Carpinteria is counting on the growth of a talented junior class to lead its football team this season.
“We have pretty much a junior dominated team,” said longtime coach Ben Hallock.
Many of the juniors played on an 8-2 JV team last season and Hallock is hoping they continue their winning ways at the varsity level.
“It’s a whole lot better than the other way,” he said. “We run a lot of the same systems. A lot of the stuff is the same, so there is a lot of carry-over from what they do down there (as JVs) and what we do at the varsity program. But, every time you take a step up, there’s increased pressure and complexity added to the game.”
SEASON PREVIEWS
—BISHOP DIEGO CARDINALS
—CARPINTERIA WARRIORS
—DOS PUEBLOS CHARGERS
—SAN MARCOS ROYALS
—SANTA BARBARA DONS
The Warriors will have a new quarterback. Junior varsity signal caller Jimmy Graves and basketball standout Rayshaun Moore are competing for the starting job.
“I expect both of those guys to play. Both guys are good kids and good athletes,” said Hallock.
The quarterbacks will have plenty of talented athletes around them. Returning running back Timmy Jimenez leads a strong group of backs. Oscar Garcia was brought up to the varsity last season for the CIF playoffs. Rudy Beltran and Richie Gallardo also are in the mix. Those players also will see action on defense.
The running game will have the benefit of an experienced line. Returnees include seniors Gabe Zapien-Ybarra, Greg Elizarraz and Jorge Arroyo and junior Jose “Pancho” Sanchez.
Elizarraz and Arroyo spearhead the defense at inside linebacker. Sanchez and Ybarra provide experience and size on the line.
Hallock said the secondary is untested but the players are athletic.
“We’ll be building this year with those young guys and, hopefully, we can get them experience in the early season and get ready for league,” Hallock said.
The Tri-Valley League lost Oak Park due to releaguing, leaving it with only four teams: Carpinteria, Bishop Diego, Nordhoff and Fillmore.
“The early season will be important for us,” Hallock said. “We have seven games to get ready to for league, so by the time we get to league we shouldn’t be inexperienced any more.”
2014 Carpinteria Football Schedule
Sept. 5 at Santa Ynez 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 at Nipomo 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 Oak Park 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 26 South Torrance 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 3 St. Monica, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 at Chadwick, 2 p.m.
Oct. 17 at Ribet Academy 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 Nordhoff* 7:30 p.m
Oct. 30 Bishop Diego* 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 7 at Fillmore* 7 p.m.
Home games in bold
*Tri-Valley League game
