A second place finisher in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League in 2010, the Scotts Valley High School football team’s four-year run of first place finishes atop the league was snapped by rival San Lorenzo Valley last season.
With a bushel of returners back this fall, the Falcons are determined to get back to the top of the standings yet again—a major issue for the rest of the SCCAL.
“This group’s camaraderie is really high,” Scotts Valley football head coach Louie Walters said. “Our offensive line has four of five guys back. The defensive secondary is all back and we have an all-state kicker in Noah Beito.”
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Beito, took part in several camps this summer in California, Oregon and Wisconsin and is being recruited as a Division I college football prospect.
“A kicker is an incredible weapon at the high school level,” Walters said. “Most teams don’t even have one. He (Noah) broke the school record with 11 field goals made in a season last year.”
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Scotts Valley finished 3-5-1 overall and 3-1-2 in SCCAL play in 2010. A 26-26 tie against Aptos High in the final week of the regular season kept the Falcons out of the playoffs.
The lone SCCAL league defeat came from undefeated league champ San Lorenzo Valley in late October by a score of 23-7.
The recent string of success started in 2006 for Scotts Valley. The Falcons kept things rolling and won football titles in 2007, 2008 and 2009 before being dethroned last fall.
“We’re blessed with three track kids at the skill positions,” Walters said. “Our quarterback is 6-foot-4, 200-pounds. He’s got good size. It was a strange year all the way around last year. The ball didn’t bounce our way. We don’t expect that to happen again this year.”
Seniors Tyler Marshall, Joel Claaseen, Patrick Marigonda and Pat Flebbe all return on the offensive line.
They will protect starting quarterback Jack Pasquini and open holes for tailbacks Collin Corbella, Victor Passanisi and a few others.
Kevin Bargetto will be one of the seniors counted on to make things happen on the outside at the wide out position.
“San Lorenzo Valley will be very strong again,” Walters said. “Aptos will be in the mix with us as well. I’m really excited about this year.”
Scotts Valley begins play on Saturday against Capital Christian High in Sacramento. The Falcons will be taking part in the “Battle In the Capital,” playing in one of eight games slated to take place between Friday and Sunday.
“It’s for a great cause and it gives us a chance to travel for our first game of the year,” Walters said. “I always want to schedule a tough pre-season. Once league play comes around, the team is ready to compete at a very high level.”
The Scotts Valley-Capital Christian game takes place Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at Del Oro High School in Sacramento.
The three-day football festival benefits wounded veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
Falcons Varsity Football Schedule:
Sept. 3 noon at Capital Christian
Sept. 10 2 p.m. Half Moon Bay
Sept. 16 7:30 p.m. at Kings Academy
Sept. 24 3:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Prep
Sept. 30 7:30 p.m. at Soquel
Oct. 8 2 p.m. Aptos
Oct. 15 2 p.m. at SLV
Oct. 21 7:30 p.m. Harbor
Oct. 28 7:30 p.m. at Santa Cruz
Nov. 5 2 p.m. St. Francis