California High School participates in team practice on Aug. 22.
Loads of local talent bode well for coming season
By Eric Terrazas
Staff Writers
411whittier.com
Summertime has reached its final stages and the calendar is getting ready to turn to fall.
This time of year signifies the start of a new high school football season, which brings about a sense of optimism.
Hopes are riding high among the area’s teams as they prepare for the 2013 season.
La Serna, which captured the Del Rio League crown and advanced to its second consecutive CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division championship game last year, will look to take that final step in 2013. The Lancers, who finished 5-0 in league play and 12-2 overall, fell to Downey 33-25 in last season’s Southeast title game.
California will also seek a return to the postseason. The Condors, who posted a third-best 3-2 record in the Del Rio League, are coming off an 8-3 season.
Pioneer (1-4 league, 2-8 overall) and Whittier (0-5, 3-7) will both look to improve from a disappointing 2012.
St. Paul, which features a new head coach in Rick Zepeda, is hoping for better days. The Swordsmen experienced a turbulent 2012 season, finishing 0-5 in the Mission League and 1-9 overall.
Whittier Christian, which captured the 2012 Olympic League title by posting a 4-0 record, will attempt to sustain its success. The Heralds, who turned in an overall mark of 8-4, advanced to last season’s CIF-SS Northwest Division quarterfinals.
Here is a closer look at the area’s six teams:
CALIFORNIA
The Condors figure to face a season of transition due to the graduation of several key players such as quarterback Drew Castro, running backs Aaron Garcia and Josh Perez, offensive linemen German Ponce, David Escamilla and Jacob Gamboa, defensive back Bryan Limon and linebacker Aaron Licon.
California, however, does feature some returning talent in running back Manny Espinoza, wide receiver Julio Arce, linebackers Nick Gonzales and Thomas Vielma, offensive/defensive lineman Dominic Sanchez and defensive back Isaiah Almarez. Espinoza, Arce, Gonzales and Almarez are seniors while Vielma and Sanchez are both entering their junior years.
According to Condors coach Jim Arnold, promising newcomers include running back/linebacker Nathan Lowden, defensive back James Contreras and lineman Brendon Simpson, who figures to play on both offense and defense.
“It will definitely be competitive,” Arnold said of the Del Rio League. “We need to stay away from injury. I think we can be a pretty decent football team.”
The Condors opened their season Sept. 5 with a home victory over Montebello. They start Del Rio play Oct. 11 against archrival La Serna.
“We open up with La Serna – it’s going to be a big battle,” Arnold said. “We’re all about trying to get ready for league. We have a lot of guys (playing both offense and defense). Normally, we don’t like to do that but we have to do it this year.”
California opened its season Sept. 5 with a 24-13 victory over Montebello.
LA SERNA
The defending Del Rio League champions appear primed for another successful season with a team that features returning talent on both sides of the ball.
Senior and three-year starting quarterback Frankie Palmer leads an offense that also features fellow senior returners in offensive lineman Enrique Huerta, tight end Luis Camacho and wide receiver Matt Rosales.
Camacho and Huerta, who play outside linebacker and defensive lineman respectively, figure to play essential roles for the Lancers defense, which also features senior safety Tony Ceron.
Promising newcomers include junior running back/defensive back Kevin Ramos, sophomore linebacker Daniel Campos and sophomore running back/defensive back J.T. Thompson.
Lancers coach Margarito Beltran feels good about their chances this year and they’re focusing on getting to the playoffs, and will take it from there.
La Serna is off to a 1-1 start, winning its Aug. 30 opener against Vista, 27-10, before falling 24-20 to Los Osos on Sept. 6.
PIONEER
The Titans will look to make strides under second-year coach Chuck Willig.
The Pioneer’s offense features key returners in senior quarterback Jonathan Jimenez and wide receivers Julio Reynoso (junior) and Matthew Rodriguez (senior). Jimenez passed for 959 yards and five touchdowns as a junior.
After losing several defensive players such as linebackers Angel Paez and Angel Marquez to graduation, the Titans will feature a youthful defense that hopes to make their presence felt quickly.
Since construction has started on a new football facility that is scheduled to open in 2014, the Titans will be on the road this year. Pioneer will play this season’s home games at California and La Mirada high schools and Cerritos College.
The Titans opened their season Aug. 29 with a 28-20 nonleague loss to Sunny Hills before defeating Glenn, 44-26, on Sept. 5.
WHITTIER
The Cardinals, which feature a senior-laden roster, have high hopes for 2013.
“We have a lot of seniors on the team,” Whittier second-year coach Visko Ancich said. “We have a handful of kids who came out for football and who want to be a part of the program.”
Whittier features several returners that include wide receiver/defensive back Matt Acosta, running back/defensive back Anthony Figueroa, defensive linemen Zach Nicholson and Andres Garcia, offensive lineman Alex Pastrana, quarterback Jared Reza and fullback Eddie Orta. All are seniors except for Orta, who is a junior.
Senior linebacker Mario Espinoza, junior offensive lineman Albert Gonzales and senior wide receiver Jacob Cervantes will also look to make an impact.
“We need to stay healthy, do our job and play with passion,” Ancich said. “We’re looking forward to getting started.”
The Cardinals have started 2-0 with wins against Sonora (28-21) and Azusa (31-12).
ST. PAUL
Rick Zepeda, a 1988 graduate of St. Paul, returns to his alma mater.
“I love St. Paul,” said Zepeda, who previously served as El Rancho’s head coach for four seasons (2008-11). “This place changed my life when I was a kid. I feel really blessed to have this opportunity to give back to a school that gave me a lot.”
Zepeda added, “It’s going to be tough. We play the best teams every week. This year, we have a lot of young guys and first-time varsity starters. We have good quality offensive and defensive linemen. Our skill guys have to play above their means.”
Junior quarterback Jacob Maier will lead the offense, which also features fellow returning left tackle Junior Millan, running back Daniel Aguilar, center Jeremy Funk and wide receiver Matt Baker.
Key defensive returners include lineman Jamie Diaz and linebacker Aaron Miranda.
Defensive backs Nick Delgado and Brandon Garcia, along with linebacker Jacob Bertram and nose guard Joe Gallardo, will also seek to play major roles for the Swordsmen.
St. Paul started its season Aug. 30 with a 40-20 home loss to Buena Park and then fell to 0-2 with a 56-7 defeat to Mater Dei on Sept. 5.
WHITTIER CHRISTIAN
The Heralds, armed with a roster that returns several key players, are aiming for more success in 2013.
Senior quarterback Ryan Esslinger returns to lead a talented offense that also features junior wide receiver Noah Evans, senior center Parker Subia, and sophomore running back/wide receiver Nick Watase.
The senior trio of safeties Dylan Murphy and Matt Triviso, along with linebacker Jack Huitt, figure to serve as the Heralds’ defensive leaders. Sophomore defensive end Ryan Seen will also look to make an impact.
Heralds coach Sergio Gradilla feels excited about their chances this year with key seniors returning. Their focus is on keeping both sides of the line strong.
Whittier Christian has started well, winning its first two games against Bishop, 41-20, and Cantwell Sacred Heart, 32-17.
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