The Willow Glen Resident

All-leaguers return to run for Pioneer

Valley Christian is the favorite as the football teams line up for the 1997 season in the West Valley Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League.

And Lincoln and Yerba Buena look pretty good, too.

But never count out a football team coached by Myron Zaccheo; the veteran area football coach is getting another Pioneer team ready to contend for a division championship.

It won't be easy. The Mustangs lack size and depth, but somehow Zaccheo always manages to bring home a winner.

He did when he coached at San Jose High School in the 1970s, and he did when he coached at Gunderson in the 1980s. Now he's doing the same as the head coach at Pioneer in the 1990s.

Zaccheo returns for his fifth season at Pioneer. He led the Mustangs to a co-championship with Willow Glen in the West Valley Division in 1994, and he led his club to a 4-1-1 showing a year ago, finishing behind only Willow Glen in the race for the crown.

The talented coach has taken Pioneer teams to the Central Coast Section playoffs in two of the last three seasons, and he knows what his Mustangs have to do to get there again.

"We stress attitude, work ethic and team unity to help us through the season," the coach said.

A solid crop of senior returners know that, and they'll try to take that attitude to the field in 1997.

All-league running backs Ryan Miksch (5-foot-8, 170 pounds) and Leigh Mayer (5-foot-11, 175) return to the backfield this season to lead the Pioneer running attack. They're expected to carry much of the offensive load for the Mustangs this fall. Ryan Brown (5-foot-7, 160) is another senior returner in the Pioneer backfield.

Junior Greg Haskell will take over as the starting quarterback this season after serving as an understudy to all-leaguer Justin Stenger last season. He be looking for the capable hands of senior wide receiver Casey Olsen, who serves double-duty in the defensive secondary, and senior tight end Nick Ruocchio (6-foot-1, 185).

Joining Ruocchio on the offensive line will be seniors Paul Howell (6-foot-1, 195) at center, Rob Basuino (5-foot-10, 180) at guard and Bryan Eddie (6-foot-2, 190) at tackle.

Basuino and Paul Purdy (5-foot-8, 195) are two top-notch senior linebackers returning to the defensive unit for the Mustangs. Defensive back Ryan Sexauer (5-foot-11, 165) and end Kevin Gelardi (5-foot-9, 160) are other key starters for Pioneer.

Top junior prospects for the Mustangs include running back Ted Lopez (6-foot, 185), guard Jason Murdock (5-foot-11, 190) and tight end Grant Murdock (5-foot-121, 175).

Sophomores Kevin Sparrer, Tim Fine and Mike Wiens are all expected to start for the varsity this fall. Sparrer (6-foot, 225) is a two-way starter at tackle with Fine in the defensive secondary and Wiens in the offensive backfield.

"A severe lack of depth makes our chances of a title very slim," Zaccheo admitted. He rates Valley Christian as the division title favorite, with Lincoln and Yerba Buena other top contenders.

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