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Even before a football had been snapped or a yard had been gained, West Valley College fullback Joe Teo was raking in the honors.
Teo, an all-conference running back for the Vikings last fall, was named to the third annual Pre-Season All-State Football Team presented by JuCal Transfer.
Veteran West Valley coach John Vlahos can only hope that the selection of Teo to the prestigious squad is a sign of good things to come for the Vikings.
"We're young but talented," Vlahos said as he looked ahead to the 2005 campaign. "We have the potential for an exciting season. The kids have worked hard, responded to what has been asked of them and have a great attitude."
A cast of nine solid sophomore returners and a talented group of incoming freshmen bolster Vlahos' hopes for a solid season.
"We need to gain game experience and learn how the college game is played," he said. "But we like what we can be."
Teo (5-foot-11, 225 pounds/Independence High School) is a top returner in the West Valley backfield this fall along with Mike Jiosa (5-foot-10, 185/Westmont). Sophomore wide receivers Jesse Enchill (6-foot-3, 215/Fremont) and Josh Murphy (6-foot-3, 210/Wilcox) are other offensive threats along with tight end Jason Kunkel (6-foot-3, 235/Mitty).
On the defensive side of the football, key sophomore returners for the Vikings are Nick Zimmer (6-foot, 220/Oak Grove) and Grant Murdock (6-foot-2, 230/Pioneer) at linebacker, Christian Cox (6-foot-3, 205/Wilcox) in the secondary and Erin Cooper (6-foot-1, 225/Clarkson) in the line.
A couple of incoming freshmen, both high school sensations locally a year ago, will be battling it out for the starting job at quarterback. Erik Rollin (6-foot-2, 210/Los Gatos) and Kiel Trudeau (6-foot, 180/Leigh) are top prospects as passers for the Vikings.
Vlahos is lucky to have a stable of talented offensive backs among his freshmen recruits, including Nick Gancayco (5-foot-9, 170/Mitty), Steven Pinon (5-foot-10, 180/Piedmont Hills), Fachon Clair (5-foot-11, 195/Greenfield) and Billy Flick (6-foot-1, 185/Leigh).
Terry Newsome (6-foot, 180/Oak Grove) and Matt Hoffman (6-foot, 185/Leigh) are a couple wide receivers expected to see action as freshman, and Daniel Beeby (6-foot-5, 315/Wilcox) should see work in the offensive line.
The defensive unit could be loaded with freshmen. Among the top prospects are Ivan Batinich (6-foot-1, 230/Los Gatos), Brian Wendt (6-foot-3, 210/Leigh) and Mike Howery (6-foot-1, 210/Del Mar) at linebacker; Steven Reeves (5-foot-11, 180/Independence) and Calvin Carter (6-foot-2, 195/Independence) in the secondary; Liam Smith (6-foot-5, 235/Los Gatos) and Mike Bacciarelli (6-foot-5, 240/Westmont) at end; and Chip Leffel (6-foot-2, 255/Wilcox) and John Merritt-Sharp (6-foot-3, 315/Independence) in the line.
The Vikings will be out to gain needed experience in a hurry with a large crew of incoming freshmen expected to see plenty of field action this season. That season began on Sept. 3 at Gavilan, and the Vikes will open their home season on Sept. 9, 3 p.m., against the City College of San Francisco. The conference season opens a week later at Santa Rosa Junior College.
WEST VALLEY COLLEGE 2005 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Sept. 3, Gavilan at Gilroy, 7 p.m.
Sept. 9, City College of San Francisco, 3 p.m.
Sept. 17, at Santa Rosa, 1 p.m.
Sept. 24, at American River, 6 p.m.
Sept. 30, Foothill, 3 p.m.*
Oct. 14, Laney at Westmont, 7 p.m.**
Oct. 22, at Diablo Valley, 7 p.m.**
Oct. 29, at Chabot, 7 p.m.**
Nov. 5, Los Medanos at Westmont,
1 p.m.**
Nov. 12, Modesto at Westmont,
1 p.m.**
* Denotes Coast Conference game
** Division games
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