CHULA VISTA, Sept. 6, 2001 -- With his team tied 0-0 at halftime last year against El Camino, Bonita Vista head coach Carl Parrick was in perfect position to end a winless post-season streak that has plagued the school since 1975. That was before the Wildcats returned an interception for a touchdown, and then struck with a devastating 99-yard touchdown run and an 84-yard touchdown pass. The dominant 34-6 second half put away the Barons and sent El Camino on to the San Diego Section Division I semifinals.

"They were a big play team and we knew it," Parrick said. "We just couldn't stop them."

Parrick was proud of his team's effort, and felt his players "held their own," but the loss dropped Bonita Vista to 0-13 in CIF play since 1980. While last season had its rewards in the form of a 9-1 regular season record, a win over rival Eastlake, and a Mesa League championship, Parrick said he would gladly trade the school's league titles for playoff wins.

Parrick's comments should not be taken lightly. League and conference titles haven't been easy to come by for Bonita Vista either. Prior to the 2000 campaign, the last league banners came in 1992 and 1993. Though the Barons are an early favorite to repeat as Mesa League champs this year, Parrick warns that not a lot separates themselves, Chula Vista, Montgomery and Sweetwater. Graduated quarterback Tyler Arciaga said last year that Bonita Vista could have easily been 6-4 as 9-1.

But the goal is to win in CIF, and that quest resumes this Friday as Bonita Vista's season kicks off at Vista, with what Parrick calls one of the toughest openers he can remember. The Barons return 25 lettermen, with five returning starters on offense and eight on defense, a team stocked with talent, experience and hope that this is the year.

The 2000 Barons were known for a brilliant passing attack, but the pass first mentality may have to be reexamined this season. Arciaga left the school for UNLV with the record for career passing yardage, and a huge hole to fill.

Senior Alex Palacio (5-9, 165) and junior Alex Ghebrasalassie (6-3, 175) will vie for the starting job, with Palacio holding the current edge. Receivers Joe Grant and Walter Olden are also gone, so Ghebrasalassie will also see time at wide receiver opposite senior Detron Johnson (5-8, 175), whose blazing quickness makes him a threat both as a receiver and on special teams. Senior E. J. Stoike (6-1, 180) is also expected to contribute at wide receiver.

"Replacing Tyler is our number one priority," Parrick said. "We have to get the ball to Detron and Alex."

Parrick reminds worriers that his "passing team" last year still threw for only about 400 yards more than it ran, and said that balance is the cornerstone of a top offense. Tailback Ivan Salcedo (6-1, 195) played a key role in the Barons' title run a year ago, with late touchdowns against Chula Vista and Sweetwater, and may become the focus of the offense this year. Salcedo's north-south style wears opponents down and will be a constant for the 2001 Barons.

"If you ask what our strength is, you'll probably hear we're a predominantly running team this year," Parrick said. "But we're going to keep doing what we've been doing. We'll go no huddle, spread offense.'

Bonita Vista will have a strong offensive line to lead the charge. Seniors Efrain Guardado (5-10, 225) and Justin Rich (6-3, 270) started last year, and will be joined by juniors Howie Fuimaono (6-1, 290) and Russell Foster (6-6, 290).

If the offense can continue anywhere near last year's blistering pace, the defense is expected to be improved, and will be there to seal games. Both Detron Johnson and senior Mike Molina (6-3, 230) are considered top college prospects.

Bonita Vista's defense suffered multiple injuries last year and still proved it's ability in stints, holding El Camino to 77 total yards in the first half of its playoff game and limiting Eastlake to seven points in a 14-7 victory. The depth of the Barons' 2001 defense is promising, and should help them to be the strength of the squad.

"On defense, we're only losing a few guys," Parrick said. "Juan Ramirez at cornerback, Dan Molina at nose guard, Karl Atkinson and Carlos Lara at linebacker."

Johnson, Ghebrasalassie, senior Kevin Shields (6-2, 200) and junior Michael Guillory (5-11, 185), an Eastlake transfer, make up a talented secondary. Johnson and Guillory will be at the corner positions, with Ghebrasalassie and Shields at free safety and strong safety, respectively. Seniors Mike McDonald (6-2, 215), Molina, and Angelo Oriol (5-11, 165) anchor the linebackers, and seniors David Todd (6-2, 255), Damian Camacho (6-1, 210) and Palani Nasution (5-10, 240) join Fuimaono on an intimidating defensive line.

"Brandon Brooks, Jay Banks, Detron Johnson and Alex Ghebrasalassie all run in the 4.5-4.6 range," Parrick noted, "and we have more guys running 4.7's. The kind of speed and experience we have on defense allows us to do some things this year that we couldn't have done before and be even better."

Bonita Vista will face some challenging tests on the road against Vista, Eastlake, Chula Vista and Sweetwater. The Barons will also be looking for revenge at home against the Marian Catholic team that ended their hopes for an unbeaten season last year.

"It's important that we keep together, and stay injury free," Parrick said. "We have an eight person players council to address team issues. I'll have a great year if we can focus on respect. I want my players to become better people, be more disciplined, go to class and keep their grades up."

But just as every year, one game does stand out. "Eastlake means a lot to us," Parrick said. "It's a community thing. To me, the Eastlake game is like an Army-Navy game."

The Sept. 21 showdown between the eighth ranked Titans and 10th ranked Barons might also be the best game in the South Bay this year. Until then, the Barons will concentrate on avoiding adversity and maintaining consistency.

"Football is a game where you build and get better every week or you get your butt kicked," Parrick said. "You can't rest on what you did the week before."

It doesn't sound like the Barons will be content with what they did the year before, either.