Bee’s Best: No. 20 Nevada Union led by linebackers — ‘They’ll be first off the bus’
The Sacramento Bee will unveil our Top 25 football rankings from No. 25 to No. 1, a team a day, right up to the Aug. 20 kickoff.
No. 20 Nevada Union Miners
City: Grass Valley
School opened: 1952
League: Foothill Valley
Division: III
Enrollment: 1,469
2021 spring record: 1-1
Coach: Brad Sparks
Outlook: In two players alone, the Nevada Union Miners look the part of stout and regal.
Say hello to Gabe Baker and Jedi Vculek, the bruising linebackers expected to lead the charge toward another playoff berth this fall. Baker is every bit of 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds of tackling terror who doubles as the team’s hard-charging quarterback. Vculek is 6-2 and 225, quick in pursuit of a tackle and emphatic on delivery.
Those are the sorts of guys you’d want to lead your team onto the field for warmups. You know, to catch the attention of the opponent.
“Trust me,” NU coach Brad Sparks said with a laugh, “they will lead the way. They will be the first two getting off the bus.”
Baker dazzled in his team’s two spring-game showings, a shortened season that was thinned even more as regional programs navigated through the challenges of the pandemic.
In his fourth season, Sparks said he has been inspired by his team’s effort throughout spring ball and summer workouts. This is one of the most storied programs in the Sac-Joaquin Section, reflective of the four section championship seasons displayed on the Hooper Stadium press box.
“Our kids appreciate the history of the program here, the legacy that has been left for us,” Sparks said. “And we still have those overachieving kids that practice hard, love each other.”
The coach added, “Since I’ve been here, I’ve never had this many great days of practice. Every coach will tell you that you’re going to have some bad practices. We haven’t had but two practices that weren’t fantastic. They love it.”
Nevada Union reached the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons in 2019 and aim for a repeat effort this season. It starts with the offensive line that has a mix of size and experience.
That group: Tim Steffenson, Julian Spackman and Ryder Querequincia, Elliot Tinnel and Mathew Wilkins, who goes by Timber for his 6-3, 265 frame. Stephenson is no cupcake at 6-3, 250. Tinnel is 5-10 and 250 and a fine athlete, or, as his coach says, “a serious dude.” He was NU’s junior varsity quarterback, which speaks of his versatility.
“He’s smart, a leader, a captain,” Sparks said. “We’re excited. We’re hungry.”
Nevada Union opens at Bella Vista on Aug. 20 then hosts Sheldon on Aug. 27 in the home opener.