Rarely does a defensive-minded first-year coach call switching offenses an easy decision.
This was the case, though, for Sobrato's Nick Borello, who last week unveiled the Bulldogs' new fly offense - the same attack Borello grew accustomed to as a player and coach at mighty Palma High School. The change is a complete overhaul from the multiple-set strategy seen during the Dan Brown era, and Borello said it could do wonders.
"The reason anyone uses it is because of its deceptiveness and quickness," Borello said Friday at Sobrato High School. "I grew up in fly. It's what I know best. All of our coaches have run it at least once in their careers. It's one of those things that defenses don't like, and that's why we like it."
Oddly enough, it's the same offense used by cross-town rival Live Oak. The Acorns switched to it last season and ended up playing for a CIF-Central Coast Section championship. That run included a first-round playoff victory over the Bulldogs in the first meeting between the two football programs.
They open the season against each other Sept. 5.
"We know there's another team in this city that runs it," Borello laughed. "It's going to be pretty interesting when we play each other this year."
The fly offense is an intricate scheme that employs split backs, two wideouts and a slot receiver, who acts like a wing. Although a run-first attack, the fly is equally effective for passing.
"There's always someone motioning," Borello added. "The formation shifts a lot, and it forces the defense to switch and call new plays.
"We don't have the biggest guys, so the quick hit is important. That's what the fly creates."
The Bulldogs' offense returns five starters from a unit that averaged an impressive 299 yards and 23.2 points per game in 2007. Those numbers could slip this fall considering Sobrato's jump to the stronger 'B' Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League. The Bulldogs won the 'C' Division outright last year.
"We're going to be in better shape mentally and physically this year just like we need to be," said first-team all-league wide receiver Alex Meldrum. "We're all working pretty hard and getting the new stuff down. It's slightly more difficult because of the timing.
"Everyone who's out here is working hard. We just need some more guys to step up and get out here."
Since summer camp opened last week, Sobrato has dressed an average of 25 players each practice. Borello and his coaching staff expect more.
"It's still way early right now, so it's hard to tell where we're at," Borello said. "The motivation is already there. I'm impressed with the progress I've seen.
"When we first started in spring and I got introduced as coach, my message to the guys was 'changes happen.' We need to keep rolling. We need to play football."
The Bulldogs jump-started their summer core training at Sobrato's conditioning camp, an event the school hopes to make an annual tradition, Borello said. The camp was open to all Sobrato athletes, who were critiqued and trained by licensed professionals.
"The running, conditioning and lifting was definitely something we needed," said offensive/defensive lineman Joel Ruada, who was named West Valley Division co-Sophomore of the Year in 2007. "Ever since the season ended with that loss to Live Oak, we've wanted to get back out here. That was a great motivator. We want to be the first team in school history to beat Live Oak."
Much of the talk at Sobrato's practice has circled around that Sept. 5 meeting with the Acorns at Live Oak High School. Borello likes the rivalry buzz but wants his players focused mainly on themselves.
"It's all about getting ready right now - being prepared," Borello said. "By the time we take the field against them, we'll know each other's system all too well."
Scott J. Adams Scott J. Adams covers Morgan Hill sports for South Valley Newspapers. Send him an email or call him at 779-4106.
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