2014 Mojave River League a NEW HORIZON

THE DAILY INDEPENDENT 2014 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW 1947-1962 Desert Inyo League 1962-1996 Golden League 1996-2000 Mojave River League 2000-2014 Desert Sky League 2014 Mojave River League A NEW HORIZON

s the 2014 fall sports season member of the DSL, Burroughs was begins, it will usher in a approached by Apple Valley to make new era for the athletics the move from one High Desert league A to another. program at Burroughs High School. The Burros will start a sec- Internally, Campbell said that the po- ond stint in the Mojave River tential move was discussed over several meetings before Burroughs coaches vot- League during the 2014-15 school ed heavily in favor of relocating to the year, ending a stretch of 13 years MRL. With the support of the coaches competing in the Desert Sky and administration BHS accepted the League. invitation to become the sixth member “This new league that we’re going of the MRL, joining Apple Valley, Hes- into is a better league, but I think that peria, Oak Hills, Serrano and Sultana. we can compete. We’ll figure our way “When we found out that they were out, and in the long run it’s going to interested we took it to our coaches bring our athletics up to another stan- and administration and we discussed dard,” Burroughs athletic director Robert it,” Campbell said. “It wasn’t an easy Campbell said. “Hopefully we’ll be here decision, but after we made the decision for a while — that’s our goal.” we still had one more year — and as we The CIF Southern Section reassigns played this year things happened and leagues every two years, and the process we felt we made the right decision. for Burroughs’ move to the MRL began “We were just ready for a change.” during the 2012-13 school year. Then a SEE COVER STORY, B7

“We’ll figure our way out, and in the long run it’s going to bring our athletics up to another standard.” — Burroughs Athletic Director Robert Campbell

STORY AND PHOTO BY ANTHONY GENTILE A LOOK INSIDE B2 Burroughs football heads B7 Burroughs boys cross into MRL faster, stronger, country finds a new way B10 Trona volleyball seeks more prepared against tougher competition Hi-Lo five-peat but will have to replace three key players B5 Burroughs volleyball ready B7 Burroughs girls XC takes a for a new challenge different direction B11 Trona football has one tough schedule, has been B6 Burroughs girls tennis B9 Immanuel Christian hitting the weights team looks to the future volleyball will rely on seniors B2 2014 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW B Gridiron Leaders H 5 seniors who guide S Burros on, off field Tommy Hope Austin Groshens F SS/RB/WR Quotes from OL/DL “Tommy describes the personality “Austin is the leader on the line of our team. His work ethic is sec- BHS head coach this year — he controls things in O ond-to-none, he’s a beast in the there. He’s one of the hardest weight room and he never takes a Todd Mather workers we have in the weight rep off at practice — every rep is room.” O game speed.” T B A

Zach Newbury Michael Stanciu Kyle Cornell L WR OL/DL WR/DB “Zach is the guy that will come talk “Stanciu is the biggest guy we “Kyle makes plays and great to me about stuff that’s going on have and he’s the shortest-tem- catches. He gives you the effort, with the team. He’s the last one to pered guy we have. Guys walk on he gives a lot of feedback and he L leave after practice — he’ll always eggshells around him, and when can play all over the place.”

hang out in my office.” he speaks they listen.” PHOTOS BY ANTHONY GENTILE/DAILY INDEPENDENT

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A Mojave River League Aug. 29 Oct. 24 at Palmdale vs. Apple Valley L 7 p.m. (Homecoming) 7 p.m. Sept. 19 vs. Paraclete L (at AV College) Oct. 10 7:30 p.m. at Sultana 7 p.m. Sept. 5 vs. Tehachapi Oct. 31 7 p.m. at Oak Hills 7 p.m.

