Montclair paying the price for playoff appearance
Montclair's triumphant return to the playoffs after eight years, which would have occurred even if the number of playoff teams from the Mt. Baldy League wasn't increased to four, was achieved with a class that left the Cavaliers just five seniors this season. There is plenty of young talent waiting in the wings but it needs time to grow. Combined with first-year coach T.J. Fiorenza implementing a new system, 2011 will be a time of transition for a Montclair team hoping it grows up fast enough to make the postseason again.
"They had a good team last year and the kids want to continue that success," Fiorenza said. "I think we have the same amount of talent, it's just a matter of keeping the kids disciplined and on course, especially the young guys."
The Cavaliers ran a spread last season but are transitioning to a "spin offense," a version of the wing-T run out of the shotgun. David Tafolla, who was a pocket passer last season, will be required to take to the ground behind a young but large offensive line. The offense is the same that the freshman team ran last season, giving the younger players an added advantage of having been in the system.
Defensively the secondary is experienced and will pick up a linebacking corps that is deep and talented but lacking in experience. Montclair will hope to improve on its allowance of 28.6 points per game last season, but with defending champ Chino and Colony at the top of the league another third-place finish would be a successful run for the Cavaliers.
"We've had this pattern of going 5-5," Fiorenza said. "We'd like to beat .500 this year."
1 Comment
Leave a comment
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.
Email Clay here
lets go cavaliers ..yoou young men will be great...we did a good job last year...now its up to you men to complete what class of 11'' left for you and take it all the way...