Home News Football Guide:

Mojave relies on young players to build on success

Richard Brian

Mojave’s Maurice Cotton, right, and Danan Lanton lead the Rattlers in their quest to return to the Sunset Regional playoffs. Mojave lost several key contributors from last year when it advanced to the posseason for the first time since the school opened in 1996.

By Sean Ammerman (contact)

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Mojave team page & schedule
Mojave roster
Colors: Forrest green, orange and gray
Coach: Tyrone Armstrong, seventh year, 20-29
Homecoming game: Oct. 10 against Cimarron
Key players: LB/RB Maurice Cotton, QB Preston Robinson, ATH Mike Montgomery and OL Omar Sanchez
Prediction: The Rattlers lost too much; they finish near bottom of Northwest

Reaching the playoffs last fall for the first time in school history was a big step for Mojave, which opened in 1996.

The Rattlers opened with eight consecutive victories before dropping their final three games, including a 46-29 setback to Western in the Sunset Regional quarterfinals.

“We were the team to beat in the beginning of the season,” Mojave coach Tyrone Armstrong said. “We lost some of that mental toughness toward the end. We want to take what we learned and try to build on it.”

Building off last year might prove to be difficult after Mojave graduated 15 seniors, including tailback/linebacker Reggie Powers, who led the Rattlers in rushing and was second in tackles.

In their place are a slew of up-and-comers fighting for playing time.

Senior Maurice Cotton, who rushed for 350 yards last year, should anchor the offensive, along with seniors Preston Robinson and Mike Montgomery sharing quarterback duties.

On the line, Mojave will rely on two affectionately referred to as “Little Omar” and “Big Omar,” nicknames for 6-foot-4, 360 pound Omar Sanchez and 6-foot-1, 270-pound Omar Sanchez, no relation.

“Last year, we had a pretty good handle on who would be handling each position,” Armstrong said. “We got people fighting for spots all over the board this year. But that’s good because the competition brings out the best in everybody.”

Even with a year of varsity experience, Robinson had to battle for a starting position.

“With coach Armstrong you can run a 4.2 second (40-yard dash) and still not get a starting job,” Robinson said. “He knows that if you don’t work hard in practice you’re not going to work hard in a game.”

Even with the changes, the Ratttlers expect to be in the playoff hunt.

“Our seniors will have to work extra hard to be leaders on and off the field,” Robinson said. “I don’t think we’re getting as much recognition as last year, but it’s up to us to prove people wrong.”

Sean Ammerman is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 990-2661 or sean.ammerman@hbcpub.com.