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Playoff success on Trojans’ agenda

By Greg Fikefor Heraldstandard.Com 3 min read
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After finishing last season 6-4 and making it into the playoffs, California will be looking to build off of that success this year.

“We don’t want to be content with just making the playoffs,” said coach Brady Barbero. “That drives us to work hard in the offseason to improve.”

Barbero will be looking to replace his star wide receiver from last year’s playoff team, Dakota Conway, who had 15 touchdown receptions and played linebacker on the defensive side of the ball. He moved on to California University of Pennsylvania this year. The Trojans will also miss the services of last year’s running back and linebacker Brandon Michaux.

“Brandon and Dakota were great two-way players for us last year and they will be missed,” said Barbero. “We will be looking at some guys to step up and take over for them.”

Barbero will have his starting quarterback, T.D. Conway, back this year along with two senior running backs Dillon Hunter and Skyler Dickinson. Joining them on the offensive side of the ball are wide receivers Robert Kalbough, Nathan Harris, Dimitri Clements, Boston Hunter and Austin Wingo. Tight end Sean Cotton is also throwing his hat in the mix to get some balls thrown his way.

“Each one of these guys have stepped up and shown that they can contribute,” said Barbero. “I feel comfortable playing all of these guys.”

On the defensive side of the ball, California brought in a new coordinator this year in Jeff Lowden, who was a coordinator for Charleroi High School and Peters Township High School before making the move to California this year. Lowden will provide the defense with some new schemes.

“He plays a base 4-4 defense, but he does more out of it and includes some different disguises,” said Barbero. “He is well respected by our players and he has them getting after it on defense. It was definitely a good change for us.”

Both the offensive and defensive lines are looking strong heading into the season for California. They will be returning starters Brendan Wright and Boyd Stinnett, who is a four-year starter at center and team captain. They will also have the services of Jarred Magruda, Josh Jenkins, Ian Colbert and Zach Williams. Linemen Beau Wood and Dylan Gaskill will be returning to the team this year after they had moved away.

“Both guys were with us before and then moved, but they have moved back into the area this year,” said Barbero. “They are nice additions to our team.”

Just because they made the playoffs last year doesn’t make the Trojans automatic qualifiers this time around. Barbero realizes each year is different and nothing will be given to his team.

“In conference play, the games are always close and there is a fine line between winning and losing,” he said. “Every team is well coached and every game is a battle. Our kids know how quickly things can change. Our first goal is to get back in to the playoffs and move on from there.”

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