Another year of candidates navigating Get ready for the landslide victories, the impressive contributions, the grandstanding and the mudslinging — weather permitting — because the 2004 Santa Barbara County prep football campaigns are upon us. There are no recounts, recalls, kissing babies or accusations of gerrymandering — thanks to open enrollment policies — for these young men. It's simply time for helmets and shoulder pads to clash on the gridiron, and dimple some kid named Chad.
Some individuals, however, may be seeking a higher office, hoping postseason awards and honors propel them to the national stage. Pollsters statewide have already dubbed Dos Pueblos High's Kellen Moriarty and Cabrillo's Lydell Sargent as the candidates most likely to reach a higher level. And local polls provided by the governing body — the CIF — will appear throughout the year, showing which groups are leading in divisional races. But the prep football candidates know that it takes just one embarrassing tumble off a podium during a campaign stop to turn a potential winner into an also-ran. Here are a few of the key issues and personalities you'll encounter on this year's campaign trail: FAHRENHEIT 9/3: It's the temperature at which prep football coaches' hair will begin to turn gray and blood pressures will rise this season. Teams such as Dos Pueblos, Bishop Diego, Lompoc, Righetti and St. Joseph have elected to open their seasons today rather than waiting until Week 1, which begins Sept. 10. So, the CIF created a Week Zero, which derives its name from the equally ridiculous "Size Zero" in women's clothing. (If you can't fit into a Size 1, then the children's section is around the corner, and the steakhouse is down the street.) Yes, it's the week that doesn't exist, but we'll make sure the scores count anyway. The move allows teams to begin practicing a week earlier in the summer and receive a bye week during the regular season. Some coaches jumped at the chance to build more steam going into league play. Others, however, were afraid the move would lead to a long season and cause some kids to burn out. LARGE RUNNING MATE: Don't let his 6-foot-1, 230-pound frame and No. 58 jersey fool you: Jason Quintero is no lineman. He's simply the largest fullback in the county, and he'll be the lead blocker for running backs at Santa Maria High this season. "I just like smashing people," the senior said. The main benefactor of Quintero's smashing will be Gilbert Arguijo, a 5-foot-8, 170-pound senior tailback. ELDER STATESMAN: After 15 seasons of serving as Santa Ynez's head coach, Ken Gruendyke has announced that his 16th will be his last. He said it's time for him to enjoy a fall season away from all the excitement and let some of the young coaches take over. But, after stepping down at the season's end, he added that he may be open to returning as an assistant or lower-level coach at some point in the future. A THIRD TERM?: The county incumbent, Lompoc High, has enjoyed two terms as CIF Division 10 champion, but coach Robin Luken knows how to keep his players from getting too overconfident. "I'll tell them that we're 0-0 just like everyone else," Luken said. "Eighteen weeks from now, we'll see what happens." THE POLLS: Moriarty and Sargeant rank among California's top 100 football recruits, according to a list compiled by TheInsiders.com. In addition to Moriarty's passing prowess, the senior led his team in rushing last year with 533 yards. He ranks 63rd on the list. Sargeant, who scored more touchdowns (20) than any other player in the county last year, is No. 74 on the list. Both are on a number of colleges' recruit wish list. THE PUNDITS: Yes, today marks the first day of the weekly News-Press football grid picks. Here's a little piece of advice: If I've chosen your team to beat another, that's not necessarily a good thing. In 2002, I did so poorly in the picks that I finished last among my fellow prognosticators and was banished from the sports department for a year. Now that I'm back, please don't take it personally if I pick against your team. Often times, that's a good thing. News-Press staff writer Mike Traphagen can be reached at mtraphagen@newspress.com. |
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| Bishop Diego Cardinals
• Cabrillo Conquistadores •
Carpinteria Warriors • Dos
Pueblos Chargers • Lompoc Braves |
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Each
candidate has 10 crucial stops to make on their respective campaign
trails. Some will attempt to reach their destinations successfully
through the air while others will travel exclusively on the ground.
Either way, all hope to perform well enough along the way to capture
the coveted crown — a CIF championship.