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Poway Titans

By: Scott Bair | Friday, August 31, 2007 6:46 AM PDT ∞

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Back to Prep Football 2007

Critic's take

Poway was a quality team last season, when the Titans reached the CIF San DIego Section Division I final. This year's squad, however, is even better. Poway has a shutdown defense, and explosive offense, depth at key positions and a number of clutch performers. This season, Poway will make another run at the section final, but coach Damian Gonzlaez knows nothing will be handed to the Titans. 'Potential won't take you anywhere,' he said. 'We're going to have to earn it by working hard each and every week.'

Sneak preview

Director: Damian Gonzlaez. Age: 36.
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College: University of San Diego. Overall record: 38-41-2 (6 years). Record at school: 19-19 (3 years).

DIVISION: I (Enrollment: 3,025).

CLASSICS (Section titles): None.

MARQUEE PLAYERS: TE Ryan Deehan is a blue-chip prospect through and through. The hulking 6-foot-5, 234 pounder with surprising agility and pass catching prowess will be hard for anyone to stop this season. Deehan isn't afraid to take a hit while going across the middle of the field, making him a tremendous asset to QB Tynan Murray in his first year as the starter.

SUPPORTING CAST: While Deehan is undoutedly Poway's biggest name, he certainly isn't the only Titan with big-time talent. OLB/WR Jared Relyea is dangerous on both sides of the ball and will rarely leave the field. ILB Niko Skawinski also has a nonstop motor and is great against the run. SS/HB Nick Milani will help slow the pass and the run and generate offense in the running attack.

HITS: Poway's strength lies in both talent and experience. The Titans feature of number of quality players who played significant roles during last year's run to the CIF San Diego Section Division I finals. Help from newcomers like OL Sammy Cervantes and CB Brett Thomas should make this team a force to be reckoned with. Poway's defense was the weaker unit last season, but this year it should be one of the best in North County

MISSES: While Poway has experience overall, the Titans are raw in a few key areas. The most glaring is at quarterback, where Murray replaces All-North County signal caller Donnie McKillop. Poway's starting receivers also lack a ton of big-time experience, which might allow defenses to double-team Deehan.

Jerry Mikels - Lessons learned
Mikels got more than just football from Poway days

Jerry Mikels is a long way from home. He has raised a family and a

construction business in Springfield, Mo., half a continent removed from his old stomping grounds.

He visits his hometown of Poway whenever possible and still has a familial connection to the community.

There are other ties, however, that bind Mikels to the North County town. While he went on to play football at the University of Oregon and sign with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent, some of his favorite athletic memories occurred on the Poway High football field.

Most of them are from the 1980 season, when he was named the CIF San Diego Section defensive player of the year.

Mikels led a team that wasn't supposed to make the playoffs all the way to the section semifinals. The middle linebacker racked up 136 tackles, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries, solidifying his status as the best football player in Titans history.

Mikels can no longer recite his stats from that season, but the wisdom of then-coach Jerry Van Zant sticks with him today.

"The coaches taught me about more than just football," Mikels said. "They taught me about life and about work ethic. I don't think I would've gotten as far or been as successful as I was without them."

Mikels doesn't define success by tackles or sacks any more. His happiness stems from his wife, Amy, his children, William and Wyatt, and the ability to build something from the ground up.

"After I got cut by the Cowboys, my agent wanted me to go play in Canada," Mikels said. "It was tough to turn that down and leave the sport that I loved, but I wanted to start a life for myself at that point. I'm happy to say that it's worked out pretty well."