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Sonnenberg’s Mather has packaged the offense size, speed, arm strength and ex- in a way that is easier for the perience give him the edge — but players to understand and execute, he’ll need to limit his turnovers to which should allow BHS to move keep the starting job. the ball consistently in 2014. “We’re working on taking care “It’s a lot of the same stuff, we’ve of the football and treating it like just packaged it differently and a gold bar — that right now is his have universal rules for three-by- biggest problem,” Mather said. “As B one stuff, two-by-two stuff or two- far as tools, he’s got one of the Hayden back stuff,” Mather said. best arms I’ve seen here — he’s During the offseason, Mather got an absolute cannon — he runs Sonnenberg studied Auburn University’s play- very well and he’s big.” book along with former Burroughs McCullough will see action at roughs’ second-leading receiver need that time together to see the H head coach Jeff Steinberg. Both quarterback during the season, last year, and the fastest player on twists and stunts and be able to coaches came to the conclusion but exactly how much is still to be this year’s team is a big-play threat work together,” Mather said. that the way the national runner- determined. He is the Burros’ anytime he touches the ball. The The Burros are anchored in the up Tigers ran their offense was quarterback of the future, and will trio of Cornell, Newbury and Ayers trenches offensively by four seniors, both efficient and effective — and gain valuable varsity experience will be the Burros’ primary pass including three-year starters Austin S it started with less complex play in 2014. catchers with junior Brandyn Tate, Groshens and Michael Stanciu. call signaling. “They both have different tools junior Luke McGowan and soph- Alex Rockwell spent time at mul- “We’re going to have a way more — if they were put together in omore Michael McKinney also in tiple positions and Mark Russell solid game plan — a lot smaller one we’d have a stud,” Mather said. the mix at receiver. is a transfer from Flagstaff, Ariz. package going into each game,” “Austin is a little quicker with his Burroughs’ backfield is made that fills an immediate need. Mather said. “We’re not going to decision making and a little more up by the senior trio of Adan Peña, “It’s four of the biggest guys run it all these different ways and accurate with the ball, but Hayden Tommy Hope and Terrance De- we’ve had, but they all need to show it all those ways — each has the better arm and when he loach. Peña was third on the team work out and get healthy,” Mather week we’re going to run it one gets rid of it, it’s coming.” in rushing last season and will be said. F way and one way only.” At receiver, Burroughs is loaded the Burros’ starter, Hope will see Burroughs’ offensive line appears Burroughs plans to have a bal- with playmakers ready for their time in the backfield and in the solid on paper — but that hasn’t ance between run and pass in turn in the spotlight. Seniors Kyle slot and Deloach was the top back been the case in practice just yet. 2014, and aims to keep it simple Cornell and Zach Newbury com- on last year’s junior varsity squad. Instead of taking the starting center both on the ground and in the air. bined to catch only nine passes Offensive line was expected to job, Russell has been hampered O Rather than complex plays, the last season, numbers that figure be a strength for Burroughs, but by an ankle injury that forced Burros will look for a host of tal- to increase drastically as they be- injuries have prevented the sea- Rockwell to move from left guard ented skill position players to use come top targets in the passing soned group from completely to fill in at the position. That switch their athleticism in the open field game. meshing. Now it’s more of a ques- creates a left guard by committee and one-on-one situations. “They’ve impressed this offsea- tion mark headed into the sea- scenario involving juniors Kevin O “We have to do a better job of son,” Mather said. “They can beat son. Burgess, Brian Farris and Jacob letting our athletes win the game their guy one-on-one and they’re “We’re hoping it’s going to get Trigg — and in the process adds and not putting as much pressure going to catch balls.” there before the season starts — an inexperienced component to T on the quarterback,” Mather said. Junior Mekhi Ayers was Bur- we know they know it, but they the Burros’ line. Sacking the stack B Burros overhaul 3-3 defense BY ANTHONY GENTILE movement, and probably linebackers — junior Tim SPORTS EDITOR 85 percent of the time our Frisbie, senior Nathan Stu- defensive ends are standing art, junior Ross Forsythe After years of running up,” Mather said. “We only and junior Matt Griffin will A the 3-3 stack defensively, have one down lineman counter a lack of size with Burroughs is headed in a and we’re doing a lot of de- speed and athleticism. different direction for 2014. ception — they’re gap Burroughs had three The Burros will still have sound, but they’re going to multiple-year starters in three defensive linemen, line up all over the place.” last season’s linebacking L three linebackers and five The changes start on the corps, and in 2014 its line- defensive backs on the field, defensive line, where Bur- backers will be considerably but their roles will change roughs’ three linemen won’t greener. Junior Kevin Kevin in order to generate con- be all the way in the trench- Burgess is the most expe- Burgess stant pressure and better es. Instead the Burros’ nose rienced of the group — after PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANTHONY GENTILE/DAILY INDEPENDENT utilize the team’s speed and tackle and two standing de- a surprising start at middle L athleticism. fensive ends will line up linebacker in last year’s In the 3-3 defense, Bur- McKinney, who Mather “It’s a new version of the one yard off the ball before scrimmage, he had a break- roughs’ strong safeties are considers the best in his defense for us and there’s every snap. out sophomore campaign. its best athletes and most four years as head coach at been a lot of turnover,” Bur- “That’s going to create Burros’ starting outside versatile defenders. Seniors BHS, had a great summer ros head coach Todd Math- space and we feel like it linebackers will be senior Tommy Hope and Austin and brings playmaking abil- er said. “It’s a new format will level the playing field Marcus Lomeli and junior White are the Burros’ ity to the secondary. Junior but we’re doing different for us — we’re not crowding Luke McGowan, who both starters at that position, Matt Sevaaetasi will fill in things with it — we love it, the ball against a guy that started on junior varsity which Mather said will blitz at both safety spots, as part we feel like it’s a good is bigger and stronger than last season. Backups in the more during the 2014 sea- of a versatile defensive back- change-up for us and that us, we’re standing up,” second line of defense in- son. field. it matches the type of play- Mather said. “We’re going clude Frisbie, Stuart, Griffin “They’re a hybrid — “We have some good in- ers we have.” to get them away from the and senior Edward Murph. they’re a linebacker and de- terchanging parts and Burroughs’ defense in ball, and as this guy is com- Mather said the roles of fensive back,” Mather said. they’ve all gotten mass reps 2014 will still be considered ing up out of his stance and BHS’ outside linebackers “You’re going to see them at each position, so if some- a 3-3 in terms of personnel, coming out we’re matching change the most in the new coming off the edge like a one goes down we don’t but that’s where the simi- his step and coming up un- defense. linebacker, but they’re also have a kid that hasn’t gotten larities end. After Burros’ derneath him.” “They’re not out there in going to be in man coverage many reps in the secondary,” coaches had an 11-hour clin- Senior Austin Groshens the stack reading — we’re to cover slot receivers and Mather said. ic with Bakersfield head will start at nose tackle, now designating a gap that play over the top.” Burroughs has a number coach and 3-3 guru Paul with senior Mark Russell they’re responsible for,” Senior Kyle Cornell is of talented players on its Golla during the offseason, and junior Jacob Trigg also Mather said. “They’re not Burroughs’ best cover cor- defense. How quickly they they made the decision to expected to see action at blitzing that gap, but they ner, and he’ll start at cor- can adjust to the varsity update and revamp the the position. Burroughs’ know they’re not just read- nerback opposite junior level and adapt to a new team’s defensive approach. standing defensive ends will ing from the line to the Brandyn Tate. 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Rebecca Floyd Monika Gutierrez Lindsey Berry Michelle Pettet Libero/DS, Sr. Middle Blocker, Sr. Setter/RS, Jr. Opposite, Sr.

