September 20, 2007

SPORTS

Pioneer football drops third straight

Mustangs lose 26-10 at home to Aragon, drop to 0-3 to start 2007 season

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

The Pioneer football team ended preseason play dropping its third straight game to open the 2007 season with a 26-10 loss at home to Aragon on Sept. 15.

Pioneer quarterback Joe Alise is chased out of the pocket during the 26-10 game. The loss was Pioneer’s third straight to open the 2007 season.

The loss featured Pioneer holding a 10-7 leading going into the fourth quarter, only to see the Aragon Dons score three touchdowns in less than eight minutes of play to walk away with a 26-10 decision. Pioneer head coach Mark Krail said the loss was a particularly exasperating for the team.

“I think there’s a lot of frustration on our team,” Krail said. “We talked after the game about being so close to being there. Going into the fourth quarter and being ahead 10-7, we put together a nice 80-yard drive, but we couldn’t stop them on defense. Then the offense broke down, and at that point, they go ahead 13-10 and we weren’t able to sustain anything offensively after that. Mental mistakes, penalties, missed assignments. It’s no one person or one thing. It’s just a group of guys who are trying real hard to taste success.”

Leading 10-7, the Mustangs entered the fourth quarter trying to hold back the Aragon offense, which began a 14-play drive with 6:50 left in the third quarter before ending it with a 1-yard quarterback sneak on fourth-and-goal to regain the lead at 13-10 with 11:09 left in the game.

Pioneer’s offense couldn’t answer back, moving no farther than the Pioneer 48 before settling for a short punt that set the Dons’ offense up at the Pioneer 49. The Dons quickly responded with a short five-play drive that ended with a 13-yard touchdown run by Seta Pohahau with 6:38 left in the game, giving Aragon a 20-10 advantage.

Pioneer running back Shane Murray gets past a horde of Aragon defenders during a 26-10 loss at home to Aragon on Sept. 15. Photos by Ric Medlinger at www.medlinger.net

Pioneer’s next offensive series fared no better, as quarterback Joe Alise was intercepted at the Aragon 33 on the third play of the drive, giving Aragon’s offense the ball back within a minute of its last scoring drive.

The Dons once again responded with a scoring drive, going 66 yards on five plays highlighted by a 26-yard touchdown run from Sifa Tonga to give Aragon a 26-10 lead with just 3:38 left in the game.

Despite the late Aragon scores, the defense played well for most of the game, said Krail. Still, he added, there are only so many times a defense can keep making stops.

“I thought for three quarters we played them real tough,” Krail said of his team’s defensive effort. “They (the defense) come off the field and expect the offense to move the ball and come up with scores, but we turn it over or we turn it over on downs, have a short punt, or whatever the situation is. Before they know it, they’re right back out there. You can only put them back out there so many times before it gets a little tiresome and you lose that drive. The effort was fine.”

As for the offense, Krail said the unit’s performance was a mixed bag. Pioneer’s offense totaled 155 yards, led by Marquee Heffner’s 47 yards rushing, including a 34-yard touchdown run by the senior on the first offensive series of the second half to give Pioneer a 10-7 lead.

Pioneer’s Daniel Montesano looks to bring down Aragon’s Paul Slack.

“It kind of typifies our season so far,” said Krail, when asked to assess his team’s offensive performance. “At times, it’s real good. At times it was not very good. At times we had people open and we couldn’t get the ball to them. We’ve got to learn to take what the defense gives us and understand, as a team, down and distance and situational football. We don’t always need to try and hit a home run. Singles are good too.”

With the preseason at an end, Krail said he’s looking forward to the start of league play “just from the standpoint that it’s a fresh start.”

In spite of the 0-3 start, Krail said the team’s mission remains the same.

“With a record of 0-0, it’s a new season, so to speak,” Krail said. “Our goals are still there, to win a league championship and make the playoffs. I told the guys after the game that when I put the schedule together, I knew quite possibly that we could be 0-3. But I did it because I thought we had the character in our program to be able to handle that. We’ll find out.”

It’s been a great ride

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

For the past week, I’ve been thinking of the right way to say goodbye to something that’s been a big part of my life for the past three years.

As a journalist, you’re taught to be careful in choosing the words you write, trying your best not to be biased and always remembering that you’re not the story – the people and events you cover are. This case however, is totally different, because this article is about me, for a change. With that in mind, I am writing this column to announce that this issue of the Almaden Times Weekly will be my final one as the newspaper’s sports editor.

