THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Whitney High School Athletics

With high school football just on our doorstep, the Whitney Wildcats begins its 2018 football campaign. But this season will be unlike any other as the Wildcats make the transition from the highly competitive Capital Valley Conference to the Sierra Foothill League, one of the best and toughest football conferences in the state. Whitney faced much adversity last season after multiple California Interscholastic Federation infractions over a nearly three-year span, which resulted in a one-year postseason ban along with the resignations of head football coach Paul Doherty and defensive coordinator Marc Rubalcava prior to the 2017 campaign. Jesse Armas stepped in to coach on an interim basis and brought stability to the 'Cats, although a season full of promise ended with Whitney finishing a disappointing 5-5 overall (4-3 CVC). The Wildcats also lost the services of Nick Eaton and Justin Kraft, both of whom graduated and accepted football scholarships from the University of California, Davis. To deal with Whitney’s issues heading into the SFL is new football head coach Zac McNally, who brings a winning pedigree to the 'Cats. McNally played linebacker at powerhouse De La Salle High School. His team went on to win both state and national championships in 2002 and 2003. McNally played collegiate football for Boise State as a preferred walk-on (2005) and Diablo Valley College (2006) before earning a full athletic scholarship with Northern Arizona University, where he was a starter from 2007–2009. He began coaching in 2010 at his NAU alma mater as an assistant linebacker coach. The following year, he served as a graduate-assistant defensive line coach. McNally’s lone prep head coaching job was at James Logan High School in Union City, where the Colts went 7-13 in his two seasons at the helm. Logan High made the playoffs last season before losing to Foothill of Pleasanton in the first round of the CIF North Coast Section Division I playoffs. McNally is well aware that expectations are high at Whitney as they enter the vaunted SFL. “It is going to be a playoff atmosphere and environment for every game in the SFL,” said McNally. “The league is full of elite coaches and players, and I know the margin for error is very small. Each game will require relentless preparation, focus and physicality.” Helping with the transition to the SFL are former Oak Ridge coaches Ben Sweet and Kevin Lopina. Sweet will serve as the defensive coordinator while Lopina will be the offensive coordinator. Whitney will begin the season Aug. 24 on the road against Placer, state runners-up in Division IV. Their first league game will be against rival Rocklin Sept. 24 in the annual Quarry Bowl. Notable Returners Senior quarterback Robert Jones comes in with 15 total touchdowns last season. He took over under center partway through the season when the Wildcats’ fortunes took a downturn. Senior running back Sergio Sanchez picked up 502 rushing yards while the interim coaching staff searched for answers. Sanchez was one of those answers, who also made his mark in a limited role. Senior wide receiver Chris Hernandez shows great promise in spite of catching just one touchdown pass during the unsettled year. Senior lineman Wyatt Arbaugh brings a wealth of experience, and senior linebacker Zach Chaffin made 50 tackles in the 2017 campaign. Senior safety Nathan Sanchez had a key interception last season, and junior defensive end Ethan Patterson recorded one and a half sacks. Also stepping up to the SFL will be junior lineman Kevin Good and junior defensive back Ryan Vigo.

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Whitney High School Athletics

NEW COACH, SAME HIGH EXPECTATIONS

ARRON DAY

Placer Herald | 8/14/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Gary Jones