The Gatos varsity has won five straight Santa Clara Valley Athletic De Anza Division championships, three Central Coast Section titles and posted a 57-4-1 record over the past five years.

Well, as the saying goes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Like the varsity, the Los Gatos frosh-soph football team has put up some impressive numbers in recent years.

The young Wildcats won three championships in four years under the direction of head coach Dale Gustafson last fall. Los Gatos posted a 9-1 record as Gustafson ran his career record to 44-5-1 with the Cats and to 60-9-1 in a career that includes six seasons as the head frosh-soph coach at Hillsdale.

And where does Gustafson think his Cats will finish this fall? First again.

"We're not returning any starters from last season's successful campaign," said Gustafson, "but we do have some players who received playing time, and many who played in our five 'reserves' games last year."

Dustin Wynne, Robbie Comeau and Jesse Tinsley top the list of frosh-soph returners at Gatos this fall. Wynne doubles as a running back and linebacker, Comeau will see double duty as a wide receiver and free safety and Tinsley will go both ways as a tight end and defensive end.

Players coming up from the freshman team expected to help the frosh-soph this season include Billy James (offensive line/defensive line), Andy Zweng (offensive line/defensive end), Bradley Senner (center), Randall Horn (offensive line/defensive end), Andrew McCutchen (offensive line), Tim Sweeney (fullback/linebacker) and Ryan Black (quarterback).

A new addition to the Gatos squad is Aaron Miller (running back/cornerback), a transfer from Prospect.

"We have three very good running backs in Dustin Wynne, Aaron Miller and Anthony Ladd," said Gustafson. "I also believe our defense will continue to be strong."

The Wildcats finished off their 9-1 season a year ago with four straight shutouts.

Leading the offense for the young Cats will Black, the sophomore quarterback.

"Ryan Black is an efficient quarterback with a growing knowledge of the game," said Gustafson.

The Cats will jump right into the 2004 season on Sept. 10, 5:15 p.m., when they host Aragon at Helm Field. They'll face St. Francis and Cupertino over the next two weeks before opening the De Anza Division season against Wilcox.

"We hope to battle for our fourth title in five years," said Gustafson.

But, then, what else would you expect from a Los Gatos football team?