OC Sports Zone Kickoff 2019: Portola, with first senior class, out to ‘protect the pedigree’

Kaveh Wojtowich, a first team all-league player last season, leads Portola. (File photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

Portola High’s football team led by Coach Peter Abe, looks ready for its second varsity season and for the first time, the Bulldogs will have seniors on the roster.

Portola has 10 returning starters on offense and nine on defense.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo

“In our second year, we want to continue the work and progress from our inaugural varsity season,” Abe said.  “We want to take deliberate steps to be in the conversation when folks talk about teams competing consistently for a league championship; taking strides to building a culture that not only builds champions on the field, but in the classroom and community as well.

“Our goal is to Protect the Bulldog Pedigree. In doing so, success will always be the result. To do so, we are focused in 2019 on playing our assignment with greater discipline, consistently to keep us in great position for success throughout the peaks and valleys of each game throughout the long season.  Taking things one day at a time, one play at a time.”

Portola was 2-8 overall and 0-5 in the Pacific Coast League last season. The Bulldogs open the season on the road on Friday, Aug. 23, against Ontario Christian.

Tentative offensive starters

Brandon Yue, senior, QB; second team all-league; Trevor Yue, junior, HB; Nova Kebeli, sophomore, RB; Joey Omar, senior, RB, second team all-league; Kaveh Wojtowich, senior, WR, first team all-league; Andy Lo, junior, WR: Sam Gatta, senior, OL; David Chiu, senior, OL, first team all-league; Joseph Kim, senior, OL, second team all-league; Max Gatti, junior, OL; Kyle De Oliveira, junior, OL.

Tentative defensive starters

Jared Van Haeren, senior, DL; David Chiu, senior, DL; Sam Gatta, senior, DL; Joey Omar, senior, LB; Kyle De Oliveira, junior, LB; Adrian Valerin, senior, LB; Max Gatti, junior, LB; Andre Quiroz, junior, DB; Miles Wat, junior, DB; Kai Horn, senior, DB, second team all-league; Kaveh Wojtowich, senior, DB.

Special teams

Kaveh Wojtowich, senior, kicker, punter, kick returner; Joseph Kim, senior, long snapper; Andy Lo, junior, kick returner; Joey Omar, senior, kicker/punter; Brandon Yue, senior, holder.

A closer look at the Bulldog standouts

— Brandon Yue, senior quarterback: “Versatile, consistent, poised, competitor,” said Coach Abe. “He’s the leader of the offense, capable of making plays with his arm as well as his legs. Exciting to watch.”

—Kaveh Wojtowich, senior, WR, DB, K, P: “He’s a returning first team all-league (player) with big play potential, speed, smarts,” Abe said. “(He’s) a four-way-sport scholar athlete who allows us to stretch the field vertically and a two-way starter who always finds a way to be around the ball at the most opportune times.”

— Joey Omar, senior, TE, LB, kicker, punter: “(He’s an) all-purpose, multi-talented, and high-character on and off the field,” Abe said. ” Diamonds are created through intense pressure… Joey brings both intensity and high-pressure anytime he’s around the ball and definitely a tough match-up when having to deal with him for 48 minutes. Glad he’s a Bulldog.”

—Sam Gatta, senior, OL, DL: “He’s big, physical and strong … great motor,” Abe said. “He’s always looking to make that next play, while taking someone else along for a pretty bumpy ride. Sam has a great respect for the game, and always is striving to to better himself to help advance our program.”

—David Chiu, senior, OL, DL: Returning first team all-league and two-way starting lineman who rarely comes off the field and plays with passion, urgency and a heartfelt commitment to his protect his teammates,” Abe said. “He holds down the middle.”

—Jared Van Haeren, senior, TE, DL: “He’s a dynamic pass-rusher with an awesome combination of size, speed, strength, physicality and the defensive spark for the Bulldogs,” Abe said.

2019 PORTOLA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com