ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The newest addition to the Delta League is the Laguna Creek Cardinals, who haven’t played in that league since 2013. 

Cardinals head coach Ryan Nill, who’s entering his sixth year at the helm, is excited to return to this league as he played in the Delta during his time at Laguna Creek as a student-athlete. 

“When I took off to start my teaching career we got moved to the Metro, so when I came back as the head coach one of our goals was to make sure we compete and show that we can get back in the Delta League,” Nill said. 

The Cardinals are coming off an overall 7-4 record and a 4-2 record in league play where they were met with a first-round exit of playoffs with a loss to the Del Oro Golden Eagles by a score of 37-23.  

As far as any adjustments that the Cardinals will make ahead of the move to the Delta, Nill said they’ll be trying to do the same thing that they always do, yet they will need to up their game. 

“There was a handful of games last year where we were able to make mistakes and still end up on the winning side, and that's just not going to be the case in the Delta League; if we make those same mistakes they're going to take advantage of it,” Nill said. 

In order to not make those same mistakes, Nill said, the Cardinals need to increase their focus, make sure the players are disciplined and understand the playbook.

Since Nill has taken over, football at Laguna Creek has been on the rise, and it will look to continue that as the newest members of the Delta League. 

Head coach of the Laguna Creek Cardinals, Ryan Nill, is looking to make an impact as the newest member of the Delta League as he’s entering his sixth year as their head coach. (File photo) 

Team Strengths: Although this has not normally been the case while Nill has been the head coach of the Cardinals, the offense is looking to be their strength, Nill said. 

“Normally it has not been this, but I think offensively, we're looking pretty good. We got our running back coming back, we got our quarterback coming back and we got our leading receiver coming back,” Nill said. 

The slated starting quarterback for the Cardinals is senior Mitchell Labrado, who has had a three-year plan with him going back to his sophomore season. 

“Year one was we’re going to keep things very simple, split the field in half; he’s only reading one defender. Second year we then spread it out a little bit for him to go through a progression, but still telling him these are the two options we’re looking at when he’s going into a pass progression for at least throwing the ball. And then this year give him the keys to the car and let him go,” Nill said. 

Nill said he and his staff think Labrado is very athletic and can run the ball, and his arm strength has gotten better while he has stepped into a leadership role. 

The other offensive threat that Nill and his staff are excited about is Armon Thorntona, who he’s been working like a “madman” during the offseason, Nill said. 

“I genuinely think he’s one of the top backs in the area,” Nill said. “He’s a freak of nature. I just think he is going to really open some people’s eyes, both in our community, but also at the college level,” Nill said. 

“I’m hoping for an outstanding year for him, where he’s not only pushing to be the best running back in our league but also possibly in the history of our school,” Nill said. 

With this offensive duo, the Cardinals are hoping to be 50-50 with both Labrado and Thorntona. 

“If you decide you want to be a run-heavy style defense and stop the run and stop Armon then we’re going to be able to put the ball in the air and hopefully we catch that thing,” Nill said. 

Team Unknowns: The Cardinals graduated key players to their offensive line, so Nill said they are in the process of getting those stepping in up to speed and getting them varsity-ready. 

“I think the offensive line is definitely one that we got to kind of see what happens as we’re only returning one starter from last year’s offensive line,” Nill said. 

That returning player is Tommy Patenga, a two-time Metro All-League player looking to lead the O-line. 

“We do not have the luxury of having guys only playing one side of the ball, so Tommy definitely has to step up and be a two-way starter, so we’re gonna have some new names playing O-line and some of them are going to be sophomores,” Nill said. 

The Cardinals are not giving up size, as Nill said he has some big players for the Cardinals, and he’s excited to develop those players. 

“It’s just getting them to know what to do and continue to build strength and kind of have that offensive-line mentality that you need to play that position,” Nill said. 

Overall outlook for this season: As for the outlook, the Cardinals mindset is that they are always competing for a championship.

“We have a saying over at Laguna which is, ‘high expectations lead to opportunities for success at the highest level.’ So if we set ourselves with an expectation of winning the championship, then one day we’re going to get the opportunity to do so,” Nill said. 

Regardless if programs may have down years, Nill said they try not to talk that way and always look for the upside to each season. 

“If we do what we’re supposed to do as coaches and our kids truly commit to the culture of what we do at Laguna, we think we have an opportunity to win every year,” Nill said.  

Schedule: The Cardinals built a tough schedule as they want that to help them when it comes time for playoff seeding. 

“We understand that it’s not automatic for us to make the playoffs. We’ve only made playoffs one year since I’ve been the head coach but again, the expectation is to make the playoffs and compete in the postseason,” Nill said.

The 7-4 record last season and being given the No. 11 seed caused the Cardinals to move their preseason around. 

“We were one team away from not even being in the playoffs and we went 7-3 my first year as a head coach and didn’t make the playoffs, and then went 7-3 again and didn’t make the playoffs,” Nill said. 

For this reason, the Cardinals will play better teams in preseason including the Vista Del Lago Eagles, the Tokay Tigers, the Manteca Buffaloes and the Lodi Flames. 

“Win or lose, it should help us get ready for the Delta, and hopefully it helps us with getting some strength to schedule points when it comes to seeding for the playoffs,” Nill said. 

The Laguna Creek Cardinals will start their season away at Vista Del Lago on Aug. 23. 

Schedule:

*=Delta Conference game

8/23 @ Vista Del Lago

8/30 @ Tokay

9/6 vs Manteca

9/13 vs Lodi

9/20 @ Monterey Trail*

9/27 vs Franklin* 

10/4 vs Cosumnes Oaks* 

10/11 @ Elk Grove* 

10/25 vs Sheldon* 

11/1 @ Pleasant Grove*