Coach Eric Buran of Westmont High School has been recognized as the 49ers Charlie Wedemeyer Memorial Coach of the Week for week six of the football season. Buran's Warriors advanced to 3-1 on the season as they claimed a victory over the Evergreen Valley Cougars under the Friday night lights. The team did not hesitate to put points on the scoreboard, with running back Mark Derobertis running 80 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the game. Sophomore quarterback AJ Mintz continued to lead the offense while the Warriors' defense put on an exceptional show. Linebacker Sam Saidian recorded two interceptions, one of which he ran for a 65 yard touchdown in the second quarter. Defensive lineman Parag Bhenot followed with returning a recovered fumble for 25 yards to increase the Westmont cushion over the Cougars.
"We won this game as a team," said Coach Buran, "Everyone had a chance to play, and everyone played their hearts out."
Tight end and outside linebacker Kyle Burch continued to shine as a leader along with three-year starter Nick Meyer who currently has 47 tackles on the season. With a strong 3-4 defense holding Evergreen throughout the second half, the Warriors clinched a 42-7 blowout victory over the Cougars.
"This was a great win for us," stated Buran, "It is one step close to our goal of winning a league championship."
In addition to his team's goal of winning a title, Buran's Warriors also pride themselves in their academic achievements.
"We not only want to win on the field, but in the classroom," added Buran, "Our goal as a team is to have a 100 percent graduation rate."
The Warriors' qualities are the foundation to the Westmont coaching staff's implementation of positive character-building. Eric Buran preaches morals and the desire to get better every day—not only on the field, but in life. As a coach of fifteen years, he recognizes the values that football brings and how they can be expressed in all fields and lifestyles. Whether it is a brief encounter, lasting relationship or choice of profession, the game of football and the sense of morale and camaraderie it forms within its players can be applied to create a goal-oriented, bountiful life.
"We teach our athletes to respect the game as well as others," expressed Buran, "Our hope is that the values obtained from football can carry these young athletes on a path of respect, positivity, and success."
In addition to being named Coach of the Week, the Westmont football program will receive $1,000 from the 49ers Foundation. Coach Buran will also be featured in a KRON 4 interview with Gary Radnich, receive two tickets to a 49ers home game where he will be recognized on the field before the game, as well as an article on 49ers.com. In the weeks leading up to the on-field recognition, Buran will be invited to visit the 49ers training facility in Santa Clara to watch a private practice and receive a certificate from 49ers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh.
