SPORTS

Mustangs win homecoming game 40-12 over Branham

Pioneer alone atop the Mt. Hamilton division

By Ken Lotich
Staff Writer

Running back Shaun Souza was on fire during the Pioneer varsity football team (6-0, 3-0), scoring four touchdowns en route to a 40-12 victory against Branham High School on Oct. 14.

Pioneer running back Shaun Souza bursts through the line for a run during a 40-12 win over Branham on Oct. 14. Souza finished the game with 93 yards rushing. Photo by Ron Reed

The senior didn’t want to hog the spotlight though; after the game he shared his thoughts on the squad.

“We’re really balanced—there’s no weaknesses in our offense or our defense,” Souza said. “Our whole team is gelled together real well.”

The pressure was on the Mustangs going into the game. The night before Mt. Hamilton powerhouse Oak Grove was knocked off by Piedmont Hills, and with a victory, Pioneer would claim the top spot of the Mt. Hamilton division.

In addition, it was also the Mustangs’ homecoming game.

“We knew this game was going to big with all of the people coming out to watch us,” Souza said. “But in the end, it’s just another game that we have to win.”

Souza finished the game with 93 yards rushing on 15 carries. He also caught a pass for 27 yards.

Running back Nick D’Antonio pitched in with two touchdowns, one that was a 48-yard pass reception in the final minute of the first half, which put Pioneer up 19-6 and in the driver’s seat for the remainder of the game.

Mustangs’ quarterback Chris Foley went four for six passing on the day, tossing the ball for 82 yards.

On the other side of the field, Bruins’ quarterback Duce Ferrante completed nine out of 15 passes for 117 yards.
Pioneer had the slight edge in total yards, putting up 318 to the Bruins’ 312.

The major differences in the game for Branham were penalties and field position. The Bruins racked up 11 penalties for 95 yards. Branham’s kickoff return team averaged only 3.3 yards per return.

With the loss, Branham sits at 3-3 overall and 1-2 in league.

“All the kids really played hard today,” said Branham Head Coach Dave Cardoza after the game. “We just made too many mistakes.”

The league is still up for grabs for any team according to Cardoza, including his Bruins.

“We have to regroup and put this game behind us,” Cardoza said. “We have to be ready to play football the next couple of weeks.”

Despite the dominance of his team, Pioneer Head Coach Mark Krail tipped his hat to Branham.

“This is the best team we’ve played up to now,” Krail said. “Our guys knew they were going to come in strong and they were excited to do well in their homecoming game.”

Although undefeated, Krail said the team is still looking at ways to improve in order to garner some more wins.

“Up to week 10, 11, 12 … there’s going to be some things we need to work out,” Krail said. “Offensively we’re clicking pretty good, we got kids that block real nicely, along with some tenacious runners. We have to go out there and play four quarters every time.”

Branham will square off against Leigh at 6 p.m. on Oct. 21 at home, while Pioneer will take on neighborhood rival Leland at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 at home.

Sports Briefs

South Valley Lacrosse Chiefs offer introductory course; spring league registration now open
For those children interested in learning more about lacrosse, SVLC will offer an introductory course for school-age kids (second grade through eighth). Fee is $35 for all three dates, Oct 8, 22 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (equipment will be provided).

Go to www.svlax.com for all details.

All interested lacrosse players: online registration for spring league continues through Nov. 30.  See www.svlax.com and contact joy.bender@prodigy.net with questions.


Almaden National Junior Basketball League sign-ups
Almaden National Junior Basketball League sign-ups are currently available online at www.almadennjb.homestead.com/ for boys and girls third through eighth grade. For more information call Ken Keiser at 592-4190 or e-mail: hoppekeiz@aol.com.


The Leland Spirit Squad invites you to Homecoming 2005
The Leland Spirit Squad and their families are hard at work planning this year’s homecoming events. In addition to celebrating Charger pride, the Leland homecoming is the Spirit Squad’s largest fund-raiser of the year.

This year’s theme is “Vegas Nights” and the girls along with their parents will transform the Leland cafeteria into the fabulous Las Vegas strip for the homecoming dance.

The celebrations kick off on Thursday Oct. 27 at 7 p.m., when the community and alumni are invited to attend the rally in the Leland gymnasium. The evening will be filled with music, appearances by the 2005 homecoming royalty and skits performed by the Leland Spirit Squad and football players. Also, a special presentation will be given to this year’s seniors and their parents honoring their hard work and dedication in spirit, football and band.

The homecoming games will be at Pat Tillman Stadium on the Leland campus on Friday Oct. 28. The competition begins when the Leland Chargers JV team takes on the Silver Creek Raiders at 5 p.m. The varsity game follows at 7:30 p.m.

