BLAINE - The most surprising thing about Mario Gobbato's unbelievable junior season in 2011 wasn't that the Blaine running back rushed for 2,669 yards, including 1,366 yards in the Borderites' final four games - it was that most of those 1,366 yards came on one play.
"We just ran that one play over and over again," Blaine coach Jay Dodd said. "We simplified how we blocked it, and we were able to run it so much better. We had a freshman quarterback at the time in Nathan Kramme, and our wide outs and he were still learning each other, so we struggled throwing the ball out there. We were fighting and struggling to find a backdoor into the playoffs, and what we found is that one play over and over again gave us the best chance to win games."
By the time Blaine was eliminated from the Class 2A Northwest District playoffs, Gobbato had accounted for 90.8 percent of the Borderites' total rushing yards and 73.1 percent of their overall offensive production.
That's something Dodd plans to change in 2012 during Gobbato's senior season.
"We're looking to be much more balanced," Dodd said. "We're going to throw the ball more. We're looking at another running back - junior Cole Muder - to help take some of the pressure of Mario. Last year against Anacortes, Mario carried the ball 55 times, and most every other game he had 35 or more carries. If we can get that number down to 25 - he could care less about any stats and so do we. We just worry about winning games."
Dodd has been impressed with Kramme's development after throwing up to four days a week with a set of receivers that will include Isaiah Jackson, Tyler Kelly and Brett Allen.
"It's really nice to have a core of skill guys back this year," Dodd said.
Blaine only returns two starters from the offensive line that opened holes for Gobbato last year in guard Jon Fakkema and tackle Palmer Sandel and a third if you count Caleb Johnson sliding over from tight end to guard. Add in either Jon Fakkema or Mike Antczak at center and Miguel Ramos at the other tackle, and the line looks like it won't miss a beat.
"We're over 275 (pounds at each tackle, and James and Caleb at guard are both over 220, and our center is going to be either 225 John Fakkema or 285-pound Mike Antczak," Dodd said. "So we're big up front. The guys we lost, I think the next group is ready to be plugged in."
Lightening Gobbato's load on offense should allow the Borderites to use him at linebacker, rather than safety, getting him closer to the ball to help Blaine try to cut down on the 30.1 points per game they allowed last year.
"We gave up a lot of points last year, but a lot of our kids are back," Dodd said. "I think they're physically more mature and able to tackle in space better. I think our defense is going to make a big difference for us this year."
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
MARIO GOBBATO
Sr. RB/LB
He enters the season only 2,196 yards behind Bellevue's J.R. Hasty for the state's career rushing record, but his carries should decrease with a more balanced offense.
JAMES FAKKEMA
Sr. OL/DL
A physical specimen on the line, Fakkema's leadership up front also will play a key as Blaine reloads after losing much of last year's line to graduation.
NATE KRAMME
So. QB/DB
Thrown into the fire as a freshman after injury, Kramme managed to keep his head above water. Now bigger, stronger and more experienced, Blaine will count on him more.
THREE KEYS TO THE SEASON
1. Improve defensively
Blaine simply gave up too many points in 2011, allowing more than 30 per game. The good news is most of the defense is back and should be much better at tackling in space.
2. Diversify on offense
Gobbato had a special season last year, but Blaine needs more output from the passing game and other backs to keep him fresh and available to help the defense.
3. Make the most of the move
Blaine moves down to Class 1A to reunite with many of its old Whatcom County League rivals. The Borderites are now one of the biggest schools in their classification.
2012 SCHEDULE
Aug. 31 New Westminster (B.C.) 7 p.m.
Sept. 7 Terry Fox (B.C.) 7 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Lakewood 7 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Bellingham (at Civic Stadium) 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 Lynden Christian* 7 p.m.
Oct. 5 at Friday Harbor* 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 Meridian* 7 p.m.
Oct. 19 Mount Baker* 7 p.m.
Oct. 26 at Nooksack Valley* 7 p.m.
*NWC 1A game
2011 RESULTS (4-6, 4-4 NWC, 4-3 NWC 2A)
at Hazen L 35-32
Squalicum* W 41-23
Lynden* L 45-19
at Ferndale L 34-7
at Mount Baker* L 44-41
Burlington-Edison* L 21-19
at Bellingham* W 61-34
at Anacortes* W 36-16
Sehome* W 48-14
CLASS 2A NORTHWEST DISTRICT PLAYOFFS
at Cedarcrest L 35-24
*NWC 2A game
2011 STAT LEADERS
RUSHING Att. Yards Avg. TD
Mario Gobbato* 335 2,669 8.0 38
Tyler Chau 16 97 6.1 0
Cole Muder* 21 90 4.3 1
PASSING Cmp. Att. Yards TD Int.
