The win-loss record from the previous year says the 2017 offseason is the same as 2016.
Such is true, both seasons on the field for the Vintage High football team was 5-5 the previous year. The vibe around the program, however, appears much different.
On my week of staycation as a route sales representative (upscale title for truck driver) from Alhambra Water, I randomly stopped by the Vintage High football weight-room to chat with Crushers head coach Dylan Leach on Wednesday. The conversation didn’t take too many off-ramps but I digress.
The Crushers will be moving from the CIF Sac Joaquin Section to the North Coast Section in the 2018-2019 school year. Fellow Napa Valley schools (Napa and American Canyon) will join Vintage in the move. The only question is which league will they join? That story is for another day.
Before they move to the NCS, the Crushers hope to demonstrate to their Monticello Empire League foes that they are a rising sun as opposed to a setting sun. Vintage’s nonleague schedule is mostly similar to last year with American Canyon, Davis, Woodcreek and Vanden being repeat opponents. The only change is Lincoln (Stockton), which competes in the Tri-City athletic League, will replace Bethel (Vallejo).
Last year at this time, Vintage and Leach were in the process of reuniting with the 1992 graduate that starred on the football field.
To refresh your memory, Kyle Hofmann resigned after three seasons amid allegations that he provided supplements (specifically Creatine) to players that can be legally purchased in stores but per California Interscholastic Federation rules, coaches are prohibited to provide to players.
After serving as a Vintage assistant for ten years (2000-2009), Leach joined the Napa High staff from 2010-2015 before returning to his roots three weeks after Hofmann’s resignation.
On this date in 2016, Leach had been hired but had not been on the Vintage campus yet to prepare for 2016.
“At this point last year, I wasn’t even in this room yet,” Leach quipped referring to his office. “We’ve had coach (Vintage assistant coach) Jamie Larson running the weight room and doing a phenomenal job. We’re really excited about where we’re headed at this point.”
Like most 5-5 seasons, the 2016 Crusher version had its peaks and valleys. The Leach era started like a house of fire with a 36-2 win over Bethel (Vallejo). Vintage then lost four of its next five by a combined 125-60 to fall to 2-4 with only a 25-22 win over Davis saving the Crushers from a 1-5 start. When MEL competition began, Vintage showed signs of life. The Crushers beat Rodriguez 34-16. One week later, Vintage lost to Vacaville 29-20.
That game, however, was a sign that different times exist at 1375 Trower Avenue, not because the Crushers were competitive for a rare time in recent memory against Vacaville but because of the message Leach uttered thereafter. Despite losing to the Bulldogs by an average margin of 49.7-14.8 since 2006, Leach did not do any gladhand moral victory narratives. I have never believed in moral victories but I do believe some losses are more honorable than others and the Crushers have had plenty of dishonorable ones in recent years.
The Crushers beat Armijo 21-0 one week later and rallied from a 26-13 deficit with three minutes left to beat Wood (Vacaville 27-26) before losing to Napa 35-0.
While the Crushers crosstown rival has garnered headlines for undesirable reasons with an alleged hazing incident that later led to a power struggle with head coach Troy Mott and the NHS administration. Mott has since resigned, putting a cloud of uncertainty over the Indians:
Both programs have prepared in earnest for 2017. Despite not having a coach in place, Napa players are still actively conditioning. The Crushers, however, have done so distraction-free. After the last regular season game, Leach gave the team a week and a half off to decompress and then all of Christmas break.
“We worked out until the break but it wasn’t fully in motion after break,” Leach said.
The Crushers are eligible to begin spring practice on May 1 but between track swimming and baseball, Leach knows he will not have a full compliment of players participating until May 10.
Vintage will also participate in 7-on-7 drills with Napa Valley schools American Canyon, Napa, Vintage, Justin-Siena and St. Helena with the drills rotation at each school’s facility. St. Helena head coach Brandon Farrell organizes the schedule.
“Coach Farrell does a great job of getting us organized,” Leach said. “We’ll probably enter one other tournament. I’m not sure which one but there’s a few we are looking into. It’s a great opportunity to compete.”
While Leach likes the excitement surrounding the prospects of 2017 and beyond, he also believes pumping the brakes from time to time is necessary.
“Football is a game where you can’t be on the emotional roller coaster,” Leach said. “You have to stay even keeled. We’re excited every day about the opportunity to play football but I think we have to make sure we are not over training and burning out kids. I think in this day and age coaches seem to think they have to run these year around programs where kids are piquing way too early. It’s a combination of work hard and smart. We’re trying to make sure we pique in September and are able to run through November.”
The Crushers have plenty of reason to embrace lack of change. Since Les Franco resigned after the 2006 season, Vintage has been through four coaching changes including Leach. The only question is, will the upward mobility translate to being on the plus-side of .500?
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