Pintos must replace a lot to repeat success

Josh Woodruff takes a hand-off to the left side during practice on Monday.
Josh Woodruff takes a hand-off to the left side during practice on Monday.

While California will have to replace a lot of talent from last year's team, that's not stopping coach Marty Albertson from setting some lofty goals for his squad.

"We always have the same goals every year," Albertson said after practice on Monday.

That goal is to win the conference, district and state titles. Heading into the 2015 season, the Pintos have won three-consecutive conference and district titles.

But that might be hard this year, as they only return one starter on offense and three on defense.

"I feel like the kids are working hard," Albertson said. It's kind of a slow process, but to me, they're progressing."

It's easy to see the Pintos have gotten younger, but the rest of the teams to beat in the conference did not. Blair Oaks, Osage and Southern Boone are three teams Albertson noted that will be more experience this season.

"It's always a very competitive conference," he said. You look at those three right there, and they'll all be better than last year. That'll be tough with us in that mix. Those four, us included, should be pretty good"

Albertson must replace a three-year starter at quarterback in Jaden Barr, as senior Landon Mouse was tabbed the leader going into the week of the jamboree.

"He's been good," Albertson said. "He was the backup quarterback last year, so he already knew a lot of the plays and a lot of the techniques. He's a senior, so he's stepping up and being a good leader."

Sophomore Jacob Wolken and junior Dylan Kramel are also in the mix for the quarterback position.

The Pintos will start the season in a split-back formation on offense, with some single-back formations.

Seniors AJ Kendrick, Josh Woodruff and Dylan Ratcliff are leading the group of running backs. Juniors Hayden Collier and Gunner Baquet and sophomores Liam Glenn and Cory Friedmeyer will also see some action.

For right now, Albertson has one major concern on offense.

"My biggest concern right now is just the offensive line, getting them communicating on who they're blocking and making sure they get to their right assignment," he said.

On defense, California will see some changes on the defensive line. It will move from a four-man front to a three-man, with four or five linebackers.

"In a three-man front, the assignments are a little different," Albertson said. "We'll have four or five linebackers sometimes. We do have a lot of kids that are good linebackers. That's probably going to help us in the long run, but again, it's a learning process."

Senior Hunter Heimericks returns to the defensive line, and linebackers Brandon Gump, senior, and Sam Kirby, junior, saw a lot of playing time last year.

Mouse will return to his free safety position and Baquet could see some time at linebacker and strong safety. Woodruff's speed and Ratcliff's experience will give them an the edge at the cornerback position.

"We do have a lot of two-way players," Albertson said. "That's why we have to get in good shape. We have to be able to go four quarters on both sides of the ball."

The expectation of good conditioning was apparent at Monday's practice, as Albertson ended the practice with 40-yard suicides in five-yard increments.

As far as the not-so-high expectations from people outside of the program, Albertson welcomes them. He's using it to add fuel to the fire for his football team.

"I think being the underdog, and being all new, people don't expect us to be at the top of the conference again," Albertson said. "I haven't seen the Pigskin Preview, but I'm sure they'll pick us in the middle of the pack. Sometimes that's a good thing. If you're the underdog, sometimes you can jump up and bite some people."

The Pintos will take part in the Blair Oaks Jamboree on Friday at 6 p.m. California is matched up against Moberly and Owensville on one side of the field, while Blair Oaks, Helias and Centralia will play on the other side.

The regular season starts Friday, Aug. 21, as California travels to Boonville at 7 p.m.