Rams look for big improvement

RIO VISTA — It’s always nice for a high school football team to have a returning offensive threat or two.

Make that four for the Rams of Rio Vista, who return their top three rushers in Javis Blalock, Charlie Chres and Tanner Webster, as well as starting quarterback Austin Stevens from 2010.

No wonder second-year coach Cliff Malta lists “team speed, conditioning and teamwork” as the strengths of his squad.

Malta needs to replace standout linemen Nathan Nash and Gene Sennett from the 2010 team, which went 4-6 overall and 3-3 Sierra Delta League in the school’s first season back in the Sac-Joaquin Section.

Having an experienced backfield makes that job easier. Stevens, Blalock and Chres are team captains, as is senior center Aaron Gomez.

Stevens completed 38 of 73 passes for 511 yards and three touchdowns with six interceptions in 2010. He also ran for 89 yards and four touchdowns, including 60 yards and two TDs in the Rams’ 40-36 victory over Vacaville Christian.

Blalock is the top returning rushing threat for the Rams, having run for 1,056 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, including five straight 100-yard games in the middle of the season.

Chres wasn’t far behind with 901 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing, while Webster ran for 454 yards and three TDs.

Yet even with so much experience in the backfield, the Rams, who return eight starters on both sides of the ball, will go with eight sophomores on their roster.

No wonder Malta said “blocking and tackling” and “cutting down on mental mistakes and missed assignments” are the areas in which the team needs to improve to have a better record in 2011.

Play in the trenches is crucial with senior Julian Alvarez joining Gomez as the team’s top returning linemen.

It also help the Rams are now used to playing in the Sierra Delta League. Where Rio Vista was once one the biggest schools in its Northern Section leagues, it found itself one of the smallest in the SDL.

“It has been a learning experience,” Malta said. “We are the smallest public school in our league by a pretty large margin. Golden Sierra at 561 students is nearest to our 351. Then you have Highlands at 877, Encina at 670, San Juan at 654 and the two Christian schools.”

Bradshaw Christian is listed at 266, Vacaville Christian at 247, according to Sac-Joaquin Section figures.

Rio Vista opens the season Friday by hosting ancient rival Delta of Clarksburg. The Saints won last year’s meeting 34-12 as the Rams opened up 0-3.

With three of their first four games at home, Rio Vista will be looking for a better start in 2011 — and will count on its backfield to get the job done.

Reach Paul Farmer at 425-4646 ext. 264 or pfarmer@dailyrepublic.net.

Short URL: http://www.dailyrepublic.com/?p=80560

Posted by Paul Farmer on Aug 24 2011.

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