High School Football is Back

Beaumont High’s football team may have caught a few teams by surprise during last season’s run to the Mountain Pass League title.

That won’t happen this year. The Cougars are a ‘marked’ team.

Beaumont opens the 2011 football season tonight by hosting Moreno Valley Valley View. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at San Gorgonio Middle
School.

“Everyone has put a target on us,” Beaumont coach Paul Lopez said during summer workouts. “When we play a team, it’s their big game. Every game will be a challenge.”

The Cougars took a big leap last season. They registered their first winning record in league play since 2004 and it was their first league title since 2003 when they won the De Anza League championship.

“I think the kids are (excited),” said Lopez, whose team has improved its win-loss record each of the past four seasons. “They really want to get started and get things going.”

Lopez, however, wants his team to embrace the 2011 campaign and forget all about last season.

“It’ a different team, a different group,” Lopez said. “We want to carry on that tradition. But there is no added pressure on us. We just have to go out and play our game.”

Beaumont will rely heavily on quarterback Josh Martin. He stepped into the role of team leader as a sophomore and garnered All MPL honors. Even more will be expected of him this season.

“I like that I will have a bigger role this year,” Martin said during summer workouts. “The team will look to me. I feel like I am ready. I feel I am ready to take the team to the next level.”

Martin has looked sharp in practice.

“I ran the offense pretty well last year and this year is just about perfecting the little details,” Martin said. “Once we do that I think we will do okay.”

Martin is among a solid core of returners. That group includes Angel Wilson (LB/RB), Dejon Brown (DL/LB), Tyler Mickles (DB/RB) and linemen Michael Cade, Martin Chavez and Evan Roberts.

“I think they’re ready,” Lopez said. “We still have a long ways to go. We’ve got to do really well on Friday.”

Valley View is not an easy season opener. The Eagles were third place finishers in the Inland Valley League last year and a playoff qualifier. They are stacked with 12 returners, including tailback Michael Harrison (142 carries, 1,120 yards and 16 touchdowns).

“We’ve got to stop him and put points on the board,” Lopez said. “At this point it comes down to doing the basics, like blocking, tackling, running with the ball…those types of things.”

Beaumont had a chance to work out the kinks during last week’s scrimmage at Los Osos.

“We got toughened up,” Lopez said. “They are big and physical and a top team in the state. It was a good taste of good football.”

2011 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON OPENER

MATCHUP: Beaumont Cougars home vs. Valley View Eagles

WHERE: San Gorgonio Middle School (1591 Cherry Ave, Beaumont, CA 92223)

KICKOFF: 7 p.m.

KEY PLAYERS: Beaumont QB Josh Martin won All League honors last year as a sophomore. Valley View tailback Michael Harrison was a 1,000-yard rusher last season.