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High School Football Preview:
The power and brute strength of Mira Costa compete with the flash and dash of Redondo for a spot in the Bay League's upper echelon.
by John Tawa
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The key to Mira Costa's season lies with its huge, veteran offensive line. From left: Erik Curtis, Dan Wisdom, Adam Davenport, Chris Voltattorni, Sean Finnerty. Photo by John Tawa |
Mira Costa Mustangs
Head Coach: Don Morrow 1999 Overall Record: 5-4-1
Assistant Coaches: Jim Beaumont 1999 Bay League Record: 4-3
Ray Lee, Matt Craven, Bill Lysle (fourth place)
Steve Butler, Randy Nierenhausen
Starting Offensive Players (* denotes returning starter): QB: J.R. Martinez (Sr.), Peter Dobush (So.) or Tyler Caldwell (Jr.); RB: Morgan Schaening (Sr.) or Michael Okwo (So.); FB: Paul Martinez (Jr.) or Casey Sitchler (So.); WR's: Morgan Ralls* (Sr.) and Aaron Liggett (Sr.) or Nick Haley (So.); TE: Nick Wynand (Sr.); Linemen: Chris Voltattorni* (Sr.), Sean Finnerty* (Sr.), Erik Curtis* (Sr.), Dan Wisdom* (Sr.), Adam Davenport (Sr.).
Starting Defensive Players (* denotes returning starter): Linemen: Finnerty*, Matt Koppel (Jr.), Andrew Lyons (Jr.); Linebackers: Wynand* or Okwo, Alex Sabo* (Sr.), Brian Harlan (Sr.), Paul Martinez; Secondary: Liggett*, Schaening*, Vincent Espinoza (Sr.), David Enos (Jr.).
Outlook: The Mustangs struggled last year, hampered by injuries on offense and a defense that gave up many more yards and points than it was expected to. The result was a 4-3 league mark and no post-season play for the first time in Coach Morrow's seven-year tenure at Costa.
There is reason for optimism in Mustang land in 2000. It starts with a veteran offensive line that is massive in size and provides the leadership on the team. The five seniors average 6-3 and 267 lbs., the biggest line in the school's history. All-area performer Finnerty, a powerful 320-pounder, and the 290-pound Curtis anchor the left side and will be counted on to push the pile for Mustang runners.
"All those kids have played with us for three years now," Morrow said. "They have good skill and a good feel for what we're trying to do."
Finnerty, Curtis & Co. can expect to run block often this year because Costa will run a classic low-risk offense that will attempt to grind out first down after first down. A complete lack of experience in the offensive backfield is the reason.
Costa is unsettled at QB. Martinez, the backup last year, was expected to step in and excel, especially after a great summer. But he has a bulging disk in his back that will keep him out at least a few weeks. That leaves the team to Dobush, a pocket passer with talent who lacks experience, and Caldwell, a volleyball setter who knows how to run a team but has physical limitations.
The running back position is equally unclear. Schaening, who started on defense last year, and Okwo, the leading rusher on the frosh team, should split duty until one emerges. Both are good athletes who are more quick than fast. But neither has ever carried the ball in a varsity game.
The receiving corps should be one of the team's strengths. Ralls, an all-area returnee, has good hands and an idea of what to do with the ball after the catch. Liggett and Haley are good route runners and TE Wynand, who also handles all the kicking duties, has a good feel for the position.
The defense underachieved last year, struggling mightily against rugged Peninsula and the junk offenses run by Leuzinger and Bishop Montgomery. Lack of team speed was exploited last year and may be a problem again this year.
Morrow said they should be better in 2000.
Finnerty will be counted on to collapse the running game from the interior of the line. And Sabo, who played inside last year, has been moved to outside linebacker and is primed to have an outstanding year. The experienced defensive backs, led by Schaening and Liggett, do a good job on coverage and run support.
"We expect to be a lot better, but it's hard to say," Morrow said. "We'll have a year's experience defending an offense that two of our opponents run. Finnerty is pretty dominating and the secondary is all intact as well."
Despite a Bay League that has strength top to bottom with the addition of Redondo and West Torrance, a return to the playoffs in 2000 is a realistic goal.
"We're going to have to play better against Leuzinger and Peninsula in league if we expect to contend," he said.
"This is probably our most uncertain team," added Morrow. "There are probably more tenth graders contributing than any other year."