Allie Sliva Kristel Teuscher Bridget Ingle Metzli Heck B Outside Hitter, Sr. Middle Blocker, Sr. Outside Hitter, Sr. DS/Setter, Sr.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ANTHONY GENTILE/DAILY INDEPENDENT H Ready for the challenge Burros aim for early success in MRL BY ANTHONY GENTILE “We talk and we push all the group, junior Lindsey Berry has S SPORTS EDITOR time, and that gets our team- the best decision making and mates motivated,” Sliva said. deception of the four, junior Ab- The Burroughs volleyball team The 5-foot-7-inch Sliva is en- bie McCormick has strength and knows it won’t have things easy tering her fourth year on varsity, a familiarity with her fellow var- Allie as it begins play in the Mojave and is one of the most explosive sity newcomers, and junior Madi- River League this season. The athletes on the team. Last season son Felix has nice hands and is Sliva 2014 Burros are counting on a she had a career-high 301 kills the team’s best jump setter. large senior group and increased with a 31.9 kill percentage — Berry is one of the most in- depth at each position to make and Lazaro said she is working triguing varsity newcomers on the transition as smooth and to become a more efficient hitter this year’s team. She didn’t play “We have a lot of people that V successful as possible. in 2014. volleyball last season while re- are willing to push their hard- “We know that we’re going to Ingle played mostly at opposite covering from foot surgery, and est and we will improve a lot.” face a challenge moving into this last season, where she tallied 91 can play multiple positions on league and we know that every kills and hit .336. While making the court. TEAM CAPTAINS team is going to want to beat the transition to outside hitter, “I’m so happy to be back — us,” Burros head coach Michele Lazaro said the 5-foot-8-inch it’s great to play with these girls O Lazaro said. “We want to make senior is jumping higher and again,” Berry said. “It’s hard ad- this league know who we are has improved her serve during justing to all of these new hitters and that we deserve to be there the offseason. because I’ve only set two of these — that’s a big thing.” “When Bridget is on fire, she’s girls before — it’s definitely a Bridget Half of the 14 players on Bur- on fire — she hits the ball hard big change.” roughs’ roster are seniors that and she wants to be better every Defensively for Burroughs, sen- Ingle played on last year’s team which day,” Lazaro said. “She’s always ior libero Rebecca Floyd is com- L finished third in the Desert Sky asking what she can do to im- ing off a season in which she League. A mix of experienced prove and trying really hard to recorded a team-high 326 digs. “We definitely have room to and inexperienced players has make adjustments during the She will be challenged at that grow — we need to see how created a competitive environ- game.” spot by Heck and junior Morgan we react in game situations ment that still has a handful of In the middle of the court, Jones, a transfer from Virginia with pressure and making positions on the court up for Burroughs is anchored by seniors — Heck and Jones are also in smart choices.” L grabs as the season approaches. Monika Gutierrez, Michelle Pet- the mix as defensive specialists. Burroughs’ offseason included tet and Kristel Teuscher — all Control in both passing and serv- volleyball-specific strength train- three returning varsity players ing is crucial to the Burros’ suc- the team it upset in the first ing sessions with local trainer will also see action at opposite. cess this season, and the libero round of last year’s CIF-SS Div. George Paniagua. Lazaro said That trio is joined by junior typically makes the first pass fol- 3A playoffs — its home opener she has seen a noticeable impact Rachel Fortney, whose quick lowing an opponent’s serve. is two days later against Rosa- E on the court from the workouts transitions during points have “The pass sets up the play, so mond. The Burros begin MRL designed to increase players’ impressed Lazaro so far. the better pass you get the better play Oct. 2 against Hesperia in quickness and explosiveness. “That’s a lot of hands we can play you’re going to get,” Floyd the Burroughs Barn — their main “It’s a huge benefit for our put on the net against other said. “If it’s a messy pass then objective is to finish in the top team — their endurance is up, teams — we’re really going to we’re going to lose the point — half of the league standings to they’re jumping higher and focus on trying to block those you already know it from the earn an automatic CIF playoff Y they’re hitting harder,” Lazaro outside hitters and make them first pass.” berth. said. do more,” Lazaro said. “We’re A pair of talented newcomers “I think this team can be really This year’s Burros will be led going to have to be quick in the at outside hitter round out Bur- good — we obviously have to by team captains Allie Sliva and middle.” roughs’ team — junior Adison work on being a team, but I Bridget Ingle, two seniors that Burroughs will run either a 5- Blubaugh and sophomore Tinoi think we’re getting there,” Lazaro saw a lot of time on the court 1 or 6-2 formation this season, Martin. Martin will be a dan- said. “Every day at practice we last season. Sliva and Ingle will and has flexibility due to a roster gerous offensive weapon once get a little closer to where we B be the team’s primary outside that features four setters that she adjusts to the speed of the need to be — our goal is to work hitters, and will also be called are currently inseparable on the varsity game. the kinks out during preseason upon to provide offense from depth chart. Senior Metzli Heck Burroughs starts the season so that when our first league A the back row. is the most experienced of the Sept. 2 at Highland (Palmdale), game comes we’re ready.” L L

ANTHONY GENTILE/DAILY INDEPENDENT

FOLLOW THE BURROS ALL SEASON LONG WITH THE DAILY INDEPENDENT B6 2014 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

