SGV/WHITTIER PREP SPORTS ZONE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2022: SAN DIMAS, SONORA
San Dimas looking for another solid season; Sonora could be the surprise team of 2022.
(Photo: San Dimas HS)
San Dimas High School
Coach: Mark Holman
2021 Record: 8-4
2021 Calpreps.com Rating: 8.4
Last Six Year Calpreps.com Avg. Rating: 14.11
Number of Returning Players: 30
Number of All-League Players Returning: 3
OFFENSE
Offensive Coordinator: Dillon Corona
Number of Off. Returning Starters: 2
Number of OL Returning: 0
Number of Off Skill Players Returning: 1
Rushing yards: 3,053 (305.3 YPG, 7.9 AVG)
Passing Yards: 612 yards (61.2 YPG, 15.3 AVG.)
Key Offensive Skills Players Returning
Brian Freeland 12 6'1 210 RB
Caleb Morquecho 10 5'9 175 RB
Brian Jackson 11 5'9 160 RB
DEFENSE
Defensive Coordinator:
Number of Def. Returning Starters: Danny Lopez
Number of DL Returning: 3
Number of Def. Skill Players Returning: 6
Key Defensive Skills Players Returning
Troy Mejia 12 5'11 155 DB
Roque Dominguez 11 6'0 200 LB, all league
Julian Vigil 10 6'1 160 DB, all league
Carlos Alvarez 12 6'1 155 DB
Key Defensive Lineman Returning
Donovan Morrison 11 5'10 190 DL All League
Raymond Oviedo 12 6'0 225 DL
Jeff Herrera 12 6'0 225 DL
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER SKILL PLAYERS
Aaron Gomez 10 5'10 165 QB
Moses Mercer 12 6'1 170 RB
Jeff Herrera 12 6'1 200 TE
COMMENTS FROM MARK HOLMAN: “This team has played together and believes in what we do. The players are very dedicated and love the game. Weakness: Game experience League: Tough and up for grabs.”
2022 Schedule (with 2021 season records)
Week 0: at Fullerton (2-8, 1-4)
Week 1: at Lakewood (3-7, 3-3)
Week 2: vs. Santa Fe at Pioneer HS (1-9, 0-4)
Week 3: (Sat.) vs. Bonita at Citrus College (9-3, CIF-SS Div. 4 Quarterfinalists)
Week 4: vs. Schurr (7-4, CIF-SS Div. 10 First Round)
Week 5: at Monrovia (10-1, CIF-SS Div. 6 First Round)
Week 6: at Don Lugo (1-9, 0-3)
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: vs. Diamond Ranch (2-8, 1-2)
Week 9: vs. Los Altos (2-8, 1-2)
Week 10: at Northview (Covina District Field) (9-7, CIF-SS Div. 10 Championships, CIF State Regional Champions).
CRYSTAL BALL: The transfer game has affected this team in the wrong way with Teyondre Coleman departing for the IE and Decker Degaaf leaving for Glendora. Those are two huge chess pieces on Mark Holman’s chess board that will not be available. The quarterback responsibilities will land on sophomore Aaron Gomez and San Dimas will once again utilize a three-man running attack. The issue becomes the inexperience of the offensive line. They will be a work in progress as the nonleague portion of the season plays itself out. It’s clear that the defense will be the strength of this team for the early portion of the season. The talent and experience will be shown immediately. As for the schedule, the obvious games that jump off the page are Bonita and Monrovia. Don’t sell the Schurr game too lightly - the Spartans could be that sneaky good team that everyone could fall asleep on. As for the Valle Vista League, the regular season finale against Northview could be for all the candy, but that Los Altos game could be interesting if Dale Ziola has the Conquerors rolling by then. I have a strong feeling this going to be a typical 7–8-win team this year. Holman is as consistent a coach as you will find in the area.
Projected record: 7-3.
