Every season starts with high hopes and nothing has changed for the local football teams in the Valley Conference.
But a rugged early-season schedule for the teams will weed out the dreamers from those who legitimately have a shot at potential postseason glory.
Fresno City: Coach Tony Caviglia is always upbeat this time of year and usually for good reason. He normally has a lot of talent back and more he recruited. This year, however, his No. 16 team is mighty green and there are no marque players, although some may emerge. With early games against Bakersfield and San Francisco (ranked No. 2 and No. 1, respectively, in the state in the preseason), and a date against No. 18 Santa Rosa, the Rams could enter conference with a 2-3 record. In fact, the Valley Conference is nails and it's possible that Caviglia could suffer his first losing season in his 10th with the Rams.
That won't bode well, especially because of rumors that not all is right in Ramsland. Caviglia made four coaching changes before this season and a handful of players left for Reedley College. Caviglia, when asked about it, kind of dodged the issue and wouldn't be specific why the former coaches left.
Reedley: If coach Michael White can develop a bruising defense, which he usually does, his No. 10 Tigers have a great chance to play for the NorCal championship. QB Darius Reynolds is the real deal. He can throw, pass, run and catch, and his offensive line looks solid. Reedley might stumble against Santa Rosa in the opener, but if it gets past that, then the only other big game before conference is at No. 6 Foothill. Barring injuries, the Tigers should be one of the top contenders in conference.
Sequoias: No telling what coach Curtis Allen has. Every year it's new players, talented sure, but they always find a way to self-destruct. If he has better luck this time, the Giants could be the darkhorse to win conference. They'd need to get on a roll early, which means needed victorys at home against Foothill and San Mateo.
West Hills: New coach Cal Tincher has a lot of talent, but it's green. However, the coaching change should inject a new excitement into the program. It might be tough sledding, though, because the Falcons play at Foothill and No. 12 Laney and host No. 1 San Francisco. The Valley Conference opener is against Fresno City, then against defending champion Sierra. If the schedule doesn't beat down the Falcons, it can only help make them stronger for the future.
Sierra note: If you get a chance, don't miss Sierra RB Lamon Muldrow if he plays at a stadium near you. The state's leading rusher in 2007 reminds many of Maurice Morris, who set national records at Fresno City before heading to college and turning pro. Muldrow plowed through Fresno City for 240 yards on 53 carries in Sierra's win last year. Sierra is at West Hills in Coalina on Oct. 25 and at Reedley (Reedley High) on Nov. 8 and by then might be on the verge of breaking all of Morris' JC records.