B H S

Counting on youth G Inexperienced Burros enter I season with 1 upperclassman BY ANTHONY GENTILE SPORTS EDITOR A cyclical oddity has R the Burroughs girls tennis team playing for the future as it takes the court this season. The 2014 Burros have one senior and no juniors on their roster, making the L team as much of an un- known as the new league they are poised to enter. “It’s a different dynam- ic,” Burros head coach Kenold Prince said. “We S need to get more experienced — all our top guns graduated, so this is ba- sically a rebuilding year.” Different certainly from last season, when Burroughs rode the senior trio of Celsea Mc- Grew, Myisha Edwards and Lara Luu to a Desert Sky League championship and undefeated T regular season before ad- vancing to the second round of the CIF-SS Div. 4 playoffs. That the Bur- ros are switching to the Mojave River League this season simply adds to E the uncertainty. Daytona “It’s too early to say be- Burks cause we’re going to a new league — I think we’ll be okay,” Prince stood out during the said. summer. Burroughs N Daytona Burks is the practiced twice a week lone upperclassman Bur- from early July until the roughs has this season. start of the school year, As a junior last year, she with players sharpening primarily played doubles their skills in the early- — in 2014 she could see evening heat. N more action on the sin- “The ones that have gles side. been working out have “She’s probably the been looking better — most experienced — she’s but some of them have been playing for longer been on vacation,” Prince than the other girls,” said. I Prince said. Prince hasn’t set even Burroughs’ top return- a tentative lineup yet, ing players include soph- and believes it will take omores Camynn Mc- time to find the right Grew, Hayley Weik, combination. Burroughs Emma Heflin, Miriam opens the season at the Kolar, Tori Moran and Etiwanda Tournament S Emma Mower. Camynn Sept. 3, and he said after McGrew teamed with that tournament is when Luu last season, and the the team’s lineup will be- Burros’ top doubles team gin to take shape. Camynn lost only one set in 12 “I’m going to have to DSL matches — the oth- work on that very hard McGrew er five players made con- — the Etiwanda Tourna- PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANTHONY GENTILE/DAILY INDEPENDENT tributions at various ment is going to be a big that will keep the three- points throughout the experiment for us,” round league schedule. campaign. Prince said. “We’re going Ten-time defending “Some of our top play- to move the lineup champion Serrano and ers haven’t been playing around and try to find last year’s second-place If they work hard, I for that long,” Prince the group that can win finisher Oak Hills are the ““ know that they will said. “It’s going to take 10 points.” class of the league, and me a couple weeks to In its home opener on where the Burros fit in improve by the end make an assessment of Sept. 9 against Hesperia, remains to be seen. of the season. where we’re at and how the Burroughs girls ten- “We’ll try to be the best BHS head coach far we have to go.” nis team will make his- we can be,” Prince said. Kenold Prince Among the potential tory by playing the “If they work hard, I varsity newcomers, school’s first MRL con- know that they will im- Prince said the play of test of the season — the prove by the end of the ”” freshman Jenny Weik has Burros are the only team season.” 2014 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW B7 Finding a (new) way Boys aim to make mark in MRL BY ANTHONY GENTILE Burroughs runners, the target SPORTS EDITOR pace is 180 strides per minute — before they started this ap- The Burroughs boys cross proach most were in the 160- country team will face tougher 170 range. competition this season in the Burroughs faces a tough chal- Mojave River League, and might lenge in its move to the MRL, start the 2014 campaign without largely due to the fact that all its top runner. Aligning with of the schools in its new league their team motto, the 2014 Bur- carry cross country teams — in ros will simply have to “find a the DSL last season only four way” and carve out a path to a of the six schools had the sport. successful season. A six-team league means that B “It will be tough going into a the top three squads will qualify new league, and we already automatically for CIF prelims, know that — just getting out of which hasn’t always been the league will be tough in its own case for the Burros in recent right,” Burros head coach An- seasons. thony Barnes said. “We don’t have that confusion H Burroughs has a relatively or concern anymore — it feels young team this season — only better to know that we get three three of the top seven runners teams into CIF and we know from last year’s Desert Sky for sure what we have to do,” League championship squad re- Barnes said. “We’re excited — turn, with Andrew Estabridis they know what they’re getting the lone senior that ran on var- and what they’re up against.” S sity in 2013. What the Burros Serrano enters the season as lack in experience, however, they two-time defending MRL cham- make up for in talent. pions, and the Diamondbacks Burroughs has a number of are expected to continue their quality runners headed into the reign atop the league. Burroughs 2014 season, but it may have to Christian ended Granite Hills’ run of four start without its top talent. Jun- straight DSL championships last ior Christian Schultz is currently Schultz season, and wouldn’t mind play- out with a back injury he sus- ing the role of spoiler again. C tained in early August, and may to racing,” Barnes said. “They are the cream of the not be cleared until the end of The runners currently vying crop for the Mojave River the month. for the team’s second through League,” Barnes said of Serrano. “We were expecting him to seventh spots include Estabridis, “We want to give “Nobody should challenge them, quite possibly break all the senior Rhys White, juniors “ but we’re not taking that for ourselves the best school records as a junior — David Aranda and Colum Mar- chance of making it granted — we know it’s going now it’s just about making sure shall along with the sophomore to CIF finals. to be hard but we’re going to R he gets healthy in the season,” quartet of Nathaniel Aralar, show up and race.” Barnes said. “He’s a junior and Cameron Fuller, Andrew Ostrom BHS head coach Looking beyond its three MRL I’m not putting any pressure on and Caleb Washburn. So little Anthony Barnes races, Burroughs might have an him to come back.” separates that group that the easier time navigating the post- After sitting out a majority of team’s order is still being de- pace and other aspects while season than in years past. CIF- the 2013 season due to CIF termined with the season ap- they train and compete” ”— and SS restructured its cross country O transfer rules, Schultz was proaching. Barnes said the self-awareness divisions after last season to poised for a breakout campaign “They’re close in terms of time has led to improved results. create more balance, a change in his second year at Burroughs. and knowing what to do and “We’ve really focused on how that dropped Burroughs down His injury changes things for what to accomplish — they’re to teach the kids to monitor a division to Div. 4 — last season the Burros, and its full impact trying to beat each other,” Barnes their own exertion through Div. 3 was the largest in the is yet to be felt. said. “They work together and breathing and stride pattern,” section. S With Schultz leading the way, they understand it — if one per- Barnes said. “They’re able to “We’ll be more competitive Burroughs has a goal of running son does it, the others want to monitor and control the effort once we get to CIF — because under 82 minutes as a team. make sure they do too.” and what they’re doing, and of the balance it makes it less That team time would be a suc- Along with a relatively green consequently the end of their competitive,” Barnes said. “Our cessful mark in the MRL and group of runners came a fresh workouts have been fantastic.” goals are higher than just mak- give the Burros a chance at suc- approach for Burroughs in the The constant monitoring is ing it to CIF — we want to give S cess in CIF-SS competition. offseason. Burros’ runners are designed to keep stride rate and ourselves the best chance of “Ultimately it all comes down learning to monitor breathing, tempo on consistent levels. For making it to CIF finals.”

