Willow Glen opened the year with a 26-7 loss to Mountain View in a non-league game last Friday night at San Jose's PAL Stadium.

"We just seem to get off to a slow start every year," said Willow Glen coach Bob Parker. "I think we get better as the season goes on."

That was certainly the case for the Rams a year ago. Willow Glen opened the year with three straight losses but then rallied to post a 5-2 record in the West Valley Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League .

Parker's hoping for more of the same this season.

"We have great kids, and they're working real hard," said the coach. "They want to win, and they want to improve."

"I'm not counting us out by any means," he added. "I think we have a chance to win this thing."

The Rams fell behind early last Friday night, trailing 13-0 after a period, and they were down 26-0 before scoring late in the game.

Justin Johnson tossed a 34-yard pass to Alex Green to get the Rams inside the Mountain View 15. Johnson snuck it over from the 1-yard line a few plays later, and John Gibilisco kicked the extra point.

Johnson finished the night hitting on 8 of 17 passes for 84 yards. Tony Owens snagged three passes, Green caught a pair and Doug Dionne caught two.

"I think Owens is going to be a pretty good receiver," said Parker. "We're hoping he has a big year, because he's going to be our go-to guy."

Frank Sarinana led the group attack with 25 yards on five carries, and Robert Campos supported with 21 yards on nine tries.

"Offensively, we just didn't do a whole lot," said Parker. "Our offense needs to score and get us better field position."

But it was the defense that betrayed the Rams against the Spartans.

"The bottom line is that we gave up two bombs," added the coach. "That violates our theory. We tell the kids, 'Don't get beat deep.' "

Parker was pleased with the performances of linebackers Jonathan Ybarra and George Ruiz.

"They seemed to set up and hit people," said Parker. Ybarra also intercepted a pass.

Dionne starred in the secondary for the Rams. "He broke up a couple of plays over the middle," said Parker.

Willow Glen was stunned by the loss of veteran lineman Doug Mummey eight seconds into the game. Mummey suffered a dislocated elbow.

The Rams just found themselves in a hole early against the Spartans last week and couldn't dig their way out.

"They're pretty good," said Parker of Mountain View. "They were really well- prepared."

Willow Glen will be home this week, looking for that elusive first win. The Rams will host Fremont on Sept. 21, 1:30 p.m. The Firebirds lost 30-15 to Westmont last week.

"Fremont's more beatable [than Mountain View]," said Parker. "They run a double slot with double split ends, and they try to get outside as much as they can."

Jesse Enchill is one of "four quick receivers" at Fremont, and the Firebirds "throw to him a lot," said Parker.

The Rams hope to put things together this week and notch their first win of the young season.

"We've got a core of good kids," said Parker. "Our job is to figure out what to do with them."


Frosh-soph wins

The Willow Glen frosh-sophers opened the night with a 16-0 win over Mountain View.

Matt Arevalo gave the Rams the early lead when he tackled a Mountain View running back in the end zone for a safety.

Mike Estrella ran five yards for a touchdown, and Duane Young pitched a 30-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Smith. Arevalo kicked two extra points to close out the scoring.

Linebacker Nate Torres led the defensive charge for Willow Glen.

"We just shut 'em down," said Parker.

The young Rams will host Fremont on Sept. 21, 11 a.m.