It wasn't easy in the beginning, competing with teams that always had more experience and often more talent, but Cardoza and his Bruins persevered. You can't create experience overnight, so the Bruins took it one season at a time, doing their best to be competitive and build a strong tradition and a successful program.

That perseverance and commitment has paid off. After spending the past four years playing in the West Valley Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League, Branham will move up to the next level and compete against the stronger teams of the Santa Teresa Division.

It's a new challenge for Cardoza and his staff. Not only will league play be more difficult, but the Bruins face the new experience of not just building but rebuilding. Last spring was the first year that they had a complete senior graduating class, which has resulted in several key players leaving the program.

Even with this being the case, Cardoza believes the Bruins "can be competitive," especially since he will have 11 returning lettermen with some degree of varsity experience on the 2003 squad.

In addition, there are underclassmen from the undefeated league champion frosh-soph team who are anxious to prove they are ready for varsity-level competition.

The offensive production could be the greatest point of concern in the season ahead, since the Bruins had to say good-bye to the league leader in scoring as well as the third, fourth, and sixth leading scorers for the season.

Good offensive production usually starts with the leadership of the quarterback, and the Bruins lost a good one to graduation. The competition for the starting role should be strong between returning letterman senior Joshua Lagod (6-foot, 160 pounds) and last year's frosh-soph starter junior T.J. De Stefano (5-foot-7, 160).

If De Stefano is successful at winning the job, it could prove to be a plus for the Bruins in more ways than one. It would free up Lagod to concentrate on his linebacker role, where he excelled last year and was selected as all-leaguer.

The targets could be one of two senior tight ends looking for playing time—Steve Brugge (5-foot-10, 190) and Steven Lowrey (6-foot-1, 200). They also could be seeing some action on the defensive side of the ball, as both have linebacker experience.

Another key element on the offense will be the continued effectiveness of 2002 Most Outstanding Junior Cameron Pickering (6-foot-2, 225). He was a threat on both sides of the ball. As a running back, he finished the season as the third leading rusher in the league and as a defensive lineman, he was among the top 10 leading tacklers in the league.

The offensive line should be anchored well by returning three-year starter and all-league senior A.J. Tyler (6-foot, 210). The Bruins will also rely on the experience of returning lettermen Peter Casey (5-foot-9, 185) and Matt Haro (6-foot-1, 275).

Rounding out the offense will be all-league kicker Louis Sakoda (5-foot-8, 160).

One of the strengths of the 2003 Bruins will be its experienced defense. The return of some fine talent will hopefully keep the Bruins in their games and allow the offense to begin to click.

The heart of the defensive line will be returning letterman senior Chris Blanco (5-foot-6, 198) and all-league senior Robbie Reeser (6-foot-3, 180). Both were outstanding defenders and part of a formidable Bruins pass rush defense that resulted in Blanco and Reeser finishing the season with the second and third most sacks in the league.

The defensive secondary should prove to be just as effective as last year. They led the league in interceptions and have a returning starter in senior defensive back Marc Martinez (5-foot-8, 175), who swiped four in 2002. One cornerback position will be taken care of by all-league returner Andre Ingram (5-foot-9, 165), back for his senior year. Ingram will also fill in at running back.

The other two defensive secondary spots will most likely be filled by two very capable underclassmen coming up from the frosh-soph team. Junior Nolan Robison (5-foot-7, 145) could nail down the other cornerback position and junior Preston Ward (5-foot-7, 156) is looking to take over the role of safety.

In anticipation of the Bruins moving up a division and knowing that the level of competition will intensify, Cardoza realizes that there are a "lot of question marks" and that his "juniors really need to contribute." They are no doubt "young at spots," but that has been the story for the past four years—ever since Branham returned to the gridiron.

Under Cardoza's leadership, the Bruins have proven their ability to step up and meet similar challenges in the past. They just need to do it at a higher level this time around.

Branham 2003 Football Schedule

Sept. 6 at Carmel 2 p.m.

Sept. 12 Lynbrook at Cupertino 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 Santa Teresa 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 Westmont * 7 p.m.

Oct. 11 at James Lick 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Leland * 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 at Lincoln * 1:30 p.m.

Nov. 1 Prospect * 1:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 at Andrew Hill * 2:45 p.m.

Nov. 14 Overfelt * 2:45 p.m.

*Denotes Blossom Valley Athletic League Santa Teresa Division game.