Bee’s Best prep football: No. 16 Vista del Lago believe juniors are going to take over

The Sacramento Bee will unveil our Top 25 football rankings from No. 25 to No. 1, a team every weekday, right up to the Aug. 20 kickoff.

No. 16 Vista del Lago

City: Folsom

School Opened: 2007

League: Capital Athletic League

Division: IV

Enrollment: 1,896

2021 spring record: 8-4

Coach: Kyle Landes

Outlook: When longtime Eagles head coach Mike Struebing decided to step down last spring, Vista del Lago took a major swing and went young with his replacement by promoting then-29-year-old Kyle Landes.

The English teacher had only been with the program since 2018 in various assistant coaching capacities and admitted that he heard whispers about his hiring.

“I think there was some hesitancy in the football community because I’m a younger head coach on my first go-around,” Landes said. “But then, we came together and exceeded expectations.”

And exceed them they did. The Eagles went 8-4 and reached the semifinal of their division playoffs for the first time in eight years behind standout seasons from a group of seniors — Jakob Hollingshaus (quarterback), Aiden Santos (receiver), Tyler Petersen (running back) and Joe Carrera (line) — losing to the eventual champions Vanden.

Even though that group is gone, Landes said that their replacements might be “the best group (in the weight room)” that he’s ever seen.

This year’s Eagles team will be led by juniors who Landes said are ahead of the curve since many played varsity as sophomores.

Johnny Koett will start at quarterback after backing up Hollingshaus (who is now at Weber State) as a sophomore. According to Landes, he already has an offer from a Division I university in hand after standing out in offseason workouts with DB Select.

Koett will be throwing to fellow junior Matt Long, who will play a rare combination of wide receiver and outside linebacker.

“He’s going to be a headache for teams all year long,” Landes said. “He’s one of the most intuitive football players I’ve ever met in my life.”

One senior that will be returning to the Eagles is All-Metro linebacker Crew Santero who according to Landes will continue to be a force with a “great nose for the ball.”

Anchoring the line will be junior Brandon Nazworth who Landes calls endearingly a “man child.”

“He’s probably the best linemen I’ve ever coached in my career,” Landes said.

Alongside him will be his childhood friend and fellow junior Andrew Powers who according to Landes is “every bit as big and smart as (Nazworth) is.”

Landes also said that he expects all 22 starters to play both offense and defense but not necessarily start both ways.

One exception will be senior Wesley Bonar, who will return at safety and play some receiver.

“He’s just a natural leader,” Landes said. “He commands the room and the respect of his peers. … He is a ‘Shut my mouth and play football’ kind of kid, with no quit and a motor that runs 24/7.”

Senior Hunter Williams will return to play middle linebacker. According to Landes, he is the “emotional epicenter” of the team.

Rounding out his team leaders is senior defensive end Sam Hutchison who Landes raved was “the most ethically sound” person he’s ever met.

Landes said that he expects some growing pains early since his team is young. To get ahead of it, he said that he deliberately booked a tough preseason schedule that includes Granite Bay and Placer, which his team famously beat in what the team dubbed the “fog bowl” last postseason.

His goal for the upcoming season is to win the league title, something that Vista del Lago has not done in a long time.

“We’re going to have to grow up fast, but I think we’re capable of it,” Landes said.