LOWER LAKE >> This could be a football season that is as good as it gets at Lower Lake.
Mainly because the Trojans, under third-year coach Justin Gaddy, have devoted the past year to getting good.
“Skill-wise we’re young, but we saw a lot of improvement through the summer in our passing league and all the camps we went to,” says Gaddy. “We went to quarterback camps, receiver camps and skill stuff.
“We even got to the 49ers facility and did some stuff with them and we went down to Santa Rosa camp and not only showed up but competed with and did well with some of the biggest schools. We had some pretty good moments and were really good all summer.”
The biggest of many issues facing the Trojans is the process of rebuilding their offensive line after graduating 20 players.
“Any time you lose your entire offensive line it’s (difficult) because now we’re replacing those players with inexperienced guys. The work we’re doing right now is bringing it altogether. You really can’t tell what you have until you start playing other teams and I’m real curious how it all comes together.”
So — it might be added — is everyone else. Particularly in the case of sophomore picture-book quarterback Hokulani Wickard and the Lower Lake receiver corps. It’s safe to predict Wickard will draw more attention than any individual player entering the 2015 season. His skills and poise have made him such. He’ll have a tough act to follow after the numbers Isazah King put up last season with 1,629 rushing yards and 951 passing yards.
“They are two different types of quarterback,” said Gaddy. “Hoke is one of those types who has a good (4.0) GPA. Isazah was a running quarterback. Surprisingly, Hoke can run it faster than he appears. He has good football speed. He’s one of those kids that when he turns it upfield you say ‘he can move!’
“He can throw from the pocket very well and can see downfield and understands the game,” Gaddy added. “He’s your typical son of a coach.
“He’s hard on himself, but competitive. He expects a lot of himself and out of his team.”
For certain, Wickard is the type of quarterback necessary for a team that expects to maintain a perfect 50-50 offensive balance of run-pass and one that will employ the no-huddle offense at times.
“Every year has been different,” Gaddy asserts. “We’ll run the same offense that we did last year, but you’re going to see a different package that will utilize our abilities and talents.”
On a positive note, Gaddy is pleased to see how the Lower Lake running game has crystallized. “We’ve got some inexperienced running backs, but I think our running game is ahead of last year,” he said. “We have the potential to be better. It depends on what our offensive line can do.
“Our best ball carrier is Robert Calderon (5-foot-11, 186 pounds). Eric Egger and Nick Sani are tied for second. We actually moved Nick to running back this year from the offensive line. He’s been a big surprise. He always wants to do a little bit better. He’s awesome. He’s kind of a hybrid who can play a little bit everywhere and this is the year he’s going to step out of the shadows.”
One other issue that furrows Gaddy’s brow is a tough three-game preseason against El Molino, Healdsburg and Elsie Allen of the Sonoma County League.
“We want to get better and get better, but “I determine whether we’ve had a winning season when our players get those graduation rings,” he says. “That’s our goal.”
“Gaddy is bringing back that Trojan pride. I like what he’s doing,” Middletown coach Bill Foltmer said of his North Central League I neighbor.
