Football preview: Osos not taking success for Granted
Last year Los Osos had to endure the loss of QB Richard Brehaut (UCLA) and RB Arby Fields (Northwestern). All the 2009 Grizzlies did was end up in the school's first CIF championship. This year they're replacing 15 starters, but this is proving to be a solid program that isn't going to drop of much no matter who it loses.
When quarterback Kori Grant, who transferred from Colony prior to last year, started as a sophomore at Colony, then coach Anthony Rice said of him: "all he does is win."
He's only 5-foot-8 but he's extremely dangerous in the running game and from what I hear throws the ball very well. Grant will be running the zone-read a lot, according to Los Osos head coach Tom Martinez, in similar fashion to Brehaut. Grant will have a big receiver in the San Diego State committed Paul Pitts, who is 6-1, 190. And Cody Rogina, who rushed for 943 yards and 11 TDs last year, returns at running back. The major question, as it seems to be more often than not at Los Osos, is line play.
Only left tackle Dylan La Frenz received some playing time last year on the offensive line but a smaller, quicker unit could be a nice fit for the mobility of Grant.
"It'll be a question of how fast can the lineman get up to where they need to be," Martinez said. "Because we think we're pretty good at the skill positions."
The Grizzlies may be able to lean heavily on a defense returning four starters led by linebacker Greg Sherwood. The 6-1, 220-pound senior will have a veteran secondary behind him that includes three returning starters plus Palos Verdes transfer Spencer Wiley, who didn't get to play last year. At 6-3, 215 pounds, Garrett Evans will anchor a defensive line that should be very athletic.
"Our league will be tough like its always been," Martinez said. "People thought that after Richard and those guys left it would be down. But it hasn't been at all. And now Glendora is going to make the league even tougher."
As far as a move back to the Inland Division: "It's going to be tough in the playoffs," Martinez said. "But I think everybody knew it was coming. It's kind of hard to stay (in the Central Division) when you're doing what we were doing."
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About Clay
Clay Fowler has been covering high school sports for six years in California and Texas. He was born in Dallas, attended the University of Texas and worked in Central Texas before joining the Daily Bulletin staff in 2006.
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So Clay - what are your predictions for the 1st game of the season for Colony and Osos this friday night?
What are your thoughts?