Coyotes Optimistic, Despite Rough Road Ahead

When it comes to extremely competitive prep football leagues in Southern California, few are tougher than the Marmonte. No one understands this better than the players and coaches at Calabasas High.

The Coyotes have struggled the past six years, winning only three league games, and things don't figure to get any easier any time soon.

Ventura County powerhouse St. Bonaventure and Oaks Christian were added to the league this summer, joining established programs at Moorpark, Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks and Westlake.

Neverthless, optimism is high at Calabasas.

The Coyotes first test comes on Friday night at Granada Hills and the hope is that tune up against the Highlanders at 7 p.m. will better prepare the group for the rigors of league play.

"There are no guaranteed wins on our schedule, especially once we get to league play, but we feel like we're ready,'' Calabasas coach Larry Edwards said. "We have experienced players coming back and they know what to expect.''

If the Coyotes, 1-9 overall and 0-7 in league last season, hope to make a postseason run, plenty will depend on the seniors.

Kyle Zion, a returning starter at quarterback, is the catalyst. As a junior, he completed 53 percent of his passes for 1,258 yards with eight touchdowns and nine interceptions. Zion also rushed for 118 yards and another score.

"Things are going to be tough for us, they always are in this league,'' Zion said. "Anyone is capable of beating anyone, but you have to play a perfect game and that's not always easy. We're not afraid of any team, that's not how we play.''

Given their knowledge of the offense, Zion's main targets figure to be fellow upperclassmen Shane Bick, Alex Varonos and Ryan Duong.

Bick, a 6-foot-2 tight end, ranked among the Coyotes leaders in receptions (35), receiving yards (356) and touchdowns (5) last season. His blocking was equally important in the running game, but more will be expected this season.

Varonos showed glimpses of his potential as a junior. The receiver finished with 241 yards on 20 catches with a touchdown. His breakout game came in a 42-13 league loss to Thousand Oaks when he had six receptions for 55 yards and a score.

Duong played in eight of 10 games last season. He was mainly a backup running back to Kevin Benson, but will be the starter.

"When you think about all the good teams in our league, it's crazy, really crazy'' Duong said. "We're not intimidated though. We feel like we can play with all of them. We're motivated. We want to prove that all of the losing is in the past.''

Calab Madden, a talented but unproven sophomore receiver, could end up making a difference on the offensive side of the ballm, as well.

Defensively, there are many question marks, which forced the Calabasas  coaching staff to be resourceful when putting together the roster. As a result, Bick, Varonos, Duong and Madden will be among the players playing both ways.

Calabasas begins league play on Sept. 16 against Simi Valley Royal in what appears to be a winnable game. Tests against expected league front-runners St. Bonaventure, Thousand Oaks and Westlake to close out the season will be more difficult.

The bottom line is, plenty of things must go well for the Coyotes to turn things around.  

"For us to have a chance at being competitive in our league, we'll need contributions from everyone on this team,'' Edwards said. "That's not to say that we can't things done, because we can. We're ready for the challenges that await.''