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La Costa Canyon senior Kenny Stills will play multiple positions on the offensive side of the ball this season
Mavericks replacing captains on both sides of ball in 2009
For the first time in school history last year, La Costa Canyon won the Division I section title. This season, the Mavericks will get to experience another first – defending that title.
“We know we have targets on our backs,” said La Costa Canyon coach Darrin Brown. “I think we have pretty good team leadership and I’m hoping they can just continue to pull together and remold this team into another champion.”
The 2009 Mavericks have some big shoes to fill, as last year’s squad went 12-2 – not dropping a game to a San Diego section opponent – en route to the championship. Brown considers last year’s team the best in the 13-year history of the school.
“We finally got over the hump and the team was solid,” Brown said. “How can it not be when there’s been a team in Encinitas slash south Carlsbad for 80-plus years and this is the first one to get to the championship and win it?”
Repeating becomes even harder after losing quarterback Sebastian Frausto and linebacker Jacob Driver to graduation. Both players were captains on their respective sides of the ball.
“[Driver] was the mainstay in our defense for three years and he was defensive player of the year for a reason, because he made our whole defense better with his leadership, tenacity and overall play and ability,” Brown said.
La Costa Canyon started camp Aug. 17 and since then, multiple players have been fighting for both the quarterback and middle linebacker positions. On offense, Brown said he expects to make a decision about who to hand the keys over to shortly.
“It’s a nice car to drive. We’ve got about three or four kids fighting for it – nobody’s got a big lead on anybody,” Brown said. “I got to hand the keys over soon to get that person more reps. Right now, no one has taken the full reigns.”
Whoever takes over at quarterback will be leader of an experienced offensive unit – and will have the luxury of having senior playmaker Kenny Stills at their disposal. In 2008, Stills caught 64 passes for 1,274 yards and 16 touchdowns.
“[Stills is] unbelievable. We got to get the ball to him,” Brown said. “He’ll be all over the field. He’ll probably play some quarterback and some running back and receiver. He’s a great football player.”
Stills returns along with a handful of multiple-year starters on the offensive line. The Mavericks offense also returns its two leading rushers from a year ago, seniors Seth Hansen and Weston Manor, who combined for 1,143 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2008.
On the other side of the ball, the Mavericks “Gang Green” defense that only surrendered more than 20 points twice last year enters 2009 with less experience. Defensive ends Ian Seau and Paul Quessenberry should help the defense early on as it battles that inexperience.
“We got more holes to fill on defense, but we got a pretty good group fighting for it right now,” Brown said.
La Costa Canyon is known throughout the section for its strong non-league schedule. Although Brown said this year’s preseason schedule – which includes out-of-section opponents Salinas and Santa Margarita – is not great, it is still one of the toughest in the section.
“We always try to schedule out-of-section teams. This year was a little bit different moneywise,” Brown said. “We didn’t do a contract with Mission Viejo because we aren’t able to travel. It isn’t the great tough non-league schedule that we are use to playing.”
After the season opener at home against Salinas on Sept. 4, La Costa Canyon plays city rival Carlsbad at El Camino High on Sept. 11. Before they begin Avocado League play, the Mavericks will also host both Chula Vista and Rancho Buena Vista.
Brown said this year’s La Costa Canyon team is not as boisterous as last year’s outfit. Headed into 2009, it remains to be seen if their play will be loud enough. Either way, they are not planning on surrendering their crown very easily.
“We’re not going to give up our title without a fight,” Brown said.
La Costa Canyon senior Kenny Stills will play multiple positions on the offensive side of the ball this season
Mavericks replacing captains on both sides of ball in 2009
For the first time in school history last year, La Costa Canyon won the Division I section title. This season, the Mavericks will get to experience another first – defending that title.
“We know we have targets on our backs,” said La Costa Canyon coach Darrin Brown. “I think we have pretty good team leadership and I’m hoping they can just continue to pull together and remold this team into another champion.”
The 2009 Mavericks have some big shoes to fill, as last year’s squad went 12-2 – not dropping a game to a San Diego section opponent – en route to the championship. Brown considers last year’s team the best in the 13-year history of the school.
“We finally got over the hump and the team was solid,” Brown said. “How can it not be when there’s been a team in Encinitas slash south Carlsbad for 80-plus years and this is the first one to get to the championship and win it?”
Repeating becomes even harder after losing quarterback Sebastian Frausto and linebacker Jacob Driver to graduation. Both players were captains on their respective sides of the ball.
“[Driver] was the mainstay in our defense for three years and he was defensive player of the year for a reason, because he made our whole defense better with his leadership, tenacity and overall play and ability,” Brown said.
La Costa Canyon started camp Aug. 17 and since then, multiple players have been fighting for both the quarterback and middle linebacker positions. On offense, Brown said he expects to make a decision about who to hand the keys over to shortly.
“It’s a nice car to drive. We’ve got about three or four kids fighting for it – nobody’s got a big lead on anybody,” Brown said. “I got to hand the keys over soon to get that person more reps. Right now, no one has taken the full reigns.”
Whoever takes over at quarterback will be leader of an experienced offensive unit – and will have the luxury of having senior playmaker Kenny Stills at their disposal. In 2008, Stills caught 64 passes for 1,274 yards and 16 touchdowns.
“[Stills is] unbelievable. We got to get the ball to him,” Brown said. “He’ll be all over the field. He’ll probably play some quarterback and some running back and receiver. He’s a great football player.”
Stills returns along with a handful of multiple-year starters on the offensive line. The Mavericks offense also returns its two leading rushers from a year ago, seniors Seth Hansen and Weston Manor, who combined for 1,143 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2008.
On the other side of the ball, the Mavericks “Gang Green” defense that only surrendered more than 20 points twice last year enters 2009 with less experience. Defensive ends Ian Seau and Paul Quessenberry should help the defense early on as it battles that inexperience.
“We got more holes to fill on defense, but we got a pretty good group fighting for it right now,” Brown said.
La Costa Canyon is known throughout the section for its strong non-league schedule. Although Brown said this year’s preseason schedule – which includes out-of-section opponents Salinas and Santa Margarita – is not great, it is still one of the toughest in the section.
“We always try to schedule out-of-section teams. This year was a little bit different moneywise,” Brown said. “We didn’t do a contract with Mission Viejo because we aren’t able to travel. It isn’t the great tough non-league schedule that we are use to playing.”
After the season opener at home against Salinas on Sept. 4, La Costa Canyon plays city rival Carlsbad at El Camino High on Sept. 11. Before they begin Avocado League play, the Mavericks will also host both Chula Vista and Rancho Buena Vista.
Brown said this year’s La Costa Canyon team is not as boisterous as last year’s outfit. Headed into 2009, it remains to be seen if their play will be loud enough. Either way, they are not planning on surrendering their crown very easily.
“We’re not going to give up our title without a fight,” Brown said.