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CIF Kickoff Classic showcases varsity football

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No matter what one calls it—Hell Week or Camp—it’s over and the 2009 Bulldog varsity football team is ready to play against an opponent.

The double days ended with Bulldog Family Day and scrimmage on Saturday.

The frosh team was impressive. Coach Mike Ernst and his staff have put in the basic offense and defense and the frosh team impressed the entire coaching staff.

The junior varsity and varsity are tired of hitting one another and the varsity will get a chance to hit Rancho Bernardo High School tomorrow night in the CIF Kickoff Classic at RHS. The event is sponsored by the CIF, so Ramona Bulldog season ticket holders will have to pay admission. The event raises money for CIF teams that have to travel long distances in the playoffs.

The varsity will take the field at 7:30. Since four schools will be involved, it is advised that spectators get to the Dawg Pound early. There will be another scrimmage at 5 p.m.

The Bullpups and the junior varsity will travel to Rancho Bernardo this afternoon for a scrimmage

Coach Ed Munyer’s defense was the number one defense in the county last season against the most important statistic, giving up points. This year the Dawgs will be using the same scheme so the Bulldogs don’t have to learn a new defense; they just have to refine the one they know.

The Dawgs will use primarily a four-man front that is considered a strength of the defense. Seniors Christian Scherer, Quinton Wright, Dakota Rhodes and John Henry Yorba all lettered last season. Seniors Fidel Lopez and Steve Foster are up from a junior varsity team that played for the league championship last season.

Senior DJ Adams is new to the program. Junior Marshall Thrasher is vying for a starting spot at end and junior Jacob Sanders is also in the mix. Coaches Mike Johnson and Bob Schulty said they are happy with the progress of their troops.

The linebacker corps is a question mark. It will have three new starters. Sam Hine is the only returning letterman in the corps. Jacob Graham is up from the junior varsity but did not play linebacker last season. Shea Bailey, Jarod Widner and Elasar Gordillo did not play last season and are seniors.

Senior Logan Peterson is up from the junior varsity. Matt Neyland has moved from the defensive line and has earned a starting spot. Trevor Michaux, Nate Snyder and Bolton Lenard are also in the mix. Sophomore Colton Houlihan is vying for a starting spot.

“We do not have much experience, but there is a lot of talent,” said Munyer. “We will be sound at backer.”

The defensive backfield can also be listed as a strength, as it returns three lettermen. Seniors Seth Drake, Trevor Kerchner and Marcos Ledezma are back with varsity experience. Tyler Harvey and Colin Murphy are up from the junior varsity and Chris Danby is new to the program.

Juniors Andrew Stemm, Nate Lutu and Nathan Hunt are up from JV. Spaso Ilich is back after taking a year off from the program.

Drake, Kerchner and Lutu will see action on the offense. Hunt is listed as the number three quarterback.

“We have experience, talent and speed at DB,” said Coach Marc Boykins.

The defense will be sound, and as the linebackers gain experience it will be a force.

Coach Damon Baldwin calls the offense and coaches the offensive line. The o-line will be a strong point.

Seniors Justin Godes, Spencer Johnston, Travis Houry and James Nicholson are all lettermen. Godes missed all but one play last season but started as a sophomore.

Seniors Pat Burns, Ricardo Fonseca and Matt Jacobi are up from the junior varsity. Cody Sweet lettered as a sophomore. Israel Cervantes and Taylor Young are up from JV. Sophomore Eric Box made the jump from frosh to varsity.

“Our offensive line is good,” said Baldwin. “They will get the running game on track and they will protect the passer. All offense starts with the o-line.”

The receiver corps is new. Kerchner played there last season but the other wide outs are new.

Drake and Kerchner will see action on both sides of the ball. Drake is currently on the disabled list.

Seniors Greg Harrington and Evan Bray are up from junior varsity. Juniors Bryson Garcia and Quincy Watts are vying for starting spots and are up from junior varsity.

“The receivers had a good summer and have been consistent in camp,” said Coach Jason Mathews. “They can all block and catch. We will be good at receiver.”

The tight ends are all new to the varsity. Sophomore Kwayde Miller has not only made the jump from the frosh to the varsity, but he has earned a starting spot. Junior Preston Snyder is up from JV and will see plenty of action in the two tight end formations.

Thrasher will be used as a third tight end in power running sets.

Ramona has speed and power at the running back position. All CIF speedster in track Ryan Morgan is back for his third campaign on the varsity, and he is the speed. He started much of last season.

Adrian Landgrave is also a returning letterman. Tyler Jackson lettered last season as a sophomore and is a power runner. Peterson and Alex Woosley are up from the junior varsity and will play fullback in power running sets.

Baldwin has two senior lettermen returning at quarterback. Erik Ernst started his sophomore year and is back for his third season on the varsity. Rocco Hemphill started one game as a sophomore and lettered last season. Both know the offense and both are still battling for playing time.

Hunt is also listed as a quarterback.

Hemphill is the number one punter for the second straight season. His backup is Bryson Garcia, who punted for the junior varsity last season.

Colin Murphy and Greg Harrington are set to do the kicking duties. Both are up from the junior varsity.

This will be the Bulldogs last season in the Valley League as it now exists. They won the first Valley League championship and won the title in Baldwin’s first season at RHS. They have a winning tradition.

Oceanside High School is the favorite to win the title. The Bulldogs will travel to OHS for the final game of the season.

The Dawgs have been known to give the Pirates a hard time.

“We will contend for the league championship,” stated Baldwin.

Hell Week is over. Let the games begin.

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