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Roman Ruiz prepares for the Miners’ upcoming game. Clarissa Lizarraga | SMHS
San Manuel Miner
Sort of new San Manuel football head coach Dave Jungbluth is counting on a number of underclassmen to fill the void at some key positions after the graduation of a number of senior players who were on last year’s roster.
“We have one starting senior back – Michael Sanchez,” Jungbluth recently told The Miner. “He played offense and that’s about it. We have eight seniors but only three played last year.”
Jungbluth, who served as the Miners’ defensive coordinator in the 1990s, expects the entire offensive backfield to be sophomores, including his quarterback who missed the majority of last season with injury.
“We’re young and inexperienced,” Jungbluth said.
Despite the inexperience on this year’s roster, Jungbluth knows he has some talented players to work with.
Returning players Antonio Gallego, a junior, and sophomore Fabian Russo are two of only a few returning starters from last year. Transfers Gabriel and Christian Velasquez, both sophomores, are two more talented players who figure to play at both the running back and linebacker positions.
Familiarity between Jungbluth and the players should help with the coaching transition.
“We have over 42 kids coming out this year and they know me,” Jungbluth said. “They know my coaching style – I’m not a screamer or a yeller.”
Jungbluth expects the Miners to be a good rushing team with a big offensive line paving the way for the young running backs.
“We did a pretty good job running the ball between the tackles,” he said. “Our offensive line is somewhat experienced. Our strength is the offensive line and we’ll go as far as our offensive line goes.”
Of course, Jungbluth, like all coaches this time of year, put the always present health disclaimer out there, saying health is the most important factor to the success of his team.
Jungbluth said he’s been most impressed with the work ethic his teams has displayed so far in the preseason and believes it will translate to success on Friday nights.
“I can’t tell you how pleased I am with how hard they are working now,” said Jungbluth, adding that there’s been a dramatic change in that area since the summer. “I want our kids to have a good attitude, be coachable, and improve each week.”
The Miners, one of only a few teams who have yet to play a game this season, open this Friday against Miami, which is coming off a bye week. The Vandals were impressive in their opener two weeks ago, defeating Willcox, 58 – 6.
Friday’s kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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