The 2009 Point Loma High School (PLHS) Pointers football squad is just over two weeks away from its season opener on the road against the Monte Vista Monarchs — and PLHS head football coach Mike Hastings already likes what he sees. “The parts are all there for this year, but it is just a matter of executing every week,” Hastings said. “It should be a lot of fun this year. We’ve been looking forward to this the past 10 months.” The Pointers come off a 6-5-1 playoff-capped season in 2008 after winning the Western League three straight years (2005-07) and three consecutive Division III CIF championship game appearances at Qualcomm Stadium during the same period. “We had a young team last year and a tough preseason schedule, which included Monte Vista, Catholic Cathedral, El Capitan, Mira Mesa and Granite Bay,” Hastings said. The Pointers missed out on a chance for a fourth consecutive visit to Qualcomm Stadium and a CIF championship bid after being defeated 20-14 by Cathedral Catholic in the quarterfinal round last season. Hastings said one of the reasons he is optimistic is the number of players returning from last year. There are currently 24 seniors and five juniors returning from the previous season. “We have a lot of experience that comes back from last year with seven to eight starters on offense, eight of 11 on defense and both kickers returning from last year,” Hastings said. Most of the offensive backfield returns with quarterback Keegan Fitzgerald and starting tailback Leslie Rogers. Fitzgerald threw for 11 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He also rushed for 305 yards on 95 carries — three of those for touchdowns. Rogers led the Pointers in rushing with 1,517 yards on 183 carries and 16 touchdowns. Two of Fitzgerald’s top receivers, wide receiver/defensive back Davis Callejon and tight end Jordan Sparkman, are also returning. Callejon had 15 receptions, 319 yards and two touchdowns, while the 6’6″, 220-pound Sparkman had 14 receptions of his own, 200 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, the Pointers look to be strong with defensive end William McDonough returning after an outstanding year. McDonough was third on the team with 45 tackles and led the team with eight sacks. He will get help on the other side by defensive end Sean Stepina. “Stepina is a good complement to McDonough,” Hastings said. “He rushes hard off the edge and is about the same size as McDonough (6’2,” 210 pounds).” Stepina produced 50 tackles and 1.5 sacks last year. PLHS will also be strong up the middle with sophomore Eric Bueno starting at nose guard. “He came in and played strong for us down the stretch and this year he is bigger and stronger,” Hastings said. Bueno totaled seven tackles. Middle linebacker Anthony Joyner also returns. He led the team in total tackles with 84 and was credited with a half-sack. Joyner will be backed up by Curtis Deitz. Deitz had 47 tackles and three sacks. Despite the program’s success this decade and the expectations for the program this year, Hastings said he measures his success as a coach by how successful his players are after they leave Point Loma. “What is more important to me is how our players end up after high school and whether or not they are good people in the community many years after high school,” Hastings said. Hastings is entering his 12th year as PLHS head football coach.