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Howe: One of These Schools Is Not Like the Other

by Ryan Howe

EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. • McClymonds gave us Hammer pants. Minico contributed to SpongeBob SquarePants.

McClymonds High is in Oakland, home to three pro sports franchises. Minico High is in Rupert, home to Christmas City, USA.

Oakland crams 390,000 residents into 55 square miles. Minidoka County spreads its 20,000 people across 760 square miles.

The Bay Area (Oakland-San Francisco) ranks in the top 5 for worst traffic congestion in North America. Rupert has three stop lights.

McClymonds’ roster includes names like Da’jon, Daishawn, Lavon and Shaqan. Minico’s names are Trevor, Tanner, Nathan and Matt.

Oakland public high schools: 19. Minidoka: 1.

Oakland has about three dozen smog check stations. Minico often catches the unpleasant whiff of the sugar beet factory.

Oakland’s annual celebrations include Art & Soul Festival, Chinatown StreetFest and the Oakland International Film Festival. Minidoka’s annual cultural celebration is the county fair.

McClymonds’ football claim-to-fame is putting multiple players in the NFL. Minico’s football claim-to-fame is alumnus Bill Fagerbakke, who played Dauber in the TV show “Coach.” He’s also the voice of Patrick Star on SpongeBob.

McClymonds has won a Grammy with alumnus MC Hammer. Minico has won an Emmy with alumnus and journalist Lou Dobbs.

I’m told McClymonds’ list of notable alumni also includes Bill Russell, Paul Silas, Frank Robinson and the Pointer Sisters. I didn’t verify all those, but I’m like the Republican Presidential race – I won’t let my column be dictated by fact-checkers.

Minico’s elevation: 4,157 feet above sea level. McClymonds: 13 feet.

According to Wikipedia, Oakland “offers a wide variety of cuisine… which reflect(s) the city’s ethnically diverse population. Minidoka has Stevo’s.

Malcom X once spoke at McClymonds High School. Asking Minico players about Malcom X is like watching a Jaywalking segment on the Tonight Show.

None of McClymonds’ current roster has ever been to Idaho. What comes to mind when Warriors star Lavance Warren is asked about Idaho?

“Big people,” he said. “And potatoes.”

Regardless of their differences, for one beautiful blue-sky afternoon in the suburbs of Sacramento, the game of football brought these communities together. Cool thing about football is, strap on a helmet and you can’t tell who has dreadlocks and who has a mullet. For two and a half hours Saturday, they were no longer inner-city kids and farm kids.

They were just kids.

Which brings us back to pants.

Whenever we faced a big-time opponent, my high school football coach used to give us the same pep talk, “Those guys are no different than you. They put their pants on the same way you do – one leg at a time.”

Doesn’t matter if those pants are Hammer or square.

Mistakes Hand Minico Defeat Against McClymonds

By Ryan Howe

EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. — For Minico to beat McClymonds, the best football team from Oakland, Calif., it knew it would need a near-flawless performance.

Four turnovers. That was the difference.

The Spartans (1-1) represented Idaho well, giving themselves a chance in the fourth quarter. But Minico gift wrapped the Warriors’ win, 34-21.

“It would have been a close game, but since we had turnovers, that killed us. As soon as we get the momentum back, something happens,” said Minico senior Jordan Browning.

McClymonds (1-1) scored after each of Minico’s first two fumbles. The third ended a Minico drive at the McClymonds 15-yard line. The fourth came early in the fourth quarter after the Spartans had recovered an onsides kick with 5:57 remaining and were driving in to make it a one-possession game.

The Spartans — as they expected — also had trouble with McClymonds’ superior speed and athleticism. It was evident from the get-go, as Lavance Warren ran back the opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown, leaving Minico to play from behind the entire afternoon.

“They’re better than any team we’ve played against. We’ve never seen anything like that, but I thought we did well. We played until the end. It was a great opportunity,” said Minico senior Taylor Seaton.

But after Minico took McClymonds’ punches, it countered time and time again. The Spartans gained 342 yards of total offense, to the Warriors’ 355.