High School Sports Schedule

Leland High School
Friday – Varsity boys’ water polo at Sacred Heart Tournament, all day
Friday – Varsity girls’ water polo at Palo Alto Tournament, all day
Friday – Varsity football at Pioneer, 7:30 p.m.
Friday – Frosh/soph football at Pioneer, 5 p.m.

Saturday – Varsity girls’ volleyball at Milpitas Tournament, beginning 7 a.m.
Saturday – Varsity boys’ water polo at Sacred Heart Tournament, all day
Saturday - Varsity girls’ water polo at Palo Alto Tournament, all day

Monday – Girls’ tennis Mt. Hamilton Division playoffs, time TBA

Tuesday – Varsity field hockey vs. Live Oak, 3 p.m.
Tuesday – JV field hockey vs. Live Oak, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs. Piedmont Hills, 6 p.m.
Tuesday – JV girls’ volleyball vs. Piedmont Hills, 5 p.m.
Tuesday – Varsity boys’ water polo vs. Pioneer at Independence, 4 p.m.
Tuesday – Frosh/soph boys’ water polo vs. Pioneer at Independence, 3 p.m.

Thursday – Girls’ tennis BVAL team play, time TBA
Thursday – Varsity field hockey at Leigh, 3 p.m.
Thursday – JV field hockey at Leigh, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday – Varsity girls’ volleyball at Branham, 6 p.m.
Thursday – JV girls’ volleyball at Branham, 5 p.m.
Thursday – Cross-country at Mills Center Meet at Crystal Springs, time TBA
Thursday – Varsity girls’ water polo at Willow Glen, 3 p.m.

Pioneer High School
Friday – Varsity football vs. Leland, 7:30 p.m.
Friday – Frosh/soph football vs. Leland, 5 p.m.

Monday – Girls’ tennis Mt. Hamilton Division playoffs, time TBA

Tuesday – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs. Del Mar, 5 p.m.
Tuesday – JV girls’ volleyball vs. Del Mar, 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Varsity boys’ water polo vs. Leland at Independence, 4 p.m.
Tuesday – Frosh/soph boys’ water polo vs. Leland at Independence, 3 p.m.
Tuesday – Varsity girls’ water polo at Lincoln, 4 p.m.
Tuesday – JV girls’ water polo at Lincoln, 3 p.m.

Wednesday – Cross country vs. Gunderson and Westmont at Montgomery Hill, 3 p.m.

Thursday – Varsity boys’ water polo vs. Santa Teresa at Independence, 5 p.m.
Thursday – Frosh/soph boys’ water polo vs. Santa Teresa at Independence, 6 p.m.
Thursday – Girls’ tennis BVAL team play, time TBA
Thursday – Varsity girls’ volleyball vs. Gunderson, 5 p.m.
Thursday – JV girls’ volleyball vs. Gunderson, 3 p.m.

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

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

High School Scoreboard

Oct. 11
Leland girls’ volleyball 25-11, 25-13, 25-16 win at Mt. Pleasant
Leland girls’ tennis 7-0 win at Silver Creek
Leland field hockey 2-0 win at Los Altos

Pioneer girls’ volleyball 27-25, 25-13, 25-10 win vs. James Lick
Pioneer girls’ tennis 4-3 win at Piedmont Hills

Oct. 12
Leland girls’ tennis 7-0 win vs. Presentation
Leland boys’ water polo 16-3 win vs. Santa Teresa
Leland girls’ water polo 42-1 win at Lincoln

Pioneer boys’ water polo 19-14 win vs. Lincoln

Oct. 13
Leland girls’ volleyball 25-17, 25-19, 25-18 win vs. Independence

Pioneer girls’ volleyball 19-25, 26-24, 25-18, 25-19 loss at Yerba Buena
Pioneer girls’ tennis 6-1 loss vs. Independence

Oct. 14
Pioneer boys’ water polo 6-4 win vs. Woodside at Warrior Classic
Pioneer boys’ water polo 16-4 loss vs. Mountain View at Warrior Classic

Leland field hockey 1-0 win vs. Los Altos

Oct. 15
Leland girls’ water polo 3-2 win vs. Castilleja at Western States Invitational
Leland girls’ water polo 15-2 win vs. Amador Valley at Western States Invitational
Leland girls’ water polo 12-3 win vs. Ceres at Western States Invitational
Leland girls’ water polo 19-0 win vs. Buhach Colony at Western States Invitational
Leland girls’ water polo 12-1 win vs. Madera at Western States Invitational
Leland football 30-26 loss vs. Independence

Pioneer boys’ water polo 16-5 loss vs. Valley Christian at Warrior Classic
Pioneer boys’ water polo 13-4 win vs. Santa Teresa at Warrior Classic

Graystone second-graders learn about soccer, British-style

Pat Fleischer’s second-grade class gets fitness lessons from
British coaches through MLS community development programs

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Writer

Two Brits have taken over Graystone Elementary School in Almaden.

