As if that wasn't enough, veteran head coach Mike Machado is expecting more of the same in 2003.

Machado, who started his career locally as the successful head coach at Saratoga High School, moved over to Valley Christian and led the Warriors to greatness for many years in the Mt. Hamilton Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League.

His club moved over to the WCAL a year ago and posted a 5-1 record to take the league title. The Warriors went on to win three straight games in the postseason to take the Central Coast Section Division I crown.

Machado expects his Warriors to be back in the CCS playoffs this fall, because he figures that his club will finish "towards the top" in the tough WCAL.

"We have good young kids coming up, along with two all-CCS returners," said Machado. "That should create a strong foundation and allow for the opportunity to compete for another title."

Rugged senior defensive end Jeff Schweiger heads up Valley Christian's hopes in the coming year. Schweiger (6-foot-5, 248 pounds) is an All-American and "one of the top recruits in the nation," said Machado.

Schweiger will anchor the solid Valley defensive unit that will also include returning all-CCS linebacker Matt Castelo (6-foot, 200). Castelo, a senior, will also serve double duty as a running back for the Warriors.

Comeback all-leaguers Kevin Jurovich (6-foot-1, 170), James Toombs (5-foot-10, 190) and Kyle Malone (6-foot-4, 210) join with Schweiger and Castelo and lettermen Brandon Harlow (5-foot-11, 170) and Jamison Lyman (6-foot-5, 280) to form a solid nucleus of senior returners for Valley Christian this fall.

Jurovich, an all-WCAL first-team defensive back a year ago, will take over at quarterback this season for the graduated Tyler Mariucci, and Machado is looking for big things from the senior.

"He's a big-play athlete," said Machado of Jurovich.

Running behind Jurovich in the Valley Christian backfield will be all-league returner Toombs at fullback, along with Castelo at halfback.

Big senior tackles Malone and Lyman will lead the charge up front offensively, and Lyman will go two ways at tackle. Harlow doubles as a defensive back and wide receiver for the Warriors.

Machado welcomes a talented crew of newcomers up from the Valley Christian junior varsity, including sophomores Dominique Hunsucker (5-foot-10, 175) and Dante Perez (5-foot-11, 170) and juniors J.R. Adams (5-foot-11, 175), Joseph Townsend (6-foot-4, 275), Mike Lopresti (5-foot-10, 170) and Justin Willis (6-foot-1, 290).

Adams, the all-league MVP in the WCAL's junior varsity league last fall, figures to move right into the varsity backfield. Perez, a quarterback, and running backs Lopresti and Hunsucker should also help the Valley offense. Lopresti and Hunsucker will also be standouts in the club's defensive secondary.

Townsend and Willis lend plenty of size to the Valley Christian offensive and defensive lines. Both are defensive tackles, while Townsend plays tackle and Willis guard on the offensive wall.

The Warriors will face three powerhouse clubs in the preseason, opening up against Mt. Hamilton Division favorite and defending champion Piedmont Hills on Sept. 12, 7 p.m., at San Jose City College. Valley will then visit Leigh, another Mt. Hamilton Division power, and host McClymonds of Oakland at San Jose City before opening the league season on the road at Riordan on Oct. 11.

Machado ranks St. Francis as the title favorite in the WCAL this fall and looks to Palma as the team to beat at CCS. But he's quick to point out that his own Warriors are not to be counted out ... in either race!

Valley Christian Schedule

Sept. 5 at San Benito 7 p.m.

Sept. 13 Alvarez 1 p.m.

Sept. 19 North Salinas 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 26 at McClymonds 7 p.m.

Oct. 4 St. Francis *1 p.m.

Oct. 18 Mitty *1:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 Riordan *1 p.m.

Nov. 1 at St. Ignatius *2 p.m.

Nov. 8 at Serra *1 p.m.

Nov. 14 Bellarmine at SJCC *7:30 p.m.

*Denotes West Catholic Athletic League game.