Campolindo Football Preview: Cougars Look to Contend in the DFAL

Head Coach: Kevin Macy

2009 Record: 5-6

Returning Starters: 0 on Offense; 4 on Defense

Top Offensive Players:  Senior Andrew Ahr, WR; Senior Erik Baker, RB; Sophomore Brett Stephens, QB; Junior Karl Thornton, WR; Senior Nick Zolintakis, QB

Top Defensive Players:  Senior Joey Bertrand, DB; Senior Vito Latu, DT; Senior Derrick Margerum, LB; Senior Jaime Vega, DE; Senior Charlie Zaharoff, LB

Rising Star: Sophomore quarterback Brett Stephens

Team Strengths:  Running backs and wide receivers (when healthy), Defensive Line

Mark the Calendar: El Cerrito at Campolindo, Friday, Sept. 17

Rivalry Games:  Campolindo at Miramonte, Friday, Oct. 22;  Acalanes @ Campolindo, Friday,  Oct. 8

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For three seasons, the Campolindo High football team was guided by quarterback Tommy Stephens — and with great success.  Stephens, a 2009 graduate, led the Cougars to the North Coast Section playoffs three consecutive years, including an appearance in the 2007 title game against Las Lomas.

Taking over for Stephens at quarterback is still a question mark with two candidates vying for playing time, each with their own style of play.

Senior Nick Zolintakis saw playing time in the defensive backfield in 2009 and brings a running style suited well for some of Campolindo's shotgun, option-style sets.

Sophomore Brett Stephens, Tommy's younger brother, will share time with Zolintakis at quarterback.  Stephens, also a standout on the baseball field, is a traditional drop-back passer, with a similar style as his older brother.

Head coach Kevin Macy knows Stephens has a bright future ahead, but doesn't see the need to rush him.

"We don't need to rush things (with Stephens)," Macy said. "As a sophomore, we want to be a little more careful."

The passing game may be forced to come along slowly with two of their top pass-catchers currently sidelined with injuries. 

Macy expected senior wide receiver Andrew Ahr, a first-team all-leaguer in 2009, and junior Griffin Piatt, who saw time as a sophomore, to help ease the transition for the new quarterbacks.

Unfortunately, both won't see playing time until some point a few weeks into the season.

The ground game will be led by two seniors, Derrick Margerum and Erik Baker. Margerum, a 6-foot-1, 210-pounder, will serve as the Cougars' power back, sometimes carrying the ball, other times, paving the way as a fullback.

"He's very versatile," Macy said. "He can play a lot of different things."

Baker can fill multiple roles as well, lining up in the backfield, or in the slot at wide receiver.

"He's got great hands and good speed," Macy said of Baker. "We're trying to figure out what he can do."

Campolindo's defensive strength lies in the trenches, with a pair of returning starters on the defensive line.

Macy is counting on senior defensive tackle Vito Latu to control the point of attack, and senior defensive end Jaime Vega to pressure the quarterback — two keys to any successful defense.

With the veteran pair, Macy expects defensive improvement from last season.

"Our defensive line is stronger," Macy said. "We have some high hopes for this year, so we're going to have to be a better defensive team."

One of the team's most versatile defensive players, Joey Bertrand, will start the start the 2010 season at a new position.

Bertrand was named all-league honorable mention at cornerback last year, but with good size (6-foot-1, 175) and speed, the coaching staff is planning to use him at safety, as well as on offense.

"He can play a little bit of wide receiver and running back," Macy said.

Striking a similar tone as other coaches in the DFAL, Macy see's a balanced league, with each team counting on a standout or two.

"It should be a pretty balanced league," Macy said, "It seems like every team has one name (player) of interest."

While every team heads into the season with a clean slate, and expecting to compete for the title, Macy acknowledged two that look strong.

"Alhambra seems to have the biggest kids, and most physical team, and Miramonte should be dangerous as well."

Schedule

9/3 @ Albany 

9/10 @ Mt. Eden

9/17 vs El Cerrito

9/24 vs Oakland

10/1 @ Dougherty Valley

10/8 vs Acalanes

10/15 @ Dublin

10/22 @ Miramonte

10/29 vs Alhambra

11/5 vs Las Lomas

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