Saratoga News

Saratoga's Mike Black (17), returning a punt for a touchdown in the Central Coast Section championship game, is a top senior returner for the Falcons this season.

Black a top 'toga returner

And that's in more ways than one

By Dick Sparrer

Mike Black was standing just behind the midfield stripe when he hauled in the Palma punt.

He raced toward the left sideline, then cut back across the field. And before he was through, he had returned that punt 53 yards for a Saratoga touchdown.

Black's punt return was the key to victory for the Falcons in the Central Coast Section Division IV championship game against the heavily favored Chieftains.

A year later, Black's returning again--in more ways than one.

Black will be returning kicks again as the top returner for the Saratoga football team this fall.

The senior standout returns after a sensational junior season for a team that won a CCS championship. But he is one of only a handful of returners as Saratoga takes on a definite new look in 1997.

First of all, there's a new coach. Tim Tramp takes over the reins from longtime Saratoga frosh-soph and varsity coach Mike Machado, who has left to take a similar position at Valley Christian. And Tramp will bring something of a new look to the Falcons.

"We will be a 'surprise team' offensively because we are not completely running the old Saratoga offense," Tramp said.

But while some things will look different, others will remain the same.

"Defensively, we will be the same," said Tramp--and so will a few members of that defensive unit.

Black (6-foot-1, 170 pounds) returns to start in the defensive secondary for the Falcons, and he's joined by three other returning starters on that squad.

Senior Jeremy Devich (6-foot-2, 170) will line up in the secondary with Black, and Cory Schwaderer (6-foot-1, 185) is back at linebacker.

Matt McKenna (6-foot-1, 225) is a returning starter in the defensive line for the Falcons, and he joins Black as a team leader for Saratoga. The two have been named team co-captains.

Black and Devich will double as wide receivers for the Falcons, and McKenna and Schwaderer will serve double-duty in the offensive line--McKenna at tackle and Schwaderer at tight end.

Receiver Andre Sorbia, running back Ryan Bernard and lineman Brian Cavanagh are talented juniors who Tramp figures will help the varsity this fall. Defensively, Sorbia will also play in the secondary, Bernard at linebacker, and Cavanagh on the line.

"We're a young and inexperienced team," admitted Tramp, "but we've made up for it with lots of hard work and preparation."

The Falcons are well enough prepared that Tramp expects them to finish in the top three in the De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League this fall, but as a newcomer he's not exactly sure what to expect from the other teams in the division.

"Because or our new staff and inexperience, it's hard to determine our outlook," he said.

But he's sure of one thing.

"I do know that we will be competitive."

Top Saratoga returners

Mike Black*

Sr. 6-foot-1, 170 WR/DB

Jeremy Devich

Sr. 6-foot-2, 170 SE/DB

Cory Schwaderer

Sr. 6-foot-1, 185 TE/OLB

Matt McKenna

Sr. 6-foot-1, 225 OL/DL

* Returning all-leaguer

1997 Saratoga schedule

Sept. 13 at Soquel 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 Valley Christian

at Townsend Field 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 Leigh 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Palo Alto 3:15 p.m.

Oct. 10 Los Gatos* 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Wilcox* 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 Fremont* 7:30 p.m.#

Oct. 31 Lynbrook at

Cupertino 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 Monta Vista*

at Cupertino 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 Homestead* 7:30 p.m.

* De Anza Division games

All home games at Los Gatos

All night games preceded by 5:15 p.m. frosh-soph games (except 4:30 p.m. frosh-soph start on Sept. 20)

Soquel game preceded by an 11 a.m. frosh-soph game; Palo Alto game preceded by 3:15 p.m. frosh-soph game a day earlier

#Homecoming

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