November 21, 2003

Leland’s quest for post-season bash lands North Salinas

By Karl Laucher
Sports Editor

Leland High School’s football team, egging for some stiff competition since September, may get a truck load from North Salinas on Saturday as the Blossom Valley Athletic League Santa Teresa Division champion Chargers host North Salinas High School in the first round of the Central Coast Section Division II playoffs. The kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Coming off of a 57-55 rout of Lincoln High School behind the slash and burn running of record-breaking senior Michael Day, the Chargers appear bulletproof with a nine-game winning streak, but may have reason to be concerned about North Salinas, which has a relatively suspicious 6-4 record.

Leland, too, might be suspect, even though it has tagged opponents by an average score of 41-7 since a season-opening 21-20 loss to Pioneer High School.

Leland’s Michael Day seeks to add to record yardage totals in CCS championships. Photo by Ron Stenn www.actionp[hotodesign.com

But first, a recap of the Lincoln lambasting during which Day, a 5-foot-8, 180-pound giant of a ball carrier, gained 302 yards and scored three touchdowns with another two long runs to the end zone called back for penalties. The 302 yards breaks the Leland single-game record of 283 set in 2001 by Tyler Jones, now playing at Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz County.

Day also passed the 2,000-yard mark for the season and has a chance to break the season record of 2,300 yards set by Paul Ugenti in the late 1990s.

Day said he “feels pretty good to get my name in the records books,” and noted that the Charger offensive line has done “an unbelievable job” creating running corridors. He also pointed out that the team earned its place atop the league with hard work in practice. “We knew we had talent, and if we worked hard we would meet our season goals and have a lot of success.”

Leland coach Kelly Edwards observed that Day is “a straight-ahead runner who makes good decisions, good cuts and doesn’t hesitate.” Just as important, Edwards said, is that Day doesn’t fumble, the only ball lost this season was due to a hand-off foul-up with the quarterback.

Edwards indicated, however, that the bar will be raised for all concerned against North Salinas, which placed third behind Palma and San Benito (Hollister) in the Tri-County League with a 3-2-1 record, 6-4 overall.
"They are big and physical," Edwards said. "We are going to have to pick our spots running with Mike."

North Salinas, which closed the regular season with wins of 42-14 over Gilroy and 21-7 over Salinas, has its own danger man in runningback Ronnie Drummond, who is reported to be fast and powerful.
Edwards contends that the Charger football squad has long had its “sights set on bigger things” than a BVAL Santa Teresa title. Bigger things start Saturday.

Leland’s statistical leaders include quarterback Joe Hurley, ranked No. 2 in the BVAL with 1,546 yards, and wide receiver Sean Connors, No. 2 in receiving yardage at 760 yards. Blake Thomas is No. 3 in sacks with seven, and Kirk Andre is No. 6 in tackles with 78.

The CCS Division II playoff bracket:
No. 6 seed North Salinas (6-4) at No. 3 Leland (9-1), 1 p.m., Saturday
No. 7 seed Menlo-Atherton (5-5) at No. 2 Aptos (9-1), 7 p.m., Friday
No. 5 seed Milpitas (6-3-1) at No. 4 San Benito (7-2-1), 7 p.m., Saturday
No. 8 seed Alisal (4-4-2) at No. 1 Los Gatos (8-2), 7 p.m., Friday

Gonzales visits Saturday
‘Four Quarters’ produces dramatic
victory for CCS-bound Pioneer

By Karl Laucher
Sports Editor

Having been snake bit twice while falling asleep at the wheel forgetting that it’s not over until it’s over, the Pioneer High School football team showed, with a dramatic victory over Silver Creek High School last week, it is ready to give full attention to each precious moment in the post-season Central Coast Section Division IV championships.
Concentrating on the reality of the moment begins again when the Mustangs host Gonzales High School in a CCS quarterfinal on Saturday, 1 p.m. Gonzales, 8-2 on the season, was the runner-up to Pacific Grove High School in the Mission Trail League. Pioneer, also 8-2, finished No. 2 behind Oak Grove High School in the Blossom Valley Athletic League’s superior Mount Hamilton division.

