8/15/2017

Alisal football

Alisal (2-8, 2-4)
 Two wins doesn't give you much to build off of.
 Or does it?
 It depends on when those wins occurred. And for the Trojans, closing the season with two straight wins changed the course of direction coming into this fall.
 "There were some tough moments,'' Alisal coach Cesar Chaidez said. "I take responsibility for that. Maybe I wasn't as prepared as I should have been. But these kids didn't quit. Failure is temporary if you put in the effort.''
 Chaidez saw that determination in the off-season with an 80 percent turnout in the weight room and off-season conditioning drills.
 "There's a lot of hard work involved in building a program,'' said Chaidez, now in his second season. "I've surrounded myself with coaches that share the same vision. The kids have bought into it.''
 Gone, but not forgotten, was the eight game losing streak to open the season.
 "We're determined to not let that happen again,'' quarterback Andrew Marquez said. "We know what the outcome will be if we don't put in the work and take this seriously.''
 Sure it took a little longer for Alisal to adapt to what Chaidez was doing in changing a culture. Being the fourth coach in five years created doubts.
 Once it clicked, a sense of confidence began to spread throughout the program.
 "We're looking forward to picking up from where we left off,'' Chaidez said. "Our preseason (open with Live Oak) will be tough though."
 Three of the Trojans first five games are against a reigning CCS champion, a league champion and a section semifinalist. Four of their first five games are also on the road.
 Still there is a different vibe floating around the practice field this season. Instead of hope, there is an expectation from the players themselves.
 It starts behind center with Marquez, who showed flashes of his potential in the final two games, where Alisal outscored its opponents 57-6.
 "I have expectations and that's to lead this team,'' Marquez said. "The attitude is one of focus. The seniors out here are leaders. The way the season ended last year has served as motivation.''
 Marquez has a big target to get the ball too in 6-foot-4 Steven Castro, who brings a winning attitude as a three year starter on a two-time championship basketball team.
 There is quickness and experience in the backfield with Thomas Martinez and Francisco Rosales and size in the trenches with Miguel Cardenas.
 "The first year was trial by fire,'' Chaidez said. "Our tempo is better in practice. We're disciplined in what we do. It's not foreign to the kids anymore.''
 Chaidez will add a few wrinkles to the offense this fall, showcasing the veer. He will add plays to the playbook as the season progresses.
 "I don't want to move faster than what we can execute,'' Chaidez said. "I don't want confusion. We call it simple and sound.''
 Opponents will look to run in the opposite direction of Castro, who is a defensive demon as a pass charging defense end with his quickness and size.
 Castro will be a part of a revamped defense that gave up just one touchdown in the teams final 10 quarters last year.
 It doesn't hurt that 21 players are back from last years team, determined to point the program in the right direction, laying a foundation for the future.
 "We know these kids have heart,'' Chaidez said. "We're teaching life lessons as well. Accountability is important no matter what you do in life.''

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