The Willow Glen Resident

New league for Rams

But this time around, Willow Glen is ready

By Dick Sparrer

The last time Willow Glen won a football championship, the dividends were bittersweet.

It was certainly sweet beating Pioneer to clinch the title in the West Valley Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League in 1994. But the Rams were more than a little bitter that they had to take a trip up to the Santa Teresa Division because of it.

A tough year in Santa Teresa competition helped send the Rams back to the West Valley Division last fall.

So what did the Rams do? They won it again!

Willow Glen rolled to a 4-0-2 record in the league season to claim the division crown. And what did they win besides that championship? That's right... a trip back to the Santa Teresa Division.

But this time around, there are no bitter feelings on the part of Willow Glen. Quite the contrary, in fact--the Rams are looking forward to the experience.

Willow Glen returns seven starters from the team that won the varsity championship last season. And the Rams have a number of talented newcomers moving up from the frosh-soph team that also won a league title.

"Last year both the varsity and frosh-soph had undefeated league seasons," said veteran head coach Bob Parker. "Now, once again, we return to the (Santa Teresa Division)."

The last time there, the Rams didn't fare so well--at least the varsity didn't. The Willow Glen frosh-soph club won the division title that season, then backed it up with another championship last year.

And the Rams have something to prove as they make the jump up a division in the BVAL.

"We have yet to reach the playoffs in two chances in the division," Parker said. But he's hoping that a talented crew of returners can end that drought this season.

All-league returners Mike Von Reuden and Doug Murr are two seniors who provide experience and talent up front offensively for the Rams. Von Reuden starts at guard for Willow Glen, with Murr at center.

Senior tackle Eric Brugioni will return to the offensive line for the Rams after winning all-league honorable mention plaudits last season. Brugioni doubles as a defensive end.

Senior fullback Miquel Campos is a top returner for the Rams. Campos won an all-league honorable mention last year, despite being hobbled by an ankle sprain much of the year.

"Both of them should have been first or second team all-league," said Parker of Brugioni and Campos.

Juniors Cory Hare and John Fernandez are top prospects on the varsity after each started the last three games of the season last year. They each double as wide receivers and defensive backs.

Hare was the co-most valuable player and Fernandez the offensive player of the year at the frosh-soph level in the division in 1996.

Shaun Thompson, David Dudley, Richy Clarke, Joel Gonzales and Sean Baldwin are other seniors vying for starting jobs this season.

Dudley is a guard and middle linebacker who was picked the league's best lineman at the frosh-soph level in 1995, and Thompson is a talented defensive back who was named the best defensive player on that same all-league list.

Clarke and Gonzales are top prospects at tackle for the Rams.

Baldwin, the son of San Jose State University head coach Dave Baldwin, is a talented linebacker who transferred into the school last spring.

Juniors Paul Sanchez (tackle), Nich Holt (safety/wide receiver) and Ed Sanchez (halfback/cornerback) and sophomore David Macchi (quarterback) move up to the varsity after all-league performances at the frosh-soph level last year. Macchi was the freshman of the year in '96 with the others earning all-league first-team spots.

"This team has more size, speed and depth than 1996's championship team," Parker said, "but character and heart need to be proven."

Parker looks for Piedmont Hills and Mt. Pleasant to be top contenders in the Santa Teresa Division this fall.

And, oh yeah, don't forget his Rams!

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