It took a mighty effort on the part of the Pioneer to overcome Silver Creek, which had shut out its four previous opponents at home. The Mustangs trailed 21-13 after three quarters, but two fourth-quarter touchdowns by fullback Sinan Dumlogol clinched the BVAL’s No. 1 challenger position.

“The drama was pretty intense,” observed Pioneer Coach Mark Krail. “Our defense came up big in the last minutes of the game. We used all of our timeouts on defense, and finally held them on our 30-yard line with about two minutes to go in the game. We managed the clock well, and scored the winning touchdown with just under one minute to go in the game. An interception by Tron Hardy sealed the victory. It was a lot of fun.”
“I loved how our kids battled the entire game, “Krail added. “‘Four Quarters’ is our
motto, and the guys lived up to it against Silver Creek. They easily could have checked out after a very difficult third quarter, but they hung tough together, and in the end were able to pull it out.”

The ‘Four Quarters’ motto is particularly significant because the Mustangs suffered late-game lapses twice this year, holding fourth-quarter leads only to drop back-to-back games to Oak Grove and Piedmont Hills High School. So, yeah, “Four Quarters,” all 48 minutes.

Krail rates Gonzales as “a solid team, well coached team. Obviously, they know how to compete, and win. The challenge is there for us. We're excited to be in the playoffs, and hopefully we can have some success.”
Assuming the task at hand is enough of a challenge, a peek at the other side of Division IV draw reveals mighty Valley Christian High School, ranked No. 2 in the Central Coast by the Mercury News until it’s regular-season ending loss to Bellarmine College Prep.

Pioneer’s Jeremy Landucci finished the regular season as the BVAL Mt. Hamilton’s No. 1scorer with 98 points; he also finished No. 3 in the division in receiving with 411 yards and No. 5 in rushing with 722 yards. Mustang quarterback Jared Koblis checked in at No. 2 in total offense with 1,287 yards and Collin McCarthy led the defense with 76 tackles, fifth in the division.

The CCS Division IV Pairings:
No. 8 seed Gonzales (8-2) at No. 1 Pioneer (8-2), 1 p.m., Saturday
No. 5 seed Menlo (8-2) at No. 4 Pacific Grove (7-2), 7 p.m., Saturday
No. 7 seed Santa Cruz (6-4) at Saratoga, 7 p.m., Saturday
No. 6 seed Willow Glen at No. 3 Valley Christian, 1 p.m., Saturday

Leland Sports Roundup

Complied by Athletic Director Chris Hansen

VOLLEYBALL - After having a first round bye in the girls’ division II CCS volleyball playoffs, the Chargers were paired against a very strong Carlmont team on Saturday night. The girls played a great match and pulled out the victory in a well fought five-game match. Scores were 24-26, 25-10, 25-21, 18-25, 15-12. Senior Briana Scala had 26 kills, six solo blocks, 15 digs and three service aces to lead the Chargers. Freshman Chaulet Scala balanced out the offense with 19 kills, a season best, and senior Alaina Walker added 14 digs and outstanding serve receive passing. The girls are seeded number four in the CCS playoffs.

BOYS WATER POLO - The boys won the first round of CCS playoffs, beating Mt.
Pleasant 16-5. This win was attributed to the outstanding offensive play of Zack Monsees, Nick Beene and Mike Walters. The boys are seeded number two in the CCS playoffs.

F/S BOYS WATER POLO - The boys finished their season undefeated in league with a perfect 5-0 record. They had an overall record of 14-7-1. The losses came to powerhouses St. Francis, Mitty and Soquel. Top scorers for the team were team captain Jon Foote with 56, Justin Booth with 40, team captain Brian Lu with 31 and Max Dobrushin with 11. Brian Lu also led the team in steals, averaging four per game. According to coach Denise
Hall, all of the hard work and dedication these guys put in over a short season was well rewarded. Everyone put forth their best effort and played to the best of their ability. She would also like to thank the parents for their efforts and continual support.

Leland Sports Schedule:

Saturday 11/ 22
CCS football vs. North Salinas at Leland, varsity, 1 p.m.

Monday 11/ 24
CCS tennis at Courtside, Los Gatos, noon.

