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Homestead High School's football team was a scoring machine in 2003—especially in the first seven games.
Starting with a 31-14 victory in their opener against Andrew Hill of San Jose, the Mustangs' offense was a force. In the seven-game stretch—capped by a 53-40 non-league triumph over Fremont—the Mustangs put 245 points on the scoreboard and scored more than 30 points in six games.
Expect more of the same from Homestead in 2004.
Whether or not they score 35 points per game, as they averaged in those first seven games a year ago, the Mustangs indeed will have offensive firepower.
Leading the way will be senior running back Chris Morris, the Offensive Player of the Year in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League's De Anza Division last season.
Morris (6-foot, 210 pounds) will be running through holes opened by two team captains, senior linemen Grant Martinez (6-foot, 215) and Marc Robinson (6-foot, 205). Another big senior on the line will be sure-handed tight end Greg Jackson (6-foot-2, 205), a returning starter.
Joining Morris in the backfield will be another speedy all-leaguer, junior Jay Atkins (6-foot, 190), a transfer from Fremont. Atkins earned all-league honors while competing for the Firebirds in the SCVAL's El Camino Division.
Talented wide receiver Aaron Hickson (6-foot-2, 195), who also earned all-El Camino honors while playing for Fremont last season, will be wearing the green and white in 2004. Craig Moberg (5-foot10, 165), a talented soccer and baseball player, is a returning wide receiver looking to shine in his senior year.
A third transfer, Tyler Daily (6-foot, 185), is a quarterback candidate for head coach Charlie Bostic's Mustangs, who are looking to improve on their 2003 record of 1-5 in the De Anza Division and 4-6 overall.
"We are strong at the skill positions [on offense] and the linebacker spots," Bostic said, "but [a lack of] depth in the defensive and offensive lines could cause a problem."
Bostic picks Los Gatos and Wilcox as the teams to beat in the DeAnza Division this year, but he is looking for the Mustangs to improve their defense in 2004 and claim a "top three" finish.
The Mustangs will open up against Andrew Hill again this fall when they host the Falcons on Sept. 10. Homestead will also battle Capuchino and Monta Vista in the pre-season before opening De Anza Division play on Oct. 1 against Gunn.
Homestead will fill its league bye with Fremont of the El Camino Division on Oct. 22. The local rivalry always proves a hard-fought back, but this year could be even more intense with former Firebirds Atkins and Hickson now playing for the Mustangs.
Homestead 2004 Schedule
Sept. 10, Andrew Hill, TBA
Sept. 17, at Capuchino, 3:15 p.m.
Sept. 24, at Monta Vista, 3:15 p.m.
Oct. 1, Gunn, 7:30 p.m. *
Oct. 8, Wilcox, 7:30 p.m. *
Oct. 15, at Milpitas, 7:30 p.m. *
Oct. 22, Fremont, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 29, at Saratoga, 7:30 p.m. *
Nov. 5, Palo Alto, 7:30 p.m. *
Nov. 12, at Los Gatos, 7:30 p.m. *
* Denotes Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division game
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