Rob Stewart, left, and James Ash share a laugh while looking over their portraits, drawn by second-grade students in Pat Fleischer’s class at Graystone Elementary School on Oct. 13. Photo by Diego Abeloos

OK, not exactly, but for the past month, Rob Stewart and James Ash have spent one hour every Thursday teaching physical education to second-grade students in Pat Fleischer’s class.

Stewart and James are in the Almaden Valley coaching soccer to local teams and soccer leagues, including the Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League, as part of Major League Soccer and the San Jose Earthquakes’ youth and community development programs. The duo first started teaching the class in September because the daughter of their host family, the Burtons, is a student in Fleischer’s class.

Fleischer said the students have responded enthusiastically to Stewart and Ash, noting that the one-hour sessions each week are the highlights of her students’ school days so far.

“They have incredible energy and they are so positive,” Fleischer said. “They’re great with the kids.”

Fleischer added that her class has truly connected with the duo over the past month, noting that Ash and Stewart teach her kids more than just soccer and physical education exercises, but also provide valuable lessons in good sportsmanship and how to have fun playing, regardless of the score.

In addition, Ash and Stewart—both semiprofessional soccer players back home in England—gave the class a presentation on their homeland, showing the kids pictures of their homes and families, while also teaching the class about England’s culture and history.

Rob Stewart goes for a run with the students to warm up on Oct. 13 at Graystone Elementary School. Stewart and James Ash have been in the Almaden Valley since July, helping to coach local soccer teams through Major League Soccer’s community development programs. Photo by Diego Abeloos

The children’s affection for the pair was evident on their final day of instruction, Oct. 13, when each student in the class drew portraits of the pair, to the point where some students gave up their lunch period to complete the task. In addition, each student also wrote thank you letters to Ash and Stewart.

A contest was then held for the best portrait of each coach, with the winners receiving Landon Donovan bobblehead dolls as prizes. Every student also received Earthquakes keychains and T-shirts from Ash and Stewart.

“My class recognizes how lucky they are to have these two young men here,” said Fleischer.

For Ash and Stewart, teaching 20 second-grade students requires one key ingredient— energy.

“I guess it’s all about energy really. If you’re coaching a good group that responds really well to you, then you rise above it and you step up for the kids,” said 23-year-old Ash, a native of Yorkshire. “If they’re responding and giving 100 percent, then you give 120 percent back. By the end of it, you’ve got them screaming every minute and just working their hearts out for you.”

The two coaches, who are set to depart back home to England on Oct. 26, said the experience has not only been a fun one for the kids, but for them as well. Throughout their stay in Almaden, both coaches said they were pleasantly surprised by the hospitality exhibited by local families. The pair has been treated to tickets to an Oakland Raiders football game, dinners out on the town, and other gifts as a show of thanks for teaching kids soccer.

The two coaches said they’re especially thankful to the Burton family, which housed the pair since July. Ash and Stewart said the Burtons were offered per diems by MLS for the coaches’ stay but steadfastly refused, telling MLS to take that money and put it back into their youth development programs.

“I’m from London and when you’re on the subway, everyone keeps to themselves. If someone talks to you, you think they’re a bit weird,” said Stewart, 20. “But over here, everyone’s friendly, especially when they hear an accent. I’ve had no problems because everyone’s been great. All the coaches are very accommodating and they welcome you. The kids as well, they’re great fun. It’s been a great experience all around.”

Students from Pat Fleischer’s second-grade class gather by Ash and Stewart for instructions on the day’s physical education lesson. Since September, the two coaches have been teaching P.E. to Fleischer’s students one day a week. Photos by Diego Abeloos

But the pair is also keenly aware of their role with the kids they teach. Ash said the key to getting positive responses out of the kids is being a good leader and role model.

“As a coach, you’re the role model and they look up to you,” Ash said. “If you’re able to be at the front of the class and wriggle about like a caterpillar on the floor, chances are the kids are going to do it. If you say to the kids that you want them to jump about like monkeys and you’re not going to show them that you’re willing to do it, then you’re not going to get that response from the group.”

Stewart said he will continue his studies at Greenwich University while also playing semiprofessional soccer for two different leagues when he returns home. Ash, who previously worked with learning-disabled adults while playing soccer in his spare time, will embark on a yearlong trek across the globe soon after his return home, visiting several countries across Asia, which includes a train trip through Russia.

Regardless of the experiences the two will experience after their visit to Almaden, they will no doubt remember Pat Fleischer’s second-grade students and all the other people they’ve encountered during their stay.

