Sometimes, maybe even the 40!

The returning all-league placekicker is an offensive threat who gives the Bells an extra offensive weapon as they enter the chase for the West Catholic Athletic League championship this fall. And his talents, combined with an experienced defensive unit, give Bellarmine coach Mike Janda good reason to be optimistic heading into the current season.

"Our strengths will be our kicking game, experience at linebacker and experience in the secondary," said Janda. And that's a good combination, since winning the battle of field position will be an important factor in putting Gamboa into position to get the Bells on the scoreboard.

Gamboa is a senior returner who was the WCAL's kicker of the year last fall and was also named to the all-Central Coast Section first team. As a junior, he drilled 7 of 10 field goals, including a 55-yarder that stands as a Bellarmine school record.

Leading the defensive effort for the Bells are all-league returners Randy Lewis, Langston Johnson and Chris Parrette. The trio heads up an experienced crew on the defensive side of the scrimmage line.

"We have three of four linebackers returning," said Janda, "and three of four starting defensive backs return."

Lewis (6-foot, 175 pounds) earned all-league second-team honors last fall as a cornerback, and he's back as a senior this season to serve double-duty as a defensive back and wide receiver.

Joining Lewis in the secondary will be veterans Ryan Harris (6-foot-2, 200) and Nick Rajkovich (6-foot-2, 190). Harris will start opposite Lewis at the other cornerback post, and he'll also see time offensively at wide receiver. Rajkovich will be a starting safety for the Bells.

Junior Colin Maher (6-foot-2, 190) is a newcomer up from the frosh-soph expected to fill out the secondary as a safety for the Bells. He'll also see action as a wide receiver.

Johnson (6-foot-3, 220) and Parrette (5-foot-9, 205) are comeback 'backers who each won all-WCAL second-team spots a year ago. Johnson is an outside linebacker who doubles as the team's tight end, and Parrette is an inside 'backer who also starts at fullback for the Bells.

Andy Armstrong (5-foot-9, 195) is another returning starter at inside linebacker, and Dustin Coppernoll (6-foot-2, 180) is a letterman who figures to move into a starting role at outside linebacker.

Anchoring in the defensive front wall for the Bells will be senior noseguard Chip Lewis (6-foot-1, 240), a veteran from last year's Bellarmine squad. He also figures to play offensive tackle this season.

Junior John Gill (6-foot-4, 290) and sophomore Tim Danser (6-foot-3, 290) are talented newcomers up from the frosh-soph club expected to see plenty of playing time as two-way tackles for Bellarmine.

Veteran Darrin Bragg (6-foot-2, 185) will take over this fall as the starting quarterback for the Bells, stepping into the role held by all-league senior Dan Bocanegra a year ago. Bragg will target his tosses at wide outs R. Lewis, Harris and Maher and tight end Johnson. Parrette figures to lead the running game from his post at fullback.

Rounding out the list of seniors on the Bellarmine squad are wide receivers Anthony Maka (5-foot-10, 180) and Scott Peterson (6-foot-3, 170); running back Jelani Young (6-foot, 185); guards Nick Drbal (6-foot-1, 185), Justin Harding (5-foot-9, 185), Tim McCabe (6-foot-1, 220), Aaron Pinkston (5-foot-10, 235), Nick Lee (6-foot, 230) and Newly Mach (6-foot-3, 205); centers Luke Council (6-foot, 210) and Kevin Saldivar (6-foot-1, 220); and tackles Eugene Bowers (6-foot-2, 220) and Morgan Parsons (6-foot-2, 240).

The Bells return to the field this fall after posting a 6-4 regular season record last year, good enough for a berth in the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs. Bellarmine ended up losing to Valley Christian in the CCS finals to wrap up the year with an 8-5 record overall.

Janda looks to St. Francis as the team to beat this season in the WCAL.

Bellarmine 2003 Schedule

Sept. 12 Piedmont Hills 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 at Leigh 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 McClymonds 7 p.m.

Oct. 11 at Riordan * 2 p.m.

Oct. 17 St. Ignatius *7 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Serra * 7 p.m.

Oct. 31 Mitty *7 p.m.

Nov. 7 at St. Francis *7:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 Valley Christian *7 p.m.

All home games played at San Jose City College

*Denotes West Catholic Athletic League game.