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Kickoff 2012: Valencia preview
Last season record: 1-9, 1-5 (seventh place)
Postseason: 2010, lost to Laguna Hills, 21-7 in the first round of the CIF-SS Southwest Division playoffs.
Coach: Mike Marrujo (32nd year, 249-120-8)
Home stadium: Valencia High
Outlook: The Tigers took their lumps last year going 1-9 to finish in last place and missed the playoffs for the first year under Marrujo. The Tigers also struggled in 2010, going just 2-4 in league. This season, they’re looking to hand out the punishment. Coach Marrujo is optimistic about this group and with good reason. Valencia returns nine starters, led by two-way star Gabriel Perez. He’s slated to play running back (he rushed for 781 yards last season) and of course on defense at the OLB spot. Aside from Perez, the Tigers return three all-league players from last season: linebacker Hayden Keefe and offensive lineman Eduardo Diaz and Jon Talamoni.
Factoid: Valencia lost its first five games last season, allowing an average of 42 points a game.
School record: 334-274-20
| Scroll down to see the starting lineup and players to watch at Valencia High School. See the Empire League preview. See all Kickoff 2012 football preview coverage. |
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PLAYERS TO WATCH |
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LB Hayden Keefe – One of the captains, Keefe earned first team all-league honors last season. |
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RB/OLB Gabriel Perez – One of most recruited players in the county, Perez will look to lead the Tigers back from last year’s dismal showing. |
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STARTING LINEUP |
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Offense Pos. |
Player name |
Height |
Weight |
Year |
|
QB* |
Jesse Godoy |
5-10 |
170 |
Sr. |
|
QB* |
Matt Ruff |
5-10 |
180 |
Jr. |
|
RB |
Gabriel Perez |
6-5 |
220 |
Sr. |
|
WR |
Jake Watkins |
5-11 |
160 |
Soph. |
|
WR |
Anthony Larrasguito |
6-2 |
210 |
Jr. |
|
WR |
Jake Langenwalter |
5-8 |
160 |
Sr. |
|
TE* |
Jack Van Dam |
6-0 |
215 |
Sr. |
|
TE* |
Mike Sota |
6-4 |
215 |
Jr. |
|
LT |
Jon Talamoni |
6-1 |
274 |
Sr. |
|
LG |
Ricky DeLaCruz |
6-0 |
285 |
Sr. |
|
C |
Dave Kussman |
6-2 |
225 |
Sr. |
|
RT |
Eduardo Diaz |
6-2 |
264 |
Sr. |
|
RG |
Evan Morff |
6-2 |
280 |
Soph. |
|
K |
Jesse Gonzalez |
5-10 |
185 |
Sr. |
|
KR |
Levi Perez |
5-6 |
155 |
Sr. |
|
PR |
Levi Perez |
5-6 |
155 |
Sr. |
|
Defense Pos. |
Players name |
Height |
Weight |
Year |
|
DT |
Zach Sawtelle |
6-0 |
255 |
Soph. |
|
NG |
Nathan Garten |
5-10 |
225 |
Jr. |
|
DT |
Jack Van Dam |
6-0 |
215 |
Sr. |
|
OLB |
Gabriel Perez |
6-5 |
220 |
Sr. |
|
OLB |
Chad Metivier |
6-1 |
205 |
Sr. |
|
ILB |
Hayden Keefe |
5-10 |
210 |
Sr. |
|
ILB |
Omar Chavez |
5-9 |
200 |
Sr. |
|
CB |
Jake Watkins |
5-11 |
160 |
Soph. |
|
FS |
Robert Garcia |
5-8 |
160 |
Sr. |
|
SS |
Trent Salcedo |
5-10 |
170 |
Soph. |
|
CB |
Ray Gonzalez |
6-0 |
175 |
Jr. |
|
P |
Jesse Gonzalez |
5-10 |
185 |
Sr. |