A different direction C Young takes over girls program BY ANTHONY GENTILE MVP of a Bruins team “They need to work to- SPORTS EDITOR that finished second in gether as a team — cross the state. After gradua- country may seem very Marina Young has a tion, she spent a year at individual, but as a team strong cross country UNLV before finishing they need to have the de- O pedigree and a true pas- her collegiate career at sire to push each other sion for the sport — this UC Riverside. and be a family.” season she will bring it “I’ve had that experi- Burroughs’ 2014 team to Burroughs High. ence at an elite level and is anchored by senior Young was named head the understanding of Maryah Marcano, who coach of the Burros’ girls what it takes to be an enters the season looking cross country team in elite athlete — it’s not all to build off a historic U June, beginning a new physical, there’s a mental 2013 campaign where era for the program. aspect too,” Young said. she became the first girl “My vision is to make “So it’s about helping in BHS history to qualify a mark and let other girls these girls understand for the CIF-SS finals. at Burroughs see what that they can be there Marcano finished 22nd cross country is about physically, but if they’re in the Div. 3 race, and N and get an interest and not there mentally then Young sees a run at state desire to come participate they have nothing.” as a possibility for the as well — to rebuild what Young takes over for Burros’ star senior. we have,” Young said. Anthony Barnes, who “Maryah can do amaz- Young moved to Ridge- coached the girls pro- ing things, and it’s up to crest last year to take a gram for nearly two Maryah to do that. Maryah T job as a counselor at Fall- decades. Barnes remains Maryah is there physi- er Elementary, where she coach of the BHS boys cally — she just has to Marcano coached basketball this team, and Young has see that she’s a phenom- PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANTHONY GENTILE/DAILY INDEPENDENT past spring. When she been following his lead enal athlete, want it and was approached about during the first few have the heart for it,” break 19 minutes. coaching the girls cross months of her tenure. Young said. “I think she “She has the heart and country team at Bur- desire for this sport — R “His workouts are can do something phe- I feel honored to roughs, Young jumped at amazing, he has a lot of nomenal.” she is always trying to “ the chance. find ways to do more and “coach a group of insight and I feel honored Anne Ewbank and Jen- “I remember running to work under him be- na Daugherty are also be better,” Young said. girls like this. in high school and college cause he has the experi- entering their senior sea- Freshmen Karina Kelly, and I didn’t have the best Emily Hogan and Tawny BHS head coach ence that I don’t have — sons, bringing experience Marina Young coaches, so when I got he can help me create to the team. Daugherty Matlock make up the rest Y the opportunity I took it of the Burros’ seven-girl my own philosophy,” has consistently im- — an opportunity to do Young said. proved throughout her roster. Young said she ex- ”” my passion and coach is Young’s ultimate goal career, and provides pos- pects big things from finished second in the totally perfect for me,” for the program is to have itivity to keep her team- each of the varsity new- four-team Desert Sky Young said. “I feel hon- 20 girls on the team. Bur- mates going. comers — and has seen League last season, and ored to coach a group of roughs has seven girls “I love her personality flashes of talent from will face a challenge in girls like this and I think headed into the 2014 sea- — she’s the one that al- Kelly early on. the move to the six-team they’re excited.” son — but its new head ways encourages, she’s Burroughs enters the MRL. Young brings experi- coach doesn’t see the lack always going to be there Mojave River League this “It’s a big league and ence from an elite-level of numbers as a bad and she’s going to try her season, which has been it’s a powerful league,” high school program and thing. best no matter what,” dominated recently by Young said. “That is NCAA Division I com- “This year I want us to Young said. Serrano — the Diamond- nothing but a good thing petition into her first be established with the Sophomore Julia Ernst backs are three-time de- for Burroughs because head coaching job. She girls that we have — we ran on varsity last season, fending league champi- that will push our ath- ran cross country and have a small team but and was the second run- ons and have won six letes and make them bet- track at Wilson (Long we have some really solid ner behind Marcano. Her league titles in the past ter — those fast meets Beach), and in 2005 was athletes,” Young said. goal for the season is to eight seasons. The Burros will help them run faster.” B8 2014 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW BHS football holds scrimmage

B U R R O

PHOTOS BY ANTHONY GENTILE/DAILY INDEPENDENT The Burroughs football team hosted Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) in its annual scrimmage on Thursday, Aug. 21 at Sherman E. Burroughs Sta- dium. The Trailblazers controlled most of the exhibition before the Bur- S ros broke through for a pair of late scores — running back Adan Peña ran for a 4-yard touchdown and quarterback Hayden Sonnenberg connected with receiver Brandyn Tate for a 27-yard score following a Sierra Canyon fumble.