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Redondo's skill position players are the best in the Bay League. From left: lineman David Staruch, QB Christopher Coleman, lineman John Canteo, WR Keith Ellison |
Redondo Union Sea Hawks
Head Coach: Gene Simon 1999 Overall Record: 8-3-1
Assistant Coaches: Tim Ammentorp, 1999 Ocean League Record: 5-2
Bob Cracknell, Mike McCarthy, (third place)
Larry Crznarik, Brian Mahanke,
Vic Pirnik, John Cotton
Starting Offensive Players (* denotes returning starter): QB: Christopher Coleman* (Sr.); RB: Eddie Topps (Jr.); FB: Nathaniel Lacey (Jr.) or Matt Akins (Sr.); WR's: Keith Ellison (Jr.) and Dustin Zamboni (Sr.) or Matt Krumwiede (Sr.); TE: Ryan Sharman (Sr.); Linemen: David Staruch* (Sr.), John Canteo (Sr.), Brian Clampitt (Jr.), Ryan Baksh (Jr.) and Ian Uhalt (Sr.) or Fernando Talley (Jr.).
Starting Defensive Players (* denotes returning starter): Linemen: Evan Franklin* (Sr.), Staruch, Kyle Schneider* (Sr.) and Uhalt or Brandon Wexler (Jr.); Linebackers: Canteo*, Marcus Thompson (Sr.), Lacey*, Topps*; Secondary: Sharman*, Ellison, Terrence Loving (Jr.) or Keith Schiltgen (Jr.).
Outlook: The Sea Hawks had an outstanding year in 1999, which caused their elevation to the tough Bay League.
"It's a great boost for our program because we earned it," said Coach Simon, in his fifth year at the helm. "Now we have to perform at a level we haven't done before on a weekly basis. There are no gimmies in this league."
To be successful in the Bay League, the Sea Hawks will have to rely heavily on their skill position players. With only 31 players and just five starters weighing more than 200 pounds, they will be outsized virtually every week.
Fortunately, Redondo has terrific skill, probably the best in the league according to Mira Costa coach Don Morrow.
It starts with returning QB Coleman, a mobile signal caller with the ability to get the ball downfield.
"He played well last year," Simon said. "He has a chance to be one of the best in the area."
RB Topps, a tough, elusive runner, takes over for the departed Herbert Blood. He'll be the focal point of the offense and should have great success both running and receiving. Lacey and Akin both are capable at fullback. Lacey, at 172 pounds, isn't a traditional blocking back like Jamin Cauthen last year, but he's a good runner and receiver.
Out wide, Redondo is blessed to have the multi-talented Ellison, who missed all last year with a knee injury. The former freshman team QB two years ago, Ellison has sprouted five inches to 6-1 and may emerge as the team's best all-around player. He should also get some reps under center.
"He makes plays," Simon said. "But he's got a lot to prove because he didn't play last year."
Krumwiede is a possession receiver. Zamboni, a top kicker and punter, has good speed. And Sharman has decent mitts and is an improving blocker. The receiving corps would have been even stronger, but Kahiam Hunter transferred to South Torrance.
The offensive line is the weakest point of the offense. It lacks size and experience. Only Staruch returns from last year. Canteo is hard-nosed and should be solid. But there are a ton of question marks.
"We were more sound on the line last year, Simon said. "We don't have a dominating line player. These guys have to step up and prove themselves."
Because of the young, small offensive line, Redondo will go to a new offense in 2000, called the Fly offense, designed to attack the perimeter of the defense. The ball can go any one of four places on any play. It's similar to the high-octane offenses run by Leuzinger and Bishop Montgomery, but from a spread position.
To be successful, the offense requires perfect execution, something Simon hasn't seen consistently in practice yet.
"We're young and not real polished yet," he explained.
The defense is small and lacks the star power of a year ago, when Lewis Areyan and Armaund Harris seemed to be in on virtually every play. And since many of the players will go both ways, conditioning is paramount.
The philosophy of Redondo's 4-4 defense will be bend but don't break. The goal is to run up lots of points and play well enough on defense to prevail.
Franklin should emerge as the Sea Hawks' star defender. The down lineman is the strongest kid in school with speed and the desire to put a licking on you. Canteo at middle linebacker has big shoes to fill with the loss of Harris, but should be a capable run stuffer. Ellison on the corner should be able to shut down the opposition's best receiver.
A tough pre-season schedule that includes Torrance and North Torrance should tell the coaching staff where the team is, heading into a Bay League that Simon thinks his squad can win.
"We talk about it every day," he said. "That's our goal. We've set our sights as high as we can set them."
"We worked 11 months to get to this point. I'm proud of every kid that's made it this far." ER