Saratoga News

Young Dons lose opener; Vikes drop heartbreaker

By Dick Sparrer

Ian MacKenzie may have been disappointed, but he couldn't have been too surprised. His De Anza Community College football team had just lost its season opener 31-6 to San Jose City College. And while any loss is disappointing, MacKenzie knew that he was sending an inexperienced club to the field against the powerful Jaguars.

De Anza returns just nine players from a team that posted a 2-8 record a year ago, so there's not much experience on the De Anza squad--especially on offense.

"We have eight returning starters on defense, but we have a lot of young players on offense," MacKenzie said. "The season depends on the development of the young players."

All-conference returner Scott Leiser (6-foot-1, 205) tops the list of lettermen on the De Anza squad. Leiser is back at his free safety post for the Dons.

Cornerbacks James Ingram (6-foot, 175) and Dale Williams (6-foot, 180), linemen Lou Afano (6-foot, 275) and Eric Abgulos (5-foot-11, 245) and linebackers Jaison Lewis (6-foot, 218) and Donnie Sargent (6-foot-1, 210) are other defensive returners for De Anza.

Tackle Jeff Cheek (6-foot-5, 305) returns to the offensive line for the Dons, and sophomore transfer Jerome Holloway (5-foot-10, 190) is another top offensive prospect.

Quarterbacks Cortez Espinoza (5-foot-11, 190), Mike Poyntz (5-foot-10, 185) and Chris McDaniel (6-foot-2, 185) top a list of freshman prospects at De Anza.

Wide receivers Joe Tai (5-foot-9, 165), D.J. Jimenez (5-foot-9, 180) and Darren Kool (6-foot-4, 190) are other top prospects along with Steve Wilson (5-foot-9, 180), a running back and strong safety.

Among the local players expected to see action for the Dons are: for Lynbrook, sophomore defensive lineman Steve Horner (6-foot-2, 224); for Prospect, sophomore kicker Jason Rodriguez (5-foot-7, 170); for Homestead, freshman linebacker Charles Lee (5-foot-11, 175), sophomore defensive back Bernard Brown (5-foot-7, 150), freshman running back Brian Morrissey (5-foot-10, 250), freshman defensive lineman Ardeshir Vosooghi (5-foot-6, 208), freshman defensive lineman Leo Fisher (6-foot-1, 225) and freshman linebacker Miguel Villa (5-foot-6, 180); and for Fremont, sophomore defensive lineman Gary Rath (6-foot-3, 228), freshman linebacker James Cain (6-foot-2, 205) and freshman offensive lineman Mark Leslie (6-foot-1, 275).

The Dons, now 0-1 in the young season, will visit Foothill College on Sept. 19, 7 p.m.

De Anza's only score in the loss to San Jose last Friday was a 21-yard TD toss from Espinoza to Marvin Williams.

Vikes lose opener

It was a tough way to open the year.

Sure, sophomore quarterback Lemuel Adams tossed a couple of touchdown passes. And soph running back Chad Purcell ran in for another score.

But the West Valley Community College football team gave up two scores in the final period to drop a 25-24 heartbreaker to Chabot in the season opener for each club last Friday afternoon in Saratoga.

Adams gave West Valley the early lead when he hit David Wyatt for three yards and a first-quarter touchdown. Augie Rose kicked the extra point, and the Vikings were up 7-0.

Chabot scored twice in the second period to take a 15-7 lead at the half, but Valley battled back in the third.

Purcell, the former Monta Vista sensation, took off on an 18-yard touchdown run, then Adams tossed a 33-yard scoring pass to Justin Wilson. A safety later in the period helped West Valley push its lead to 20-15 heading into the fourth.

But Valley could manage just a 40-yard field goal by Rose while Chabot scored twice in the final quarter to pull out the victory.

The Vikings will be on the road this week as they look for their first win of the year at the City College of San Francisco on Sept. 19, 1 p.m.

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