Air Strike analysis: Checking out Tesoro

Tesoro is just one of the many county schools that must find a replacement for a standout quarterback for the 2009 season.

Robbie Picazo, the Register’s 2008 Offensive Player of the Year, led the Titans to the Pac-5 finals last season. He had an amazing year, passing for 2,765 yards and 33 touchdowns.

Picazo will be at Stanford in the fall and stepping in for him at Tesoro will be Brett Mason.

Mason played on Tesoro's junior varsity team last year after transferring from Santa Margarita. He will be a senior next season.

On Saturday, Mason led the Titans to the semifinals of the Air Strike Passing Tournament, where they lost, 26-6.

“He started off this morning a little tight,” Tesoro coach Brian Barnes said. “As the day went along, he got more comfortable and the next three games, he played tremendous.

“He played OK. He’s definitely progressing.”

Tesoro opened the tournament with a loss to St. Bonaventure of Ventura at the San Clemente site. Mason then led the team to consecutive victories over Santa Margarita, Crespi and St. Bonaventure to advance to the semifinals.

Mason will not have the same playmakers that made the Titans so dangerous last season. Preston King and Brett Gudim have graduated, however, the cupboard isn’t totally bare.

One player to watch is senior-to-be Cody Wittick, who played safety and wide receiver last season.

“He’s an excellent football player,” Barnes said. “He has a lot going for him.”

Also returning for the Titans will be running back Zach Mitchell and an offensive line led by Sil Ajawara.

“I’m excited,” Barnes said. “Our kids have progressed a lot. Nobody is expecting us to do anything this year. We’re going to get a lot better and I think we will.

"There are always things to improve on and I think today we learned a lot about our football team.”

Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com