2011 HS Football Preview: YV to Focus on Athleticism

The Ygnacio Valley High School varsity football team is coming off a 6-5 season, in a year in which the team had a definite veteran presence with 27 seniors leading the Warriors.

The most immediate problem the Warriors will face in 2011 will be the loss of leadership after losing all those seniors.

Todd Bauleke is coming into his second season as the head coach for Ygnacio Valley and is hoping to lead his young team to a successful record. 

“We’re a young team, but we do have some good strong leadership in the seniors that are here and we have a strong work ethic,” said Bauleke.

The coach said he is putting a lot of his effort into making sure his players are working hard and that returning players become leaders.

“This is one of the hardest-working teams that I’ve coached [in a 17-year coaching career],” said Bauleke. 

Having a returning player at the quarterback position is always an advantage for any team. The Warriors have exactly that in junior Jamari Pope.

The 6-foot quarterback had a shaky season in 2010, but his familiarity with the no-huddle offense Bauleke runs should give the team consistency. Last year Pope threw for 1,083 yards and 13 touchdowns, while completing 52 percent of his passes.

Pope worked closely with his offensive line and focused on improving throwing motion this off-season.

“I worked on a lot with my offensive line, their blocking schemes and what they have to do,” Pope said. “As for myself, I really worked on my throwing mechanics and went to a lot of quarterback camps this summer.”

Bauleke has seen Pope progress and is counting on his quarterback getting even better.

“ ... Pope was a sophomore last year and he has just consistently gotten better and better, so in his junior year we expect big things out of him,” said Bauleke.

Another veteran on the team is offensive lineman and defensive end Kelepi Folau, a senior. He understands that one of his roles will be to provide leadership and guidance for teammates.

“For me, as a senior, I need to make sure that everyone is on track and not messing around; getting their things done and working hard,” he said.

“As a returning player I need to push the [offensive] line to be better,” he added.

The Ygnacio Valley coaching staff implemented a different fitness program this summer, with a conditioning strategy geared toward developing complete athletes.

“We’re doing this cross-fit football, which really gives the kids a whole new focus on what they’re supposed to be like as athletes, not necessarily who can lift the most weight but can you be an athlete on the field,” Bauleke said.

The Warriors head coach is also challenging his young team by telling them directly what is expected from them. Bauleke believes that creating a set of standards aids the development of players.

“I’ve found that kids will generally, if they’re challenged, meet [expectations],” Bauleke said. “And this is a group of kids that will meet them.”

The Warriors have their work cut out for them. With a no-huddle offense there will be a lot of pressure for team members to know their assignments once regular season starts.

Bauleke and Pope see their fast-paced offense as an advantage over opponents. And that is an area where their focus on athleticism this summer will have considerable payoff.

Pope said he is aware of how much responsibility will be on his shoulders, especially with Bauleke’s offense. The quarterback said he is eager for the 2011 season and to take on the challenge.

A player to look for will be running back Anthony Barnett. The 6-foot, 185-pound senior could have a productive season on the ground behind an offense that will give little room for rival defenses to catch their breath.

Barnett added 10 pounds to his frame this season and looked very agile during a scrimmage on Friday.

The Ygnacio Valley football team has set lofty expectations for the season and they hope to meet their goals after much work in the summer.

“[Our goal is] to do better than last year, hopefully make it to the playoffs. We’ve been working hard all summer, hopefully it pays off,” Pope said.