An experienced James Logan team will hit the field in its season opener against Los Osos in Rancho Cucamonga on Friday night, ushering in the second year as head coach for Ricky Rodriguez, who guided a group of largely underclassmen in his first campaign.
"We could possibly have 18 of 22 returning starters line up on Friday night," Rodriguez said. "I'm hoping our experience, and the sour taste that was left in our coaches' and players' mouths from last season, will provide us an opportunity to leave SoCal with a win."
The Colts are certainly looking for a different start to the season, after dropping two of their first three last season before getting to five wins and making the playoffs. Their opponent won three of its first four games in 2018, and provides some unique challenges, aside from the long drive to the Inland Empire.
"The challenge that Los Osos presents is the fear of the unknown. Preparing for a week zero opponent in high school football is often one of the biggest challenges. You know teams aren't going to show much on film (from their scrimmage), and you know so much roster change occurs from year to year. They have a Power 5 quarterback with offers from the ACC to the Pac 12," Rodriguez said. "They are well coached, and we have not traveled particularly well in the past. We have lots of work to do this week in terms of our preparation for all three phases of the game, but I feel good at where we are as a program. This is a statement game for us as a program, and a region of our state. The balance of power has shifted in terms of high school football in the state of California with SoCal being the king of the mountain. We want to show people that we can still play a little ball out here in the Bay."
That Los Osos quarterback would be junior Donovan Smith, a 6-foot-3 athlete who has offers from schools such as Boston College and Cal after throwing for over 1,800 yards and 13 touchdowns, with just four interceptions, as a sophomore. Of course, James Logan has its own threat behind center, with junior Shamoun V Duncan-Niusulu back after threatening defenses with his legs and arm as a sophomore starter. The Colts also cut their teeth last week by scrimmaging against Pittsburg and De La Salle, a couple of tests which should slow down the speed of the game in the season opener. Logan also just completed its first full off-season with Rodriguez, doing so with a large group of returners.
"We've had a great off-season in terms of physical development. Our kids hit the weight room hard, and physically we just look bigger faster and stronger as a team. Los Osos will match us in terms of size and athleticism, but what I'm hoping will give us the advantage is a core group of experienced players," Rodriguez said. "The thing for us that we felt good about coming out of the scrimmage is the fact we came out healthy. When you compete against the best high school football program in the country, and one of the best high school programs in Nor Cal in Pitt, you have to feel good about coming out unscathed injury-wise. We like to put our kids in uncomfortable situations, and what better way then saying, 'Hey, you have been in pads for 10 days, now go stop the veer option, and try and guard Pitt's receivers."
This Friday's game will be played at Chaffey College.
