New season, new challenges

<p>When we bid farewell to the 2008 high school football season, Cardinal Newman had just lost to St. Bonaventure, 28-6, in the Division III state championship game in Carson.</p><p>Eight months later, another season is upon us. And as we examine the top stories entering the upcoming season, it seems appropriate to start where last season ended.</p><p>Without further ado, the top storylines of 2009:</p><h3>CAN CARDINAL NEWMAN DO IT AGAIN?</h3> <p>In the past three years, the Cardinals have reached the Division III state-title game twice, won two North Bay League titles and posted a record of 37-5-1. They enter the season on an 18-game regular-season winning streak and a 19-game NBL winning streak.</p><p>With those numbers in mind, it's probably safe to assume Newman won't go 4-6.</p><p>The Cardinals have nine players back who were full- or part-time starters on last year's 13-1 edition, including four all-league picks.</p><p>Quarterback Jack James, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound senior, appears poised to continue the school's tradition of top-level signal-callers, and two-way lineman Tucker Maggio-Hueck could be on a DivisionI roster next fall.</p><p>Does this mean Cardinal Newman will be back in Carson in December?</p><p>Not surprisingly, Newman coach Paul Cronin said he won't know until the games start. But that first game should offer a good indication: The Cardinals open against Central Catholic of Modesto, a juggernaut that's averaged 12 wins over the past five years.</p><h3>THE YEAR OF THE ELECTRIFYING LITTLE GUYS</h3> <p>Petaluma's Sean Sullivan, Windsor's Cameron Erion and Rancho Cotate's Brian Dworkin could all fit comfortably in your crawl space.</p><p>But the tiny trio is likely to continue to make opposing defenses uncomfotable this season.</p><p>Sullivan (5-8, 160 pounds), Dworkin (5-7, 160) and Erion, the giant at 5-11 and 175 pounds, rushed for a combined 4,433 yards and 44 touchdowns last year and each averaged over 9.0 yards a carry.</p><p>Due, in part, to their size, none are considered major DivisionI prospects. But who cares? If you appreciate quickness, vision, balance and toughness, checking out these guys will be worth the price of admission and those nachos.</p><h3>QBs WITH BIG SHOES TO FILL</h3> <p>At Casa Grande, the Gauchos have to replace quarterback Matt O'Brien, the Sonoma County League Player of the Year who is at Cal Lutheran. At Rancho Cotate, the Cougars are without Cody Allen, who signed with Sacramento State. And at Cardinal Newman, the Cardinals are without Randy Wright, the NBL's co-MVP who is now at UC Davis.</p><p>Replacing that trio won't be an easy task, but their successors appear equipped to fill those sizable shoes.</p><p>Nick Sherry, a strong-armed, 6-4, 210-pound junior, steps into O'Brien's spot at Casa Grande with a resume that includes 28 touchdowns and zero interceptions on the JV team last year.</p><p>At Rancho, coach Ed Conroy says junior Poueu Peleti-Gore has great quickness, a soft touch and tremendous understanding of the Cougars' triple-option offense.</p><p>And at Newman, the aforementioned James is already receiving recruiting interest, despite not having had a varsity start at quarterback.</p><h3>NEW FIELDS AT ELSIE ALLEN, WINDSOR</h3> <p>Elsie Allen and Windsor will unveil synthetic-turf fields this year.</p><p>Elsie Allen will dedicate its field on Sept. 18 before its home opener against El Molino. Windsor's field isn't ready yet. The Jaguars are hoping to play a few games at their field this year, but will open by playing at Santa Rosa High. Windsor's “home” opener is Sept. 12 against Redwood.</p><h3>MR. MONTGOMERY NEARING A MILESTONE</h3> <p>Entering his 30th year at Montgomery High, Jason Franci, 65, is six wins away from tying Ed Lloyd as the Empire's all-time winningest coach.</p><p>Franci, who has a career record of 211-102-7, has had five losing seasons in his 29-year career. Last year's 4-5-1 record was the Vikings' first sub-.500 season since 1994.</p><p>With 15 returning starters, Montgomery figures to return to its winning ways. If so, Franci could tie the record late in the season — perhaps as early as Oct. 30 at home against Santa Rosa.</p><h3>ELLISON CLOSING IN ON NO. 200</h3> <p>Petaluma's Steve Ellison, the dean of Empire coaches with 31 years at the school, begins the season with a career record of 192-125-7.</p><p>In modern times, Lloyd and Franci are the only Empire coaches with 200 victories.</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Eric Branch at 521-5268 or eric.branch@pressdemocrat.com.</p>