Gridiron Preview: A young flock at Yuba City

One big hit woke Nate Van Dusen from his dream.

A sophomore in 2010, Van Dusen received his call-up in November.

After bulldozing opposing teams at the JV level, Van Dusen joined the varsity squad for the postseason. Not just to soak it all in for "experience" — Van Dusen started at linebacker.

It was Yuba City High's first home playoff game since 1987.

The moment was surreal for Van Dusen. These were the games he used to watch as a member of the Junior Honkers with his buddies.

Under the lights, wearing the brown and gold, the program's biggest game in two decades — Van Dusen had been looking forward to this since he first put on the pads in middle school.

Then reality set in. On Lincoln's opening possession, Van Dusen absorbed his first varsity contact.

"At the beginning, I was startled by the hits," Van Dusen said. "I got used to it after a couple plays. It was faster, tougher, everyone's stronger."

He adjusted and totaled seven tackles in the Honkers' 35-28 victory. Van Dusen tallied eight more in the team's season-ending loss at Patterson.

Now a junior, Van Dusen isn't the wide-eyed rookie coaches hope will make an impact — he's expected to.

Yuba City opens its 2011 campaign on Friday against Cosumnes Oaks with hopes of improving on the program's best season under fifth-year coach John Ithurburn.

However, all of the firepower behind Yuba City's 8-4 2010 campaign is gone now.

Every impact player on the offensive side of the ball graduated, including two-time A-D first-team selection Taylor Rowe, option quarterback/halfback Raul Lozano, wideout Max Flores, quarterback David Schroeder and slasher Bernell Barmore.

Of the 54 touchdowns the Honkers scored on offense last season, only two of them were scored by players on this year's roster.

That's where Van Dusen comes in. He has the formidable task of replacing Rowe at fullback.

Rowe racked up 1,641 yards on the ground and 21 touchdowns in 2010. Van Dusen posted a respectable 663 yards and 10 scores in 10 games with the JV team.

"I've been kind of nervous because (Rowe) was really good and I have to fill his spot," Van Dusen said. "I feel pretty comfortable."

Van Dusen will be a little behind his teammates after missing time with a turf toe injury. His first practice in pads was on Monday.

Also recovering is junior quarterback Taylor Elkins, who sprained his ankle in a scrimmage against Orland last Saturday.

He should be ready for Friday's opener, where he'll take his first snaps under center at the varsity level.

Alongside his best friend Van Dusen, Elkins piloted the Honkers' JV squad to a 7-3 record and TCC co-championship.

Over the past two seasons, Ithurburn rotated Lozano and Schroeder at the quarterback position. Lozano ran the option and Schroeder was the passing threat. Elkins has the ability to do both in Ithurburn's veer offense.

"I have a lot of pressure but I think I'll handle it all right," Elkins said. "I'm already nervous but I love it."

Besides working with a personal speed coach this offseason because "everyone says (he's) slow," Elkins improved his passing game, competing at the KCRA 3 High School Playbook Quarterback Combine last week. The left-hander finished in the top 10 amongst a group of mostly seniors.

Elkins' main goal in Friday's opener is to gain the trust of his senior teammates and not make any mental mistakes.

"I'm trying to get their respect," Elkins said, "because being a junior coming in as a starting quarterback you have to earn that respect."

Two seniors who saw limited playing time as juniors last season will be in the backfield with Elkins to smooth over his transition.

Spencer Malugani, who rushed for 47 yards and a touchdown last season, will step in to Lozano's role as the halfback/option quarterback.

Van Dusen's older brother James can also play quarterback, though he will likely start at wingback. Junior Louis Mowers, a track standout for the Honkers in the spring, is listed to start at wide receiver.

Protecting Elkins' blind side is senior right tackle Christian Diaz, an All-TCC and All-Area first-team selection in 2010. At center is senior Davis Harper.

Due to the scarcity of seniors on the roster, Diaz has been preaching the need for the juniors to step up early in the season.

"I just tell them after the first hit, 'it's game time,'" Diaz said. "You won't even think about it. I tell them it's the best feeling to be out there."

While the offense may be inexperienced and take a while to click, Ithurburn is confident his defense is right where it needs to be.

The A-D's 2010 Coach of the Year, Ithurburn said people shouldn't expect last season's 5-1 start.

The aforementioned group of graduated players faced a similar situation when they were all juniors, he said. Adjusting to varsity football doesn't happen after one game.

"We're kind of a mystery right now," Ithurburn said. "We're young and we're going to have to weather those early games. You'll see it come together though."

After last season ended a little earlier than most expected in Patterson, the expectation is to only get better.

With a reloaded TCC that includes perennial champion Inderkum, the always-competitive Yolo County schools and a rejuvenated River Valley program, just getting back to the playoffs may be an accomplishment in itself.

"It's a work in progress," Ithurburn said. "We'll pull this together."

TWO-MINUTE DRILL

Name: Taylor Elkins

Position: Quarterback

Year: Junior

Age: 16

Where were you born? Yuba City

What is your favorite football moment? Probably in JV last year beating Sutter. We won on the last play, drove down the field 60 yards. We went for two to win it and we got it.

Why do you wear No. 12? I've been No. 7 my whole life but this year Ithurburn decided not to order it.

What's your favorite kind of music? Hip-hop and country

What is your favorite TV show? "River Monsters"

What is your favorite cereal? Cap'n Crunch

What deodorant do you use? Axe

Whom do you admire most? My whole family

What is you favorite subject in school? Least? Favorite is history. Least favorite is English.

If you could play any other sport what would it be? I also play baseball and basketball.

Xbox, PlayStation, or Wii? Xbox

Who is your favorite pro athlete? Aaron Rodgers

What is your favorite college football team? Boise State

When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up? Any kind of pro athlete

Why do you play football? Love being with my friends and being under the lights.

What is your goal for this year? Win league

What is your favorite food? Anything barbecue

What is your favorite movie? "Remember the Titans"