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The adage that "success breeds success" are words that head coach Mark Krail and his Pioneer Mustangs seem to have taken to heart and have chosen to live by.
After claiming the title of the Blossom Valley Athletic League Santa Teresa Division in 1999, the Mustangs have spent the past four seasons competing in the Mt. Hamilton Division of the BVAL. That division has the reputation as being one of the toughest leagues in the Santa Clara Valley and the Mustangs have proven themselves to be worthy opponents. They have battled their way to qualify for the Central Coast Section playoffs each of the past five years.
Krail and his staff faced the 2003 campaign with a crop of players that were young and untested at the varsity level and how successful they would be was a question mark. The Pioneer staff went to work and the result was an 8-2 regular season mark and a second place (5-2) finish in the division. That was Pioneer's best yet and sent them to the CCS playoffs once again where they advanced to the Division IV semi-finals before being eliminated.
The 2004 version of the Mustangs will once again begin the season with inexperienced players at several key positions. Krail, though, has a number of returning varsity players that will step into those roles, but they have been waiting in the wings without much game experience to draw upon.
The offense will be led by running backs senior Andrew Schulz (5-foot-8, 170) and junior Shaun Souza (5-foot-8, 170).
Schulz was a 2003 first team all-league selection and was second in rushing, receiving, and scoring for the Mustangs in 2003. He combined for over a 1,000 yards of offense on the ground and through the air.
As a sophomore, Souza was on the varsity but saw limited action with only a few touches but displayed enough talent to show Krail that he has what it takes to be an impact player.
Seniors Danny Ventura (5-foot-9, 185) and Jimmy Worrell (5-foot-10, 195) will line up at the fullback spot.
"We are very green at quarterback," Krail noted. Pioneer unexpectedly lost it's returning starter at quarterback due to a transfer out of the area and will have to see who will step up to fill that critical hole. The candidates are senior Nolan Rak (6-foot-3, 180), who was last year's back-up, and sophomore Chris Foley (5-foot-10, 180), who was the starting quarterback for the frosh-soph last season.
The Mustangs have relied heavily on the running game for their success in the past and 2004 should prove to be no different. In order for that to be a reality, it will be necessary for Pioneer to have in place a solid offensive line to open up holes for those backs to shoot through. There are three returning starters from 2003 that will provide a good foundation to build upon. That group is led by second team all-league senior guard Steve Matos (5-foot-9, 220) and includes senior center Pat Walsh (6-foot, 230) and senior tight end Rolando Gomez. Krail is expecting help in this area from junior Edwin Zaragoza (5-foot-10, 260), who will be coming up from the frosh-soph squad.
A dependable defense is necessary for the success of any team and Krail believes the Mustangs have the makings of a solid one. "Our defense should be quick and aggressive."
The core of the Mustang defenders will be two all-leaguers—defensive end Gomez and senior linebacker Collin McCarthy (6-foot, 200). McCarthy led the Mustangs in tackles and sacks last year and will provide invaluable experience. Others who should be battling to fill some holes are senior Justin Kaufmann (6-foot, 205), junior C.J. Miller (6-foot, 185), junior Nick D'Antonio (5-foot-8, 165) and junior Edwin Zaragoza (5-foot-10, 260).
According to Krail, the team to beat in 2004 in the Mt. Hamilton Division is once again Oak Grove, which has a lot of size and should contend for the title. The Mustangs open league play at home against Silver Creek on Oct. 2. That will be followed by back-to-back games against the two new guys on the block in the division—Branham and Leland. That should give the Mustangs ample time to get some experience under their belts before they square off against Oak Grove at home on Oct. 23.
The pre-season schedule will also provide some solid competition to help get Pioneer ready for the tough league campaign. After opening against Gunderson on Sept. 4, the Mustangs will face two traditional powerhouse—Menlo Atherton in week two and Saratoga, 2003 champs of the El Camino Division in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League in week three.
The Mustangs have their sights set on achieving another successful season and returning to the CCS playoffs for the sixth consecutive year, and it looks like that is a very real possibility.
Pioneer High School 2004 Football Schedule
Sept. 3, Gunderson, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 10, Menlo-Atherton at SJCC,
7:30 p.m.
Sept. 17, at Saratoga, 3:15 p.m.
Sept. 23, Oak Grove, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 2, Silver Creek, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 8, at Branham, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 15, Leland, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 23, Oak Grove, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 29, at Piedmont, 7 p.m.
Nov. 6, Leigh, 1:30 p.m.
Nov. 11, at Independence, 7:30 p.m.
* Denotes Blossom Valley Athletic League Mt. Hamilton Division game
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