Redskins look to turn program around

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Gustine High School’s 2011 football team hopes to paint the town red – in a positive sort of way.

First-year varsity head coach Russell McWilliams, who moves up after being head coach at the JV level for a year, is setting lofty goals for a program that has fallen on hard times in recent seasons.

With an influx of talented players from his 5-4-1 JV team of a year ago, McWilliams believes the Redskins can make their presence felt under the Friday night lights this fall.

He is hoping not only to turn around a struggling program, but to reignite the community pride and spirit in Gustine High football.

McWilliams and his assistant coaches, Mike Mendonca and Dennis Nunes, were part of Gustine High’s storied 2002 team that reached a section championship game.

“I want to bring the pride and respect back that we had when I played. That was an amazing year. This whole town was red. I would like to get the community behind Gustine High football again,” he stated.

McWilliams said the program took a positive step last fall when the JV team posted the school’s first winning football record since 2003.

Several key contributors from that team move to the varsity this season – and while unproven McWilliams said the newcomers will bring both size on the line and talent to the higher level.

Only about 10 of the 25 varsity players are seniors.

Among them are returning quarterback Johnathan Mello, who will guide the Redskins offense again this season, and Cody Mees, a versatile receiving back.

Jr. Laupua, who was promoted from the junior varsity last year, and juniors Alex Serrano and Marcus Rocha will spearhead the running game. “I believe it is going to be very difficult for opposing defenses to stop all three of those players,” McWilliams stated.

Junior Bobby Wrobbel gives Gustine another offensive weapon as a tight end with blazing speed.

Seniors Jaime Mendoza and Robert Blair will line up at wide receiver.

The offense will work behind a line of juniors Josh Flores, Andre Salazar and Alec Whitsitt (who had some varsity experience last year) and sophomores Josh Laupua and Iancarlo Morales.

McWilliams said a new attitude has emerged around Gustine football, with a solid work ethic, enthusiasm and confidence emerging over the course of summer workouts and in a passing league.

“All 50 players (on the varsity and JV teams) have been out here all summer. There are no new faces at practice,” he commented. “The biggest thing I was looking for was attitude, and that has already developed.”

But it remains to be seen how the Redskins will respond to adversity, and how the juniors will make the step up to the varsity level.

McWilliams, though, is confident that the 2011 edition of Gustine High football is prepared to take a leap forward.

“I am seriously looking for the playoffs, not just a winning season,” he expressed. “We’re looking to turn a corner this year. If we don’t, I did something wrong as a coach with these players.”

With McWilliams moving to the varsity level, Remberto Lopez will be the junior varsity head coach this season.

Gustine was originally scheduled to take part in a scrimmage at Orestimba Saturday but withdrew due to having a limited number of players available. The Redskins will scrimmage at LeGrand next Friday before opening the season Sept. 2 at Bret Harte.