Sorry, Charlie, You Can Have All the Pressure
It’s Charlie’s turn.
That’s the consensus among Marmonte League coaches.
It’s Charlie’s turn, they say, to endure the pressure that goes with being favored and ranked and expected to win every week.
It’s Charlie’s turn to convince his players they must continue to work hard, that preseason polls don’t win games.
But if he can handle all that, it will be Charlie Wegher’s turn to enjoy a league championship.
In his six seasons at Agoura, three as head coach, Wegher has seen the Chargers make the playoffs only once--as an at-large team in 1992. Never has Agoura finished higher than fourth since joining the Marmonte League in 1990.
This year, because of 6-foot-4 quarterback Ryan McCann and several other highly touted players, the Chargers are supposed to take a turn for the better.
“Part of me is excited and proud we’ve made improvements in the program,” Wegher said. “The kids and coaches have worked hard to get into this position.
“By the same token, we have a long way to go yet.”
Indeed, five schools have been Marmonte champions in the 1990s, giving the league a reputation as one of the most competitive in Southern California.
Wegher’s counterparts who have won league titles know what he faces.
Westlake’s Jim Benkert: “The pressure from Charlie’s standpoint is on Charlie. All the coaches have picked Agoura so it’s got to put a lot of pressure on him. But in this league the margin of victory is so narrow that when you enter as the favorite everything has to go precisely as you hope or things fall apart.”
Camarillo’s Carl Thompson: “Because of the hype, there is a lot of pressure on the quarterback and that’s what the coach has to deal with. If [McCann] tries too hard to live up to his reputation, sometimes that can hurt you.”
Newbury Park’s George Hurley: “It’s hard to get to the point Charlie is at now, from a losing program to a winning program. It’s a pleasant kind of pressure, better than the pressure of being picked to finish last. Then, you are fighting all year to keep your kids up.”
Royal’s Gene Uebelhardt: “I want to be like Charlie and be favored. There are a million cliches about the pressure and they are all [bunk]. Being favored means you are a good team.”
McCann is the only holdover from a crop of five excellent Marmonte quarterbacks who last year combined for 14,744 passing yards.
Tight end has taken over as the league’s strongest position. Marcus Helfman of Agoura, Justin Denham of Camarillo, Jeff Wyly of Thousand Oaks, Mike Seidman of Westlake, Noah Happe of Simi Valley and Sol Rafiq of Royal all are college prospects, but rarely does a tight end control a game the way a quarterback can.
McCann, who passed for 2,109 yards and 24 touchdowns last season and engineered an offense that averaged 386 yards per game, is one of the most highly recruited quarterbacks in the nation.
Newbury Park and Westlake will throw every bit as much as Agoura, but new faces will be doing the passing.
Nick Czernek, whose brother Chris passed for 4,039 yards last year, is a capable replacement for the Panthers, who must be considered something of a co-favorite because four starting offensive linemen and 6-4 receiver Jake Farrel return.
Sophomore Zac Wasserman will throw to a talented corps of Warrior receivers, including Joey Cuppari (79 catches, 1,445 yards last year), Seidman, Travis Campbell and Kevin Howard. Westlake, however, must fill holes on both lines and at running back.
Defending champion Camarillo lost most of its key players, but Denham is joined on the line by all-county pick Jeff Festerling. John Howe was an outstanding tailback by the end of last season and is running with confidence.
Thousand Oaks, which made the playoffs behind victories over Hart and Westlake last season, is as green as its uniforms. Wyly and senior Brian Smith head a strong line, but the backs and receivers are new.
Royal should improve from its 1-9 record behind senior quarterback Braden Fien, who has gained 20 pounds, and running backs Bryant Phipps and Steve Sheehan.
Simi Valley and Channel Islands are adjusting to leadership changes, although both new coaches are familiar.
Ron Veres is in his second tour with the Pioneers, having been the coach from 1980-83. He has been an assistant at Cal State Northridge and Cal Lutheran, and was a head coach at Oak Park.
Jack Willard, who takes over from longtime Coach Joel Gershon at Channel Islands, was an assistant at Camarillo from 1987-93 and at Moorpark College the past two years. Willard also was the Camarillo baseball coach for five years.
Veres and Willard have their work cut out for them. But for inspiration, they need not look farther than to Agoura. Finally, it’s Charlie’s turn.
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)
AT A GLANCE
* THE PROVEN: Ryan McCann of Agoura and Braden Fien of Royal are the only returning quarterbacks. McCann (6 feet 4, 200 pounds) may be the best in the region. The strongest position is tight end, with Justin Denham of Camarillo, Marcus Helfman of Agoura and Jeff Wyly of Thousand Oaks drawing the attention of college recruiters. Joey Cuppari of Westlake (79 catches, 1,445 yards) and Jake Farrel (47, 920) of Newbury Park are the best wide receivers. John Howe of Camarillo is the only 1,000-yard rusher to return. Fullbacks Dylan Hull of Agoura and J.R. Ross of Westlake are solid blockers. Newbury Park returns four starting offensive linemen but Camarillo guard Jeff Festerling might be the league’s best. Chad Troxler (6-1, 280) gives Simi Valley a force on the line. Two-way lineman Ernie Carrasco (6-2, 250) is Channel Islands’ best player.
