Miramonte Football Preview: Veterans Looking for Another Postseason Run

Head Coach: John Wade

2009 Record: 6-7

Top Offensive Players:  Senior Ross Dolbec, OL; Junior Ross Anderson, QB; Senior Blake Swimmer, OL; Senior Anthony Piganelli, K; Senior John Coupin, RB

Top Defensive Players:  Senior Brian Friel, DL; Senior Brett Collins, DE; Junior Micah Solit, DB; Junior Kevin Booze, DB; Senior Luke Carillo, DE

Rising Star: Junior Ross Anderson, QB

Team Strengths: Speed in the backfield and veteran offensive line

Mark the Calendar: Alhambra at Miramonte, Friday, Nov. 11 (Alhambra's aggressive defense vs. Miramonte's powerful o-line)

Rivalry Games: Miramonte at Acalanes, Friday, Oct. 1; Campolindo at Miramonte, Friday, Oct. 22.

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With a young squad in 2009, the Miramonte High football team was up-and-down on its way to a 4-6 regular-season record. The team still qualified for the North Coast Section Division III playoffs and made a run to the semifinals, where it lost to Encinal.  By building on last year's postseason run, and returning players such as quarterback Ross Anderson and running back John Coupin, the Matadors are ready to get off to a fast start in 2010.

Anderson will have a variety of weapons to work with including Kevin Booze and Coupin in the backfield to go along with a group of young wide receivers.

The strength of the offense, though, lies in the offensive line, led by senior Ross Dolbec. The 6-foot-5, 290-pounder will be asked again to protect Anderson's 'blind-side' at left tackle, but won't have to carry the load alone.

Joining Dolbec on the line are returners Blake Swimmer and Tyler Young, along with Brian Friel, and Beau Davis. 

Behind a group that averages around 235 pounds, Anderson will have time to get the ball downfield, and use his allusiveness to get outside the pocket and run when called upon.

Dolbec has been working hard in the offseason in preparation for his senior year, and spent a lot of time working out at a gym in San Ramon with players from East Bay powers such as De La Salle, Monte Vista, and California High.

"I've been training real hard," Dolbec said, "Working out with those guys has helped a lot."

While Dolbec has aspirations of playing at the college level, and is talking to schools like Navy, Air Force, and Oregon State, among others, the senior and his teammates have lofty goals for the 2010 season.

"We're hoping to go all the way," Dolbec said.

If the Matadors want to get off to a fast start, they will have to get by two Redwood Empire teams — Analy and Fortuna — which advanced to last year's NCS Division III playoffs.

Once Diableo Foothill Athletic League play gets underway, the Matadors will be contending with perennial league powers such as Las Lomas and Alhambra for the league title.

To counter some of the top rushing attacks in the league, Miramonte will be looking for contributions on defense from seniors like Coupin and Brett Collins in the front-seven, and juniors Micah Solit and Kevin Booze in the secondary.

With a proud tradition at Miramonte, and solid core of returning players, the Matadors should be in strong contention in the DFAL, and in position for another NCS postseason run.

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Schedule

9/3 vs Analy

9/11 vs Fortuna @ Dublin High

9/18 vs Mission-San Jose @ Washington High-Fremont

9/24 vs Liberty

10/1 @ Acalanes

10/8 vs Dougherty Valley

10/15 @ Las Lomas

10/22 vs Campolindo

11/5 @ Dublin

11/12 vs Alhambra

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