Experience Returns for Cordova Football
Aug 31, 2017 12:00AM ● By By Mike Bush
Cordova quarterback Tyreke Tate looks to find room to run against Capital Christian in last week's scrimmage. Photo by Rick Sloan
RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) – A group of returning players gives the Cordova High School football team momentum this season.
Tonight, Friday, the Lancers will host Chavez of Stockton at Lancers Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
Prior to the season opener against Rio Americano last Friday – see elsewhere in this section on the game – Cordova football head coach Darrin Nill talked about the squad after his Lancers On Aug. 18th, Cordova scrimmaged at Capital Christian.
“You had some positive surprises, and some negative surprises,” Nill said.
One of the positives was the Lancers’ consistency on moving the ball on offense. “We moved the ball well on them,” Nill said.
On the other side of the ball, the Cougars were more physical than the Lancers.
“I think that surprised our guys,” said Nill of the Cougars.
Spearheading returning players are senior quarterback Tyreke Tate (6-foot, 187 pounds), who led the Lancers’ defense at free safety that led to a share of the SVC title with Liberty Ranch and El Dorado last fall.
Joining Tate, who will continue to play the free safety spot, is wide receiver Calvin Augusta, second in the SVC in receiving last year and like Tate was all-SVC player. Augusta also play defensive back. Junior Alvin Banks is back at wide receiver and defensive back, another all-SVC player.
“That kid can just flat out play football,” said Nill of Banks. “He’s a fantastic athlete; he can throw the ball, he can catch the ball. I think if he could throw the ball and catch it himself, he probably would.”
Looking to carry the ball on the ground is senior running back Clifford Bright, who will be one of the Lancers’ defensive ends and a three-year starter. Joining Bright in the backfield will be junior Raymond Fite, who started as a sophomore last season. Fite is also listed as a defensive back, a spot he made all-SVC.
On the offensive and defensive line for the Lancers are seniors, starting with center/defensive tackle Austin McCoy (6-foot, 260) and offensive/defensive tackle Michael Castillo (6’1, 245), left guard/defensive tackle Joseph Salcedo (5’9, 270), another three-year starter and right guard/defensive end Josh Colvin (6’3, 200).