As you can imagine, I’ve met several great people along this three-year sports journey. For me, that part of the job was always the best – the people. Then again, telling someone that you get paid to watch sports for a living isn’t bad, either.

Sure, there are certain games that swim around in my memory, but the coaches, student-athletes and parents I’ve encountered and befriended along the way are what stick with me the most. To that end, I’d like to take the time to thank a number of them, including: the Krail family, the Carrozzo family, the Faria family, the Janes family, the Walker family, Kevin Jones, Kevin Hubbard, Ric Medlinger, Ron Reed, Jeff La Plante, Ben DeKoven, Gordy Smith, Joe Berticevich, Mike Monsees, Eric Rise, Chris Hansen, Dave Frandsen, Scott Kaubish, Jason Tenner, Heath Clark, Pam Headley, Jerry Rose, Jake Hernandez, Randy Worthington, Jason Hilbert, Wade Nakamura, Anthony Siri, Barbara Beard, Colette Cluff and Joe Gron, to name a few. I’d also like to thank my colleagues at the Times for all their hard work and friendship over the past three years.

Mostly, I’d like to thank my wife, Vanessa, for her patience and encouragement. It’s not easy being a sports writer’s wife, given the late hours and numerous weekends I’ve spent on a sports field or court, but she’s always been my biggest supporter.

I will be moving on to work in the development department for the Family Giving Tree, a nonprofit agency that provides school supplies and Christmas gifts to economically challenged families throughout the Bay Area. I’ve always wanted to help those in need, and now I’ll get my chance to make a meaningful impact in other people’s lives.

When I first started covering Almaden sports, I thought I’d be content just knowing that sports, my favorite subject in the world, would be a big part of my everyday life. What I’ve discovered is that people, not things, are what make or break it for me. In this case, Almaden, you really made it for me. Thanks for a great ride!

Leland football ends preseason with 21-7 loss to Homestead

Chargers drop to 2-1 as Homestead capitalizes on costly mistakes

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

Less than one week after experiencing the highs of defeating their neighborhood rival Pioneer, the Leland football team experienced its first low in the form of a 21-7 loss on the road to Homestead on Sept. 13.

The loss ended an otherwise successful preseason schedule for the Chargers, who finished the night with a 2-1 overall record. Leland head coach Mike Carrozzo said the loss served as a lesson to his team following its’ big win over Pioneer on Sept. 8.

Leland’s Ricky Battipede watches the flight of his pass during a 21-7 loss to Homestead on Sept. 13. The loss was Leland’s first this season. Photo by Ben DeKoven

“You can whine about officiating, you can whine about a lot of things, but the bottom line is, we didn’t execute like we needed to execute,” Carrozzo said. “We ate a little case of humble pie and we deserved it. We came in and we thought that just because there were bolts on our helmets, that everybody was going to lay down for us, but it didn’t happen that way. Our guys learned a valuable lesson. I’m just glad they learned it in the preseason so we can make things happen during the (regular) season and still accomplish our goals of getting to the playoffs and making some news.”

Carrozzo noted that miscues on the field cost the Chargers dearly in the game. Case in point: In the second quarter of a scoreless game, and with Homestead driving into Leland territory, the Charger defense appeared to have the Mustang offense stopped at the Leland 19. But on fourth-and-four, the Leland defensive line was flagged for encroachment, giving Homestead a fresh set of downs on the Leland 14. On the very next play, Homestead’s Darnel Green scampered into the end zone to give his team a 6-0 lead with 54 second left in the first half.

“Today we perfected making the perfect mistakes at the wrong time,” Carrozzo said. “We were very good at that.”
Stopping Homestead’s running game also proved to be a challenge for the Chargers, as Green accumulated 95 yards rushing on 15 carries, while Kevin Rogers added 85 yards rushing and a touchdown as well.

“Homestead is a tough, tough team,” Carrozzo said. “They do a great job of running our offense and theirs. The wing-T is a great, effective offense when you have a fullback like (Kevin Rogers) and a very athletic (Darnel Green). It’s a thing of beauty.”

Leland’s Kevin Krail led the offense with 118 yards rushing and the team’s lone score – a touchdown to open the second half of play. Photos by Dan Miranda

On the other side, Leland’s Kevin Krail led the offense, rushing for 118 yards on 14 carries and provided the team with its lone score of the night, a 31-yard touchdown run during the opening drive of the second half that gave Leland a brief 7-6 lead.