“You hear people say, ‘it’s not the places, it’s the people,’ and that’s certainly true,” said Ash. “Over here, the people have just been amazing, they really have. It’s certainly going to be very difficult to leave. We’ve made connections that we’ll no doubt have for a lifetime.”

Almaden’s dynamic duo

Ten-year-old Brent Johnson earns No. 1 ranking in Norcal 10’s and learns
a few tricks from older brother Eric, who continues dominance in 12’s

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Writer

It’s fairly typical to see younger siblings mimic the actions of their older siblings. But for Brent Johnson, he’s simply happy to be his own person with his own personality to match his style of play on the tennis court.

Brent, left, and Eric Johnson have a new hobby—collecting tennis trophies. Brent currently ranks as the No.1 player in Norcal 10’s, a title previously held by Eric, who is currently ranked No.1 in 12’s. Photos courtesy of the Johnson Family

“He’s sort of just making his own path, which is good for him,” said Allison Johnson, the boys’ mother. “I don’t think we ever look at it that he (Brent) did or didn’t do what Eric did. We’re not comparing the wins and tournaments or anything like that.”

Brent, a 10-year-old fifth-grader at Graystone Elementary School, has seen his fair share of tennis through his older brother, 12-year-old Eric Johnson, who is currently ranked as the No.1 player in the 12-year-old level of the United States Tennis Association’s Norcal section.

This season, older brother Eric has seen his share of trophies, winning 10 tournaments overall, including two (one singles, one doubles) at the Norcal 14’s level, compiling a record of 84-23 overall. In total, Eric has brought home trophies for every single tournament he’s played over the last 12 months.

But little brother Brent has some bragging rights of his own and a style that’s different from his older brother.

“He can be in the most high-stress situation and you can’t tell if it’s the first point or the last point,” Allison said of Brent. “(Eric) wears it on his sleeve a little more, he has a little more fire in his belly. Brent can play just as intensely, but you don’t see it at all … Eric’s gotten a lot better over the years as well.”

After starting his tennis career at the age of 9, Brent has steadily climbed the charts in the Norcal’s 10’s level, garnering his current position as the No.1-ranked player, a title his older brother previously had as well.

For the Johnson family, having gone through several situations with Eric’s career has helped put things in perspective when it comes to Brent.

“It’s even more fun to watch Brent because I’m more relaxed and understand the tennis system and the development of a player so much better,” said Allison. “I realize how a tennis player develops over several years so one match or one tournament doesn’t mean everything. It’s easier now to just sit back and enjoy the tennis.”

Brent has played particularly effective tennis through his last nine tournaments, winning five and making it to the finals in four others. Brent picked up his first tournament win at the Oak Park Open in Stockton in January, before picking up another win in April at the Johnson Ranch Championships in Green Valley.

Since then, Brent has picked up wins at the Fig Garden Champion-ship in May, as well as tournament wins at the Santa Cruz Open, where brother Eric also picked up a tournament win in the 14’s bracket, and the Natomas Open in Sacramento in August.

The win at the Natomas Open was particularly gratifying for Brent, picking up a 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 win to place him well ahead of the competition in 10’s.

The two brothers have also taken advantage of the fact that they have each other to feed off when it comes to tennis. The family has its own tennis court at home and the boys use this luxury to work on their games.

Eric has established a solid work ethic throughout his career, typically working on his game three to five hours a day. To that end, Brent has followed in his brother’s footsteps as well, taking advantage of having another tennis player in the house and spending hours out on the court with his brother working on his game.

“He’s really grown into it,” Allison said of Brent’s work ethic. “He’s more serious about everything.”

“When you play with him, you just sort of learn what he does,” said Brent of spending time with his brother on the court. “If he hits it harder, it makes you want to hit it harder and you just get good at it.”

Brent, left, and Eric Johnson spend several hours working on their tennis games at home, where the family has a tennis court. Brent said he’s learned a lot from playing at home with Eric, and the two brothers have recently paired up in boys’ 12 doubles play, winning the Alpine Fall Classic in Portola Valley.

But the brothers have turned their at-home practice time together into success on the court as well. In August, the brothers paired up for the first time competitively and won the Boys’ 12 doubles bracket at the Alpine Fall Classic in Portola Valley.

“I think it’s fun playing with someone you know,” said the serious Brent of playing doubles with his outgoing older brother.

Eric has also been impressed with his younger brother’s game, particularly following the win at the Alpine Fall Classic.

“He has really good volleys and good hands,” Eric said of Brent.

Regardless of who brings home more trophies, Brent is happy to watch and learn the tricks of the trade picked up by his older brother through years of play.

“You learn from what he does,” Brent said of Eric. “If you play someone below (in skill level), then you win easy and you don’t really learn anything. If you play someone better than you, you learn stuff.”

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