By Alyssa Jara and Katie Cabrera
Staff Writers
LA PUENTE – After starting off with a 9-0 record last season, the Bishop Amat football team lost their final two games, the last against Tesoro in the first round of the Pac-5 Division playoffs.
The Lancers will start off their season with 14 returning starters, seven on offense and seven on defense.
On offense, Bishop Amat will rely on quarterback Rio Ruiz, running back Jalen Moore and utility player Zachary Shay, all seniors.
“I think we lost last year in the playoffs because we took them [Tesoro] for granted going into the game,” junior defensive end and tight end Sal Velasquez said. “We missed a couple assignments and didn’t sync as a team.”
Cornerback Nathan Smith and wide receiver Jacob Patton, both seniors, agree the team needs to improve on their tackling and on learning their plays more thoroughly. “We weren’t playing to our full potential,” Patton said about the Tesoro upset.
With a great amount of returning starters, Smith and Patton are mentally prepared for another great football season.
“This season a must-see game is definitely going to be against Servite because they’re a really good team and they’re ranked first in the state and fourth in the nation,” Patton said. “They’re a good challenge.”
Team: Bishop Amat
Coach: Steve Hagerty
2010 Record: 9-2
Key players on offense: QB Rio Ruiz, RB Jalen Moore, RB Zachary Shay
Key players on defense: DB Ajee Montes, DB Adam Alcantara, LB Randall Varela
Must-see games: Friday, Sept. 9 vs. Servite as the Lancers play the number one team in the state and Friday, Oct. 14 vs. Alemany; outcome could decide the Serra League