tennis is the only sport sports last year the Burros nis team will play the COVER STORY that will keep the three- went a combined 6-7 school’s first MRL contest Continued from B1 round schedule in 2014- against their new league of the 2014-15 season when 15. rivals. it hosts Hesperia on Sept. Burroughs’ first turn in Each of the Burros’ new “This will give our teams “Overall it will make us 9. That match will start a the Mojave River League league rivals will field a little bit more time to play better,” Campbell said. new chapter in Burros ath- came following three teams in all 14 sports, prepare, play some pre- “We might not get as many letics. decades competing in the which was another reason season games and get their championships at the be- “It was a process and it’s Golden League. Before behind the move. In the game squared away before ginning, but as we find our going to be interesting — moving to join the newly- DSL last season, Adelanto they go into league,” Camp- way we’ll do just fine.” we’ll see what happens,” formed Desert Sky League didn’t carry six sports, Vic- bell said. The Burroughs girls ten- Campbell said. following the 1999-2000 tor Valley didn’t have cross Burroughs’ move will season, the Burros com- country or track and field also result in new CIF-SS peted in the MRL along- teams, and Silverado did playoff divisions for seven side Apple Valley, Barstow, not field a golf team. of its sports. Volleyball Hesperia, Serrano, Silver- “We felt that if we could (Div. 2A), girls tennis (Div. ado and Sultana. get into a league that had 4), boys soccer (Div. 4) For three years after the all the activities, that would and softball (Div. 4) are school opened in 1944, benefit us,” Campbell said. moving up a division while Burroughs played inde- Part of the uptick in girls soccer (Div. 4) and pendently before joining competition is simply a boys tennis (Div. 5) and the Desert Inyo League for numbers game. According cross country (Div. 4) are the 1947-48 season. The to the latest CBED enroll- each moving down. Burros competed there for ment figures, Burroughs The only sport at Bur- 14 years before joining the — with a student body roughs not affected by the Golden League as a charter population of 1,414 — will move is swimming. The member in 1962 — after be the smallest school in Burros’ boys and girls 34 years, BHS left that the MRL by more than swim teams will continue league to join the MRL. 400 students. The five oth- to compete in the DSL, The overall level of com- er schools in its new league swimming against Apple petition is the main reason are bigger on average than Valley, Granite Hills and Burroughs decided to re- their DSL counterparts by Victor Valley. turn to its roots in the High nearly the same amount. Burroughs left the DSL Desert. Campbell said that With the move comes a with consecutive All- top to bottom, the MRL is change in scheduling for Sports Awards, given to more competitive than the Burroughs — its volleyball, the school with the best DSL. basketball, soccer, baseball overall athletic perform- “You don’t get better un- and softball teams will play ance throughout the sea- less you play better teams,” two rounds of league son. Against an overall Campbell said. “Tougher games this season. Last higher level of competition competition in league is season in the DSL, those in the MRL, that type of going to better prepare you sports played three rounds success might not come for the playoffs.” of league competition — right away — across 10 Advertising Donated by Te Daily Independent 2014 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW B9 The core four Senior leadership will take I ICS volleyball places BY AARON CRUTCHFIELD MANAGING EDITOR M For the Immanuel Christian School volleyball team to go places this year, they’ll need their four seniors to take them there. The four are middle blocker M Victoria Hazelwood, and Leanne Fuller, Brittany Pepper and Cam- bria Spencer, all outside hitters. That means a lot of experience in the front row for the Cru- A saders. “That solid nucleus is going to be key for us this year, mixing with our returning sophomore and junior core as well as the upcoming freshmen,” said first- N year coach Todd Hopkins. With this being Hopkins’ first year in charge, he said he doesn’t know much about the rest of the league. But that really doesn’t U bother him much. “We’re going to go into it blind,” he said. “I haven’t really done any scouting, because I know that if we do what we do and we take E care of what we need to, we’ll be all right. You know the old adage, ‘Worry about what you’ve got to worry about, and the other things will take care of themselves.’” L In the early going, the team has been working on itself during practice, although featuring more game situations than drills, which were done during the offseason. “Our practice is based on us, putting us in game situations, C and bringing those players that are the weaker players — the weakest link is the weakest link, so we want to bring those weak links and expose them so they H can get better,” Hopkins said. There have been some points of emphasis during early practices. “The big thing we’re going to R be working on, if anything is going to be a weakness, and I wouldn’t even consider it a weakness at this point, is our passing AARON CRUTCHFIELD/DAILY INDEPENDENT and our setting,” Hopkins said. Brittany Pepper goes for a hit during a recent Immanuel Christian volleyball practice. Pepper is one of a I “But that’s something that we group of four seniors who will lead the team this year. have experience with, because the girls who are doing the passing four seniors come into play. and setting are sophomores and “That experience for us is going juniors. We do have one freshman to be huge,” Hopkins said. “We S setter, but I don’t even really con- hope to, not only with our height, sider her a freshman because but with our experience, to be she’s played three years of club able to dominate. And we run a volleyball.” pretty good system as well, and The team will get a chance to it’s pretty key for us, because it’s T gain experience next week, as based on principles the Olympic Mojave comes to town on Tues- team uses.” day, Sept. 2 for a non-league game at the Kerr McGee Center starting at 4 p.m. Then on Saturday, Sept. I 6, is the Trona Tournament. The I haven’t really done games there don’t count toward “ any“ scouting, be- won-lost records, but it’s still an important early-season test. cause I know that if “That will be nice because it we do what we do A will give us a nice indication,” and we take care of Hopkins said. “I’m glad they do what we need to, that tournament before the season starts, because it gives everybody we’ll be all right. You a chance to do a round-robin, so know the old adage, N you get a feel for what everybody’s ‘Worry about what got. It’s a Hi-Lo League tourna- you’ve got to worry ment, so all the teams in the Hi- Lo League are invited, plus a few about, and the other others. It’ll be nice; we’ll get a things will take care good indication there of where of themselves.’ we’re at.” That’s where the Crusaders will ICS head coach AARON CRUTCHFIELD/DAILY INDEPENDENT first see the experience of the Todd Hopkins ”” Leanne Faller works on a hitting drill during a recent ICS practice. Go Burros! GOOD LUCK BURROS PROUDLY SUPPORTING HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS Good Luck Burros

