Getting better each week is M-A's goal Getting better each week is M-A's goal (September 09, 2005)

Numbers are down, but quickness and talent should help the Bears in quest for the postseason

by Tim Goode

Menlo-Atherton last season came within one victory of making the Central Coast Section playoffs and two of those losses were by three points. A bit of luck and continued solid play from one of the league's best defenses could put M-A back in the playoffs.

M-A's roster is lighter than usual with just 28 players, but there are 30 on the frosh-soph and 46 on the freshman team. Nevertheless, depth will be an issue the Bears will deal with all season following a 5-5 overall finish (4-4 in the PAL Bay Division) last year.

"We lost some guys to discipline and ineligibility but the guys we were counting on to come back came back," said coach Gregg Patner, in his third season guiding the Bears.

The players M-A will put on the field are speedy and athletic, especially on defense.

Led by senior linebackers Tonga Mahafatau (5-11, 180), Marcus Hyde (5-7, 170) and junior Saia Haatoa (6-0, 195), the Bears should be equally tough on the run and the pass. Junior defensive lineman Jesse Fifita (6-2, 215) was a force as a sophomore. Senior Noah Bennett (6-0, 150) returns to the defensive backfield.

"Linebacking is a strength," said Patner. "They are all pretty quick."

The offense will try to be balanced but a talented group of runners will probably see the Bears running more often than passing.

Junior Efalame Wolfgramm (6-1, 235) takes over at quarterback. Patner says his strong arm and quick feet allow him to throw and run. Wolfgramm led the Bears' frosh-soph team to a 5-2 record last season.

Mahafatau is the top returning rusher, but junior Maurice Hanks (5-11, 150) rushed for well over 1,000 yards on the frosh-soph last season and is an electrifying runner.

"We are going to try to capitalize on (Hanks') ability as much as we can," said Patner. "He's a good one." Hyde also will get carries at running back.

Anthony Ferguson (5-8, 140) and Bennett will be Wolfgramm's primary targets when M-A takes to the air.

The offensive line will be center Matt Mohr (6-5, 215), right guard Tino Reyna (6-0, 230), right tackle Paul Jones (6-2, 230), left guard Jorge Arenas (5-8, 225), left tackle Jesus Rivera (6-2, 245) and tight end Charlie Leonard (6-2, 200). Junior center Diego Maciel (6-1, 220) also figures to play a lot.

Senior Tyler Finley, who played running back and linebacker last season, can concentrate on the kicking duties this season.

"I think we'll be OK," Patner said. "The togetherness is apparent early on and our goals are simple: getting better each week, playing aggressively, staying together and not letting each other down."

M-A will find its sternest test against preseason favorites Aragon and Terra Nova, but Burlingame and defending medium-school CCS champion Woodside, which comes up to the Bay Division, will be competitive.

The PAL has been the most successful league in the CCS playoffs over the past three years, and M-A has been in the mix in each of those years.

The Bears open their season Saturday by hosting Pioneer at 2 p.m. A nonleague home game against Capuchino on Sept. 17 and a road test Sept. 24 at Silver Creek should have the Bears ready for their Bay Division opener against visiting Aragon on Sept. 30.

Menlo-Atherton will use its homecoming game on Oct. 15 against South San Francisco as an opportunity to honor former coach Ben Parks, who coached the Bears from the 1960s into the 1980s. Parks, who currently coaches the wrestling team at Sequoia, will have the M-A field named in his honor: Coach Parks Field.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.