Tigers should compete for section title

Roseville has lost in the second round of the playoffs four straight years. If they are to ever make it past the second round, this would be the year to do it. Roseville returns a two-year starter at quarterback, as Mason Susnara is back for his senior year. Susnara threw for 1,843 yards and 19 touchdowns against six interceptions a season ago. "Things are definitely different than last year," said Susnara of a season in which Roseville went 7-3 in the regular season and earned a first-round bye in the playoffs before losing to Sacramento by seven points. "We have a better work ethic this year. We're definitely more together. We're a pretty close team this year and the team chemistry is better." Roseville also returns their top-two running backs from a season ago, seniors D'Marcis Gresham and Colton Wolfe. Gresham rushed for 764 yards and seven touchdowns last year, averaging just fewer than nine yards a carry. Wolfe scored nine touchdowns. "We had a great offseason of training and everyone is coming together," Gresham said. "The line is coming together and is learning the correct techniques and is opening holes for Colton and I so we both should have a good year." Gresham, a hulking, 5-10, 250-pound back, is big enough to run over defenders, but has deceptive speed and can also run by them. He's got three goals for the season. "My goals are to rush for 1,000 yards, rush for 10 yards per carry and score 20 touchdowns," Gresham said. Also back are the team's top-two receivers from a year ago, seniors JJ Yong and Kenny McClure. Yong and McClure posted similar numbers a year ago, as Yong caught 35 passes and McClure caught 34. Yong was more of a deep threat, as he had 710 passing yards and nine touchdowns, while McClure picked up 609 yards and scored four touchdowns. At 6-4, 190 pounds, Yong excels on both the football field and basketball court. While basketball is his first love, he also realizes he's a talented football player as well. He's expecting to have a breakout season. "I definitely want 1,000 yards receiving," Yong said. "I'd also like to step up and have a good game every game." Roseville head coach Adam Reinking couldn't say enough good things about Yong. "I like to tell people that JJ is a football player who also plays basketball," Reinking said. "I think JJ is going to be a special player on Saturday's next year. JJ is a great kid and he's very coachable. Some school is going to be smart enough to pull the trigger on him." With a lot of weapons returning, the Tigers should have a potent offense. "We've got a lot of skill guys who have worked hard over the offseason," Reinking said. "JJ, Kenny, Peanut. My job is to find a way to get them involved in the game and they need to make the best of their opportunities. "Mason is the best quarterback I've ever coached. He checks all the boxes, and I could ask for a better leader. "D'Marcis is an amazing young man, and he's a hard worker. Kenny is a three-year starter for us. "On the offensive line, Trevor Kirby is an 1,000-pound club guy; Lucas Sean is another one. Liam Arnoult is 6-4, 230 and Caleb Barba is 6-4 and sniffing 300 bills. They all move well." Kirby, a starter on both the offensive and defensive lines, is really excited about the offense this season. "The offense is looking really strong," Kirby said. "Mason is the best quarterback in the league and we've got two big running backs over 200 pounds in Colton and D'Marcis. Last year we had a lot of juniors on the line so now we're senior heavy and solid and strong. I think we'll dominate with the run game and throw the ball when we need to." The Tigers also have several returning players on defense, along with some newcomers that they're excited about. One is returning starter at free safety, senior Dylan Gates. "The team is looking solid, fast and strong," Gates said. "We have some things we can improve on, but I think it's going to be a good season. Last year we had some trouble securing tackles, but we should be better with it this year. We're looking better in the secondary with the return of Justin Fischer, who didn't play last year." Kirby also said the defense looks good. "Defensively, we're going to be really strong," said Kirby. "We've got a really strong defensive line. I think we'll be solid because of our linebackers. We've got a couple returning guys and a lot of new juniors coming up to varsity. I think they will be solid because they're smart football players." Reinking said the team's got a lot of good defenders. "We've got a lot of talent on this team," Reinking said. "Jude Navarro is going to be an amazing outside linebacker for us. Lucas Sean at middle linebacker is a stud. Dylan Gates is a returning all-league safety. Colton Wolfe is a three-year varsity starter at linebacker. Mateo Martinez is an up-and-coming sophomore with good instincts. Liam Arnoult is awesome. Jack Walker is back. Justin Fischer has given us fits trying to throw against him. Peanut Hawkins is returning at corner, and we've got a lot of other juniors pushing for playing time." To a man, everyone on this team wants to at least make it to the semifinals of the playoffs and compete for a section championship. "I love this group, and the seniors are a once-in-a-decade class," Reinking said. "They're hard workers and great young men. They're really good football players, but better people off the field and great to work with. "Everyone here is playing for the name on the front of their jersey and not the back. If we can stay healthy, we're going to be playing the day after Thanksgiving. Hopefully, we'll have practice on Thanksgiving and then go eat some turkey."