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Jazmyn Lindsey Carrina Johnson T R O Caryn N Felder Tornadoes seek fifth consecutive Hi-Lo title A To get to five, Trona must replace three BY AARON CRUTCHFIELD “Yolanda this year has just re- tinue to help make up for the on it. MANAGING EDITOR ally spurted in her volleyball graduation of outside hitter When asked about the rest of strengths,” Johnson said. “She Danielle Cox, middle blocker the Hi-Lo League, the consensus Trona volleyball’s drive for worked a lot this summer, which Tia Renzelman and setter Ashley among the team was that Baker five — five Hi-Lo League titles really did help her.” Vassar. That was half the team’s was likely the biggest challenger. in a row, that is — will have to In the early going, the team starting lineup. That’s who the Tornadoes bat- overcome the loss of three sen- has been working on jelling. In practices to this point, the tled with for the title last year. iors who were the foundation But Trona is already starting team has worked on its hitting. Last year’s team finished 12- of last year’s team, but the im- off at an advantage compared “And moving our feet,” John- 3 overall, and advanced to the proved play of a few returners to last year. son said. “A lot of girls are having second round of the CIF-South- who put in work over the sum- “We have way more players issues with moving their feet. ern Section Division 5A playoffs mer could do a lot to pick up starting out than we did last That’s mainly our point right before falling at St. Monica the slack. year,” Johnson said. “We only now, that and getting down and Academy (Pasadena) in three In an interview with returners had seven girls starting out last digging.” games, 20-25, 23-25, 10-25. that Carrina Johnson and Jazmyn year, and now we have 11. We The team is also getting used record came despite few return- Lindsey, two names that came have enough people that if some- to a new coach, as Nikki Horta ing players and a gym that was up as most improved over the thing happens, we know some- takes over. Trona volleyball unavailable until October as a summer were Caryn Felder, who one else can come in.” seems to be a family affair for new floor was being installed. attended the volleyball camp at “We’ve seen a lot of progress the Hortas, as in addition to The Tornadoes are set to travel Cerro Coso Community College since the beginning of practices,” coach Nikki, the team has to Lucerne Valley on Thursday, over the summer, and Yolanda Lindsey said. Stephanie Horta, Kayla Horta, Sept. 4, before hosting the Trona Lambretta. The progress will have to con- Ruby Horta and Sonia Horta Tournament on Sept. 6.

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BY AARON CRUTCHFIELD MANAGING EDITOR A town where heat and soil composition combine to kill grass, Trona has its share of dust. But none of it had a chance to gather on the plates in the high school’s weight room this summer. “We’ve spent the whole summer in the weight room,” said Trona High School football coach Curtis Boutte. “We’ve had some kids put on 20 pounds of solid muscle.” The Tornadoes will certainly need it — the heaviest player on the team is Tyler MacLean, listed at 6-0, 190 pounds. That will make for a major size deficit when Trona heads to Lemoore on Sept. 26 to face Kings Chris- Andrew Jesse T tian, which averages 240 pounds Moreno Renzelman across the line. The schedule includes a lot of Friday, Sept. 12. But each of the (tailback) and Jesse Renzelman other two quarterback candidates’ teams in CIF-Southern Section games except for Kings Christian (fullback). They’ll also each be skills to be better utilized at other eight-man Division I, while Trona are at The Pit, and Mojave is the key on defense, Moreno at de- positions. plays in Division II. If the tor- only one of the three teams that fensive back and Renzelman at “What it did was give us nadoes are to finish 2014 with a has a drive of less than two hours middle linebacker. stronger running backs, who were R good record, all that iron pumped to get to Trona. Cate will spend The leadership from those two bigger, stronger, faster, that if could be the key. 3 hours, 45 minutes on the bus will be key, given the youth we put at quarterback, we might “And just pure grittiness — this to drive from Carpinteria. among the rest of the team. have wasted it,” Boutte said. “So is a small town, and we play in Further, the first two games, “We have a starting freshman by him stepping up, I think it the dirt,” Boutte said. “We just at Public Safety Academy in Red- center, starting freshman quar- helps the team.” go get it, and we hit. That’s what lands and home against Alpaugh, terback, starting freshman de- But with the experience at run- O we’re known for, and that’s what would appear to be a chance for fensive end, and starting fresh- ning back and the youth at quar- we have to do.” the Tornadoes to gain some con- man right guard,” Boutte said. terback, the pass-heavy scheme The schedule is certainly fidence. After all, Trona beat PSA “So we’re very young.” of last year will be dialed back a daunting — Cate, Mojave and 46-8 last year, and the Tornadoes’ Those freshmen are Tyler bit to a more traditional 50-50 Lucerne Valley are all power- seven wins in 2013 are three Boutte (quarterback), Kyle Har- mixture. houses in Division I, and Lone more than Alpaugh has totaled rison (defensive end), Noah Es- With the season drawing near, N Pine and Immanuel Christian since 2009. parzas (right guard) and Chris- Trona has been practicing hard are in Division I as well. Kings Wins in those two games, and tian Zamora (center). in preparation. Christian is in the Central Sec- an upset or two in the four-game The sophomores are Gunner “Practice has been good,” tion, but the Crusaders won the gauntlet, would leave Trona in Cartmell (lineman) and Nathan Boutte said. “We started out really sectional title last year and suf- good shape heading into the last Ball (running back), and the jun- rough, because we had a lot of fered no impact due to gradua- three games of the season, with iors are Walter Terry, Trevor freshmen start, but they’re com- A tion. Lone Pine, Immanuel Christian Boutte (lineman) and MacLean ing together, the team is coming “But we like the challenge, and and Big Pine the closing three. (lineman). together. I look for an interesting it’s only going to make us better,” Big Pine is actually the lowest- Although the coach’s son is year. I don’t know exactly what Boutte said. rated team on Trona’s schedule, starting at quarterback, Coach people judge an interesting year The big four on the schedule according to the Calpreps.com Boutte said it was the offensive by, but for me, if I can build — Lucerne Valley, Cate, Kings rating system. coordinator who picked the start- these kids into men, have a decent Christian and Mojave — come Leading Trona’s roster of 13 ing quarterback, and also putting record and have fun, then I’m in four successive weeks, starting will be seniors Andrew Moreno the freshman there allowed the going to be happy with this year.”