“We play against faster teams, but these guys are bigger than what we’re used to playing against, so it evened out,” said Warren, who rushed for 129 yards. “We’re used to a team that tries to get you outside. I was expecting some hard hitting, and that’s what we got.”

Instead of trying to out-sprint McClymonds to the edges — which wouldn’t be a wise scheme of attack against the Warriors’ speed — Minico used its up-tempo wing-T to pound out yardage between the tackles. It’s a style of play McClymonds isn’t used to seeing.

“It was really tough to prepare for. You have to be really disciplined,” said McClymonds coach Curtis McCauley. “I had to make a bunch of adjustments at halftime because we were in a five-man front and they were having their way.”

Minico fell behind 14-0 before it put together a scoring drive. The Spartans went 77 yards in just four plays, capped by Jordan Browning’s 56-yard TD run up the gut.

The Spartans fumbled the ball away on their next two possessions and went into halftime down 21-7.

On its first drive of the third quarter, Minico struck fast. Two long runs by Seaton and Browning set up a Minico score, which Seaton plunged in from two yards out, making it 21-14.

But McClymonds answered right back, going 60 yards in nine plays. The Spartans fumbled away its next possession and McClymonds capitalized and pushed its lead to 34-14 at the end of three quarters.

Minico quarterback Shay Chandler hooked up with Seaton for a 10-yard TD pass with under six minutes to go. Jonathan Valero kicked and recovered the ensuing onsides kick, but the Spartans wasted the opportunity by fumbling on the very next play.

“We scheduled this trip hoping we could come together as a team, and we did that. It was something special,” said Minico head coach Tim Perrigot.

Perrigot hopes the experience makes Minico a better football team.

“We went 9-0 last season and didn’t experience a loss until the (playoffs) and then it’s over. Losing is a bitter feeling, but if you’re going to lose a football game, let’s lose it Week 2.”

Minico will be back home next week, hosting Mini-Cassia rival Burley.

McClymonds 34, Minico 21

Minico 7 0 7 7 —21

McClymonds 14 7 13 0 —34

First quarter

McClymonds – Warren 92 kick return (kick failed) 11:44

McClymonds – Cummings 8 run (Hope pass from Williams) 3:31

Minico – Browning 56 run (Wrigley kick) 2:12

Second quarter

McClymonds – Thompson 44 pass from Williams (Simmons kick) 7:29

Third quarter

Minico – Seaton 2 run (Wrigley kick) 10:34

McClymonds – Thompson 26 pass from Williams (Simmons kick) 5:58

McClymonds – Williams 4 run (kick failed) 0:00

Fourth quarter

Minico – Seaton 10 pass from Chandler (Wrigley kick) 5:57

Small-school Idaho team tops Casa Roble

By Bill Paterson

The players and coaches from tiny Fruitland High School in Idaho saw themselves as ambassadors for their state's brand of gritty football when they ventured 550 miles to play in Saturday's Football for Families fundraising showcase in El Dorado Hills.

They made believers out of those who found their way to Oak Ridge High School for a rare morning game, the first of four games that rounded out the two-day, seven-game benefit for foster families.

Behind their immensely talented and inspiring leader, senior quarterback-linebacker Joey Martarano, Fruitland overcame injuries, the loss of an early lead and the fatigue of so many players playing both ways in rising temperatures to top Casa Roble 29-22.

"It's just a great experience to see how we stack up against a big California school, and it's a big win for us," said Martarano, who has led his school to five state championships in three sports. "Maybe this will help for other Idaho teams to be able to come down here."

Though it has played in Idaho's last six 3A state title games, Fruitland (3-0) is a school of 500 students, nearly three times smaller than Casa Roble (1-2), which has a team that platoons its players and a sophisticated spread offense rarely seen in the Gem State.

Fruitland overcame injuries to 6-foot-4, 240-pound tight end-defensive end Alec Dhaenens, a Boise State verbal recruit (left knee injury) and sophomore running back-defensive back Kody Graves (fractured right leg). But the Grizzlies still had Martarano.