* THE PROMISING: Agoura tailback Chris Poling, Westlake receiver Kevin Howard and Newbury Park receiver Russell Thomas give the league an infusion of speed. Westlake tight end Mike Seidman (6-5, 225) has great hands and Division I size. Nick Czernek of Newbury Park, Scott Ange of Thousand Oaks, Zac Wasserman of Westlake and Garrett Valencia of Camarillo replace record-setting quarterbacks. Matt Goldstein of Westlake and Joey Casillas of Thousand Oaks take over the demanding middle linebacker spots in their teams’ 4-3 alignments.
* FAST FACT: Every team allowed an average of more than 300 yards a game last season; Newbury Park and Westlake each gained more than 5,000 yards.
* 1996 STANDINGS: 1. Camarillo 7-0 (league), 13-1 (overall); 2. (tie) Westlake 5-2, 10-3 and Newbury Park 5-2, 9-3 and Thousand Oaks 5-2, 7-3-1; 5. Agoura 3-4, 5-5; 6. Simi Valley 2-5, 4-6; 7. Royal 1-6, 1-9; Channel Islands 0-7, 2-8.
Marmonte League Schedules
All games 7:30 p.m. unless noted. Sites and times subject to change.
AGOURA
Sept. 12--Hueneme
Sept. 19--at Buena
Sept. 26--Rio Mesa
Oct. 3--*at Simi Valley, 7
Oct. 9--*Royal, 7
Oct. 17--*at Camarillo, 7
Oct. 24--*at Newbury Park, 7
Nov. 1--*at Channel Islands, 6
Nov. 7--*Thousand Oaks, 7
Nov. 14--*Westlake, 7
Home Site: Agoura High
*
CAMARILLO
Sept. 12--at Oxnard
Sept. 19--Rio Mesa
Sept. 26--at Hueneme
Oct. 2--*Thousand Oaks, 7
Oct. 9--*at Newbury Park, 7
Oct. 17--*Agoura, 7
Oct. 24--*Simi Valley, 7
Oct. 31--*Westlake, 7
Nov. 7--*at Royal, 7
Nov. 14--*at Channel Islands, 7
Home Site: Camarillo High
*
CHANNEL ISLANDS
Sept. 12--at Rio Mesa
Sept. 19--at Hueneme
Sept. 26--Oxnard
Oct. 3--*Newbury Park, 7
Oct. 9--*at Thousand Oaks, 7
Oct. 17--*Westlake, 7
Oct. 24--*at Royal, 7
Nov. 1--*Agoura, 7
Nov. 7--*at Simi Valley, 7
Nov. 14--*Camarillo, 7
Home Site: Channel Islands High
*
NEWBURY PARK
Sept. 12--Tucson Sahuaro, 7
Sept. 19--at Oxnard
Sept. 26--Buena, 7
Oct. 3--*at Channel Islands, 7
Oct. 9--Camarillo, 7
Oct. 17--at Simi Valley, 7
Oct. 24--Agoura, 7
Oct. 31--Royal, 7
Nov. 7--Westlake, 7
Nov. 14--at Thousand Oaks, 7
Home Site: Newbury Park High
*
ROYAL
Sept. 12--San Marcos, 7
Sept. 19--Granada Hills, 7
Sept. 26--at Ventura
Oct. 3--*at Westlake
Oct. 9--*at Agoura, 7
Oct. 17--*Thousand Oaks, 7
Oct. 24--*Channel Islands, 7
Oct. 31--*at Newbury Park, 7
Nov. 7--*Camarillo, 7
Nov. 14--*Simi Valley at Moorpark College
Home Site: Royal High
*
SIMI VALLEY
Sept. 12--at Ventura
Sept. 19--Moorpark
Sept. 26--Granada Hills
Oct. 3--*Agoura, 7
Oct. 9--*at Westlake, 7
Oct. 17--*Newbury Park, 7
Oct. 24--*at Camarillo, 7
Oct. 31--*at Thousand Oaks, 7
Nov. 7--*Channel Islands, 7
Nov. 14--*Royal at Moorpark College
Home Site: Simi Valley High
*
THOUSAND OAKS
Sept. 11--Crescenta Valley at Glendale High
Sept. 19--Hart
Sept. 26--Chaminade
Oct. 3--*at Camarillo, 7
Oct. 9--*Channel Islands, 7
Oct. 17--*at Royal, 7
Oct. 24--*at Westlake, 7
Oct. 31--*Simi Valley, 7
Nov. 7--*at Agoura, 7
Nov. 14--*Newbury Park, 7
Home Site: Thousand Oaks High
*
WESTLAKE
Sept. 12--Buena
Sept. 19--Ventura
Sept. 26--Hart at College of the Canyons
Oct. 3--*Royal
Oct. 9--*Simi Valley, 7
Oct. 17--*at Channel Islands, 7
Oct. 24--*Thousand Oaks, 7
Oct. 31--*at Camarillo, 7
Nov. 7--*at Newbury Park, 7
Nov. 14--*at Agoura, 7
Home Site: Westlake High
*League games
