The Sonoma Valley High School varsity football team is ready to begin another season in 2015 as the Dragons look to bounce back from a 3-7 season in 2014 fueled by key senior returners at the skill positions and an influx of talent from last year’s junior varsity team.
After the team’s scrimmage this past Friday at Santa Rosa High School, the Dragons set their sights on the team’s 2015 opener this upcoming Friday with Fremont High School of Oakland, with the kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. at Arnold Field.
The Dragons offense will return with senior Max Yankovic at quarterback, whose quick decision-making and running ability make him a great fit for the team’s spread offense. Will Lennon, who is also the team’s backup quarterback, will be a key cog at wide receiver along with Freddy Padilla. Senior Sam Cordano will be the featured running back.
Third-year head coach Bob Midgely was impressed with his offensive line, which is comprised mainly of players coming up from the junior varsity level that showed they can rotate through multiple linemen to keep everyone fresh for the later stages of the game.
Defensively, the Dragons will add a wrinkle in 2015 by having a 3-4 defense as their main formation, allowing them to take advantage of more athletes capable of playing linebacker. Both Yankovic and Lennon will start in the defensive backfield, as well.
In talking about the team’s performance at the scrimmage, Midgely praised his team coming out and establishing themselves from the very start.
“We got off the ball well on both offense and defense,” said Midgely, “The team came out fired up and initiated the play.”
The Dragons will have four games outside the Sonoma County League to begin the 2015 season before getting into their league opener at rival Petaluma on Sept. 25.
After the season opener with Fremont, the Dragons will travel to Berkeley on Sept. 4 and San Marin on Saturday, Sept. 12, before finishing their non-league season at home against Chico on Sept. 18.
Sonoma’s three home games in league begin Oct. 2 against defending league champion Analy. Homecoming is on Oct. 23, when the Dragons will host Healdsburg. Senior Night will be Nov. 6 against Elsie Allen.
There’s an oddity in Sonoma’s league schedule where they will take on El Molino in a neutral-site game at Windsor High School on Oct. 30, as El Molino’s field is currently undergoing renovations. Sonoma travels to Piner on Saturday, Oct. 17.
UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: