Defending champion Arroyo Grande reloads, ready to rise to challenge

Posted: Aug 8, 2012 5:34 PM by Andrew Masuda
Updated: Aug 8, 2012 5:34 PM

Armed with many new faces, the defending C.I.F. champion Arroyo Grande High football team is focused on building on the program's best season in 13 years.

Tom Goossen returns to coach the defending Pac-7 League champions. He says with the new faces come new opportunities. "I've been very happy with our progress over the summer. A lot of these guys were an integral part of what we did last year. So I'm happy with what we have," said Goossen.

Last fall, Arroyo Grande finished 13-1 and won its first CIF title since 1998. They lost 24 seniors from that team to graduation, including FBS level-bound Brent VanderVeen, Garrett Weinreich, Garrett Owens and Seth Jacobs. Overall, the seniors accounted for 94% of the team's total offense yardage and 67 of the 69 touchdowns last season. Only two players, who scored a touchdown last fall, are back.

"Obviously we're going to have to fill some holes, which you have to do every year in high school ball. So I'm excited about the challenges ahead," said Goossen.

After recording 87 tackles and 7 interceptions in the defensive backfield last year as a junior, Matt Willkomm takes over for VanderVeen as the Eagles' starting quarterback. "Last year was a great year for me and the team but we're focused on this year now. And I'm ready to lead the team as quarterback," said Willkomm, one of the team's co-captains.

"He throws a nice football, he has the patience to throw and finally he has the ability to throw the ball down and be able to run," said Goossen about his new quarterback.

The Eagles plan to use a committee of running backs like in years past. This year, they'll be led by Gage Vargas, Alan Osio and Michael Giordano.

"We've got some really fast guys at like wide receiver and I think we've got some guys back on defense, who are really going to step it up this year. We're going to go out there and do the best we can do," said middle linebacker Chris Addy, who recorded 65 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 pass deflections last season.

Zach Diaz (47 tackles, 2 sacks), Ian Malott (36 tackles, 1 sack) and Grant Alton are also key returners on defense.

Former St. Joseph head coach Mike Hartman has joined the Eagles coaching staff this fall.

The Eagles face a big test in their season opener on August 24. They play the two-time defending CIF champion Braves in Lompoc. AG enters on a 13-game winning streak, while the Braves have won 20 in a row.