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Miami transfer Malcolm A cross-country trip to Vir- Bunche will take over at left ginia on Saturday for the Bruins' tackle for second-round draft season opener should prepare pick Xavier Su'a-Filo, while quarterback Brett Hundley or starting center Jake Brendel's two-way star Myles Jack for De- availability for the opener is in cember's Heisman Trophy pres- doubt because of a knee injury entation in New York City. A he suffered two weeks ago. neutral-site game against Texas There is also the matter of at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, replacing the 10 sacks and 20 Texas, should give UCLA plenty tackles for loss contributed by of familiarity with the venue outside linebacker Anthony Barr that will host the new College last season, though a gifted and Football Playoff championship an article here or there, or turn Mora doesn't share the foot- deep group of defensive linemen game on Jan. 12. on ESPN and hear them say ball world's interest in his Bru- should pick up the slack. And a bevy of pundits expect good stuff about us. We're aware ins. When asked Tuesday if he Jack, who was named Pac-12 UCLA to add both trophies to of what the expectations are." was aware of the flurry of fa- offensive and defensive fresh- its collection. The Bruins are a Those expectations have elec- vorable predictions, Mora's re- man of the year last season for popular national pick for a trified the program, which has ply was a pointed "nope." his two-way efforts, has no such C third-year breakthrough under not contended for the top prizes "That's how I answer it," Mora concerns and is just happy that coach Jim Mora, and they're in college football since 1998. added. "We don't talk about it, the season is about to begin. eager to get underway. A loss at Miami on the final we don't think about it. It's all "Not thinking about the big- "It definitely feels different," day of the regular season kept about Virginia." ger picture, we can start sim- Jack said. "You can close your UCLA from playing for the in- UCLA faces plenty of obsta- mering down on just Virginia," ears all you want, but you are augural Bowl Championship cles along the path to those Jack said. "That's all we're wor- O going to hear what people are Series title, and quarterback lofty goals, including a loaded ried about this week. No other saying about your team, and Cade McNown finished third Pac-12 schedule that includes teams matter. You lose this game you are going to come across in the Heisman voting. home games against No. 3 Ore- and everybody goes away." L USC’s goal: Get back to normal LOS ANGELES (AP) — the defensive secondary. Cody Kessler's head has Sarkisian's staff must be finally stopped spinning resourceful with its depth after a Southern California challenges, and both Smith L season featuring four head and Jackson are learning coaches, interminable dra- multiple roles along with ma and — somehow — 10 freshman receiver victories. Rahshead Johnson. The quarterback is hop- WILCOX IN CHARGE: ing for a return to nor- Sarkisian brought defen- E malcy for the Trojans this sive coordinator Justin fall under new coach Steve Wilcox with him from Sarkisian. And even after Washington, and the vet- four seasons of Lane Kiffin, eran assistant takes over title contention is still the a wildly inconsistent unit norm at USC. that shut down the likes G "We come to USC to win of Stanford, Notre Dame, championships, no matter making a personal mark is very connected to these fense. Oregon State and Fresno who the coach is," said on the Trojans. players, and that goes a AIR APPARENT: The State last season, but was Kessler, who started all 14 USC has installed an ag- long way." Trojans lost Marqise Lee shredded by Arizona State games last season. "It was gressive, up-tempo offense Here are five things to to the Jacksonville Jaguars and UCLA. Leonard a crazy season last year, that will be new to Colise- watch in Sarkisian's debut after his junior season, but Williams is one of the na- but we always have players um fans used to the Tro- season at USC: Sarkisian likely has several tion's top defensive line- E who can compete for a jans' traditional pro-style LIGHT IN THE TUN- capable replacements for men, and four-year starter Pac-12 title and a national sets. Kessler is excited to NEL: A half-decade after the star receiver. Nelson Hayes Pullard is back to championship at USC, and show off his athleticism Pete Carroll left the pro- Agholor is back to provide lead at linebacker in I think we're in a position on a revamped offense in- gram, the Trojans' schol- a deep threat, while Dar- Wilcox's hybrid 3-4/4-3 to do that again." cluding returning tailbacks arship restrictions are reus Rogers is expected to scheme. Sarkisian has returned Tre Madden and Javorius nearly over. USC is in its be the other starter. Fresh- O-LINE WOES: The S to his native Los Angeles Allen. final season of NCAA sanc- man Juju Smith and oft- Trojans are thin on the of- area to take his shot at Sarkisian also has been tions limiting its number injured junior George fensive line, with three restoring USC to the glory polite and cordial to UCLA of scholarships, but Sark- Farmer are candidates for starting jobs wide open of the last decade. With and coach Jim Mora, who isian's depth is still limited the No. 3 spot, and prom- and a noticeable lack of NCAA sanctions nearly have taken over Los An- this fall. While still stacked ising freshman Adoree depth. Left guard Aundrey finished and a sparkling geles supremacy with two with their usual five-star Jackson could get a longer Walker also has been slow new training complex on straight wins over the Tro- talent, the Trojans are thin look. to return after breaking campus, the former Wash- jans and a highly ranked at several positions, and DOUBLE DUTY: Smith his ankle last November. ington coach believes it's team heading into the fall. season-ending training and Jackson could be Kessler's mobility could be time for USC to return to The transition has been camp injuries for Kenny prominent parts of the of- tested early and often, but its spot atop the Pac-12. relatively smooth for Sark- Bigelow and Jabari Ruffin fense, but they also might the athletic quarterback is "I don't know many isian, who knows he must have already hurt the de- contribute extensively in eager for the challenge. schools that could have win immediately to keep won 10 games twice during USC's zealous fans happy the middle of sanctions about athletic director Pat Supporting BHS Sports Programs with the loss of scholar- Haden's choice. Even with Supporting BHS Sports Programs ships — and built two a brutal early schedule fea- brand-new buildings," turing six straight oppo- Sarkisian said. "I think it nents coming off winning says a lot about the power seasons, Sarkisian believes of SC." he has the team to make Sarkisian feels he re- an immediate run at a turned at the perfect time league title. for a program ready to rise "I feel very connected again after the chaos of to this team," Sarkisian 11-7-7660-446-80000-446-8000 11337337 N.N. ChinaChina LLakeake Blvd.Blvd. 2013, and he is already said. "I feel like our staff

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