By MICHAEL COIT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Deep and competitive, the North Central League I is the beast of Empire small school prep football.
Both defending champion St. Helena and runner-up Willits return enough starters to retain favorite status. Middletown should provide a strong challenge.
Where the league is even tougher this season is in the middle of the pack. Fort Bragg is formidable coming off a better than expected campaign. Kelseyville looks to win the close games. Lower Lake is confident of posting a winning record.
“The league is going to be very tough. We’re just trying to prepare and do better each week,” said St. Helena coach Brandon Farrell.
Even a young Clear Lake team and Cloverdale (coming off a one-win season) should push league foes.
“The whole schedule is going to be tough. Hopefully we can be ready for it,” said Lower Lake coach Mike Huffman.
Realignment a year ago brought back a conference featuring the largest of the Coastal Mountain Conference schools. Five teams are from the former NCL I North and three were in the NCL I South.
“It made it truly more challenging to get to the playoffs. It makes it more difficult for the kids to make all-league. I think it just pushes everybody,” said Willits coach Nat Collicott.
The goal for teams is to win non-league contests and stay healthy heading into a league slate where every game can be a challenge.
“It’s better having seven league games. It makes for a much more interesting league race,” Kelseyville coach Rob Ishihara said.
With a mix of veteran coaches and sharp newcomers on the sidelines, the league features teams that are well prepared and play hard.
“In an eight-team league there’s always going to be some good football teams,” said longtime Middletown coach Bill Foltmer. “It’s a very competitive league.”
TEAM PREVIEWS
CLEAR LAKE CARDINALS
Coach: Glenn Meyer (14th season)
2011 record: 4-6, 4-3 (fourth in NCL I)
2011 JV record: 2-8
Returning starters: OFFENSE (3): OL Josh Larsen; RB Luke Punzalan; RB Vince Rave; DEFENSE (3): DL Larsen; LB Punzalan; CB Andre Buendia
PLAYERS TO WATCH
RB Luke Punzalan: A big, powerful runner, Punzalan also is a smart back out of the Clear Lake option game.
OL Josh Larsen: The Cardinals’ only returning lineman provides leadership. Larsen continues to improve with each season.
NEWCOMERS TO WATCH
WR/RB David Mansell: Quick and with good hands, Mansell will be counted on to make big plays his first season of varsity football. He has much to learn, but is very talented.
Schedule: Opens at Durham on Friday
CLOVERDALE EAGLES
Coach: Rick Berry (28th season)
2011 record: 1-8-1, 1-5-1 (sixth in NCL I)
2011 JV record: 0-10
Returning starters: OFFENSE (5): QB Josh Holden; OL Jordan Johnson; RB Colby Meier; WR Gabby Chunare; WR Junior Campos; DEFENSE (6): LB Meier; CB Chunare; CB Campos; LB Zack Rege; S Jorge Chunare; DL Jose Solario
PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB Josh Holden: A threat to both run and pass, Holden is a tough player who is smart on the field.
RB/LB Colby Meier: He is a two-way standout, valuable on both sides of the ball. Meier always runs hard and is an anchor on defense.
LB Zack Rege: Football is his passion. Rege never gets outworked in practice or games.
WR/CB Junior Campos: The big play receiver is a favorite target for Holden. Also an impact player on defense, Campos gets the most out of his athletic ability.
NEWCOMERS TO WATCH
RB/SS Luis Gutierrez: He is part of the Eagles three back rotation. Quick and aggressive, Gutierrez is an enthusiastic student of the game.
Schedule: Lost to Calistoga. At McKinleyville on Friday
FORT BRAGG TIMBERWOLVES
Coach: Roy Perkins (first season)
2011 record: 5-5, 3-4 (fifth in NCL I)
2011 JV record: 6-4
Returning starters: OFFENSE (5): OL Eric Herrogon; OL Neil Dondanville; RB Anthony Jeffries; TE Reed Monsen; WR Todd Waugh; DEFENSE (6): LB Dondanville; LB Jeffries; DL Monsen; DB Waugh; LB Jeff Francis; CB Brandon Palmer
PLAYERS TO WATCH
OL Eric Herrogon and Neil Dondanville, TE Reed Monsen: The trio up front are quick and strong. Combine game smarts and they give Fort Bragg's offense ample playmaking opportunities on the ground and in the air.
DB Todd Waugh and CB Brandon Palmer: Among the Timberwolves’ top athletes, the pair anchor a defensive backfield that doesn't give up big plays and helps stop the run.
NEWCOMERS TO WATCH
QB Tyler Ashby: Quick, athletic, Ashby can run and throw equally well. Ashby leads a revamped offense that will spread the field more to keep defenses honest.
RB Zach Smith: He is expected to be the primary running back in the Fort Bragg pistol offense. Smith is a speedster who can get outside defenses.
Schedule: Beat McKinleyville. At St. Bernard’s on Saturday
KELSEYVILLE KNIGHTS
Coach: Rob Ishihara (third season)
2011 record: 1-9, 1-6 (seventh in NCL I)
2011 JV record: 6-4
Returning starters: OFFENSE (5): QB John Mark Reagan; WR Greg Fricker; OL Zac Cocco; TE Anthony Melero; WR Pedro Hernandez; DEFENSE (5): DB Reagan; DB Fricker; DL Cocco; DB Hernandez; DB Nathan Jones
PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB John Mark Reagan: Always a strong running threat, Reagan will pass more this season with the offense relying on high percentage plays to gain confidence.
WR Greg Fricker: A primary target for Reagan will be Fricker. He runs good routes and has great hands.
