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Carpinteria starts its 2012 season right where it left off in 2011.
The Warriors will welcome Templeton, the same team that ousted the Warriors from last year’s CIF playoffs in a 41-28 defeat, to?Carpinteria Valley Memorial Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff this Friday night. Templeton would go on to win another playoff game before falling to Cabrillo in the Northwest Division semifinals.
It remains to be seen how the two teams will be in the new year, although the Warriors like their chances.
“Our No. 1 goal is to win (the Tri-Valley League),” said Carpinteria’s Xavier De Alba. “It’s been awhile since we won it and we have some good expectations for this year.”
Among the strengths the Warriors are counting on include an experienced defensive line and a spread offense that hopes to not have problems putting points on the board.
“Nothing is going to be easy for this team so we just have to go out and work hard,” said junior quarterback Ian Craddock.
Past Templeton, the highlights on Carpinteria’s 10-game schedule include the Warriors’ annual rivalry game with Bishop Diego. For the first time since 2009 it will be a league game as the Cardinals re-joined the Tri-Valley League after a two-year absence. Beforehand, upcoming non-league clashes for Carpinteria will include South Torrance, Santa Ynez, Nipomo, Santa Clara and Fillmore.
“We think we can be competitive in league, that we should be competing for a league championship,” said Warriors head coach Ben Hallock. “Hopefully we can continue to improve so that’s true. That comes at the end of the season.”
TEAM BREAKDOWN
Last Year’s Record: 7-4, Lost in first round of CIF-ss Playoffs to Templeton
2012 Schedule: CLICK HERE
Key Returners (Position, Year): Xavier De Alba (OL/DL, 12), Derrick Shirley-Moore (OL/DL, 12), Paul Cortez (RB/LB, 12), Ian Craddock (QB/FS, 11), Jacob Barbere (OL/DL, 12), Duncan Gordan (TE/DL, 11), Anthony Garcia ( TE/LB, 12), Mark Razo (C/LB, 12), Anthony Graham (WR/DB, 12), Jesus Zapata (WR/DB, 12), Jaime De Robles (OL/DL, 12), Kevin Stein (QB/LB, 11).
Promising Newcomers (Position, Year): Peter Ramos (FB/LB, 11), Jonathon Esqueda (RB/LB, 11), Jorge Arroyo (FB/LB, 10), Anthony Rodriguez (WR/DB, 12), David Olvera (WR/LB, 12), Gergorio Elizararaz (OL/DL, 10), Joel Montes (OL/DL, 11), Ruben Garcia (WR/DB, 11), Connor Kelsey (WR/FS, 11).
Outlook:?The Warriors begin their season ranked No. 9 in the Northwest Division. It sounds good except that two other Tri-Valley League foes are ranked higher, including Bishop Diego at No. 2. ?Carpinteria will lean on returning QB Ian Craddock to lead an offense with several potentially good receivers in Duncan Gordan & Anthony Garcia at TE; Olvera and Rodriguez at WR; Paul Cortez and Jonathon Esqueda as RB. With that many weapons, Carpinteria’s offense has potential to put up points, yet the team likes its defensive abilities. “Our defensive front is our strength,” says head coach Ben Hallock.
