New coach with winning ways ignites optimism at California

By: Jeremy Tepper
Thursday, August 22, 2019 | 8:01 AM

Four months ago, the California football program was shrouded in uncertainty. Pressed with the desire to spend more time with his family, Darrin Dillow, the Trojans’ coach for the past four seasons, resigned.

California, which figured to build upon a 6-5 season, was left without a firm direction, as players wondered who would take over. In walked Ed Woods, a veteran coach who won 113 games in 17 seasons at Beth-Center before resigning in 2016.

In the months since, Woods has put to rest any sense of doubt, replacing it with a substantial air of positivity. Led by a coach with a history of winning and a talented group that returns a large number of starters, the direction of the program is clear.

“I like what we’re seeing as far as work ethic. I like that the kids are starting to come together as a team,” Woods said. “Right now, things are kind of falling into place, and it’s been a pretty smooth transition.”

California reached its high water mark in Dillow’s tenure two seasons ago when it finished 12-1, losing in the WPIAL semifinals.

Last season served as a bit of a retooling year, as the Trojans broke in a number of new starters. That inexperience showed in a 1-4 start, but the talent eventually shined through, as the Trojans closed the regular season with a five-game winning streak before losing to Clairton in the WPIAL quarterfinals.

California figures that momentum will carry over, despite the fact — or perhaps because of — the schematic changes Woods has started to implement. No longer are the Trojans running the triple option, an offense that worked, but one the players believe opponents caught on to eventually. Instead, Woods will run the wing-T, another run-centric offense the Trojans believe is a bit less predictable.

Cochise Ryan, one of California’s four returning all-conference players, will run the offense at quarterback. Previously a standout running back, Ryan is making the position switch, a transition he said has gone pretty smoothly, though he believes he still needs to work on his passing accuracy.

His teammates fondly remember that the last time he played quarterback was in eighth grade, and that team was undefeated.

Sam Thomas, one of the offensive linemen tasked with protecting him, speaks of Ryan in almost mythological terms, explaining how he can throw a football 50-plus yards into a trash can in the end zone and praises Ryan for his high-level football IQ.

Woods is excited as well, though a little more reserved in his optimism.

“I think he’s just a good athlete. I think he’s a kid we can turn into a quarterback. I like what I see out of him,” Woods said. “He has some speed. He throws the ball decent, and that kind of really fits into what we do.”

Ryan looks to have plenty of speed and weapons around him. Jaeden Zuzak will take much of the workload at running back, assisted by Lucas Qualk and Demani Stafford.

Ethan Fike, Anthony Haschets and Malik Ramsey are the wide receivers, with Ramsey providing particular intrigue. The basketball standout played minimally last season but has plenty of talent.

“We have a lot of speed and power, and I think with the offense we’re running, it works fine for us,” Ryan said. “It fits our athletic ability.”

While everybody has settled into their positions on offense, defense has been a bit more of process.

“Last year to start the season, every single player we had was either out of position or had no clue how to play their position,” Zuzak said. “This year, every single person knows what they’re doing. They know what their job is supposed to be and they know how to get it done.”

Zuzak and Thomas credit their new defensive coordinator, Zach Keefer, for helping put the pieces together this season. Thomas, Zuzak and Ryan are some of the standouts on that end.

“I feel like everybody found their position,” Thomas said. “We have three complete, dominating strong guys up front.”

Unlike his players, Woods is a bit more hesitant to heap too much praise or make any sort of predictions before he learns what kind of team he has on his hands. Still, he hasn’t been reluctant to readily talk about goals with his players. In that regard, the message is clear: Woods expects a lot out of this team.

“I would say it’s definitely coming together well. We’re really gelling as a team, coming together and getting closer to the goal,” Thomas said. “We’re all focused on winning a WPIAL ring this year, and we feel like we’re very capable of doing that this season.”

Schedule

Coach: Ed Woods

2018 record: 6-5, 6-1

All-time record: 417-427-14

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23, at Beth-Center, 7

8.30, at Monessen*, 7

9.6, Avella*, 7

9.13, at Laurel, 7

9.20, at Washington, 7

9.27, Jefferson-Morgan*, 7

10.4, at West Greene*, 7

10.11, Bentworth*, 7

10.18, Chartiers-Houston*, 7

10.25, at Mapletown*, 7

*Class A Tri-County South Conference game

Tags: California