a 12-0-1 record overall, tying St. Francis 21-21 in the Central Coast Section (CCS) Division 3 championship game.

"That game was a real battle of two very good teams," said Los Gatos coach Butch Cattolico.

The game marked the end of an impressive run for the Los Gatos seniors. Most of them enjoy a combined four year record of 49-1-1 and two of them—Howell and Rose—boast a three-year varsity record of 38-0-1, including three league crowns and three CCS titles. No players in the illustrious history of Los Gatos football have played as many varsity games as Howell and Rose.


Leigh all-leaguers

Senior running back Chris Orozco was named the offensive player of the year and junior Erik Schlief was picked the outstanding offensive lineman for Leigh when the coaches of the Blossom Valley Athletic League's Mt. Hamilton Division selected their all-league team.

Linebacker Aaron Cervantez, offensive lineman Chris Galvez, wide receiver Mo Zahriya and running back Tom Delash were seniors picked to the all-league first team, and offensive lineman Bryan Face, quarterback Steve Keeley, defensive end Ruben Rodriguez and defensive back Mike Castaneda were seniors on the all-league second team.

In girls volleyball, Leigh sophomore outside hitters Heidi Steinbrunner (first team) and Nicole Carson (second team) were named to the all-league list in the Santa Teresa Division.


Westmont all-league

Westmont won its share of football all-league honors in the Santa Teresa Division with senior quarterback Bryen Blankenship and junior cornerback Burt Codera topping the list.

Blankenship was picked the division's most outstanding offensive back and Codera was named the league's most outstanding defensive back.

Linebackers Robert Jennings and Jacob Goytia and defensive back Brian DeWitt, all seniors, were named to the all-league first team defense.

Claiming all-league second team honors were senior running back Mike Jiosa, sophomore running back Daniel Weller and senior linebacker Gregg Barr.

In girls volleyball, Kathryn Overmeyer, a setter for the Warriors, was tabbed the sophomore of the year in the Santa Teresa Division. Westmont's Hilary Collins and Christine Barbin, both senior middle blockers, were selected to the all-league first team. Teammate Megan Merril, a junior outside hitter, was named to the second team.