After a disappointing 2014 campaign, hopes are high among Scotts Valley High School football fans of a strong rebound in 2015. Head coach Louie Walters, the only coach the school has had since its opening in 1999, promises an experienced squad this year, long on athleticism, big enough where they need to be, and with a dedication to sacrifice that’s unusually strong. He also expects Scotts Valley will contend for the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League championship.
This is a cohesive group,” Walters says. “They like to hang out together. They’re buddies on and off the field, which is huge in football.”
“There’s no down in our practices,” Walters continued. “They’re all about picking each other up when somebody makes a mistake.”
Walters expects a stingy defense to once again be a hallmark for the Scotts Valley squad, where the team’s large number of returning seniors is especially strong (nine of the 11 likely starters, including all four defensive backs.) But big things are expected from the offense this year, both from the offensive line and skill position players.
Quarterback Battle
Two seniors are jockeying to call signals for the Falcon this year: returning 2014 quarterback Nick Reyes, who also started as a defensive back last year and is a three-time wrestling champion, and Dawson Danner, who is generally acknowledged to be the team’s best wide receiver.
As of this writing, Walters said the top slot was up for grabs, praising both for their high football IQ as well as quick feet. Junior Tyler Stow figures to backup the winner as he gets ready to helm the Falcon offense in 2016.
Returning all-league running back Troy Menna, who Walters says is one of the strongest players the school has ever had, figures to start at halfback. He will be rested or complemented by two situational runners: last year’s JV MVP Tanner Gilton, known for his great cuts and good field vision, along with the speedy Liam Rapoza.
Fullback will likely be handled by a committee approach, including Tristan Leonetti, Tyler Stone and Josh Eskew (Leonetti is one of three team captains, along with Reyes and Menna.) All three are tough, hard-nosed football players who will be playing lots of defense as well, so they’ll be rotated to keep them fresh on both sides of the ball.
If he’s not the starting quarterback, Dawson will see plenty of time again at wide receiver along with three-sport Star Tim Wagner and 6 foot- two inch Dalton Locke, a third year varsity player.
Walters has historically relied heavily on one or two tight ends in his offensive schemes, and this year will be no different, especially with six foot-seven inch tall 230 pound senior standout Tanner Spence holding down the position. Despite tearing his meniscus in last year’s pre-season, Spence immediately proved to be a force upon his return, and is certain to dominate the thinking of opposing defensive coordinators throughout the season. The NCAA Division I prospect will be complemented in double tight end formations by six foot-four inch tall Matt Murray, who started ably for Spence while he recovered last year. Ethan Emanuelson, recognized as one of the team’s hardest workers in the offseason, will also see playing time at end.
Walters expects the offensive line to be a clear strength of the team this year, boasting two league championship wrestlers. Cooper McElrone will start at center, and be flanked much of the time by guards Patrick Conte and Matthew Boe, a junior voted the most valuable offensive lineman on last year’s JV squad. Both McElrone and Conte didn’t play football last year to focus on their IB studies, but Walters says they’re strong and ready for 2015. Tyler Bogner and Bradley Mead will also be in the mix at guard. Tackle will be handled by Thomas Williamson, Chris Wright and Frankie Graves.
Defense: Experience and athleticism
Defensive Coordinator Jeff Metter, who like Walters began his SVHS coaching career at in 1999, expects to have a well-conditioned, speedy squad again this year, which is perfect for the aggressive, blitzing style he prefers.
The team’s front will consist of defensive end Stone, who started ten games for the varsity team last year as a sophomore. Mead will anchor the line as nose guard, while the JV team’s most valuable defensive lineman last year, Jason Bucio, holds down the other defensive line slot. Graves and Bogner will also see plenty of playing time on the defensive line.
Walters called three-year starter Leonetti, who was an all-league standout as a sophomore and holds the school’s record for the bench press, the heart and sole of the team’s defense. He’ll be one starter at inside linebacker, Menna the other and they’re backed by Kyle Marriner and Gilton. Spence will star at outside linebacker, with his outsized wingspan, along with Conte, while Emanuelson, Eskew and Evan Carvalheria will rotate in and out regularly.
The secondary is led by all-league free safety and track star Kyle Giguiere. Strong safety features Coll Sitton, Ryan Johnston and Trevor Ponos all fighting for the starting slot while all figure to see plenty of action. Returning cornerbacks Jordan Tuck and Rapoza will head that group.
Emanuelson will handle both kicking and punting duties, while Danner and Ponos are expected to return kickoffs and punts.
His strength on both sides of the ball has Walters feeling optimistic that this year’s team could return to Scotts Valley’s glory days, when the team won four straight SCCAL titles from 2006-2009.
“We worked this team harder than any of our previous teams in the off-season because they bought in,” Walters said. “There’s a lot of parity in our league, and if we stay healthy, I love our chances.”