(Photo: Sonora HS Athletics)
Sonora High School
Coach: Kevin Oberlander
2021 Record: 3-6
2021 Calpreps.com Rating: -4.7
Last Six Year Calpreps.com Avg. Rating: 0.77
Number of Returning Players: 35
Number of All-League Players Returning: NA
OFFENSE
Offensive Coordinator: Geoff Ackerman
Number of Off. Returning Starters: 7
Number of OL Returning: 3
Number of Off Skill Players Returning: 7
Rushing yards: 1,579 YARDS (175.4 YPG, 5.7 AVG.)
Passing Yards: 964 YARDS (107.1 YPG, 15.1 AVG.)
Key Offensive Skills Players Returning
Landon Martin Jr 6'4 190 QB: HM all-league as a Soph.
Josiah Binggeli, Sr, 5'10, 175, WR: 1st team all-league as a junior
Tyler Robertson Jr 5'9 180 RB: 2nd team all-league as a junior
Brady Ackerman Soph 6'1 210 TE: HM all-league as a freshman
Key Offensive Lineman Returning
Issac Ruiz Sr 6'1 205 Center: 1st team all-league as a junior
Chris Villagrana Sr 6'1 270 Tackle: HM all-league as a junior
DEFENSE
Defensive Coordinator: Andre Ramirez
Number of Def. Returning Starters: 8
Number of DL Returning: 3
Number of Def. Skill Players Returning: 5
Key Defensive Skills Players Returning
Steve Peru Jr 5'8 160 CB
Josiah Binggeli Sr 5'10 175 WR: 1st team all-league as a junior.
Gabriel Bagdonoff Jr 5'10 185 MLB
Zach Chavez Sr 5'11 185 OLB: HM all-league as a junior & Soph
Key Defensive Lineman Returning
Chris Villagrana Sr 6'1 270 DT: HM all-league as a junior
Josef Oborny Sr 6'3 215 DT
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER SKILL PLAYERS
Steve Peru Jr 5'8 160 CB
Josiah Binggeli Sr 5'10 175 WR: 1st team all-league as a junior
Gabriel Bagdonoff Jr 5'10 185 MLB
Zach Chavez Sr 5'11 185 OLB: HM all-league as a junior & Soph
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES:
Strengths: * Quality returning starters * Strong senior class * Had a strong off-season
Weaknesses: * Lack of depth * This group has a lot of confidence, but is still learning how to win
2022 Schedule (with 2021 season records)
Home games are played at La Habra HS
Week 0: (Thurs.) vs. Whittier at California HS (3-7, 1-3)
Week 1: at Rowland (3-7, 1-2)
Week 2: vs. Kennedy (La Palma) (4-5, 1-4)
Week 3: (Thurs.) vs. Loara (8-7, CIF-SS Div. 14 Champions)
Week 4: at Esperanza (at Yorba Linda) (3-7, 0-3)
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: vs. Buena Park (0-10, 0-5)
Week 7: at Fullerton (2-8, 1-4)
Week 8: at Troy (at Fullerton HS) (7-4, CIF-SS Div. 7 1st Round)
Week 9: at La Habra (6-6, CIF-SS Div. 5 Quarterfinalists)
Week 10: vs. Sunny Hills (7-4, CIF-SS Div. 6 1st Round)
CRYSTAL BALL: Fair warning to everyone, this is one of my “Surprise Teams” in the area for the upcoming season. Why? Love the way these guys prepared for the season and a lot of returning players on both sides of the ball. Geoff Ackerman will be the offensive coordinator and, having worked with him in the past at Schurr HS, you can be sure that he’ll get the most out of the players. I hear nothing but outstanding reports on Brady Ackerman - Geoff’s son - a sophomore that has a very bright future. The defense will be under the microscope early, but I think this unit will get better with each game they get under their belts. As for the schedule… it’s not too tough. That three-game stretch against Kennedy, Loara, and Esperanza will give us valuable insight into how good this team is. I project them to emerge 3-2 in nonleague play, get their two wins in Freeway League action and qualify for the CIF-SS playoffs. What makes this team so intriguing is that the lower the division, the more serious a playoff run we can see. If they are in Divisions 10-13, start following them closely. I love the content they are doing on Instagram. This is one of my “sleeper teams” in 2022.
Projected record: 5-5