SD Prep Sports: Football
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Hilltop, Montgomery, Mar Vista all looking forward to promising 2001 campaigns
By Markus Berzen
The high school football season will be under way next week with games for many of the South Bay's teams. Hilltop, Mar Vista and Montgomery will battle it out in the Metro Conference.
Brian Hay is Hilltop's new football coach. With a new head coach come changes. Hay has brought a completely new offensive scheme to the team and if the players are able to adapt the new tactics, the team will do well this year.
The players' discipline will be key in learning the new offensive tactics, which will rely on key players such as Jason Rowe, Adrian Crabb, Sylas Sandoval and, of course, quarterback Mike Yaomoto. It is the defense, however, that will be the most important part of Hilltop's game.
Hilltop has gone through a rigorous training regimen with long hours and hard work. Tactical training has been mixed with a long and intensive physical camp for the players.
"The preparations for the season have been to work hard and get better and better each day," Hay said.
Mar Vista coach Gary Pugh expects a good year for his team. He said the team has gotten better and more competitive. Though Mar Vista will face some very good opponents, Pugh said this should be the best year for Mar Vista in a long time.
"The team is more athletic and some of the returning players have stepped it up," explained Pugh, who singled out players Fedarian Johnson, Brian Demmock and Billy Martin as some of the players who will prove important this season.
Montgomery has an interesting team this year. Without a large, strong defensive line, the Aztecs may lack depth. Montgomery's offensive players are, on the other hand, some of the most promising players.
Montgomery coach Dan Leaf said the team will rely heavily on its speed. Alongside quarterback Ian Pizzaro, identical twin brothers Napoleon and Jeff MacNeal will be the most important players. Their speed and talent certainly make them the players to keep an eye on this season.
"They will play college ball next year," said Leaf with all certainty. That Montgomery lacks physical players may lead to problems with injuries, but Leaf said that if they stay injury free, this will be the year that something big will happen for the Montgomery Aztecs.
Hilltop will host San Diego and Montgomery will take on Mt. Miguel at Montgomery High on Sept. 7. Mar Vista will start its season with a home game against Bishop's on Saturday, Sept. 8.