FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Petaluma has more size, depth and hopes

The Petaluma High School football team will be bigger and stronger than the team that went 5-6 and reached the North Coast Section playoffs last season. More importantly, there will be more Trojans, especially on the front line.

“We will be a much more physical team,” says Petaluma head coach Rick Krist. “We will have better depth on both sides of the line.”

In what is something of a shocking development for Petaluma, the Trojans will be able to, with one exception, start entirely different lines on offense and defense.

That one exception is Travis Plank, a 6-foot, 200-pound junior who has worked his way into a position where he is too valuable on both sides of the football not to start on both lines. Plank was a starter last season as a sophomore.

The Petaluma line is not huge, but it is big in comparison to the fronts the Trojans have had for the last few years, averaging about 215 pounds on offense.

Junior Casey Goddard will open the season at center, but will be in a competition with Chris Temple when the senior fully recovers from a knee injury.

Plank will be at one guard with Mahrt at the other. Zane Overton will also see playing time.

Probable starting tackles are Diego Esquivel and Matt Vossler with Ben Upton also seeing playing time.

“We have some depth,” says Krist. “There are others who can step in if we need them. This will be the first year I haven’t had to take a back and convert him to the line because of injuries.”

A key member of the offensive line is tight end Hunter Williams, a three-year varsity starter, who is not only a strong blocker, but an important member of the receiving corps.

Brendan White, an impressive 6-foot, 4-inch, 200-pound junior, will be in control of the Trojans’ triple-option offense at quarterback. White shared the position during the pre-league season with Patrick Bailey last year, but yielded to the senior’s experience and moved to the defensive backfield once Sonoma County League play started.

The job is all his this year, and Krist is excited about what he brings to the field.

“We are still a triple option team,” the coach says, “but Brendan gives us another dimension. He runs well and he has a strong arm. He seems to be picking up the offense well.”

Petaluma modified the traditional triple option with a pistol set last season, moving the quarterback back from underneath the center, and will continue that formation this season, giving White more time to throw and a better look at the field.

In the triple option, the fullback is much more than a blocking back, he is the first option on run plays and Petaluma has a good one in Yusef Kawasami. A senior, the 220 pounder missed the first half of last season because of the transfer rules. He still gained 237 yards in just 32 carries, averaging close to 7.5 yards per carry.

He is also one of the team’s best defenders, but if he is needed to concentrate on that side of scrimmage, the Trojans have several others who Krist says can provide strong play at fullback, including Matt Saxton and Williams.

There is speed and depth at the halfback positions with Greg Thomas, Lucas Dentoni and Harrison Royal. Thomas, who is one of the empire’s best kickers, is being counted on to take on a more active roll on both sides of the football. According to Krist, Dentoni has been one of the team’s hardest-working players through the summer and pre-season practices. Royal is the back-up quarterback.

Petaluma hopes to take advantage of White’s strong throwing arm this season. He will be targeting wide receivers Mike Devincenzi, Connor Dennison and Eamon McMahan, with talented tight end Williams also likely to be a major receiver.

Petaluma’s defense, hampered by the offense’s turnovers at times last season, is expected to be improved, especially up front where Cole Lockert, Plank, Upton, Joey Reed and Justin Mahrt will provide a solid and deep defensive line corps.

Two of the team’s best all-around players, Kawasami and Williams, give the Trojans solid run stoppers at inside linebacker.

On the outside, Dentoni, Esquivel, Devincenzi and Saxton make up with speed what they lack in experience.

Thomas, Dennison, Eamon McMahan and Solozarno will be in the defensive backfield with Royal and Solorzano likely the safeties.

Thomas gives the Trojans an extra weapon on both sides of scrimmage with his leg. “He is an excellent kicker,” Krist says. “With him, our first goal is to get within field goal range - to get a score from every drive.” The Trojans don’t have to go a long way to get within Thomas’ range. he hit a 46 yarder last season. He also gives them the advantage of pinning opponents back with every kickoff, routinely sailing them into the end zone.

As an added Trojan plus, Thomas is also one of the area’s best punters.

The players are ready to go, the coaches are ready to go. Now, it just a matter of translating potential into victories.