Nate Kramme* 37 92 598 7 8
RECEIVING Rec. Yards Avg. TD
Andrew Price 23 436 19.0 5
Isaiah Jackson* 9 118 13.1 2
Tyler Chau 8 117 14.6 1
*Returning player
2012 ROSTER
No. Player Yr. Ht. Wt. Pos.
2 Steven Crafts So. 5-9 135 WR/DB
3 Charlie Baldwin So. 5-8 120 WR/DB
4 Matt Craig So. 5-7 135 RB/DB
4 Antonio Ochoa Fr. 5-6 100 WR/DB
5 Billy Dodd So. 5-2 115 WR/DB
6 Zachery Osonbrock Fr. 5-8 145 WR/DB
7 Tyler Kelly Sr. 5-9 170 WR/DB
8 Christian Hardt Sr. 6-0 190 RB/LB
9 Zane Batchelor Jr. 5-9 160 RB/LB
9 Brendan Riddle Fr. 5-2 120 QB/DB
10 Kyle Weaver Sr. 6-1 175 WR/DB
11 Brett Allen Sr. 5-11 150 WR/DB
11 Jonathon Anderson Fr. 5-1 105 WR/DB
13 Nate Kramme So. 5-11 170 QB/DB
13 Jonathan Starcer Fr. 5-6 130 RB/DB
14 Marcus Potts Fr. 6-0 150 QB/DB
15 Ben Hodgin So. 5-11 135 WR/DB
15 Tyler Luce Fr. 5-2 100 WR/DB
16 Serge Shevchenko Jr. 5-10 145 WR/DB
17 Kevin Sell So. 5-8 115 QB/DB
20 Matt Bowyer Fr. 5-0 105 RB/DB
20 Tas Scanlan Sr. 6-2 205 TE/DL
21 Cole Muder Jr. 5-9 165 RB/DB
22 Cooper Lariviere So. 6-2 165 TE/DL
23 Adam Veum So. 5-7 140 RB/LB
25 Austin Trahan So. 5-6 120 WR/DB
28 Kyler Bell So. 5-10 175 WR/DB
29 Kristian Ebenal So. 5-6 130 RB/LB
30 Eddie Guerrero Sr. 5-7 150 WR/DB
31 Joe Leeking Jr. 5-10 170 RB/DB
33 Jose Araica Fr. 6-0 130 WR/DB
33 Rudy Nolasco So. 5-6 150 RB/LB
34 Quame Finley Fr. 5-8 190 RB/LB
34 Jordan Froneberger Sr. 6-1 170 OL/DL
40 Jordan Clay Fr. 5-8 142 TE/LB
40 Jon Stewart Jr. 5-8 160 RB/LB
41 Josh Fakkema Fr. 6-0 160 TE/LB
44 Mario Gobbato Sr. 5-8 155 RB/LB
46 Kaden Foster So. 5-8 155 RB/LB
46 Kendall Schroeder Fr. 5-9 130 TE/DL
51 Matt Kelly So. 6-2 210 OL/DL
51 Ian Wenzl Fr. 5-8 185 OL/DL
52 James Fakkema Sr. 6-3 230 OL/DL
52 Armando Moser-Hernan Fr. 5-10 200 OL/LB
53 Logan Brittain Fr. 5-7 160 OL/DL
53 Jon Fakkema So. 6-3 215 OL/DL
54 Kellen Mcelwain Fr. 5-8 180 OL/DL
54 Palmer Sandel Sr. 6-5 280 OL/DL
55 Caleb Johnson Sr. 6-1 230 OL/LB
59 Tyler Bolick Fr. 5-7 140 OL/DL
59 Alberto Morales Jr. 5-10 200 OL/DL
60 Tristan Soto Fr. 6-2 155 OL/LB
63 Kyler Young Fr. 5-8 185 OL/DL
64 Dwayne Ortega Sr. 5-10 190 OL/LB
65 Andres Araica Fr. 5-9 195 OL/DL
67 Joey Sawyer So. 5-9 215 OL/DL
68 Miguel Ramos Sr. 6-1 270 OL/DL
70 Cajun Lankford So. 5-9 190 OL/LB
72 Tyler Earhart Fr. 6-0 170 OL/DL
73 Sam Ramirez Fr. 5-4 200 OL/DL
75 Mike Antczak Jr. 6-0 300 OL/DL
77 Adam Mcshane So. 6-0 215 OL/DL
80 Cassidy Olinger Sr. 6-3 165 TE/LB
81 Preston Bellville Fr. 5-7 120 WR/DB
82 Andrey Baydak Jr. 6-0 175 TE/DL
83 Isaiah Jackson Jr. 5-11 160 WR/DB
84 Tanner Anthony Jr. 5-11 170 TE/LB
85 Jordan Antonson Jr. 5-8 140 WR/DB
88 Cody Gobbato So. 5-9 130 WR/DB
93 Shaquille Woods Fr. 6-3 315 OL/DL
Reach DAVID RASBACH at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2271.
