Issue date: September 15, 1999
By ANNE H. KIM
Despite having gone through a new coach every year for the past four years, Menlo-Atherton High School's football team is optimistic about this season.
"Actually, I think we've got great coaches (this year)," said Matt Fowler, a 17-year-old senior who plays free safety for the team.
Fowler and his teammates have had to adjust to new coaches, new styles of coaching and new game strategies every year, including this year. But somehow, this year's team has managed to pull it together, according to Coach Ken Haren, who is in charge of offensive coordination for the varsity team.
"I'm excited," said Haren. "I think the kids have done a great job. From spring to now we've done nothing but progress. We're not as big as last year, but we're definitely faster and the team has come together more."
The result of Coach Martin Billings' work and that of his staff are evident during a recent practice. After roughly an hour of running, passing, tackling and lectures, the team wound down the rest of practice with a few drills. As the players ran back and forth across the field, a few of the stragglers were supported with clapping and words of encouragement from others who had already made it to the other side.
But while the team has improved in the face of upheaval, they know they aren't the only ones. This year, they face tough competition in a league where last year's junior stars are now senior starters.
"I think now, it's gonna be a competitive A league," said Coach Billings. "There are a lotta good teams; Aragon will be strong, Woodside will be strong, Burlingame, Jefferson, Terra Nova -- everyone will be tough this year ... so we just have to take it game by game and hopefully we'll get better."
But in the face of such high-caliber opponents, the Menlo-Atherton team members are looking to each other to lead them to Central Coast Section finals.
"I think we have to work as a team, then we can't be beat," said 17-year-old Rashad Mayshack, running back and free safety.
"We're not the biggest (team) on the field, but we're looking to outsmart a lot of the teams," said Greg Camarillo, 17, the team's wide receiver, outside linebacker, kicker and punter, "But we're looking to outsmart a lot of the teams."
Cautiously optimistic
Woodside High was gearing up to face its first opponent last week, Mitty High School, which had already played against and beat Live Oak High, making Mitty fifth in the league so far. Woodside ended last season third in the conference.
And the battle won't stop there. Beyond that, Woodside is looking forward to two tough games against Terra Nova and Aragon. But Woodside Coach Tony Alanis isn't sure the team is ready.
"In our first five games, we're playing four top 15 teams," said Coach Alanis. "Consequently, we don't have the time to gel. We need to gel right now, or at least we should have (gelled by now). So I'm concerned about going into our first game."
But Coach Alanis said he's being "cautiously optimistic" about the field of players both on his own team and in the rest of the conference.
Woodside High boasts some of the strongest athletes around, according to Coach Alanis. All of his starting varsity players were either first or second team in the county last year, he said. Among the players he is looking to this year are Johnathan Makonan, wide receiver and free safety; Jeffrey Williams, halfback; Michael Porter, running back; Jamone Collins, tight end; Micah Jahonson, linebacker and tackle; and Charlie Krouse, center.
And Coach Alanis said while this year's opponents are tough teams to beat, the good news is that there isn't any one contender for championships. In fact, Coach Alanis had the same concerns about his team last year, and Woodside fought its way to the semifinals, surprising everyone.
"I think we're definitely a contender along with three teams I can think of right now that are solid football teams like Terra Nova and Aragon," said Coach Alanis. "It's just a matter of becoming a team and gelling as soon as possible. Then we'll be able to compete with those two teams."
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