Some seasons you witness and the team bursts onto the scene. You remember the team running into the lion’s den with a spear in hand yelling “Banshee! Where is the sucker!” as opposed to tiptoeing into the den.
That approach would describe the St. Helena High football team in 2004.
To appreciate how they got there, you have to understand the journey. In Bryan Powell’s two seasons as head coach in 2002-2003, the team went 10-11 but given the talent on those teams, such a record was viewed as a disappointment. Those teams included talented players like Lance Zepeda, JJ Warren, Peter Molinari, Gaetano Bettinelli, Blayne Rabanal, Nick Wignall and Sean Baswell to name a few.
Powell came from Idaho with an impressive resume that did not translate into success at St. Helena. Powell resigned in May 20, 2004, citing the lack of affordable cost of living in the Napa Valley. Six weeks later, the Saints would introduce Ian MacMillan as their next head coach.
The hiring of MacMillan, who was 25 at the time, was met with skepticism by some because he is a Justin-Siena alum and served as the Braves JV head coach for five seasons, going 38-11-1. At the time, Justin and St. Helena had a rivalry which began dissipating mainly as a result of the two teams joining different leagues after a 14-year stint in the Superior California Athletic League from 1986-2000. The Saints rejoined the North Central League I and Justin joined the Marin County Athletic League.
The Saints would enter the 2004 season with a small roster (18 players) that was not as talented as the previous two but very senior heavy with 12. With a new coach, I will normally exercise caution in my expectations because I don’t know how their system will translate to success.
I knew MacMillan was bringing the Houston Split Back Veer and the 3-4 defense. I knew the guy could motivate. I knew the team had guys with a strong work ethic like Carlo Trinchero, Luke McMullen, Eddie McMullen, Alex Wignall, and Robert Covey to name a few.
So you have a head coach that can motivate. You have a roster of players with a strong work ethic. I thought, “Those qualities will take you a long way. In fact, you might win a game or two you may not anticipate now.” I recall before the season thinking, 6-4 was a realist goal and with a break or two 7-3 would be a possibility.
Lo and behold, St. Helena went 9-2, reaching the first round of the CIF North Coast Section Class a playoffs only to lose to John Swett 24-14.
Speaking of Covey, he was an offensive tackle under Powell. MacMillan turned him into a running back and all he did was resemble a high school version of John Riggins and Tom Rathman, rushing for a then school record of 1,653 yards and 22 touchdowns.
The crowning moment was a 48-26 win at Salesian (Richmond). Covey ran for 266 yards on 29 carries and five touchdowns. I remember speaking to referee Gregg Bell at halftime. Bell recalled Luke McMullen, who was the Saints quarterback, calling 16-veer in the huddle for eight consecutive plays.
MacMillan would make another position change that benefited the season. On offense, he moved Trinchero from tight end to running back. Trinchero is one of the fiercest competitors I had a chance to cover in my 18-year career. That quality could be a blessing and a curse. Defensively, Trinchero was a tackling machine recording 157 stops (112 solo) on the way to becoming NCL I Defensive MVP along with Defensive Player of the Year on the All-Napa County team and Redwood Empire Defensive MVP. Trinchero also had two interceptions and two blocked field goals. He made a seamless transition to running back. Trinchero ran for 626 yards on 81 carries and four touchdowns. He also caught 16 passes for 252 yards and a score.
The Saints lone regular season loss came in Game 4, which was a 12-6 defeat to NCL I champ Willits, which reached the NCS Class A title game only to lose 28-0 to Justin. St. Helena’s next three wins were by a combined score of 129-38 (66-14 over Lower Lake; 28-6 over Clear Lake; 35-18 over Cloverdale).
St. Helena finished with three straight road game (Middletown, Fort Bragg and Kelseyville). The 21-18 win over Middletown is one I will always remember:
The Saints plateaued after that win holding off Fort Bragg (18-14) and Kelseyville (20-13) before losing to John Swett 24-14 in the NCS Class A playoffs.
When I look at the 2004 Saints, I later saw St. Helena football teams have more postseason success. This Saints team, however, is at least among those that should be remembered.
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