First Marin Catholic and then Cardinal Newman were previewed in the Prep2Prep early summer look at the loaded CIF North Coast Section Division III field.
Now before finishing with defending champion Bishop O’Dowd we take a look at the Rancho Cotate team that nearly derailed the NCS D3 titlists and CIF Division 5-AA Bowl Game champion Dragons in the NCS D3 semifinals.
It’s always nice to take in an early morning workout, and especially when the temperature gets near triple digits in the afternoon. The result is the Caravan was in Rohnert Park on Monday at 8 am to see Rancho Cotate first-year Coach Gehrig Hotaling oversee weight training in a week the boys will eschew evening practices due to community activities of community week at Rancho Cotate.
Hotaling, who is a 2001 graduate of Rancho Cotate and a member of that year’s CIF North Coast Section 3A Redwood Empire champions, was an integral part of the staff and a protégé of retired Cougars’ legendary Coach Ed Conroy for the past 10 years as the offensive coordinator.
Hotaling, who teaches at the school, installed the spread offense Rancho Cotate employs which has helped incoming senior dual-threat quarterback Jake Simmons to flourish in with his arm and legs.
Marin Catholic has a pro-style quarterback in Spencer Petras that is committed to Oregon State but it’s hard to argue that Simmons is not the top returning signal-caller in the Redwood Empire if not the top returner at any position north of the Golden Gate period.
Last season the 6-1, 190-pound Simmons passed for 3,816 yards with 43 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. He also rushed for 996 yards and 12 additional scores meaning he accounted for 4,802 yards combined and 56 total TDs including one as a receiver. For his efforts Simmons was named the North Bay League Offensive Player of the Year.
“Jake is phenomenal,” Hotaling remarked. “I’m absolutely shocked he’s not getting big-time looks and offers. “It’s crazy. You just watch him throw, His arm and accuracy is great and his vision is incredible.”
According to Hotaling Simmons has D2 offers and Simmons himself added that Sacramento State, San Jose State and UC Davis have shown interest in the 3.5 GPA student-athlete.
Obviously Hotaling has a huge star returning at quarterback and that’s where it starts, but there is a lot more including a receiving corps that is second to none in the NCS based on last year’s numbers.
Diminutive but elusive wide receiver Jaelen Ward, an All-North Bay League First Team selection last season, returns for his senior year after leading the NCS in receptions with 95 plus 1,398 yards and 10 TDs to go with the catches. Ward also had two interceptions, a fumble recovery and 43 tackles as a defensive back and was named All-NBL Second Team.
Logan Reese, a 6-0, 165-pound All-NBL Second Team selection last year as a junior had 59 receptions for 1,006 yards and 10 TDs last season. He also had two interceptions and a fumble recovery as a defensive back.
Obviously Simmons is responsible for the reception yardage of Ward and Reese, but from a total yards statistical standpoint the trio accounted for 7,216 yards combined and 63 touchdowns – and that’s some returning firepower.
“Running back will be a question mark and we’ll do it mostly by committee,” Hotaling said. “But we use our quarterback as a running back and he’s pretty darn good at it.”
A lot of quarterbacks like to run but very few have the 148 carries in a 13-game season that Simmons had last year.
“I’m definitely not afraid to run the ball but I’m not typically a run first quarterback.
I like to air it out,” Simmons said. “I run when it’s mostly needed like in the fourth quarter when I have to put the team on my back.”
All-NBL Second Team outside linebacker Ryan Matteri (90 tackles) saw some time at running back as a junior last season and the 5-10, 195-pounder will be the primary back. Incoming senior Kobi Buckley, an All-NBL First Team selection last year on defense with 103 tackles, is also projected as a running back.
“Kobi has never played running back before but he’s catching on quickly,” Hotaling said.
Another All-NBL First Team honoree from last season that was selected as a sophomore is 6-1, 205 pound linebacker Elias Rantassi. He led the NCS and tied for fifth in the state with 194 tackles, and unlike the players with more tackles his numbers were against a top-notch schedule of high quality teams, including running down Najee Harris in a game against Antioch where he had 12 tackles. Rantassi also had three sacks and an interception.
Between Rantassi, Buckley and Matteri it would be hard to find a better incoming linebacker corps in the entire Bay Area or possibly Northern California for that matter.
The offensive line is anchored by All-NBL First Team center and 6-foot 260-pound senior Kyle Luque and fellow first-teamer and 6-0, 250-pound senior Nicholas Goldthorpe.
Incoming junior and 6-4, 180-pound All-NBL Second Team defensive end Connor Barbado will anchor the defensive line along with 6-3, 185-pound junior defensive end Trevor Lee. According to Hotaling both have length and quickness.
Add it all up and Rancho Cotate returns six starters on offense and six on defense. Of those Simmons was an NBL Player of the Year and five were first team and three were on the second team.
The bottom line is Hotaling has inherited a very solid team that in many ways he helped his mentor build. Now, it’s his turn to see if he can bring a third CIFNCS crown home to go with the back-to-back titles of the 2001 team he played on and the 2002 team.
“It’s surreal,” was Hotaling’s response to the team he inherited.
“Coach Conroy was like a father figure to me,” Hotaling continued. “I just love this community and the school. “I can’t wait for the first game.”
Rancho Cotate was 9-4 last season but they were in every game they lost. They fell 63-46 to Analy, 41-33 to Antioch, 35-34 in overtime to Cardinal Newman, and 37-34 in the season-ending loss to O’Dowd.
“We played our best in games we lost,” Hotaling said. “This year it’s about doing things right in the fourth quarter and finishing.”
“We hung with O’Dowd to the very end and shocked some people since no one was expecting that from us,” Simmons remarked and added. “One of the main things this year is we have to keep our composure.”
In reply to tweets about the NCS D3 preview someone tweeted the following.
“Don’t sleep on Rancho Cotate.”
With what Hotaling has in his arsenal it’s going to be hard to fall asleep playing or watching the Cougars this season
Of note: Rancho Cotate has hired a new Athletic Director and he is alumnus Scott McKeon. He currently teaches science at cross-town Technology where he will be doing double-duty as that school’s AD as well.
Not only does Rancho Cotate have a new AD but construction is under way adjacent to the state-of-the-art football field the NCS uses for playoffs for a new 2,000 seat gymnasium and performing arts center.
