New Playoff Avenues Open to Pack but Carpinteria Remains Favorite : Tri-Valley League

Not only does Santa Ynez’s move to the Frontier League give the remaining Tri-Valley teams one less lengthy bus ride, it also opens up a playoff possibility unheard of before: Now there are two playoff positions up for grabs instead of one.

First, understand that Carpinteria will earn one of the playoff berths. The Warriors have understood that and advanced to the Inland Conference championship the past two years.

And, before Santa Ynez jumped leagues, it generally was understood that the Pirates also would qualify for the playoffs. They were second the past two seasons.

Now, the rest of the league’s coaches are understandably excited about their teams’ playoff chances.

Said first-year Bishop Diego Coach Jess Martinez, whose team was 0-10 last season: “We believe that we have a chance at the playoffs. Santa Ynez was the only one that could give Carpinteria a run for the title.

“We feel second place is up for grabs.”

Carpinteria, 14-0 last season, will have a tight grip on first. Twelve lettermen return for the Warriors, including seven defensive starters.

The most significant returnee, however, is Coley Candaele. The junior quarterback passed for 1,261 yards and rushed for an additional 383.

“He’s bigger and stronger this year and, hopefully, he’ll improve in all areas,” Coach Lou Panizzon said.

Candaele, the nephew of Houston Astro infielder Casey Candaele, will receive help offensively from senior receiver Shad Lara, who led Carpinteria with 34 receptions last season, and fullback David Uhler, a three-year starter.

Oak Park should make it to the playoffs on the back of Jason Stein (6-1, 175), an all-Inland Conference back last fall who ran for 864 yards and scored 18 touchdowns.

“He’s among the best athletes we’ve had,” Coach Ron Veres said. “But I’d like to see him a little heavier because everyone will be keying on him.”

Jess Garner (6-1, 185), an all-league fullback last season, will try to take some of the pressure off Stein, and all-league linebacker Mike Wootton will lead the defense.

Oak Park’s weakness is its bench--the Eagles will suit up 18 players for their opener.

Rob Dearborn hopes this year’s Moorpark team resembles the one that won its final three games last fall, not the one that lost its first seven.

“I think we’ll be a dark horse,” Dearborn said.

Although Moorpark traditionally has been a defensive team, the Musketeers are loaded offensively.

Junior quarterback Robert Hernandez, 3-0 as a varsity starter, has four solid receivers and four experienced tailbacks and will line up behind a line whose lightest starter weighs 210 pounds.

St. Bonaventure, Fillmore and Bishop Diego all have as many questions as answers.

St. Bonaventure has an experienced defense, but the offense is young and Coach Damian Wilkerson was having difficulty deciding between quarterbacks Chris Castro and Chris Connely.

Fillmore managed only one win last season and is counting heavily on players from its league champion junior varsity. Bishop Diego has but 10 returning seniors.

TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE Predicted Finish

1. Carpinteria (9-1)

2. Oak Park (8-2)

3. Moorpark (6-4)

4. St. Bonaventure (5-5)

5. Fillmore (4-6)

6. Bishop Diego (1-9)

Predicted record in parentheses.