The Pioneers are coming off of a 9-3 season in which they advanced to the Central Coast Section Division IV semifinals, and Braun is looking for this year's club to contend for the title in the El Camino Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League and return to postseason play.

"This season is an opportunity for this football team," said Braun. "It's an opportunity to prove that last year's semifinals team was not a fluke."

"This season provides an opportunity for us to jump classes," he added. "For years Cupertino football has been a lower-class team in CCS. If we can duplicate last season's success and take it a step further, then I feel we will jump up."

Cupertino last won a league title in 1993, but Braun thinks this year's club has what it takes to finish "at the top" in the division.

"Every team in our league feels it has a chance," he said. "That makes for exciting football."

Eight lettermen—four of them comeback all-leaguers—bolster Braun's hopes for a successful year in 2003.

Seniors Jonathan Price, Colby Farr, Nick Ramirez-Baker and Sean Crane all return from last year's squad that posted a solid 5-1 El Camino Division record, went 8-2 in the regular season and went on to win one of two games in the postseason.

Price (5-foot-8, 155 pounds) won all-league honors last fall after racing for more than 1,000 yards to lead the Cupertino offense. The talented running back finished with 1,023 yards on 97 carries and scored 21 touchdowns. As a defensive back, he intercepted six passes.

Farr (5-foot-9, 220), Ramirez-Baker (6-foot-1, 208) and Crane (6-foot-4, 265) are all returning all-league linemen who will lead the charge up front offensively. Farr is also expected to see time at fullback for the Cupertino offense. Ramirez-Baker doubles as a linebacker for the Pioneers, and Farr and Crane will play in the Cupertino defensive line.

Seniors Ramy Louis (5-foot-5, 140), Eddie Gueverra (5-foot-7, 157) and John Totaro (6-foot-2, 170) and junior Matt Ravadge (5-foot-11, 195) are other returners from the 2002 squad.

Louis was a starting cornerback a year ago for the Pioneers, but he'll move to linebacker this fall and double as a running back.

Gueverra will return to his post in the defensive secondary for Cupertino, and he'll see time as a wide receiver. Totaro will play tight end and defensive end, and Ravadge is a two-way lineman for the Pioneers.

Joey Puccinelli (6-foot-3, 215) is another 2002 all-leaguer on the Cupertino squad, but the transfer won his all-league spot playing for Prospect. Puccinelli was selected as the Special Teams Player of the Year in the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League last year, but transferred to Cupertino for the '03 season. The senior figures to play tight end and linebacker and also punt for the Pioneers.

Senior Joey Quinones is another talented transfer at Cupertino, and he'll be a two-way lineman for the Pioneers.

Bronson Farr tops a list of three top junior prospects coming up from the Cupertino frosh-soph. Farr started in the defensive line for the Pioneers in the CCS semifinal game against Burlingame, and he'll be a full-time varsity player this fall in the D line and at fullback.

Todd Fitzgerald should take over the offense as the Cupertino quarterback. He was a starting pitcher on the 'Tino varsity baseball team as a sophomore.

Nate Ardaiz will double up as a wide receiver and defensive back for the Pioneers. He's a three-sport starter at Cupertino.

Depth could be a factor for the 2003 Pioneers.

"Injuries could cause us problems," admitted Braun. "Backups are young and inexperienced. Mistakes and special teams will be crucial."

Still, he's optimistic for the future of his program.

"Last year's team set a standard for the present and all future Cupertino football teams," said Braun. "This team understands that and is working hard.

"I look forward to this year."

Cupertino High Schedule

Sept. 13 Independence 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 19 El Camino 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 25 at Los Gatos 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 Lynbrook * 7:30 p.m

Oct. 9 Saratoga *7:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 Monta Vista *7:30 p.m.

Oct.25 Santa Clara *7:30 p.m.

Oct. 31 Fremont *7:30 p.m.

Nov. 8 at Los Altos *1:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 Milpitas 7:30 p.m.

*Denotes Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division game.