Viewpoint, Calabasas Ready for Football Openers

Viewpoint School’s football team is already in Chula Vista, having made the long trip a day early on Thursday in preparation for tonight’s season opener at Mater Dei. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., and Viewpoint’s second-year coach Chris Adamson, hoping to orchestrate a turnaround after finishing 2-6-1 last season, promises the Patriots will be ready.

“We’re really excited, and we’re healthy,” Adamson said. “It’s a big test for us, but we’re confident and ready to go. (Tonight) can’t get here soon enough.”

While Viewpoint has struggled since moving up from eight-man football in 2004 – having never won a playoff game since leaving the ranks of eight-man – the Patriots are a growing program, as evidenced by the increasing roster size each year. In 2005, there were a total of 21 players, but there has been a steady yearly buildup, and this season there are 40.

Plus, Viewpoint has been fortified by the addition of some key transfers, notably senior quarterback Joey Verhaugh from Crespi and junior running back Dakota Williams from Alemany. Coupled with the return of standout running back Alex Markun, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore, Viewpoint has to be considered one of the favorites in the Prep League, which also has Rio Hondo Prep, Pasadena Poly and Chadwick – all of which advanced to the second round of the playoffs or further last year – along with Flintridge Prep and Webb.

Frankly, Viewpoint is tired of finishing last, so the Patriots have upgraded their non-league schedule, and that includes Mater Dei, an opponent that features some huge linemen.

“They have two of the biggest tackles in the CIF. One is 6-5, 305 pounds, and the other is 6-7 and 350-plus,” Adamson said. “In a lot of ways, Mater Dei is similar to us. They were young last year and return a lot of starters. They look to be improved based on their scrimmage film. It’s a big test for us, but we’re confident and ready to go. We’re playing a more challenging non-league schedule than last year, and it’s going to help us keep growing.”

Most important, Viewpoint has put in a lot more time and energy to do the things necessary to be successful, Adamson said.

“We have worked very hard since July to prepare,” he said.

There are naysayers out there, so Viewpoint has a lot to prove. Calpreps.com, which picks Viewpoint to finish last in the Prep League based on the site’s power rankings, is favoring Mater Dei by 28 points.

CALABASAS READY TO GO

Meanwhile, Calabasas’ football team is making final preparations. The Coyotes went 3-7 last year, including two wins in the powerful Marmonte League – a big step up considering the team had won a total of four games over the preceding six seasons.

Calabasas opens next Friday against visiting Granada Hills. Kickoff is 7 p.m., and first-year coach Christian Pierce has vowed the Coyotes will build on last year’s success.

“The team is gelling nicely, and leaders are stepping up and making sure the team understands the task at hand this season,” Pierce said. “The toughness factor we were looking for has arrived.”

Some of Calabasas’ top players are quarterback Brandon Marin, running back/defensive lineman Tyson Jones, running back Ryan Duong, linemen Jon Dehhagi and Mark Weiner, receiver Matt Guttridge, linebacker Jordan Pierce and defensive back Caleb Madden.

“I’ve been looking forward to this season opener since mid-November of last year,” Guttridge said. “We’re definitely on our way. Every day, we look and more and more like a complete team with new coaches and a new attitude. The sky is limit for us because there is nowhere to go but up.”