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No football had been snapped, and the down markers had yet to move an inch.
Still, a couple of area community college football players were basking in the glory of the 2004 campaign two weeks before play was to begin when they were selected to a pre-season all-state football team.
Linemen Andrew Boer of West Valley College and Tim Wiitala of San Jose City College were each tabbed to the offensive unit on the all-state squad named by The JuCal Transfer, a recruiting guide that targets top community college athletes in California.
The two will be out to prove The JuCal Transfer right when they lead their teams into the '04 season in different divisions of the Coast Conference. And both teams are predicting success in the season ahead.
West Valley College
Boer, a big 6-foot-4, 308-pound tackle out of Branham High School, tops a list of four returning all-conference players from a West Valley team that won a conference championship with a 4-1 record last fall.
Defensive end Jon Espe (6-foot-1, 235/Los Gatos), offensive lineman Matt Medeiros (6-foot-5, 315/Santa Teresa) and defensive back Mohammed Zahriya (5-foot-11, 180/Leigh) join Boer as comeback all-conference players this fall.
In all, a dozen starters are back for head coach John Vlahos this season. Joining the all-leaguers are returning starters Tom Delash (5-foot-11, 215/Leigh) at running back, Matt Blanco (6-foot-4, 305/Branham) in the offensive line, wide receivers Evan Wallace (5-foot-11, 180/Wilcox), Jesse Enchill (6-foot-4, 208/Fremont) and Doug Specht (5-foot-10, 170/Leland), Nolan Johnson (6-foot-1, 220/Leigh) at linebacker and defensive backs Matt Mills (5-foot-11, 200/Westmont) and Orin Catrett (5-foot-11, 208/Live Oak).
Vlahos also welcomes a talented crop of incoming freshmen. Topping the list is talented Leigh wide receiver Tom Bingham (6-foot-2, 180). Running back Joe Teo (5-foot-11, 210/Independence), tight end Jason Kunkel (6-foot-3, 210/Mitty), linebacker Nick Zimmer (6-foot, 220/Oak Grove) and defensive backs Chris Cavanagh (6-foot, 200/Los Gatos) and Christian Cox (6-foot-2, 190/Wilcox) are other top prospects.
Freshmen Sean Manson (6-foot-3, 182/Mountain View) and Steve Keeley (6-foot, 194/Leigh) are battling for the starting job at quarterback.
San Jose City
Wiitala is a top returner from a San Jose City College team that had a substandard season last fall. The Jaguars, who last won a conference crown in 1988, posted a dismal 1-9 record in 2003.
But head coach Don Stagnaro is looking for big things from Wiitala and the Jaguars in the coming this season.
"We're looking for a complete turnaround," Stagnaro said. "There's a good nucleus here."
Wiitala, who Stagnaro says is a Division I recruit, will lead the charge in the offensive line for the Jags along with returners Ernest Clore, Aaron Peneueta and Setu Tifane. Transfer Chris Williams (from San José State University) and solid freshmen Matt O'Donnell (Santa Clara) and Alex Reyes (Santa Clara) are other top prospects up front.
All-conference returner Ike Ogamba is expected to star in the defensive line again this fall for San Jose. Returners Nick DeLeon and David Espinoza are also top prospects there along with transfer Charlie Kaine (from the University of Houston) and freshman Stefan Pierce (Piedmont Hills).
Kyle Farnham is a returner at quarterback for the Jaguars, but transfer Patrick Ames (from Gavilan) will battle for the position.
Freshman tight end Paul Puccinelli (Cupertino) figures to be a leading pass catcher along with wide receivers freshman Arvelle Thompson (Oak Grove) and transfers John Murphy (from Gavilan) and Byron Taplin (from West Valley).
Stephen Bradley, Jason Carranza and Albert Wright each return at the tailback spot with Mike Day (Leland) and Coby Calhoun (Madera) also looking for carries. Carlos Morales is a returner at halfback.
Letterman Stephen Contreras and transfer Josh Rodriguez (from San José State University) are top linebackers.
San Jose City College 2004 Football Schedule
Sept. 4, College of Sequoias, 7 p.m.
Sept. 10, at Laney, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18, Chabot, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25, at San Mateo, 1 p.m.
Oct. 9, Solano, 7 p.m.
Oct. 16, at Hartnell 7 p.m. *
Oct. 23, at Cabrillo, 7 p.m. *
Oct. 30, De Anza, 7 p.m. *
Nov. 6, Monterey, 7 p.m. *
Nov. 13, Gavilan at Gilroy, 7 p.m. *
West Valley College 2004 Football Schedule
Sept. 3, Gavilan, 3 p.m.
Sept. 11, at City College of SF, 1 p.m.
Sept. 17, Santa Rosa, 3 p.m. *
Sept. 24, American River, 3 p.m. *
Oct. 2, at Foothill, 7 p.m. *
Oct. 15, at Laney, 7 p.m. **
Oct. 22, Diablo Valley, 3 p.m. **
Oct. 29, Chabot, 3 p.m. **
Nov. 6, at Los Medanos, 7 p.m. **
Nov. 13, at Modesto, 7 p.m. **
*Denotes Coast Conference game
** Denotes division game
* Denotes Coast Conference game
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