Here's something you might be interested in.
Seniors Jake Lane (left) and Pat Preston (right) will anchor Valley Center's defense this season
Jaguars looking for third straight crown
With three titles in the last four years, Valley Center has set the standard for Division IV football in the section. Going into this season, the Jaguars expect nothing less than another section championship.
“Our thing is always let’s get better every week. I know that those other coaches in Division IV are going to be gunning for us. We are the team to beat,” said Valley Center head coach Rob Gilster. “The longer you are winning, the harder it is do it.”
On offense, the Jaguars are going to have a different approach than the unit that scored 36 points per game last season. The shift in strategy is due to the graduation of quarterback Tyler Bernard and wide receiver James Johnson. Bernard threw for 2,606 yards and 29 touchdowns last season and Johnson is the section’s career leader in receiving yards and caught 17 touchdowns a year ago.
“That’s the fun of what we do. Every year it’s a different challenge. We just put our nose to the grindstone and just keep working at it,” Gilster said. “Every year you lose key guys.”
Valley Center plans to run the ball with senior back and last year's leading rusher Stanton Upson and control the line of scrimmage early in the season. Gilster said a heavy dose of the ground game early should allow junior quarterback Beau Reilly to adjust to the role of starter and give way to more passing later in the season.
“If you’re going to win the championship, you have to have a quarterback that can pull the trigger,” Gilster said.
When Reilly throws, expect wide receiver Taylor Oshinki to be on the other end. Gilster said the junior that caught two touchdowns last year is poised to have a breakout season.
“He’s a talented kid, he’s got great hands and he’s great after the catch,” Gilster said. “He makes guys miss.” On defense, the Jaguars return middle linebacker Pat Preston and should not drop off from last year’s crew that allowed 18 points per game.
“It’s huge,” Gilster said of Preston. “It’s always nice to have a guy in the middle coming back.”
Valley Center opened camp on Aug. 13 and Gilster said the team is progressing as planned, which the exception of Reilly, who is farther along than expected.
The Jaguars open the season at San Pasqual on Friday and do not play a home game until they host Brawley in the third week of the season. Valley Center also plays La Jolla (Sept. 11) and Mater Dei Catholic (Sept. 25) in the preseason.
The Jaguars’ seven-game Valley League slate begins Oct. 9 and according to Gilster their consistent success is the result of their league. He said Valley League schools set a high standard.
“The biggest thing is the level of competition we play and what we have to strive for in our league season,” Gilster said. “We have a great league and that prepares us for the playoffs –we’re battle tested.”
Valley Center may not have the playmakers that they did a year ago, but they are still a favorite to take the Division IV crown. Whether they win their third section title in a row or not, the Jaguars will do it as a team.
“They’re truly a team. They know that they have to depend on one another and play for one another because we don’t have guys that can take over a game,” Gilster said. “We’re going to have to do it all together.”
Seniors Jake Lane (left) and Pat Preston (right) will anchor Valley Center's defense this season
Jaguars looking for third straight crown
With three titles in the last four years, Valley Center has set the standard for Division IV football in the section. Going into this season, the Jaguars expect nothing less than another section championship.
“Our thing is always let’s get better every week. I know that those other coaches in Division IV are going to be gunning for us. We are the team to beat,” said Valley Center head coach Rob Gilster. “The longer you are winning, the harder it is do it.”
On offense, the Jaguars are going to have a different approach than the unit that scored 36 points per game last season. The shift in strategy is due to the graduation of quarterback Tyler Bernard and wide receiver James Johnson. Bernard threw for 2,606 yards and 29 touchdowns last season and Johnson is the section’s career leader in receiving yards and caught 17 touchdowns a year ago.
“That’s the fun of what we do. Every year it’s a different challenge. We just put our nose to the grindstone and just keep working at it,” Gilster said. “Every year you lose key guys.”
Valley Center plans to run the ball with senior back and last year's leading rusher Stanton Upson and control the line of scrimmage early in the season. Gilster said a heavy dose of the ground game early should allow junior quarterback Beau Reilly to adjust to the role of starter and give way to more passing later in the season.
“If you’re going to win the championship, you have to have a quarterback that can pull the trigger,” Gilster said.
When Reilly throws, expect wide receiver Taylor Oshinki to be on the other end. Gilster said the junior that caught two touchdowns last year is poised to have a breakout season.
“He’s a talented kid, he’s got great hands and he’s great after the catch,” Gilster said. “He makes guys miss.” On defense, the Jaguars return middle linebacker Pat Preston and should not drop off from last year’s crew that allowed 18 points per game.
“It’s huge,” Gilster said of Preston. “It’s always nice to have a guy in the middle coming back.”
Valley Center opened camp on Aug. 13 and Gilster said the team is progressing as planned, which the exception of Reilly, who is farther along than expected.
The Jaguars open the season at San Pasqual on Friday and do not play a home game until they host Brawley in the third week of the season. Valley Center also plays La Jolla (Sept. 11) and Mater Dei Catholic (Sept. 25) in the preseason.
The Jaguars’ seven-game Valley League slate begins Oct. 9 and according to Gilster their consistent success is the result of their league. He said Valley League schools set a high standard.
“The biggest thing is the level of competition we play and what we have to strive for in our league season,” Gilster said. “We have a great league and that prepares us for the playoffs –we’re battle tested.”
Valley Center may not have the playmakers that they did a year ago, but they are still a favorite to take the Division IV crown. Whether they win their third section title in a row or not, the Jaguars will do it as a team.
“They’re truly a team. They know that they have to depend on one another and play for one another because we don’t have guys that can take over a game,” Gilster said. “We’re going to have to do it all together.”