Two things are almost certain about Bishop Union High School football with Bill Egan as head varsity coach: The Broncos will play a tough non-league schedule and Bishop will make the playoffs.

Egan is beginning his 8th season as head man for Bishop football, and the Broncos have made the playoffs – including last season’s berth in the CIF-SS Toyota Football Championships East Valley Division semifinals – in all of his seven seasons.

“I am proud of what the kids have done; we’ve been fortunate,” Egan said. “We’ve had some great coaches and some really good athletes. It’s been a lot of fun. We have a really good school … we do some really good things here and I’m proud to be a part of that.”

The Broncos will open their season Saturday (Sept. 6), traveling to Truckee High for their third battle with the Wolverines. Varsity kickoff is set for 2 p.m.; JV at 11:30 a.m.

The Broncos went 1-4 in the pre-league season in 2007, including a 20-18 loss to archrival Mammoth. Bishop roubounded with a 4-1 record in High Desert League play and won two games in the playoffs, finishing with a 7-6 overall record.

The Broncos lose standout players in Brandon Griffiths, Stephen Puls, Joe Blumberg, Jiovanni Santana, Nick Salas and Frank Shoshone, among others.

But Egan said he has “a load of good kids” for this season.

“We had 12 guys who were nominated for captain, so that shows we have a lot of kids that our kids have confidence in,” Egan said.

Captains named were Drew Blumberg (unanimous selection), Lowell Chudy, Hugo Villapando, Tim Berrey and Zach Williams.

Egan said other Broncos expected to contribute are Chance Irwin, who will start at quarterback for the ailing Drew Blumber (quad), Blake Hubbard and Jacob Doonan. “He’s going to be our power; he’s our best lineman, offensively and defensively,” Egan said of Doonan.

Also, three sophomores have made the varsity: Aaron Puls, Kiko Gonzales and Alex Simpson.

Egan says the 2008
Broncos worked hard during the off-season and he’s ready to see that translate to action on the field.

“They are kind of special; I can see that already,” Egan said. “They are doing the right things, and I’m very happy to see that.”

Bishop is ranked No. 9 in the East Valley preseason poll.

Catch all Bishop Bronco varsity football games on Sierra Wave TV33.

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