Trojans will have to mature quickly to make playoff run
The 2013 season wasn’t kind to California High School’s football team or head coach Bo Teets.
The Trojans missed the postseason, finishing at 4-5 with one of their wins coming from a forfeit against Imani Christian.
Turning that season around could be difficult because this team is inexperienced at nearly every position.
“We graduated about 10 seniors last year who all played a key role for us,” said Teets. “We only have three juniors, so we are very young. We lost a lot of skill players and linemen. We do have some guys who are talented, but are inexperienced when it comes to game action. We have a lot of work to do (in camp) to get ready for Week 1.”
What might help is the Trojans leaving the tough Black Hills Conference, where California resided the past two seasons, and returning to the Tri-County South, which on paper seems more manageable.
“I don’t think that it will have much of an impact on what we will do as a team,” said Teets. “We have to prepare the same for whoever is on our schedule. But being that we are very young and won’t have to face the meat grinder of a conference we had to go through last year could benefit us in the long run. But no team is going to lay down for us. We have to be ready every week.”
Much of the Trojans success this season could ride on the arm of quarterback Malik Jackson. The senior is very athletic, but will be seeing his first extensive action under center this season. If Jackson can avoid the growing pains that comes with a first-time starter at that position, the Trojans offense could be pretty good.
“Malik is a very good athlete,” Teets said. “He throws a good ball. Like most of our guys though, he hasn’t seen a lot of action on Friday nights. He is going to have to grow and learn on the job.”
One positive for the Trojans is an experienced running back in James Bongiorno, who will be expected to take some pressure off the less experienced players. Bongiorno is a solid all-around back who does well when it comes to running the football, catching the ball and blocking.
With his experience, Bongiorno will probably get a majority of the carries when the Trojans open the season Friday against Clairton.
Another weapon for California this season will be K.C. Zajicek, who will be used at different positions this season. Opposing defenses could see Zajicek split out wide for the passing game, in the back field getting carries and even lining up under center at times.
Another crucial factor for the Trojans will be the offensive line. Only two starters return from last year’s unit, and it will be a challenge for Teets and his staff to find the other three starters.
One of California’s strengths is the flexibility of their system. Many positions are interchangeable.
“Our flexibility is a strength,” said Teets. “We need to be able to take the guys we have and put the pieces in place to be successful and get our best 11 on the field.”
On defense, the Trojans are inexperienced but do have some playmakers.
California should be solid up the middle with Tim Sheehan on the defensive line and Bongiorno and Cam Stish occupying the linebacker spots.
“I think our defense is shaping up well,” said Teets. “We want to see growth week to week. We have some guys that are solid up the middle, so that solidifies things.”
Another factor can play a major part in the Trojans returning to the postseason.
“Health,” said Teets. “We have to stay healthy. I would say that’s our biggest key. It’s just like any sport in Single-A, where injuries kill you. It’s not just the one kid going down that hurts, but it’s the ripple effect of having to move this guy here and this guy there to compensate for one guy going down. The key for us is just to stay healthy. If we do, I think we will be fine.”