FOOTBALL: Fall season officially here; Mustangs make a switch at QB

It wasn’t exactly the start to his first year in charge of the Gilroy High School varsity football team that Brian Boyd envisioned after a productive summer.
Two days prior to Friday’s official launch into the 2012 campaign, Boyd learned that his prospective starting quarterback, David Carrillo, decided to step away from the team.
A reason for Carrillo’s departure is still foggy from Boyd’s perspective, but the longtime local coach pooled his resources and went to plan B.
Junior Jose Salazar has been tabbed as the Week 1 starter with senior Jared York, a two-way player, slotted as the backup, Boyd said Monday, after the Mustangs’ first three practices.
“It’s just about getting them the reps over these next three weeks,” Boyd said.
The hiccup might not be as prolonged as expected. Salazar played under offensive coordinator Bobby Griffith, who will call the plays at varsity this season, at the junior varsity level last year and is already familiar with the system – verbiage and style – that are in place.
“(Jose) has a good relationship with Bobby,” Boyd said of his starter, who is listed at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds. “He is a 4.8-4.9 (second) 40 (yard dash) guy. He will definitely help our offense, especially in the run game.”
York was brought up in 2010 as a backup to Niko Fortino, who graduated in June.
“Despite the quarterback shuffle, we have more offense implemented into our plan than ever before,” Boyd said.
GHS went helmets only for its first practice on a steamy Friday afternoon. The anxiousness to hit led to a rousing evening session as the players strapped on the pads for the first time.
“They were chomping at the bit,” Boyd said.
• Along with Fortino, who threw for more than 3,000 yards in 2011, the Mustangs will replace a pair of receivers – Tri-County Athletic League Most Valuable Player Jourdan Soares (76 receptions, 1477 yards and 15 touchdowns) and Christian Goldstein (34 catches, 403 yards and six touchdowns.) One spot will be fill by senior Brendan Holler, who in an injury-shortened 2011, hauled in 26 catches, including four scores. Mike Guerrero, Ian Morlang and York will also spread the field for GHS.
• Returners Gianfranco Fortino, Izack Lugo and Jonathan Aguilar beef up the interior of the Mustangs’ offensive line.
• Part of that trio’s responsibility will entail clearing lanes for junior running back Brandon Boyd, who is coming off of a breakout sophomore season in which he rushed for 1,128 yards and earned first-team all-league and co-Sophomore of the Year honors.
• Pajaro Valley transfers Joseph Madolora and Isaiah Madolora are projected to supply some help at linebacker and corner back, respectively. Ricky Alvarado will help solidify the secondary, Boyd said.
• GHS will hold a Blue vs. White game at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. The Mustangs open the regular season at Live Oak on Aug. 31.
• A full team preview will run in the Dispatch prior to opening night.