MENDOCINO

COLLEGE OF THE REDWOODS

WHEN: Kickoff is 7 p.m. Saturday at Ukiah High School.

TV/RADIO: KSRO (1350 AM), 12:45 p.m.

SEASON TO DATE: This is the season opener for both teams. Mendocino is

coming off a 9-1 season, including a thrilling comeback victory over Redwoods

in last year's opener; Redwoods finished 8-3 in '93. Both teams played in bowl

games.

MENDOCINO UPDATE: Because Paul Cronin was so dynamic in his two years with

the Eagles, the critical spotlight will shine on option QB Adam Breazeale and

pro-set QBs Josh Sinnott and Dan Monlux. Fortunately for the trio, the Eagles

are loaded on offense, notably running back Tyler Dugan and a group of speedy

receivers that include former SRHS QB Vertis Patton, 23-year-old Lawrence

Harvey from Oakland, and Mike Robbins. ... the Eagles are well-stocked on the

offensive line, led by formidable center David Chase (6-4, 300 pounds). ...

Mendocino's defensive line is led by Levi Gi (6-0, 255), who was a standout

for Woodrow Wilson High in San Francisco.

REDWOODS UPDATE: Once a small-school powerhouse, the Corsairs may be back.

Coach Bob Seaman welcomed 126 players to practice -- about a third more than

normal. Seaman was hoping to narrow down his leading QB candidates to two or

three from seven, but may have to experiment Saturday to find the top

candidate from a group that includes Eureka High's last two starters, freshman

Brandon Banducci and Don Ciancio, sophomore Sean Tucker of South Fork, St.

Bernard's Luca Belarde and Russ Mengel of Eureka. ... CR got most of the top

local high school talent and lured five players from Carson in Southern

California, including James Pepe, who was on schoalrship at Oregon. ... so

talented on offense, skilled wide receiver Kevin Noelen has been moved to

defensive back.