DL Zac Cocco: One of Kelseyville's toughest players pound for pound. Cocco leads the defense from an end position, relaying on quickness to pressure opponents.
NEWCOMERS TO WATCH
RB Robert McLean: With good vision and strength, McLean gives the Knights a load at running back.
RB Kevin Duty: Another big back, Duty is also fast and should make big plays as Kelseyville looks to score more this season.
Schedule: Opens at home against Upper Lake on Friday
LOWER LAKE TROJANS
Coach: Mike Huffman (second season)
2011 record: 0-9-1, 0-6-1 (eighth in NCL I)
2011 JV record: 6-4
Returning starters: OFFENSE (8): QB Richard Tucker; WR Thomas Cross; OL Mike Warren; OL Thaddeus Wetmore; OL Billy Martin; RB Jared Thompson; RB Gerald Drummund; WR Zane Kazaka; DEFENSE (6): CB Cross; DL Warren; LB Wetmore; DL Martin; LB Thompson; S Drummund
PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB Richard Tucker: Back to run Lower Lake's veer offense, Tucker has a great line to open holes or protect when he shows off a great passing arm. The coaching staff encourages Tucker to change plays when he sees opportunities.
OL/DL Mike Warren: He anchors both lines – at center and nose guard – and has improved technique to go with physical size and a work horse approach.
WR/CB Thomas Cross: One of the many wrestlers on Lower Lake's roster, Cross has great speed on and is a very physical defender.
NEWCOMERS TO WATCH
RB/S Johnny Egger: The record breaking back up from junior varsity also is a standout in the defensive backfield, flying around to make tackles.
OL/DL William Isaacs: A force on both sides of the ball, Isaacs bolsters experienced lines. He is another wrestler for the Trojans.
Schedule: Opens at Hoopa Valley on Friday
MIDDLETOWN MUSTANGS
Coach: Bill Foltmer (27th season)
2011 record: 6-5, 5-2 (third in NCL I)
2011 JV record: 10-0
Returning starters: OFFENSE (6): QB Ben Pike; RB Austin Benson; RB Tyler Drew; WR Jared Carrillo; OL Anthony Tacla; TE Tyler Rockwell; DEFENSE (7): CB Benson; S Drew; CB Carrillo; DL Tacla; DL Rockwell; CB Logan Smith; LB Adam Cade
PLAYERS TO WATCH
RB/CB Austin Benson: Quick through holes, Benson is elusive in the open field, always a threat to break a long run.
QB Ben Pike: Teammates believe in Pike, a great leader who is comfortable running the Middletown offense and taking what defenses give the Timberwolves.
OL/DL Anthony Tacla: While he is not the biggest lineman, Tacla is athletic, getting to blocks quickly and relying on good technique. He also is a two-year starter on defense.
TE Tyler Rockwell: A good blocker who helps seal defenders on the outside, Rockwell has good hands on pass plays.
NEWCOMERS TO WATCH
DL Brad Bologna: Starting at defensive end, the tough player has much potential once he gains more confidence. Bologna also is the backup tight end.
Schedule: Hosts Salesian in opener Friday
ST. HELENA SAINTS
Coach: Brandon Farrell (fifth season)
2011 record: 11-1, 7-0 (first in NCL I)
2011 JV record: 9-1
Returning starters: OFFENSE (5): QB Richard Hoppe; WR Joey Brink; RB Danny Brink; RB Michael Crean; OL Daniel Kuleto; DEFENSE (5) S Joey Brink; CB Danny Brink; LB Crean; DL Kuleto; LB Jackson Graff
PLAYERS TO WATCH
RB/LB Michael Crean: The two-way starter is a defensive force. Crean controls the middle and is a very strong player. He missed half of last season to a broken leg.
QB Richard Hoppe: One of the best quarterbacks in the Empire is back to lead a high scoring offense. His steady hand will be important early in the season for a young team at key positions.
OL/DL Daniel Kuleto: The anchor of the offensive front has enough quickness to play a strong defensive end.
NEWCOMERS TO WATCH
DL Kile Grayson: A strong player, Grayson holds blocks to stuff runs from his defensive end position.
OL Tanner Ward and Gannon Laidlaw: The sophomore pair won jobs on the offensive line out of summer practice. They are hard workers on a learning curve. Laidlaw also plays on the defensive line.
Schedule: Beat Berean Christian. At St. Vincent on Sept. 8.
WILLITS WOLVERINES
Coach: Nat Collicott (fourth season)
2011 record: 9-3, 9-1 (second in NCL I)
2011 JV record: 3-7
Returning starters: OFFENSE (6): QB Kyler Collicott; RB/WR Wyatt Sanderson; OL Sam White; OL Steven Maxwell; OL Daniel Campbell; TE Reis Rankin; DEFENSE: (6) DB Collicott; DB Sanderson; LB White; LB Maxwell; DL Campbell; LB Rankin
PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB/LB Kyler Collicott: A strong, accurate passer who avoids sacks. He has great speed, makes good decisions, and is a vocal leader. Collicott also is an outstanding linebacker.
RB/DB Wyatt Sanderson: Tough to bring down, Sanderson is a dual threat as a running back and receiver. On defense he is a run stopper.
OL/LB Sam White: The captain of the offensive front, White plays wherever the team needs an anchor.
OL/LB Steven Maxwell: A relentless blocker, Maxwell is always in motion, playing whistle to whistle.
NEWCOMERS TO WATCH
OL/DE Danin Maclane: Physical on both the offensive and defensive lines, he adds considerable size to a solid front.
Schedule: Beat Richmond in season opener. At Ukiah on Sept. 7.
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