The 6-4, 230-pounder has already verbally committed to Boise State to play linebacker, but the gifted slugger could be a first-round pick in baseball's free-agent draft in June.

"I've coached 35 years and I can't remember having another one like him," said Fruitland coach Bruce Schlaich. "He does it all. He feels no pressure. The bigger the situation, the more he steps up."

With Martarano leading the way, Fruitland held Casa Roble on its 12-yard line early in the fourth quarter, then drove the Grizzlies 88 yards, rushing for the stay-ahead touchdown and two-point conversion with 6:08 left.

After Fruitland forced a Casa Roble fumble near midfield with 5:17 to play, Martarano helped the Grizzlies run out the clock with several up-the-gut runs with defenders clawing and scratching at him to try to jar the ball loose.

"Joey is a man-child, an excellent football player," said Casa Roble coach Norm Ryan. "He made the plays that had to be made. He wanted it more than anyone on the field."

Martarano, who completed eight of 10 passes for 134 yards and rushed for 67 yards on 18 carries, said the injuries to Dhaenens and Graves only steeled his resolve despite the fatigue, heat and "air that is a lot different than in Idaho." "We wanted to win it for them," Martarano said.

Fruitland limited Casa Roble's usually potent offense (471 yards per game coming in) to 224 total yards. The Grizzlies pressured quarterback Peyton Wilfley (12 for 22 for 122 yards) throughout the day, sacking him five times and allowing few big pass plays.

Fruitland also held area rushing leader Kody Jones (averaging 205 yards coming in) to 64 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. "We knew it was going to be a struggle because all our players are 48-minute ironmen," Schlaich said. "But they're extremely tough, physically and mentally, and we're just so proud of them. To come down and beat a school like Casa Roble is a big feather in our cap."

Minico Makes a Name for Itself with California Foes, Onlookers

BY RYAN HOWE

EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. • Trying to hide from the 92-degree heat at kickoff, fans of both Minico and McClymonds high schools spread out in the home side stands Saturday afternoon at Oak Ridge High School in the posh Sacramento suburb.

 “Where is Minico, Idaho? I can’t find it on Mapquest,” one McClymonds fan asked, holding up her smartphone.

 It’s true. You can’t find Minico, Idaho on a map.

 Even the public address announcer had trouble pronouncing the school from Rupert, calling it “Minoka.”

 Playing in its first out-of-state football game in school history, the Minico Spartans couldn’t overcome four turnovers in a 34-21 loss to McClymonds, a school from West Oakland.

 Although disappointed about the loss (see complete game story in Sports), the Spartans left California closer as a unit, and tested as a team.

 “It was awesome for our team. It was a great trip. It was good to spend this time away and have this opportunity,” said Minico senior Taylor Seaton.

 A few dozen Minico fans made the trip, plus a handful of former Spartans now living in California were on hand.

 “I was surprised to see them coming, but I also think it’s pretty exciting that they would have the opportunity to come and play in California. It’s a good deal,” said Sheila Pfeifer, a 1981 Minico graduate who now resides in the Bay Area working for a law firm.

 Class of 2000 graduate Blake Smith, who now lives in Grass Valley, Calif., was cheering on his nephew T.J. Strunk. Smith played for Minico coach Tim Perrigot back when Minico was a struggling program.

 “I recognize almost all the coaches down there. It’s like a trip down memory lane,” said Smith, who works as an insurance broker. “This is the first time I’ve gotten to see them play.”

 Smith said he’s watched from afar the rise of Minico football into a 4A power in Idaho. He said he’s still proud to be a Spartan, especially after competing well against the best public football program in Oakland.

 “It’s nice to see them have success, because there’s a lot of people who played there who didn’t have it,” he said. “If they don’t shoot themselves in the foot, it’s an even game. They’re probably not used to this heat.”

 Erase some turnovers, and the final score could have been reversed. Regardless, the Spartans never gave up, despite trailing the entire ballgame.

 “They’re a tough team and never quit,” said McClymonds coach Curtis McCauley. “I’ve got a lot of respect for them.”

 With that, the Spartans put Minico on the map.