Homestead answered the drive with one of its own, going 62 yards on 13 plays before Rogers reached the end zone on a 5-yard touchdown run with 3:50 left in the third quarter. Following a successful 2-point conversion, the Mustangs found themselves holding a 14-7 lead.

Leland’s offense countered, driving from the Leland 20 to the Homestead 37, leading to a 19-yard pass play that ended when tight end Tyler Beigibing got the ball knocked loose from his grip at the Homestead 18. Homestead recovered the ball, ending the Leland drive.

The Mustangs managed to put together one last scoring drive – a 10-play, 68-yard series – that ended when J.J. Kizine found the end zone on a 3-yard run with 4:56 left in the game, bumping the lead to 21-7.

With the loss, Carrozzo noted that everyone on the team needed to get better for the start of league play.

“Everybody needs to improve,” Carrozzo said, “and I mean the coaches as well. I need to improve as a coach to make sure we’re better prepared for every team that we face.”

Leland girls’ tennis squad aims for postseason glory

Head coach Pam Headley cites self confidence as team’s greatest need in 2007

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

Another season of Leland girls’ tennis is underway, and the Chargers are looking for more than just another undefeated league season this year, according to head coach Pam Headley.

Aside from a desire to go farther into postseason play, Headley said the key to her team’s success in 2007 will be one key component that has been missing, at times, in years past – confidence. While the team has sailed through league play by going undefeated the past two seasons, Headley said, gaining confidence in postseason matches has been an entirely different matter.

Leland's Allison Hsia gets ready to hit the ball during a recent match versus Oak Grove on Tuesday, Sept.11. Photos by Dan Miranda

“With the benefit of a few years experience behind me, the thing I’d like out of these kids is that they just start trusting themselves and believing in themselves,” said Headley, whose team recently finished 11th out of 96 schools at the California High School Tennis Championships in Fresno. “For too many years, Leland has done just fairly well in league, gotten to CCS and has been overwhelmed. These kids don’t need to feel that way because they have the abilities. It’s just the confidence that they need.”

To that end, Headley said the key to her players gaining confidence is simple.

“Keep it enjoyable,” Headley said. “You always do better when you’re having fun. That’s what I’d like them to do.”
Still, Headley noted that her team has its unique qualities, which are good, in most cases.

“This is the quietest group I’ve ever coached,” Headley said. “The biggest challenge is to get them fired up, because they’re so respectful and so quiet, and just all around good kids that you kind of need to light a fire under them just to get that competitive thing going. …There’s a lot of raw talent on the lower end of our ladder and in our JV ranks.”

Talent, according to Headley, can be found in spades on the roster. On the singles squad, junior Allison Hsia has taken over the No. 1 spot after spending her entire high school career as a No. 3 singles player, going undefeated in that spot. Headley said Hsia has what she looks for in a No. 1 singles player.

“She really worked on her game all summer long,” Headley said of Hsia. “…She’s a good blend of power and smarts. She’s a fearless fighter and insanely competitive. That’s what you need. Somebody who’s going to gut out those matches.”

Likewise, Headley said she likes what she’s seen from her No. 2 singles player, Lydia Chow. Like Hsia, Chow has the ability to be a No. 1 singles player, and has experience doing so, having shuttled between the No. 1 and 2 spots last season.

Leland's Lydia Chow keeps her eyes on the ball as she gets ready for a backhand swing.

“Lydia could play No. 1 for any team,” Headley said of Chow. “Her game is so consistent. She’s so levelheaded. She’s really worked on the mental aspect of her game. …I don’t have to worry about No. 1 and 2.”

While Hsia and Chow are familiar names to Leland tennis, No. 3 singles player Anastasia Glyantseva isn’t, mainly because the sophomore transferred this year from Cupertino High School. Headley noted that Glyantseva’s greatest asset, so far, is power.

“Big power game,” Headley said of Glyantseva. “She just overwhelms a lot of people.”

With sophomore Stephanie Hwang rounding out the singles rank at the No. 4 spot, Headley said she feels her singles squad is particularly strong, both in league and in CCS.

“They’re so deep in tournament experience, and then, Stephanie (Hwang) in the No. 4 spot, she’s a backboard,” Headley said. “She just frustrates people to no end, which is what you want at No. 4.”

And while her singles squad is strong, Headley is quick to note that her doubles teams are equally effective. This year, junior Youngeun Na and senior Kristen Hoppe occupy the No. 1 doubles spot, and the duo has already made a favorable impression.

