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2009 PREP FOOTBALL TEAM PREVIEWS
Analy's Riebli may follow path from starter to star
Two-year mainstay on offense, agile 245-pounder has put in work to be a dominant lineman
Published: Sunday, August 30, 2009 at 3:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, August 30, 2009 at 10:15 p.m.
Analy lineman Brandon Riebli has been a starter since midway through his sophomore season.
Facts
ANALY TIGERS
Coach: Dan Bourdon (second season, 5-6 record)
2008 record: 5-6, 1-5 SCL (7th)
2008 JV record: 8-2
Returning starters: Offense (3): WR Chris Bostock, Sr.; OT Brandon Riebli, Sr.; QB/WR Julian Titus, Jr. Defense (2): LB Robert Leon, Sr.; DL Brandon Riebli, Sr.
Players to watch: WR Chris Bostock — Top target has good bloodlines: His brother, Ross, is a redshirt freshman at Cal. QB/WR Julian Titus — The team's best athlete expected to make a significant impact on offense.
Newcomer to watch: Jake Zanuto: A sophomore, the 6-3 drop-back passer opened eyes as the JV starter last year.
SCHEDULE
Date—Opponent—Time
Sept. 4—vs. Terra Linda—7:30 p.m.
Sept. 12—at Piner—1 p.m.
Sept. 18—vs. San Marin—7:30 p.m.
Sept. 26—at Santa Rosa—7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2—at Healdsburg—7:30 p.m.
Oct. 9—vs. El Molino—7:30 p.m.
Oct. 16—at Casa Grande—7:30 p.m.
Oct. 23—vs. Petaluma—7:30 p.m.
Nov. 6—vs. Sonoma—7:30 p.m.
Nov. 13—vs. Windsor—7:30 p.m.
BY THE NUMBERS
5: Consecutive wins to open the 2008 season.
6: Consecutive losses to end the 2008 season.
24.8: Average age of coaching staff last year in Bourdon's first season.
— Eric Branch, The Press Democrat
But the longtime starter appears ready to take the next step this season. He's prepared to be a star.
The agile 6-foot-2, 245-pound Reibli was impressive at a series of team camps throughout the summer and Analy coach Dan Bourdon sensed Ribeli, a four-sport athlete, was ready to take the next step.
His assumption proved correct during the first day of fall practice when Bourdon said Riebli began throwing some teammates around like “rag dolls.”
It was hard evidence that Riebli, an honorable-mention, all-SCL pick last year, was ready to make the move from solid to scary.
“He's always had the tools,” Bourdon said. “I think he just started realizing that he should be dominating out there.”
The Tigers return just four players with starting experience from last year's team, which nosedived to a 5-6 record after a 5-0 start.
But the good news is the Tigers have an anchor in Riebli, a left tackle and defensive lineman who is also a heavyweight wrestler, a shot put and discus thrower and a rugby player with Santa Rosa Rugby, a club team that plays during the spring.
Riebli has been committed to getting better. This summer, he attended camps at UC Davis, Tomales and the Blue Chip Lineman Camp at Montgomery High. Riebli has also traveled to Dublin, about 160 miles round-trip, for training sessions at Velocity Sports Performance.
“I'm excited about this year,” Riebli said. “I've been playing on the varsity for the past two years and have always really looked up to the older guys on the team. Now I feel like I'm at their level.”
As an offensive lineman, Riebli is largely anonymous on Friday nights. But his job as a left tackle can't be overlooked. Riebli protets the quarterback's blindside. And Analy's pass-happy spread offense gives Riebli plenty of chances to ensure the Tigers' signal-caller remains upright.
Given his experience at the position, it's no wonder Riebli, who first played football in sixth grade, feels right at home in the trenches.
“The first time I played they put me at left tackle,” he said. “And I've never left.”
You can reach Staff Writer Eric Branch at 521-5268 or eric.branch@pressdemocrat.com.
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