McClymonds 34, Minico 21

Minico 7 0 7 7 —21

McClymonds 14 7 13 0 —34

First quarter

McClymonds – Warren 92 kick return (kick failed) 11:44

McClymonds – Cummings 8 run (Hope pass from Williams) 3:31

Minico – Browning 56 run (Wrigley kick) 2:12

Second quarter

McClymonds – Thompson 44 pass from Williams (Simmons kick) 7:29

Third quarter

Minico – Seaton 2 run (Wrigley kick) 10:34

McClymonds – Thompson 26 pass from Williams (Simmons kick) 5:58

McClymonds – Williams 4 run (kick failed) 0:00

Fourth quarter

Minico – Seaton 10 pass from Chandler (Wrigley kick) 5:57

Placer Hillmen too much to handle for Foothill of Palo CedroDenham throws 2 TDs to Brahce in rout

By Matthew Kimel / Journal sports editorDoug Guler / Gold Country News Service

The Hillmen's ground game produced four touchdowns Friday.


EL DORADO HILLS – It’s usually a good sign when your second-unit offensegets playing time in the fourth quarter.
Such was the case Friday night for the Placer Hillmen, who romped past ahighly-regarded Foothill of Palo Cedro team, 42-14, in the showcase of aFootball for Families fundraiser at Oak Ridge High School.

“All in all, I’m really proud of the kids,” coach Joey Montoya said. “I’mreally happy almost everybody got to play. We beat a really good footballteam there. “

The Hillmen built a 42-7 lead before a running clock was called for in themiddle of the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Peter Denham threw two touchdowns to Isaac Brahce and theHillmen got rushing touchdowns from Michael Robison, Todd Vallerie,Cameron Scott and Brahce, as they improved to 2-0.

Though Denham overthrew a wide-open Stone Sander twice on deep passes, hewas effective on the night. He completed 9 of 16 attempts for 175,including touchdowns of 30 and 41 yards to Brahce in the third quarter.

“We noticed their safeties were playing up a little bit and we had been soeffective on the run that the play action was really open,” Denham said ofhis connections with Brahce. “Isaac is really fast, so we threw it pastthe safeties.”

Like last week, Placer showed flashes of defensive troubles early,allowing two runs of 55 and 65 yards. But the unit was able to bookendopening- and closing-drive scores allowed with a complete shutdown of theFoothill (1-1) offense.
“I really thought after the first series we played really well against aprolific offense,” said Montoya, one week after saying his team’s 48-30victory at Central Catholic of Modesto was “sloppy” because it allowed toomany big plays.

For the second straight week, the Hillmen scored a touchdown on theopening drive. Placer jumped out to a 6-0 lead just one minute into the contest on aRobinson touchdown run. Dominic Granieri, however, missed the extra point.

The score came after a fortunate bounce, when the Hillmen’s TonySuverkropp recovered the opening kickoff at the Foothill 32.
“I came out and knew what I needed to do,” Suverkropp said of the setplay. “Dominic kicked a great ball and it had a sweet bounce. I got up andhad my hands on it. I was pumped up.”

The lead didn’t last long, as the Hillmen trailed for the first time thisseason after the Cougars immediately answered Robinson’s score. A RyanPollard touchdown pass was set up after Foothill was able to convert onfourth-and-inches with a 55-yard Jacob Shaddox run.

Apparently the Hillmen didn’t like the feeling of being down on thescoreboard, as they would go on to score 36-straight points.
Vallerie led the Hillmen’s ground game with 112 yards on eight carries,including his beautifully executed 63-yard score, in which he brokecountless tackles.

Logan Markstein, Nathan Ralls and Scott combined for nearly 100 rushingyards when Vallerie, Robinson and Brahce were given the rest of the nightoff.

Placer allowed 154 rushing yards, mostly in the first half on two carries,but Foothill wasn’t able to add any points on the board until mop-up time.
The closest the Cougars came to adding points after their initialtouchdown and a last-minute score came on a first-quarter field goal missby Davis Kepon, which appeared to be blocked. That squandered a 65-yardrun from Shaddox, who had 134 yards on the night.