“I’m just thrilled to death,” Headley said of her No. 1 doubles duo of Na and Hoppe. “They did an awesome job in Fresno. Youngeun’s ground strokes were just on fire, paired with Kirsten’s athleticism at the net. They’re tough to beat.”

Leland's Kristen Hoppe returns a ball during the recent match.

At the No. 2 doubles spot, senior Crystal Adams is currently pairing up with Katrina Hoagland, who Headley calls her “11th man” because of her ability to fill spots on the court. Hoagland is currently filling in for Vivian Ngo, who has an ankle sprain. Adams, in particular, has given Headley a reason to smile, in part because of the senior’s work ethic and positive attitude.

“Crystal worked her way up the ranks during her career here at Leland and has earned her No. 2 spot by hard work, determination and some gutsy play,” Headley said of Adams. “She’s happy to play with absolutely anyone, which makes her just a coach’s dream in that regard.”

Headley noted that the team’s lone uncertainty, in part because of a lack of experience, can be found in at the No. 3 doubles spot, occupied by freshman Wendy Liang and sophomore Kimberly Tseng, who did not play in 2006. While short on experience, Headley noted that the duo has the raw talent to progress and be a factor in doubles play this season.

“They’re still learning the doubles game, but it’s kind of nice that they don’t have any bad habits that you have to fix,” Headley said of her No. 3 doubles tandem. “It’s just basically teaching them what it’s supposed to look like and what it’s supposed to be like. The Fresno tournament did a great job of that for them. …They have the chops, they have the tennis skills. It’s just a matter of teaching.”

Soccer fields now available for weekend use

SJUSD holds dedication ceremony for Leland High sports complex

San Jose Unified School District and the city of San Jose held dedication ceremonies Wednesday, Sept. 19 for the Leland High School sports field complex.

Community leaders and participants in the dedication ceremony of the Leland Sports complex pose with a golden shovel before breaking ground on Wednesday, Sept. 19. Photos by Dan Miranda

The district and the city entered into an agreement for the design, construction, administration, supervision, maintenance and use of two synthetic turn soccer fields, a concession and storage area as well as restrooms. It also provides for joint use and maintenance of Leland’s synthetic turf field located in the stadium.

The lack of city parks in Almaden Valley created the need for a joint-use sports complex at the high school. The joint-use agreement increases the availability of playing fields and provides children with a safe environment for athletic play.

“Our district has always been interested in [promoting healthy, family-oriented activities. Working with the city as true partners will help both SJUSD and the city realize our mutual goal of securing additional space for our residents to enjoy for years to come,” said San Jose Unified Board Trustee Leslie Reynolds.

The new turf will eliminate field problems, providing a safe environment for students. The older fields were deteriorating, presenting health hazards and maintenance problems. There were sinkholes, drainage problems overuse and damaged turfn and gopher holes in the fields resulting in student injuries.

“The Leland Sports Fields project is a direct response to the tremendous need for additional sports fields through the city of San Jose,” said District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle. “It is my hope that this partnership with SJUSD is the first of many such collaborations, which will allow the city to accomplish its goal of providing additional sports fields to better serve the youth of our great city.”

Bordia Farhoomand, who is a freshman, plays his trumpet with other members of the Leland High School Jazz band before the dedication ceremony.

Maintenance costs for the sports complex will be shared equally by the city and the school district. The total project cost $5,750,976 with the school district’s Measure F paying $3,600.976 and the city contributing $2,150,000.
Construction began last July. The synthetic field use will be available in mid-to-late January.

Fees for using the fields will be set in accordance with the fee schedule provided by the SJUSD. For the upcoming 2007-08 season, youth sport leagues will pay $50.80 per hour and adult sport leagues $125. Fees will be used to support ongoing maintenance and operations including on-site personnel to manage the facilities.

Besides city and school board officials, the Leland Jazz combo, Principal Bob Setterlund and student body president Crystal Adams were part of the dedication ceremonies. Also present were Reynolds and Pyle, SJUSD Superintendent Don Iglesias and Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Melanie Richardson.

Leland student Lauren Cao sung the “Star Spangled Banner” to get the ceremony underway.

