Bee’s Best prep football: No. 23 Rosemont is led by new coach John Straw
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. 19 kickoff.
No. 23 Rosemont
City: Sacramento
School opened: 2003
League: Sierra Valley Conference
Division: V
Enrollment: 1,572
2021 record: 11-3
Coach: John Straw
Outlook: Last season was historic for the Rosemont High School football team.
The Wolverines went 11-3 and reached the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V championship game before falling to eventual state champion Argonaut.
Rosemont is back for more. The Wolverines have a new head coach in John Straw leading the charge. Straw spent the last eight years at Rosemont as an assistant. The previous head coach, Rick Wanlin, stepped down but will remain on staff as an assistant.
“I decided to jump into the deep end of the pool,” Straw said. “I am very excited. Super young team last year that was successful. Hoping to continue and follow in (Rick’s) big footsteps. He left a great legacy and I want to continue what he started.”
Straw has a talent-rich roster to work with and his players have their sights set on making an even deeper playoff run this season. Rosemont will go as far as star running back Michael Cherry will take them. As a sophomore last season, he rushed for almost 1,600 yards with 17 touchdowns.
“He’s a special person,” Straw said. “Natural leader, great student and he always wants to be better. He’s the first one that shows up on the field and last one to leave. It’s special when you see your best player is also your hardest worker. He really leads by example. Kids gravitate toward him because he leads by example.”
Straw added, “His athletic ability is second to none. I think he’s the best running back in the Sacramento area. He not only is great at rushing the ball, but he’s an unbelievable receiver. He probably has the best hands on the team and runs some of the best routes.”
Other key returners include junior lineman Jasauni Nelson, senior lineman Charles Parker, senior wide receiver Jose Rocha and senior quarterback Joseph Ortiz. The Wolverines’ leading tackler from last season, Wayshawn Parker, transferred to Elk Grove.
“The growth factor is going to help out tremendously,” Straw said. “Losing Parker is a hit. He’s also an unbelievable talent. We have people that can fill in. They can’t replace him, but by committee, we will make it work. We will continue to do the great things we started last year. … I hope we continue to keep the momentum going (from last year).”
Rosemont opens the season Aug. 26. The Wolverines won’t play the week before by design because they’re getting new turf at the school. Rosemont’s first three games against McClatchy, Natomas and Cordova are all on the road because the school wasn’t sure when the new turf would be finished.
“A little bit of a more challenging preseason for us this year,” Straw said. “McClatchy is a program on the rise … it should be a fun preseason.”