They use the buddy system over at Amat.

New coach, new QB, no established leader on defense – what’s going to happen to Amat’s football program in ’06? It doesn’t take a genius to see that Amat will enter Spring training, passing league, hell week, and finally, the season with way more questions than answers.

OK, new coach Mark Verti was there last season, so the transition, especially on offense, won’t be anything to sweat. The schedule, the new league and of course the new division is. Here’s the schedule:

9/1 at St Paul (toss-up)
9/8 at Valencia (toss-up)
9/15 Hart (loss)
9/22 Rancho Cucamonga (win)
10/6 Carson (loss)
10/13 St Francis (win)
10/20 at Chaminade (win)
10/27 Crespi (win)
11/3 at Notre Dame (loss)
11/10 at Loyola (loss)

Here’s what Bill Lumbergh thinks of the schedule:
PROJECTED RECORD: 5-5
LEAGUE: 3rd (out of four)
PLAYOFFS: Yes, but no threat.

Supposedly, last year’s sophomores are a very good group. Many of them were on varsity last year and got some playing time. Running back Dominique Gaisie is a bona fide star, but he needs to stay healthy (something that didn’t happen in ’05). QB is a major problem. Three-year starter Daniel Robles is gone and Matt Castaneda, who should be this year’s starter, is calling signals at Los Altos (interesting). Besides Gaisie, there just isn’t a gamebreaker on the roster. And what will the defense do without Jonathan Cornell?
The schedule is very tough. Fortunately for Amat, many of its opponents also have to replace some big contributors. But anyone who’s been paying attention knows that Amat isn’t exactly drawing the Valley’s top talent anymore, thus replacing standouts won’t be as easy for the Lancers as it will be for Hart or Carson or Loyola or Notre Dame.