For all of the schools left to be previewed (Chavez today, Delano tomorrow and then the SSL and the city schools), we'll go to an extended format, with the exception of Tuesday, when I'll take a quick look at the three new schools in the county: Independence, Mira Monte and Robert F. Kennedy in Delano. This is all assuming, of course, I can nail down each day's information in time to post. So far, it's been so good.

 

Hopefully the new format will give everyone a good look at the key Kern County players for the coming season. If there's a feature you'd like to see added for the previews of city teams, let me know what it is and we'll see about feasibility.

 

CESAR CHAVEZ TITANS

 

Coach: Ilario Prieto (fifth year)

 

2007 record: 4-7 (2-4 East Yosemite League, 3-3 home)

Average points:19.5

Average points allowed:31.2

Average rush yards: N/A

Average rush yards allowed: 261.4

Average pass yards: N/A

Average pass yards allowed: 119.9

Best win: Chavez 14, Golden Valley 7

Worst loss: Fresno-Roosevelt 24, Chavez 21

 

Key players: Ernesto Marquez, jr, QB/LB; Michael Duran, jr, QB/DB; Matthew Macanas, sr, RB/DB; Rentel Petersen, sr, RB/LB/ Angel Nunez, sr, WR/DB; Noel Gomez, jr, OL/DL

 

Key losses: Lloyd Joaquin, FB/LB; Chris Flores, RB/LB; Lupe Rodriguez, OL/DL; Jun Quino, OL

 

Offense: Since Prieto took over the Chavez program (at the school's inception), he ran a passing-based fly offense, until last year, when former Bakersfield High offensive coordinator Mario Millan became the offensive coordinator. He ran the option with limited success last year, then jumped across town to become a co-head coach at Delano High. So what's Prieto to do? Run both! The Titans will keep Millan's base option package while throwing in the fly wrinkle from time to time. It'll either be very difficult to defend or a confused jumble — or both. Either way, it's worth watching. 

 

Defense: It's when the other team has the ball that Prieto thinks Chavez can make strides this season. The Titans return eight players with at least some starting experience on defense, including linebackers Marquez, Petersen and John Rodriguez. The secondary, led by Macanas at cornerback, should also be solid. If the line can do an adequate job stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback, it might be really tough to score on Cesar Chavez this year.

 

Outlook: Chavez has struggled to make progress since it became Delano's second school. With a third Delano school — Robert F. Kennedy — opening this year, dynamics will change again. In the mean time, the Titans think they can make some progress. An obvious way to do that would be to finish with a winning record, something the school has never done (they were 5-5 in their third year). Prieto thinks this is the time to do it, and I don't think he's far off. Defense will carry the ship and if the hybrid offense produces at all — all the skill players are back, but only Gomez returns on the offensive line — this could be the year Chavez turns the corner.

 

Quotable: "I really believe this is going to be the best year that Cesar Chavez has had."

— coach Ilario Prieto 

 

Prediction: 5-5, 3-3 East Yosemite League (fourth place)

 

HS FOOTBALL PREVIEWS INDEX

July 29: Lighthouse Christian, Immanuel Christian, Maricopa
July 30: Boron, Burroughs
July 31: Desert, Rosamond
Aug. 1: Frazier Mountain, Kern Valley

Aug. 2: Mojave, McFarland

 

TOMORROW: Delano