A new quarterback takes the reins for Cate’s 8-man football team, while the Rams’ defense returns an All-CIF linebacker.
Casey Callum, a 5-11, 180-pound senior, will spearhead another strong defensive unit after earning All-CIF honors from last season’s 10-1 team. He’ll also see some action at fullback.
Sophomore Will Bouma takes over at quarterback for the graduated Jack Deardorff, last year’s CIF 8-Man Offensive Player of the Year.
The 5-10, 170-pound Bouma has a good football IQ and comes from a football family, says coach Ben Soto. Bouma’s father, Craig — the science chair at Cate — formerly coached football at Loyola High in Los Angeles.
Bouma will have plenty of weapons around him, starting with senior running back Khadim Pouye. He has good size (6-2, 195) and speed.
Will Deardorff was an impact player for the Rams as a sophomore at wide receiver.
“Will has his own talents and should be someone defenses will have to plan to try and stop him,” said Soto.
Bouma can also rely on seniors Scott Holmes, Dalton Phillips and Will Anderson to make big plays.
Jasper Bennett, a 6-3, 260-pound junior, figures to be a force on the line. His older brother, Chris, was an All-CIF selection last year.
The Rams open their season Friday at Oxnard’s Santa Clara, which dropped from 11-man football this year.
Cate Football at a Glance
HEAD COACH: Ben Soto, 14th year (93-38)
LEAGUE: Mt Pinos: Cate, Faith Baptist, Villanova Prep, Thacher.
2018 RECORD: 10 -1
SPECIAL PLAYERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL:
»Callum Casey Sr., LB/FB, 5-11, 180 — Returning All-CIF linebacker. A captain for this year, he will head up our defense along with seeing some action at the fullback position on the offensive side of the ball
»Scott Holmes, Sr., TE/DE, 6-1, 190 — Returning All-CIF player. Another captain for this year. Solid on both sides of the ball.
»Khadim Pouye, Sr., RB/LB, 6-2, 195 — Good size and speed and should cause problems for opponents on both sides of the ball.
»Daulton Phillips, Sr., 6-1, 175 — Talented returning lettermen who is better then average at all the positions that I have asked him to play.
»Will Anderson Sr., 5-10, 170 — Like Daulton, very talented on both sides of the ball. A captain for this year. Throw in kicker and punter among the things that I am asking him to take on.
NEWCOMERS WHO SHOULD MAKE AN IMPACT:
»Will Bouma, Soph., QB, 5-10, 170 — Above football IQ. Comes from a football family. Dad is a teacher at Cate and former coach at Loyola (L.A.)
»Will Deardorff, Jr., 5-9, 160 — Very athletic young man. His older brother, Jack, was the CIF 8-Man Offensive Player of the Year. Will has his own talents and should be someone defenses will have to plan to try and stop him.
»Charlie Haymen, Sr., 5-10, 170 — After taking last year off, glad to have him back and his talents that he brings to both sides of the ball.
»Jasper Bennett, Jr., 6-3, 260 — Working hard to the best 6-3, 260 pounder that he can be. Coming along just fine. Brother, Chris, was All-CIF at Cate in 2018.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR TEAM?:
“Each team has its own identity and this group at least so far has shown great camaraderie with each other. They are buying into our ‘Family’ concept that we as coaches preach to the team.”
TEAM’S STRENGTH:
“Team listens well. Good communication. I like to believe that we have pretty good speed at the skilled positions (we will see). I also believe that we have pretty good football IQ.”
— Noozhawk Sports Editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.