FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Bar has been set high for front-loaded Gauchos

The 2014 Casa Grande football team has a tough challenge ahead, not only against the opponents on its schedule, but also against the standards set by last season’s team, regarded by many as the best in the school’s football tradition-rich history.

Last season’s Gauchos were 13-1, rolling undefeated to the North Bay League championship and all the way to the North Coast Section Division 2 semifinal game before they were stopped by Miramonte. The 13 wins were the most in school football history.

Many of the players who contributed to that historic season return, including the entire offensive line, but if the Gauchos are to repeat as league champions and go deep into the playoffs, they will have to do it without the best offensive player in the Redwood Empire, quarterback JaJuan Lawson; the best running back in the Empire, halfback John Porchivina; the best defensive player in the Empire, Miles Gardea and several other key contributors.

“This is a different group,” says Casa Grande head coach Trent Herzog. “Last year was special, but this year’s team has a chance to be very good.”

Replacing Lawson and his 2,203 yards passing and 1,152 yards rushing will be impossible, but Herzog is convinced he has three quarterbacks capable of leading the Gaucho offense. Senior Brent Eger has the advantage of working with the Casa system and being a part of the varsity success as Lawson’s back-up last season. JJ Anderson had a big year for the junior varsity last season, and possess a strong passing arm. Gaucho coaches are also impressed with athletic sophomore Frank Gawronski, who will also find playing time in the defensive backfield.

Ball carrying will be a shared responsibility for the Gauchos. Spencer Torkelson, a solid 6-foot, 200-pound sophomore, has a chance to be the first three-year varsity starting running back since Joe Trombetta.

He isn’t the only one who will be given the ball. Senior Kevin Donohoe carried 22 times for 76 yards and brings varsity experience to the Casa backfield. Herzog has been impressed with sophomore Max Cerini. “He has real potential,” the coach says. Junior Andrew Floerke has size (6-feet, 210 pounds) and speed.

“All four will get a chance to carry the ball,” the coach says.

The team’s top linebackers - senior Casey Longaker, a team captain; junior Nick Jensen and sophomore Charley Baldwin - will serve double duty at the fullback spot.

Junior Elijah Chirco, an athletic 6-foot, 4-inch, 230 pounder, takes over the tight end position filled so ably by Gardea last season. Logan Fehler (6-foot, 2-inches, 225 pounds), gives the Gauchos depth and quality when they choose to go to a two tight end formation.

Casa Grande has to replace its wide receving corps, but has several athletic options, including Jaleel Lawson, an outstanding athlete with excellent speed, who missed most of the two last seasons with a severe leg injury.

Now healthy, the Casa Grande coaches think enough of his ability and leadership to name him a team captain.

Others who will vie for playing time are senior Joey Markam, a 200-pounder with excellent receiver hands; senior Andrew Blair, who will be used as a slot receiver; junior Kaleo Garrigan, who will probably start on defense and can also help as a receiver; junior Nic Petri; and junior Dylan Roberts.

“They are all pretty much equal,” says Herzog.

An intriguing prospect is junior Holten Johnson, a transfer from Butte County who is one of the fastest players on the team. He will have to sit out the start of the season because of transfer rules, but could eventually help the Gauchos stretch the field.

While there is potential at the skill positions, there is proven athletic ability - some would say excellence - on the front line.

“Our line could be the best we’ve ever had here,” Herzog says.

Casa’s front players are strong, fast and knowledgeable.

The front is anchored by center Julian Lopez, one of its smaller members at 5-feet, 11-inches, 235 pounds. He is also perhaps the team’s strongest player and one of its fastest, according to Herzog.

The guards are a coach’s dream, three-year starters Brendan Jackson (275 pounds) and Peter Parrick (295 pounds). Jackson was hobbled by injuries last year, but still had an excellent season. He is now fully healthy and starts the season in the best shape of his high school career after a summer of intensive workouts. Both are team captains.

The tackles are Tanner Shimek (235 pounds) and Greg Poteracke (275 pounds). They, too, are strong and talented. Poteracke is anxious for a big season after being hurt last year.

Despite the super Casa season, that group was never able to fully come together because of injuries. Herzog says if that does happen, there is much more depth this season with John Parnell (240 pounds), sophomore Brian Klodin (210 pounds) and Brandon Bibeau (225 pounds) ready to step in at tackles; Tony Perez (205 pounds) and Jorge Barajas (180 pounds) at guards and Kameron Chase (225 pounds) at center.

Because of an abundance of front line talent, the Gauchos will be able to give the linemen a break on defense.

“We’ll rotate 10 to 12 players on the line,” Herzog says of his defense.

Junior Elijah Chirco (230 pounds) and 6-foot, 5-inch Ryan Slack will see a lot of playing time at the defensive end spots with Ayden Wyre, Logan Fehler, Jon Curran and Karl Turner fitting into the rotation.

Running between the tackles against Casa Grande will range from difficult to impossible with Jackson, Lopez, Parrick, Poteracke, Parnell and Micah Dominno at the tackle spots.

Looming right behind the lineman is inside linebacker Longaker, an all-league selection as a junior and expected to be even better this season now that he has put a shoulder injury behind him. “He is as good a linebacker as we’ve had here,” Herzog says. “He knows the defense as well as the coaches do.” A team captain, Longaker relays the defensive calls from the coaches and makes sure his teammates are in proper alignment.

Jensen makes a strong complement at the other inside linebacker. Baldwin, Shimek, Ryan Lowe and transfer Billy Brown will all help inside.

An intriguing outside linebacker is junior Semi Komaaisavai, who was an outstanding rugby player in Fiji. “He is a great athlete with unlimted potential,” Herzog says.

The Gauchos will count heavily on Torkelson at one of the outside positions. Other linebackers who will help are Markam, Cerini, Alex Burdette, Jason Whitney and Josh Martin.

Lawson and junior Kaleo Garrigan will likely start at the corners with Petri, Andrew Blair, Stephen Denis and Holten Johnson all likely to play.

Roberts and Donohoe will be the safeties with Gawronski also getting playing time.

Casa Grande’s not so-secret weapon is kicker Matt Abramo, rated one of the top 10 kickers in the nation and already committed to attend Washington State. The senior gives the Gauchos a threat to score any time they enter the opposition’s side of the field. He all but assures that the opposition will start from the 20-yard line following a kickoff that is almost guaranteed to reach the end zone. He will also handle the punting chores this season.

It all adds up to a good football team that is determined to be judged on its own merits - and those merits are impressive.