Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003 | 9:22 a.m.
Shadow Ridge coach J.D. Johnson already kicked two Centennial players out of his practice. A few miles away, Centennial coach Joel Bertsch spied a handful of Shadow Ridge players at Bulldogs' JV and freshman games.
Just two weeks into the existence of Shadow Ridge High School, its rivalry with Centennial is already burning with passion. The new school took a great deal of students from the old school, relieving overcrowding at Centennial and breeding competition that will come to the field Friday night.
"We've been talking about this game since last year," Bulldogs junior quarterback Aaron Prado said. "We knew who was going and who was staying, so we've kind of been going back and forth -- you know, a little friendly conversation."
That conversation became more than idle banter last week, as Shadow Ridge opened with a 65-0 drubbing of fellow newcomer Liberty while Centennial struggled to put away Eldorado in overtime, 30-24. Johnson hears the chirping on both sides and he feels that a convincing opening victory gives his Mustangs some added credibility.
"The kids talk, words have been spoken," Johnson said. "They're a little scared of us and we're a little scared of them."
At the same time, Johnson encourages his team to keep the Liberty win in perspective.
"They're also keeping it reality," Johnson said. "Liberty really wasn't a fantastic test for us."
The opening of Shadow Ridge affected Centennial's football team as deeply as any athletic program in the school. In addition to the Northwest Division champion team at the varsity level, Centennial's JV and freshman programs went a combined 18-0 last year. A large group of those players is now at Shadow Ridge, including some potential Centennial starters.
"We've built Centennial together, both teams here," Centennial senior lineman James Jacobs said of his team and his opponent.
In his first year as Centennial head coach, Bertsch takes on the challenge of not only replacing the holes left by Shadow Ridge's opening, but also helping his team forget about what might have been. Bertsch allowed his team to dwell on the departures through spring and summer workouts, but once fall practice arrived, the focus shifted from the past to the present.
"We have what we have and we have to go win with that," Bertsch said. "I think we got over that quite a while ago."
To fill the gaps in depth, Bertsch is asking some juniors to step down to the JV level to get experience, helping a squad that saw just 20 sophomores turn out. The coach is also accepting converts from overstocked skill positions to linemen, with the reward of increased playing time.
"They've been good about it," Bertsch said. "Our whole slogan this year has been unselfish."
Centennial found itself a bit too unselfish last week -- with the ball. The Bulldogs put the ball on the ground five times against Eldorado, allowing the Sundevils to erase a 12-point deficit and force overtime.
"We played a little sloppy," Jacobs said. "We need to tighten it up a little bit."
Bertsch, however, saw many positives, including the play of Prado. Replacing a more accomplished running quarterback in Cory Gray, Prado displayed more passing prowess by going 11-of-14 for 223 yards and two scores.
Overall, Bertsch feels the game woke up a team very used to winning games against less reputed opponents.
"I thought it was the best thing that could happen, (and) still win the ballgame," Bertsch said.
Shadow Ridge came away with confidence from its first game, thanks in large part to a superb running effort from junior running back Ricky Snodgrass, who compiled 321 yards on 23 carries to pace the Mustangs.
Shadow Ridge likely will not find life so easy against the more experienced Bulldogs. Both sides concur that it will take a big-time Mustangs' effort to come away with their second win, even if it is the win that matters most to Shadow Ridge this year.
"I think they'll be more high than we are, possibly, because they don't have seniors and they're going to have to put it all together to get it done," Bertsch said.
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