High School Sports Schedule Sept. 21 –27

Leland
Friday –Girls’ volleyball vs. Lincoln, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity

Tuesday – Girls’ tennis at Santa Teresa, 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday – Field hockey vs. St. Francis, 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Girls’ volleyball at Branham, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity

Wednesday – Varsity boys’ water polo at Willow Glen, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity
Wednesday – Varsity girls’ water polo at Independence, 3 p.m. JV and 4 p.m. varsity

Thursday – Girls’ tennis vs. Overfelt, 3:15 p.m.
Thursday – Cross country vs. Evergreen and Santa Teresa at Montgomery Hill, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday – Girls’ volleyball vs. Mt. Pleasant, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity
Thursday – Field hockey vs. Los Altos, 3:30 p.m.

Pioneer
Saturday – Freshmen football vs. Silver Creek, 9 a.m.

Tuesday – Girls’ tennis vs. Willow Glen, 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday – Girls’ volleyball vs. Gunderson, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity

Wednesday – Cross country vs. Lincoln and Gunderson at Montgomery Hill, 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday – Varsity girls’ water polo at Live Oak, 6 p.m. JV and 7 p.m. varsity
Wednesday – Varsity boys’ water polo at Live Oak, 3 p.m. JV and 4 p.m. varsity

Thursday – Girls’ tennis at Andrew Hill, 3:15 p.m.
Thursday – Girls’ volleyball vs. Overfelt, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity

For more information about Leland and Pioneer sporting events, go to:

Pioneer Athletics: www.phsathletics.com
Leland Athletics: www.lelandathletics.com
Blossom Valley Athletic League: www.bval.org

Sports Briefs

San Jose Aces 18U Travel Baseball Team Seeks Players
The San Jose Aces 18U competitive travel team seeks 16-17-18 YO players (no older than 18 years on April 30, 2008 ) for the fall/winter season.  All positions are welcome but especially seeking experienced high school-level pitchers.  Current team consists of players from Branham, Leigh, Bellarmine, Santa Teresa and other local schools.   

This team will compete at local and some regional 18U wood bat tournaments.  Players should have prior travel/tournament and/or high school baseball experience. 

Contact Coach Warren Nagatani at warren@sanjoseaces.com or 449-7229 for tryout, practice and fee information.  You may also visit www.sanjoseaces.com for more information.

Almaden National Junior Basketball Signups
Online registration for Almaden NJB 2007 season is now open.  The league is open to boys and girls in grades 1-8.  Practice starts Oct. 20 and games begin on Dec. 2.  To register online go to almadennjb.homestead.com.  Walk-in registration is Sept. 20, at Amato's pizza on Meridian from 6-8 p.m.  If you have any questions, please call Ken Keiser at (408) 592-4190.


Bay Area Boot Camp 5K Fitness Training Program
Boot Camp dates are from September 10 - November 4 at South Bay locations. The cost is $125 - All proceeds benefit the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative. The 5K Fitness Training program, developed by Bay Area Boot Camp’s expert coaching staff, is a comprehensive workout series designed to prepare you for the Silicon Valley 5K Run/Walk on November 4, 2007.

Designed for runners of all levels, this 8-week program includes:

Eight weekly training sessions led by Bay Area Boot Camp coaches

A detailed schedule of running, speed, and cross-training drills

A Training log to help you track your progress and keep your focus

An eight-week nutrition plan designed to support your training and optimize your energy level

Unlimited phone and email support from our coaching staff of veteran 5K, 10K, and marathon runners

15% off September and October Boot Camp sessions - an ideal way to enhance your race preparations and cross train in a supportive group environment

A pre-race party – get to know your fellow 5K racers and learn more about BAWSI!

For more information, contact Mary Beth Gonzales at marybeth@bayareabootcamp.com or phone 408-425-9475. Visit our website at www.bayareabootcamp.com.

The Walk to Cure Diabetes at Baylands Park in Sunnyvale
Scheduled for Oct. 7, this event will help raise millions of dollars for research to find a cure for diabetes and its complications. As one of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s largest fundraising efforts, this event empowers family, community and corporate teams to take action and help find a cure. JDRF’s mission is to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Since its inception, JDRF has put more than $900 million towards diabetes research. In a typical year, more than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and education about research.  Significant dollars come back to fund research grants in the Bay Area at Stanford and UCSF. Registration is 10 a.m. and the walk begins at 11 a.m. Register at: www.walk.JDRF.org For more information, contact JDRF Greater Bay Area Chapter 415-977-0360 greaterbay@jdrf.org www.jdrf.org/greaterbay.

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