The Willow Glen Resident

Photograph by Skye Dunlap

Good Hydrations: Willow Glen junior Fernando Betancourt takes a break for a cool drink of water during practice last week. Betancourt and the Rams will open the 1998 season in a nonleague game against Lincoln on Sept. 11 at PAL Stadium.

Rams optimistic in 1998

Willow Glen plans to battle for the championship title

By Dick Sparrer

Bob Parker is never shy about his predictions for the Willow Glen football team.

And at this point, his Rams haven't let him down.

Parker predicted a championship for the Rams in 1996, and Willow Glen cruised to a 4-0-2 record and a title in the West Valley Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League.

The Rams moved up to the BVAL's Santa Teresa Division last fall, but that didn't stop Parker from predicting another league championship. And the Rams came close, posting a 5-1 mark to finish in second place.

Now Parker is predicting more of the same for the Rams in 1998. He figures his club will contend for the Santa Teresa title this fall.

"Since it doesn't cose me anything, I'll pick us to win the league," he said.

That's more optimism than bravado for the veteran Willow Glen boss. And he has good reason to be optimistic. Not only did the WG varsity squad finish second in the division last year, but the frosh-soph team won its third straight league championship.

Still, he looks at the season with cautious optimism. "It's very balanced league that any team can win," he admitted. "Piedmont Hills returns key players with a tough 1997 frosh-soph, and they might be the team to beat."

But Willow Glen returns some pretty key players, too, including all-league returners John Fernandez and David Macchi.

Macchi (5-foot-11, 160) is a junior returner at quarterback for the Rams. The qb was named the sophomore of the year in the league last fall.

Fernandez (5-foot-10, 140) was an all-league wide receiver for Willow Glen last year, and he'll be back to snag Macchi's passes as a senior. Fernandez was the league's junior of the year.

Returning senior Cory Hare (5-foot-10, 165) is another wide receiver back from last year's club. Hare will double as a linebacker for the Rams.

"Our style of offense is primarily a pro-set with variations," said Parker. "We'll throw 25 to 30 times per game."

Senior Paul Sanchez (6-foot-1, 210) is the only returning starter in the offensive line. Sanchez was the offensive lineman of the year on the frosh-soph level two seasons ago.

Nich Holt (5-foot-9, 160) is another senior returning starter for Willow Glen. Holt was an all-league second team free safety on the frosh-soph two years ago, and he started at that spot for last year's varsity club.

Linebacker Brian Hyland (6-foot, 190), running back-defensive back Eddy Sanchez (5-foot-9, 150) and defensive end Peter Panayotopoulos (6-foot, 200) are other seniors to watch, said Parker.

All-leaguers coming up from the frosh-soph team that went 6-0 in league and 8-2 for the year include halfback Leon Thomas (6-foot-2, 190), linebacker Kyran Warren (6-foot-2, 210), linebacker Seth Andrew (5-foot-10, 235), center-defensive end Fernando Betancourt (6-foot, 215), tackle Chris Cumbo (6-foot-1, 265) and wide receiver Will Rideau (5-foot-7, 140). Cumbo was the lineman of the year in the frosh-soph circuit last season.

"What we run and how aggressive we will be will be determined by the development and growth of our players as the season progresses," said Parker.

The Rams will open the year against longtime rival Lincoln on Sept. 11, 7:30 p.m., at San Jose's PAL Stadium.

Willow Glen faces a tough preseason that includes games against Monta Vista (Sept. 19 at Cupertino) and Saratoga (Sept. 26 at Los Gatos), both members of the rugged De Anza Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League.

Parker is assisted by Mitch Bigger, Steve Hare and Sonny Flores.

WG Schedule

Sept. 11: Lincoln at PAL Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 19: Monta Vista at Cupertino, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 26: Saratoga at Los Gatos, 7 p.m.

Oct. 2: Santa Teresa, * 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 9: Valley Christian at SJCC,* 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 17: at Silver Creek,* 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 24: San Jose,# 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 31: Pioneer,* 1:30 p.m.

Nov. 7: Piedmont Hills,* 1:30 p.m.

Nov. 13: at Prospect,* 2:30 p.m.

* Denotes league game

# Homecoming

Top Returners

John Fernandez, senior wide receiver; David Macchi, junior quarterback; Cory Hare, senior wide receiver-linebacker; Paul Sanchez, senior lineman; Nich Holt, senior free safety; Brian Hyland, senior linebacker; Eddy Sanchez, senior halfback-defensive back; Peter Panayotopoulos, senior defensive end.

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