Trojans eager for another playoff test

By ADAM BREWER
MVI Sports

As California enters the 2021 season, the Trojans and veteran coach Ed Woods face a lot of juicy storylines.
Can the Trojans win back-to-back titles in the Tri-County South? Can they get over the hump and win in the playoffs after losing their last two postseason games by a combined 12 points? How will the new quarterback and new running back look? Can the defense still be opportunistic?
Woods is eager to answer some of those questions as the new season begins.
“This team faced a lot of adversity last season,” he said. “I was very proud of how well our kids adapted to all the changes and never used that as an excuse. We only had one home game in the regular season, and I did feel bad for our seniors. But this team never complained and I learned a lot of about these kids thanks to the COVID-19 season.”
Cal went 6-1 last year, including a 6-0 mark in the Tri-County South, and claimed its third conference title in the last four seasons. The Trojans fell in the quarterfinals against Shenango, 28-21, and are still searching for their first postseason win since 2017.
Woods, who has a 13-5 record at Cal and has won 12 of his 13 conference games over the last two seasons, is encouraged for this fall because of his team’s dedication to the weight room.
“Throughout my years of doing this at the high school level, I always stress the importance of the weight room in the offseason,” said Woods, who formerly coached at Beth-Center for a couple of decades. “These guys have really bought into the weight room and I love the turnout over the winter.
“That type of participation has really carried over to the week of conditioning and the first couple of days of camp. The energy and the understanding of what we are doing has been really impressive to me.”
Damani Stafford will make the switch from quarterback to the featured runner in the backfield, while Brownsville transfer Hunter Assad will take over duties under center.
“Both of these guys will be key for us,” Woods stated. “They have to be productive for us on the field and also display some senior leadership. Both are very coachable and they lead by example.”
Other vital pieces to the Trojans’ offense will be senior tight end Ethan Fike, wideouts Connor Vig and Caden Powell, as well as tailback Zach Geletei and fullback Addison Panepinto.

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