Tears flow as Briana Scala leads Leland volleyball in dramatic finish

By Karl Laucher
Sports Editor

There were tears on both sides of the net after Leland High School, with a finishing flourish from its high-flying diva, Briana Scala, turned back Carlmont High School three gems to two in the first round of the Central Coast Section volleyball championships held Saturday on the Charger court.

The tears borne by Carlmont were from the frustration of ending the season by losing to a team the Belmont school had defeated earlier in the season, at the Milpitas Spikefest. This time it was Leland 24-26, 25-10, 25-21, 18-25 and 15-12. The win boosted the Charger season record to 26-3.

“Our kids dug in and gave every ounce of effort,” said Leland Coach Chris Hansen.
Victorious, but at also frustrated was Scala, who announced that she would retire from volleyball after the Chargers’ Wednesday night battle against girls volleyball powerhouse Archbishop Mitty at Leland.

Scala seemed destined for a spot on a major college roster, but knee problems, complicated by shin splints, have her closing her volleyball career riding high as a team player who led the Chargers to two straight undefeated Blossom Valley Athletic League seasons, but also personally bonking due to wear and tear.

Scala managed to ignore the pain in the closing moments against Carlmont, as she hit three winners for the Chargers’ final three points for a 15-12 decision in a fifth-game thriller. She finished with a game-high 26 kills.
A tearful Carlmont coach, Amber Mills, noted that her team made too many mistakes in the fifth game, but credited Leland for having “a strong team.”
And, Mills, added, “Briana is a great player.”

Scala apparently wasn’t feeling so great. She said she was advised to have surgery on both knees several yearsago. “I’ve been wearing myself out,” she said. “I love this game and I want to end loving this game. I’ve talked to so many people who play in college who don’t like the game (at that level).
“I’m ready to move on.” Scala added that she wants to someday be a chiropractor. “I’ve got it all planned out.”
With Scala doing most of the heavy hitting, the Chargers racked up a BVAL record of 26-0 over the last two seasons. A good sign for Leland’s future: among the returnees for next season is Chaulet Scala, Briana’s freshman sister who was second in kills versus Carlmont with 19.

BVAL CHAMPION CHARGERS ENJOY ADDED PRIZE. The Leland High School volleyball team shares the pleasure of extending their season in the Central Coast Section championships after a first-round win over Carlmont High School. Front row (from left): Briana Scala, Hanna Choi, Christy Gillick, and Marissa Brehmer. Middle row: Alaina Walker, Sally Hahn, and Grace Suh. Back row: coach Chris Hansen, Chaulet Scala, Becky Tremann, Joyce Chang, Grace Chang, and coach Trish Moore.

Leland junior Christy Gillick looks to set up fellow Chargers while avenging an early-season loss to Carlmont.

Adult football team prepares for 2004 season

COMING SOON TO A FOOTBALL STADIUM NEAR YOU. The Almaden Valley Rams, a fierce pack of real football playersthe kind that pay to play pause during their Saturday practice session as they prepare for the 2004 season.

The Rams, a member of Golden State Amateur Football League, took Almaden Valley territorial rights last spring, but played out of San Jose High School Academy. In 2004, the team hopes to lease either the Leland or Pioneer high school fields. Other teams in the 12-team conference include the Modesto Raiders, the Nor Cal Lawmen, the Solano Chiefs, the Elk Grove Wolverines, the Alameda County Knights, the North Valley Lions, the South Bay Buccaneers, the Oakland Vipers, the Central Coast Barnstormers, the San Francisco Emperors, and the San Jose Jaguars. Said team owner and general manager Jeffrey “Coach K” Kessinger (kneeling, third from left): “I love coaching at this level. This is men’s football.” Added co-captain Ile “Hit Man” Tran (kneeling second from right): “This is a monster league.”

The Rams have a roster of some 30 players, and are open to new players on an individual basis.” The lineup at a recent practice includes, front row (from left): Cheryl Allard (general manager), Hieth Cunningham, Jeffrey “Coach K” Kessinger, Don Warren (head coach), Tran, and Robert Brant (assistant coach). Back row: Lyle Gilbert, Ryan Brown, Tikara Lealeo, Peter Kepilino, Joe Payor, and Kihn Tran. For more information call (408) 978-3394 or go on line at www.almadenvalleyrams.com. --By Karl Laucher

Leland’s Kyle McDaniel plays football, skis as a champion

He leads a double life as a champion football player and a champion water skier. Other than being an outstanding athlete in both endeavors, Leland High School senior Kyle McDaniel struggles to find the correlation between the two.