Pollard finished the night 8 of 15 for 127 yards and two scores. He wassacked by Jacob Peek and Jake Lewis. Peek and Eddie Vanderdoes teamed upon another sack.

Vanderdoes, a national recruit and USC verbal commit, said Placer’sdefense hasn’t reached its full potential yet.
“We were feeling out the offense,” Vanderdoes said of the early miscues.“Once we got the hang of it, we kept rolling.”

 Samuels throws four TDS, three to Spain and defense posts shutout overWashington 49-0by Matt Long Telegraph Sports Editor

The Oak Ridge Trojans improved to 3-0 on the season Saturday night with a49-0 shutout over Washington High from Fremont.
Jason Samuels threw four touchdown passes, three to Byron Spain, as theTrojans dominated the Huskies in every way a team can.
It was just the performance the Oak Ridge coaching staff was hoping tosee, as the team prepares to host a 1-2 Grant team on Friday who will bedesperately trying to snap a two-game losing streak.

“I’m proud of the way we played tonight,” Oak Ridge coach Eric Cavalieresaid. “We played at our level tonight and when the second and third-stringguys were in there they executed and preserved the shutout. We tell themthat whoever is on the field is the starter and the expectation is thesame for everyone.”

Oak Ridge took little time lighting up the scoreboard. Seven plays intothe game, Samuels hooked up with Spain on a 17-yard score just 2:21 intothe game. Ryan Lamb’s extra point made it 7-0.

After forcing Washington to punt, it took the Trojans another seven playsbefore Samuels and Spain worked their magic again, this time from 31 yardsout, and Lamb’s extra point made it 14-0 seven minutes in the game.

The Trojans’ special teams put the next points on the board, as ThomasMahlman blocked a punt, picked it up and returned it 24 yards for thethird touchdown of the game and the Trojans led 21-0 after one quarter.

Samuels and Spain hooked up for the final time early in the second quarteron another 17-yard touchdown pass to make it 28-0.
“We showed what we can do tonight,” Spain said. “Our offense had beenstruggling and not getting a lot of looks, but we came out strong tonight.The offensive line did a good job giving Jason time and Jason made goodthrows and I made the catches. This game will definitely help ourconfidence.”
Cavaliere was glad to see his offense hit its stride and was impressedwith the Samuels-to-Spain combination.

“They’re best friends off the field and two very good players on it,”Cavaliere said. “They played tonight on a Saturday and I expect them to beplaying on Saturdays next year in college.”

Samuels’ fourth and final touchdown came late in the first half and wasthe most impressive of all his throws. Rolling to his left and nearing thesideline, Samuels spotted Brad Buenzli in the back of the end zone andtook a big hit on his follow through but earned the score.
Oak Ridge led 35-0 at the half and the teams played with a running clockfor the remainder of the game. The Trojans picked up two more touchdownson runs by Blake Martin (22 yards) and Josh Wellman (10 yards).

Up next for the Trojans is Grant, who visits El Dorado Hills on Friday.

THE CAUSE! - A FOOTBALL SHOWCASE EVENT

DID YOU KNOW…..

• In the US there are 500,000 kids in the Foster Care System.
• 6,000 kids in Northern California are in the Foster Care System.
• Former foster children have surpassed veterans as the number one group in California’s homeless shelters. “KCBS News-San Francisco
• 70 percent of all California prison inmates spent time in the Foster Care System. Napa Valley Register.
• Former foster youth experience post-traumatic stress disorder at twice the rate of U.S. war veterans. “Napa Valley Register”
• Half of the homeless people in the Bay Area are former foster children! KCBS News
• In California, 65% leave Foster Care without a place to live! Napa Valley Register.
• Kids that leave Foster Care…more than 50% are homeless, use drugs, spend time in prison or die within 2-4 years/girls will have a child within 2-4 years. Sierra Forever Families
• The unemployment rate among former foster youth ages 18 to 24 is 50 percent! KCBS-News
• Most of the young prostitutes working in East Oakland used to be in foster care. KCBS-News

The Football For Families 2011 event-Photos by Jonas