Moreno has high hopes for Le Grand football

LE GRAND -- Zach Moreno has proven his ability to make the big play.

His 1,055 receiving yards and 18 touchdown catches as a junior caught the eyes of the Fresno State and Sacramento State coaching staffs.

Now Moreno wants to turn his attention to the little plays.

The departures of seniors Bob Perez, Alex Martinez, Rick Martinez and Gio Maldonado has left a leadership void at Le Grand.

It's a role Moreno hopes to at least partially fill. And to do that he knows he needs to set the tone with his own behaviors.

Leaders are consistent, they have an attention to detail and they ooze effort on every play.

"(Alex) Bucio knows that if we have a streak or a post, he can just throw it to a spot and I'll go get it," Moreno said. "What I'm really trying to work on this year is my route running. My footwork on ins and out and slants needs to be a lot more consistent and I need to make the easy plays.

"Bucio shouldn't have to adjust to me, I should adjust to him."

The other area of concern in Moreno's senior year is his run blocking.

"We saw on film a couple times where if I'd stayed with my block down field a little longer, our back probably would have scored," Moreno said. "It's embarrassing to know that was my fault, because I eased up too soon."

The fact that these improved skills will make Moreno all the more desirable a college prospect is an added bonus, but his main focus for now is helping the Bulldogs defend their Sac-Joaquin Section Division 6 title.

That defense starts at home tonight as Le Grand opens the season with Tranquility. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs won last year's meeting 56-6 on the road.

"Tranquility is a team that's had two coaches in two years, so they've struggled a little bit recently," Le Grand head coach Rick Martinez said. "In a couple of our scrimmages we started out getting knocked around a little bit before we'd make some adjustments and come back.

"What I'd like to see in this game is for us to come out and be the aggressor and hit them in the mouth before they can hit us."

In other local action, Buhach Colony (1-0) will play host to Enochs (1-0). The Thunder pulled off a 20-18 win a year ago. Atwater will display its new shotgun Wing-T against Merrill West. The Falcons dropped a tough one, 12-8, a year ago. Los Banos (0-1) will look to bounce back from a tough road loss to Rocklin when it hosts Tracy.

As for Le Grand, don't expect there to be any pregame festivities to recognize last year's blue banner.

"We've been there and done that," Martinez said. "Our focus now is on this season, and we still have plenty of work to do to get where we want to be."