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A lot of times in high school sports, teams drop out of first place because they lose a lot of their senior athletes. But Westmont has a different idea.
Last year the Warriors finished in a three-way tie for first place in the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League and was a finalist in the Central Coast Section playoffs. But Westmont has 12 returning seniors this year and six were all-leaguers, including the division's Junior of the Year, Chantz Staden.
Staden (5-foot-11, 185 pounds) tops the list of returners for the Warriors this fall. The senior running back and defensive back had 2,469 all-purpose yards last year as a junior.
Also among the returning players is last year's starting quarterback Kevin Pham (6-foot, 185), who was a second team all-league pick a year ago. Pham threw for more than 2,000 yards last year for 18 touchdowns.
Will Evans will be returning to man the offensive and defensive lines. Evans (6-foot-3, 245) was a first team all-leaguer last year.
Stefan Fowler (5-foot-7, 170) will join Staden in the offensive backfield and he will also be chasing opposing receivers as a defensive back. Fowler was a first team all-leaguer last year.
D.J. Jackman (5-foot-10, 190) was a first team all-league selection in 2004 and will return as a running back and linebacker.
Kelly Peterson will be another weapon in the Westmont arsenal. Peterson (5-foot-7, 160) is another returning all-leaguer and will see action at running back and in the defensive secondary.
Ryan Kansaki (5-foot-10, 165) is a returning starter who will play wide receiver and defensive back.
Ben Prevedelli (5-foot-10, 215) and Dan Parkhurst (6-foot-4, 220) are returning to the trenches, joining Evans in the offensive and defensive lines. P.J. Howard (6-foot-2, 185) will be back on the defensive line for the Warriors.
Arthur Estrekin (5-foot-11, 215) figures to be a force for the defense at linebacker.
Aside from the 12 returning seniors, Westmont also has five players coming up for the frosh-soph squad who look promising.
Junior Sean Hutchison (5-foot-8, 230) will become part of the offensive and defensive lines this year. With him will be sophomore Richard Mendez. (6-foot, 210).
Kevin Guillen (6-foot-1, 190) will be working on the varsity squad this season as a linebacker and tight end. Junior Nick Penucki (5-foot-10, 160) will play cornerback and a wide receiver, and Kevin Fowler (5-foot-11, 185) will join the varsity squad for his sophomore year as a linebacker.
The Warriors will jump right into the 2005 season on Sept. 9 when they visit Capuchino for a 1:30 p.m. game. Westmont's home opener is Sept. 16 against Scotts Valley and, after facing Leigh on Sept. 23, the Warriors will open league play at Lincoln on Oct. 1.
"Santa Teresa and Lincoln's frosh-soph teams were first and second last year, so they should be the teams to beat," Westmont head coach Tony Santos said.
Santos will be assisted this fall by Fred Stewart, Antonio Bunting, Gil Guillen and Jason VanDenthuysen.
KEY RETURNERS
Chantz Staden (5-11, 185), Sr., RB/DB
Will Evans (6-3, 245), Sr., OL/DL
Kevin Pham 6-, 185), Sr., QB
Stefan Fowler (5-7, 170), Sr., RB/DB
Ryan Kanzaki (5-10, 165), Sr., WR/DB
Jeff Andrews (5-10, 260), Sr., OL/DL
D.J. Jackman (5-10,190), Sr., RB/LB
Kelly Peterson (5-7, 160), Sr., RB/DB
Ben Prevedelli (5-10, 215), Sr., OL/DL
P.J. Howard (6-2, 185), Sr., DL
Dan Parkhurst (6-4, 220), Sr., OL/DL
Arthur Estrekin (5-11, 215), Sr., LB
WESTMONT 2005
FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Sept. 9, at Capuchino, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 16, Scotts Valley, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 23, at Leigh, 7 p.m.
Oct. 1, at Lincoln, 1:30 p.m.*
Oct. 7, Evergreen Valley, 7:30 p.m.*
Oct. 15, at Willow Glen, 2 p.m.*
Oct. 21, Santa Teresa, 7:30 p.m.*
Oct 29, Del Mar, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 4, at Mt. Pleasant, 7 p.m.*
Nov. 10, Gunderson, 7:30 p.m.*
*Denotes Blossom Valley Athletic League Santa Teresa Division game
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