Special to the Sun
Things will be a lot different for the reigning High Desert League champs this year, as the Kern Valley jayvee Broncs returns just seven players from last year’s squad. And only one was a starter.
The Broncs finished the 2009 season with an impressive 9-1 overall record, surrendering its first loss in 27-consecutive games and only its second in the past four seasons.
 Matt Riley receives a hand off as Logan Kraus-Smith gets out in front to block in last season’s HDL opener against Cal City on Oct. 16. |
Now a very inexperienced squad must learn quick and play mistake free to replicate that success as they will be without several key components from last year’s high-octane team that rushed for a total of 2,706 yards, passed for 760, put up 31.5 points per game and held their opponents to just and average 12.2 points per game.
Those losses will include explosive running back Dylen Atkinson who set the school’s junior varsity record for most touchdowns in a single season with 22, along with dual-threat quarterback Kevin Little, wide receiver Stephen Corcoran, kicker Corey Mixon and center John Case. All of who are expected to be starters on this year’s varsity Broncs team.
But there are plenty of reasons to remain optimistic in the Kern Valley as fifth-year head coach Jimmy Thompson (43-6-1) seems to possess the wherewithal to turn inexperience into dexterousness.
“Sure we have more inexperience this season,” said Thompson of a roster of 35 players, “Usually you can expect to have six to seven returning starters, but that doesn’t mean we’re without talent. We expect these guys to develop quickly, and become very competitive after they get a few games under their belts.”
That’s something the players can take to heart from a coach whose won four league championships during his stint at Kern Valley, and believes he can do it again with this year’s team.
The jayvee Broncs kick of their season on Friday at 4 p.m. at home against the McFarland Cougars.
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