Saratoga News

Westmont could be football contenders

By Dick Sparrer

It's been a while since Westmont had a football team contend for a division championship. But veteran head coach Tom Sweeney figures that this could be the year the Warriors make that title bid.

Sweeney considers Mt. Pleasant to be the team to beat in the West Valley Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League, but he predicts a "top three" finish for the Warriors. "We're a potential dark horse," said Sweeney. "We have veteran players at key positions."

Westmont returns 14 players from last year's club that ended up 2-8 for the season. Two of the 14 are juniors who played up as sophomores.

"We should have solid offensive and defensive lines," said Sweeney.

T.J. Aimonetti (6-foot-2, 200) is a veteran back for his third varsity campaign. Aimonetti is a solid starter in the offensive line and also stars as a defensive end.

Ryan Cole (6-foot-2, 235), like Aimonetti, plays in the offensive line and at defensive end. Jeff Brown (5-foot-11, 200), Jon Lowe (6-foot-3, 230) and Greg Woodland (6-foot, 220) are two-way linemen and Ben Holmes (6-foot-5, 220) is a prosect at tight end and linebacker. Lowe and Holmes are both juniors.

Justin Murray (5-foot-11, 185) and Anthony Candia (5-foot-10, 150) are quarterbacks who will also see action in the defensive secondary.

Dan Rodriguez (5-foot-7, 145), Nic Baumann (5-foot-8, 150) and Rob Bauman (5-foot-8, 150) are returners who double as running backs and linebackers. Ryan Brando (5-foot-11, 160) and Cole Rasmussen (5-foot-10, 160) could see action in both the offensive and defensive backfields, and John Trevillion (5-foot-10, 220) is a running back and noseguard.

Juniors Tony Lavista (6-foot-1, 200), A.J. Oxley (5-foot-8, 165) and Tim Wilson (5-foot-11, 225) and sophomores Mike Hilbert (6-foot-1, 178) are top prospects coming up for last year's frosh-soph squad.

Lavista is a tight end-linebacker, Oxley a fullback-linebacker, Wilson a two-way lineman and Hilbert a running back-free safety.

Westmont will open the 1998 season on the road when the Warriors visit Lynbrook on Sept. 12, 1 p.m.

Sweeney is assisted on the Westmont staff by area coaching veterans Bob Gatiss, Dan Morgan and Ron Leimbach.

Westmont schedule

Sept. 11: at Lynbrook, 1 p.m.

Sept. 18: Fremont, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 25: Los Altos, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 2: San Jose,* 7 p.m.

Oct. 9: Prospect,# 6:45 p.m.

Oct. 16: Mt. Pleasant, * 7 p.m.

Oct. 23: Lincoln, * 7 p.m.

Oct. 31: at Lick,* 1 p.m.

Nov. 6: at Hill,* 3:15 p.m.

Nov. 13: at Yerba Buena,* 2:45 p.m.

* Denotes league game

# Homecoming

Top Returners:

T.J. Aimonetti, senior lineman-defensive end; Ryan Cole, senior lineman-defensive end; Jeff Brown, senior lineman; Jon Lowe, junior lineman; Greg Woodland, senior lineman; Ben Holmes, junior tight end-linebacker; Justin Murray, senior quarterback-defensive back; Anthony Candia, senior quarterback-defensive back; Dan Rodriguez, senior running back-linebacker; Nic Baumann, senior running back-linebacker; Rob Bauman, senior running back-linebacker; Ryan Brando, senior defensive back; Cole Rasmussen, senior defensive back; John Trevillion, senior running back-noseguard.

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