“One of our problems at Gabrielino over the past few years is that we need to develop depth,” Eagles coach Harold Sanin said. “We’re trying to change that. We’ve been working on this the past couple years from the lower levels up. We still don’t have a lot of players in the program.”
The lack of numbers has hurt Gabrielino because the Mission Valley League has done nothing but get better in the past decade.
Rosemead made the Division VII semifinals in 2001 and the Mid-Valley Division finals in 2008. Arroyo made the Division VII semifinals in 2004 and South El Monte did the same the following year.
Since 2004, the Eagles haven’t won more than four games in a season. Last season, they posted league victories over El Monte and Mountain View, but were beaten by a combined 78-14 against Arroyo and Rosemead.
The only nonleague victory came against Keppel, which finished winless.
Sanin, who took over from Vince Lopez after last season, has a tall task trying to turn things around in his first season. But the offense looks like it has promise thanks to what might shape up as a good line.
Ernie Figueroa returns to anchor that line and will be joined by top newcomer Albert Garcia.
The running game looks strong with running backs Matthew Matters and Jonathan Perrini back to handle the load. Isaac Garcia also returns at quarterback.
Although returning starters are nice, the Eagles need to ratchet up the production after averaging just 10 points per game last season.
Albert Garcia will be counted on to help the defensive line, too. Matters adds depth to the back seven at outside linebacker, and Perrini headlines the secondary.
Once known for defense, Gabrielino surrendered more than 25 points per game last season.
The nonleague schedule isn’t impossible, but games against San Marino and Azusa may be too much to ask. The Eagles could use a good showing against Cerritos in Week 0 to get things rolling again.
“I think our strength is that we’ve have an experience first group,” Sanin said. “Team unity has also been very good this offseason.”
League will bring its usual challenges with Arroyo and Rosemead as strong as ever. With no guarantee of the third-place team getting a playoff spot in the Mid-Valley Division, the Eagles, like other teams not favored to win their league, had better produce a good showing in September.
GABRIELINO
Address: 1327 S. San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel, Ca.
10 Fwy. to San Gabriel Bl./N. on San Gabriel Bl./L. to school
Sept. 3 Cerritos @Gahr HS, 7 p.m.
Sept. 10 SAN MARINO, 7 p.m.
Sept. 17 KEPPEL, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23 Azusa @Citrus Coll., 7 p.m.
Oct. 15 Rosemead, 7 p.m.*
Oct. 22 EL MONTE, 7 p.m.*
Oct. 29 ARROYO, 7 p.m.*
Nov. 5 Mountain View, 7 p.m.*
Nov. 12 South El Monte, 7 p.m.*
COACH’S CORNER
Head Coach: Harold Sanin
Year at school: First
Record at school: 0-0
2009 record: 3-7
Quotable: “I think our strength is that we have an experienced first group.”
