The Willow Glen Resident

Inexperienced Mustangs in new league with new coach

Former coach left Mark Krail with a championship team

By Dick Sparrer

Myron Zaccheo left his successor a couple of gifts when he retired as the football coach at Pioneer.

But first-year head coach Mark Krail isn't sure yet whether or not he'll send off a thank-you note to the former Pioneer boss.

Zaccheo retired after five seasons and a couple of championships at Pioneer--not to mention the seven other titles he won in 17 previous years at San Jose and Gunderson.

And Zaccheo left Krail with a couple of things when he retired... a winning tradition at Pioneer, and a trip to the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League.

The Mustangs won the West Valley Division title last season with a 6-0 record. Despite being hit hard by graduation, Pioneer accepted the bid to move up a division in the BVAL. Now Krail faces the challenge of a tough league schedule.

"It's going to be a difficult season," admitted Krail, a former high school quarterback at Willow Glen. "We're very inexperienced, we're moving up a division and there was a coaching change."

The Mustangs have just seven returning starters from last year's championship team, and two are juniors.

"The attitude of the players is great," added Krail, "but the challenge is huge!"

Comeback all-leaguers Greg Haskell, Bryan Collins, Ted Lopez and Mike Wiens head up the list of Pioneer returners this fall.

Haskell is a senior quarterback back to lead the Pioneer offense after winning all-league second team honors a year ago.

Seniors Collins and Lopez were all-league second selections as defensive tackles last year. Collins will return to that spot this season, and Lopez will move to a linebacker. The two are also top running backs for the Mustangs.

Wiens was named the sophomore of the year in the West Valley Division last year, and he's back at running back for the Mustangs this season.

Senior tackle Jason Murdock, senior guard Grant Murdock and junior tackle Kevin Sparrer are returning starters in the offfensive line for Pioneer. All three should be double-duty as defensive starters, J. Murdock at defensive end, G. Murdock at linebacker and Sparrer at defensive tackle.

Wide receivers Jeff Luu and Kevin Gray are other returning lettermen from last year's championship club.

Moving up after all-league seasons on Pioneer's second-place frosh-soph team will be wide receiver Brian Davis, running back Sean Hallihan, quarterback Sean Sarsfield, tight end Rocky Guidace, guard Sal Baglione, linebacker Landers Niven and place-kicker Nick Harrison.

Pioneer will face a tough opponent in its opener this weekend, hosting Gunderson of the Mt. Hamilton Division on Sept. 12, 1:30 p.m. The Mustangs will open the league season at Prospect on Oct. 2.

Krail looks to his alma mater, Willow Glen, as the team to beat in the race for the Santa Teresa Division title this fall.

Pioneer Schedule

Sept. 12: Gunderson, 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 18: at Yerba Buena, 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 26: Lick at Pioneer, 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 2: at Prospect,* 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 9: at Piedmont Hills,* 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 17: Valley Christian,* 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 24: Santa Teresa,*# 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 31: at Willow Glen,* 1:30 p.m.

Nov. 14: at Silver Creek,* 1:30 p.m.

* Denotes league game

# Homecoming

Top Returners

Greg Haskell, senior quarterback; Bryan Collins, senior defensive tackle; Ted Lopez, senior running back; Mike Wiens, junior running back; Jason Murdock, senior tackle; Grant Murdock, senior guard-linebacker; Kevin Sparrer, junior tackle; Kevin Gray, senior wide receiver; Jeff Luu, senior wide receiver.

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