As the beginning of Yellowjacket Varsity football comes closer to kickoff on September 5th, the boys in crimson and gold look to comeback stronger than ever after dealing with multiple injuries to their star players last season. Making the CIF playoffs last year gave them a huge boost for their confidence and momentum. But, they look to get farther into the playoffs after getting eliminated in the first round.
Head Coach Chris Mailo commented about the last year’s performance: “I felt good the way it went, considering all the injuries we suffered. But, overall, I thought, kids that stepped up did the best they could and I was proud of those guys.”
One of the big stars that was injured early in the season, Running Back/Strong Safety Senior, LaVonte Wilson also said about the team’s performance, “I think the offensive line last season was outstanding. I think if I would’ve stayed healthy, DeAndre Graham stayed healthy, we would have went farther than what people expected us (to). This year that’s what we struggled on because we lost a lot of our linemen. But, I think we’ll be fine.”
There’s lots of promise towards a successful season for the team. The team looks set and prepared for 2014-15. This year’s squad has a lot of returning players from last season ready to make a mark in the league. Coach Mailo said, “We have a lot of our skill kids back, DeAndre Graham is coming back off of injuries so, hopefully he comes back to 100% , LaVonte Wilson is a returner and Sean Campa is another one, he’s a returner. So, we got some good young kids and we got some older kids but, you just got to agile and become a unit.” Another Varsity star, Senior Running Back and Wide Receiver DeAndre Graham, explained his goal for this season: “The main goal is CIF always. But, right now, keep everybody healthy, have a healthy season, at least make it to playoffs and beat Grand Terrace”.
Areas of improvement looks to be the main focus for the Jackets. After suffering a first round loss to Fontana in the playoffs last year, they look to go farther this season. Junior Center/Utility Player Jared Campa stated his goals for improvements and his expectations, “I have a good feeling about this season. We have our whole backfield back, which is good. Our line, we need some work and improvement but, in time, it will come. We don’t have size, but the thing we don’t lack is talent, so I’m not worried about that. We’re ready to get there and prove what we got.”
Graham also added in on what area of improvement for his game was, “Speed, speed and agility, so I can stay longer.”
Clearly, this season looks to be bright for the Jackets Varsity team, hoping to take home the CIF title for the Colton crowd.
