Osborn is curator of Braves’ new world

By Ramon Scott
Updated: August 17, 2018

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

EL CAJON VALLEY BRAVES

EastCountySports.com staff report

EL CAJON – New El Cajon Valley head coach NICK OSBORN has long adopted what it means to be a Brave.

The former San Diego State defensive star now gets to reiterate the meaning to the Braves’ football team.

The math teacher and assistant soccer coach seems to bring exactly what the program needs to get students to participate with his enthusiasm, but also the ability to improve, with his successful football background.

“The vibe he brings here is a whole new thing, you can’t explain it, it’s all new,” senior quarterback ATLANTIS EIDEJUS said. “He’s going to bring a whole new atmosphere.”

The leadership combination of motivation and experience closely resembles some of the recent successes in the El Cajon Valley sports programs, including the boys’ soccer and tennis teams.

“We feel like we can build have fun on the scoreboard and with the experience in this high school,” junior middle linebacker/ tight end MARIO JACOBS said.

Jacobs is the team’s leading returning tackler from last season with 58 total stops. He was a second-team All-Grossmont Valley League pick last season.

ROBINSON

Senior two-way leader BRANDON ROBINSON, another All-GVL second-teamer in 20178, will start at wide receiver and safety.

“(Osborn) is more attention to detail,” Robinson said. “It’s definitely a different atmosphere compared to the last two years.”

Eidejus, who threw 55 passes last year sharing time behind center, has been praised by teammates for his leadership skills.

“We have a new everything so we have a lot of new things to like,” Eidejus said. “I see a lot of heart in our players, we work hard, we connect.”

The Braves’ BRANDON BLACKBURN, CLARENCE JOHNSON, and DAMARIUS HYDE will see plenty of time thanks in part to the team’s typical shorter roster.

“All the receivers are doing great so far,” Eidejus said. “And on our offensive line, everyone knows there place, there is a lot more discipline on the line.”

SHIPLEY

Senior center ANDRE ROBLES is a veteran up front, while senior ANGEL SHIPLEY brings the experience to the defensive side of the ball.

The Braves are going to be looking up at many teams on their schedule but one of their most competitive games of the season comes in Friday night’s opener when they host Francis Parker.

Games with Castle Park and Coronado also figure to be the key games in improving their playoff chances in the section’s Division IV.

El Cajon Valley will likely need improvement to move into the playoff picture, but just one upset along the way along with wins against those beatable foes would immediately vault the team into the postseason.

The Braves could achieve a couple of goals when they face league and division rival Santana in the season finale at home.