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Trojans set sights on league title, beyond
By Phillip Brents
Posted Sept. 7, 2002
Buoyed by what amounts to a truck load of key returning personnel in skill positions, the Castle Park High Trojans are excitedly looking forward to challenge for this year’s South Bay League title after finishing in the runner-up slot the last two seasons.
“We’re optimistic. We’re looking forward to this group of kids (but) they have to prove themselves as worthy as when they were freshmen,” cautioned head coach Paul Van Nostrand. “The last two years, we’ve come in second — both by close scores. When we get into those kind of games, we have to play at a very high level. We cannot afford to make those same kind of mistakes.”
The team’s depth chart is sizable at the quarterback, wide receiver, defensive back and the running back positions to complement a strong game in the trenches.
Expectations go with the veteran talent.
Trojan signal-caller Chase McGuire, now a senior, has filled the starter’s role since his sophomore season, making steady improvement both in decision-making and execution. He passed for 907 yards last season while connecting for 12 touchdowns against seven interceptions. He also ran for 330 yards and four scores as an option ball-carrier.
“This year, he’s got to light it up. It’s his turn to take us to the stadium,” said Van Nostrand in reference to the Trojans’ renewed championship aspirations beyond league.
A key two-way returner is senior Freddie Dunkle, who will set a school record for career interceptions with his first pick-off in 2002. A returning All-South Bay League First Team selection, Dunkle caught 22 passes last year as a wide receiver to lead the Trojans with 418 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Senior Mark Street, who ranked second with 128 receiving yards last season, also returns.
Seniors Je’von Meyers (183 yards, three touchdowns) and Josh Samuel (63 yard, one touchdown) are the team’s leading returning rushers after McGuire and will have to step into starter’s roles to fill a void of 1,988 yards and 20 touchdowns left by graduation of the team’s top two ball-carriers from last year.
Returning starters also include seniors Cezar Herrera (offensive lineman/linebacker), and Daniel Fuentes (offensive-defensive lineman) while top prospects include senior Gene Smith (running back/linebacker) and junior Juan Ballesteros (offensive-defensive lineman). Junior Nick Kellough will see duty as McGuire’s backup while also possibly seeing action on defense. Fellow classmate Rudy Salazar is penciled in as a wingback on offense and cornerback on defense.
“We’re hoping for a good balance on offense. We’re traditionally strong on defense. We’ve got some guys in their third year on the team. Hopefully, that experience will show up,” Van Nostrand said.
The defense should live up to the legacy of previous editions. Leading the way is inside linebacker Santiago Dominguez (6-0, 235), a returning all-league inside linebacker who rates as one of the strongest players on the team, if not in the league, and will also double as a fullback on offense.
The defensive line, which Van Nostrand describes as “big and physical,” is anchored by a pair of returning starters in seniors Jose Sola and Anthony Parisi, an all-league honorable mention selection last year.
Patrolling the secondary this season is returning All-South Bay League Second Team pick DeMarco Sampson, a junior. Van Nostrand said that while the team’s defensive backs may serve dual offensive and defensive roles on the team, he expects the four players who perform in the secondary to be “real solid.”
If the team has a weakness on defense, it is the linebacker position that returns just one performer from a season ago. However, junior Charles Carter — up from last year’s junior varsity squad — will help fill the void there. With several players going in both directions, execution — especially against top-flight opponents — will be crucial in the team’s long-term success.
“Overall, we’re optimistic. This is a team that has the talent to put it all together. Marian returns a lot of top players. They’re tough. Southwest and Mar Vista both seem headed in the right direction in their programs. Hilltop has a real solid group of kids coming up who were tough last year. Our league will be tough.” Van Nostrand said.
With the treasure trove of talent, however, there is a tendency to look beyond league play.
The Trojans captured San Diego Section divisional championships in 1994 and 1996, winning a state championship in 1996 in the final state weekly rankings polls. Castle Park finished second in 1997 and 1999 in other divisional championship game appearances.
“It’s time to go back,” Van Nostrand said succinctly.