“In water skiing, whatever you do is what (score) you get,” he observes. “In football, you’ve got to rely on the 10 guys other guys out on the field.”

Either way, McDaniel has managed to come up a winner. He started skiing before his third birthday, and by age 10 he was competing in local slalom tournaments. In the last three years he has been a candidate for national honors. This year, he won the Western Regionals (12 western states) and tied for third at the U.S. Nationals in the boys 13-17 division. He finished with a No. 8 ranking in the world for his age group. On the football field, the 5-foot-10, 170-pound McDaniel plays wide receiver and defensive back, starring at the latter position where he had eight interceptions this year. He is most proud that he has yet to get beat deep by an opposing wide receiver. He has a 3.3 grade point average, which should earn him a seat at the college of his choice (Arizona State or San Diego State). As for his future in competitive athletics, he stands open to all possibilities. He notes that he has advanced in age to division I men, and that may slow down his winning ways. As for football, he’s looking for a bright future in the Central Coast Section championships playing for Leland High the next three weeks.

--By Karl Laucher

LELAND’S WATER POLO CHAMPIONS HAVE THEIR GAME FACE ON

Two straight undefeated seasons in the Blossom Valley Athletic League for the Leland High School boys’ water polo team indicates the Chargers have a bite behind their growl as Mount Pleasant found out in the first round of the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs last week. Final score: Leland 14-6 at Independence High School. The No. 2-seeded Chargers were back in the same tank on Wednesday, taking a 24-7 record against No. 6 Live Oak High School (21-10). In the other semi-final, No. 1 Bellarmine encountered No. 4 Aragon.

Alex Ramon of Leland treads delicately to State Meet

By Karl Laucher
Sports Editor

Alex Ramon of Leland High School was far off his personal best due to muddy footing in the early-morning Central Coast Section Division II cross country championships, but he still was agile and quick enough to earn a berth in the State Champions by placing 12th overall in a field of more than 100 runners on the 2.9-mile course at Crystal Springs last weekend.

Ramon, a 6-foot, 150-pound senior, was the only Charger from either the boys or girls teams to qualify for the state meet, which will be held Saturday, Nov. 29 at Woodward Park in Fresno.
“He’s been one of the top runners on our team for the last two years,” said Leland cross country coach Jerry Rose. “He works extremely hard.”

Ramon’s time of 16 minutes, 39 seconds was 21 seconds slower than he ran to finish fourth in the Blossom Valley Athletic League championships on the same course two weeks earlier. Rose noted that Ramon, and other runners, were dodging mud holes much of the way. “Alex would have easily finished under 16 minutes were it not for the conditions,” Rose added.

Finishing second among Leland’s runners was Ken Elkabany, 29th overall at 17:16, with Charger Rich Gharapetian two places and one second behind Elkabany. The top finisher in the girl’s competition from Leland was sophomore Katie Buckley, who placed 63rd in Division II with a time of 22:31. She was followed across the finish line by fellow Charger Stephanie Hall, 69th in 22:56.

Pioneer High School, competing in Division III, was led by junior Steven Delay, 31st place in 17:21, and senior Sean Lopes, 59th in 18:13. The Mustangs had no female runners at CCS.

Second annual Moon’s Best Cleaners Classic a success

The second annual Moon’s Best Cleaner’s Classic, played Nov. 13, was a roaring success. A field of 37 met at the Boulder Ridge course, brushing off dark clouds and cutting winds, to raise money for the Leland and Pioneer athletic programs. The tournament, founded by Mr. Moon, the owner of legendary Moon’s Best Cleaners, and Frank Oliver, owner of Vivid Estates, raised $2,000, which was divided equally and awarded to each school. In addition, Moon contributed $60,000 worth of gift certificates to be used by the booster programs at Leland and Pioneer. Mustang/Charger backers will be reimbursed with free drycleaning every time they donate money for the high schools’ benefits. Look out next year for the third annual Moon’s Best Cleaners Classic. Moon hopes the event will grow in popularity, becoming a well known tradition within the Almaden Valley athletic community.