The big story on the Eastlake High School campus this season is that former head coach John McFadden has returned to resume his old position with the Titans.
Mac is back … and that can only spell good fortune for the program.
McFadden stepped down as head coach following the 2013 season, taking 127 career wins and two San Diego Section championships with him.
He returned after admitting that he missed the strategy part of the game, trying to fit all the pieces together to form a championship team.
There is no reason to believe that McFadden will not be successful in his return to the helm.
While McFadden has been absent as head coach for four years at Eastlake, he has remained on campus as a physical education teacher.
Familiarity, of course, always helps.
“The good thing is that I know all the kids from school in PE class,” McFadden said. “I’m excited. It’s all about improving. They’re here to win my trust and I have to win their trust. We’re working on that really hard.”
There isn’t too much that needs fixing on the Titans, who finished 10-3 last season en route to a runner-up finish to El Camino in the Division I championship game under then head coach Dean Tropp.
Tropp, who took over from Lee Price (who originally took over from McFadden), relinquished the position due to health issues, which facilitated McFadden’s return.
The Titans finished runner-up in last year’s Metro-Mesa League standings to Otay Ranch with a 3-1 league record.
Team goals this year include accomplishing what the team was unable to accomplish last year — that being winning a league title and CIF championship.
Eastlake should find out how it stacks up against some of the section’s projected heavyweights when it hosts Torrey Pines in a non-league encounter in Friday’s season opener. The Falcons are being touted as one of the top teams in the section this season.
“We have some good kids — we’ll surprise a few people,” McFadden assessed.
Senior linebacker/tight end Josh McCurty leads the Titans’ top returners along with seniors A.J. Hernandez (defensive back/running back), Roman Coe (running back/linebacker), Parker Merrifield (running back/linebacker), McKinley Egland-Young (cornerback), Kevin Bateman (receiver), Jordan Walker (receiver), Talon Lazio (tight end), Sebastian Scholl (receiver), Claidale Jackson (cornerback/receiver) and junior Darius De Los Reyes (running back/defensive back).
Seniors Lavonte Webb (6-4, 280), Vincent Santos (6-4, 300) and Jack Hay (5-10, 225) will lead the way in the trenches on the offensive and defensive lines.
When projected starting EHS quarterback Daniel Amon elected to transfer to Helix High School over the summer, sophomore Richard Colmonero took over the reins as the team’s top quarterback.
Ryzhon McCoy, who split time last year with Amon (1,580 passing yards, 16 touchdowns), should also be in the mix this season after rushing for 389 yards and four touchdowns while throwing for 247 yards and three TDs.
Coe led the Titans with 890 rushing yards last season while scoring eight touchdowns; Merrifield ranked second on the squad with 697 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
Bateman had three touchdown catches as a junior while De Los Reyes scored three touchdowns (two receiving, one rushing) as a sophomore.
McCurty led the Titans last season with 206 tackles while also generating six sacks. Coe ranked second on the team with 127 sacks. Hernandez and Coe each had two interceptions.
McCurty should be an asset on offense as well this season.
The Titans have already shown they are ready to compete after edging Madison, 7-0, in last Saturday’s scrimmage. The Warhawks are ranked fourth in the section to start the season.
Eastlake lost to Lincoln in a pair of passing tournaments over the summer. “They’re really a good seven-on-seven team — they have some incredible athletes,” McFadden acknowledged. “But when you put pads on, it’s a whole different story.”
The Titans host their first four regular season games — Aug. 17 against Torrey Pines, Aug. 24 against Hilltop, Aug. 31 against Santiago and Sept. 7 against Grossmont — with a chance to build some momentum for the remainder of the season.
Overall, Eastlake will have six home games this season.
Barons could be slated for big turnaround in 2018
The Bonita Vista Barons are looking to have a turnaround season under new head coach Sam Kirkland after posting an 0-11 record last year.
That’s right: 0-11. The Barons, fielding a young and inexperienced squad, finished 0-10 in the regular season. However, because the team was included in the Division I playoff bracket, it also qualified for post-season play.
The Barons ended the 2017 season with a 35-19 playoff loss to fifth-seeded Oceanside.
But that was last year. Bonita Vista has already shown it is ready to compete this season after posting a runner-up finish at July’s South County Passing Tournament at Southwestern College.
The Barons finished 4-3 in the two-day tournament, dropping a highly competitive 32-25 contest to Christian in the consolation championship game.
Kirkland is the Barons’ second new head coach in as many seasons. He hopes to lead the team to better fortunes in 2018.
The Barons kick off regular season play Aug. 17 when they host the St. Augustine Saints at Southwestern College.
The Saints will be under the guidance of new head coach Joe Kremer after South County native Richard Sanchez departed the program to take an assistant coaching job at San Diego State University.
“I’m just putting in the work right now, not looking that far ahead,” Kirkland said. “We want to do things so that we can get better every day.”
BVHS players seem enthusiastic about the new direction.
“Coming off an 0-11 season, we’re looking to bounce back,” senior linebacker C.J. Jennen said.
The Barons finished 2-1 in pool play at the SWC event by defeating El Capitan and Valhalla while losing to Torrey Pines.
Bonita Vista received the No. 7 for the playoffs but dropped a 19-18 decision to 18th-seeded Olympian in the placement round.
The Barons, keyed by quarterback Kevin Rozar, continued play in the consolation round as the No. 1 seed, receiving a bye before defeating Mountain Empire in its first elimination game.
Bonita Vista defeated Kearny, 44-33, in the consolation semifinals to advance to the consolation championship game against Christian.
“There are a lot of bright spots returning from a team that finished 0-11 last year,” Kirkland explained. “With plenty of youth and athleticism returning in 2018, the outlook for this season seems to be trending upward. If both sides of the ball are able to learn and execute in a newly installed system, they could be a team to watch in the South Bay.”
Rozar, a senior quarterback/defensive back, will lead the BVHS offense in 2018 along with returning starters Raymond Terrones (senior running back/wide receiver), Daveon Lanier (senior wide receiver/defensive back) and Ronald Vann II (junior wide receiver/defensive back).
Terrones earned second team All-Metro/Mesa League recognition last season. Redlands University, San Diego State and Washington State have shown interest.
Rozar and Terrones figure to be the one-two punch for the Barons, who return nine starters off last year’s squad, most of them supporting the offense.
Four starters return on the offensive line, highlighted by the duo of Alex Alcala and Anthony Antunez.
Kirkland said junior Roland Cota and sophomores Saiyvionn Williams and Kyle Gregg all will have a role in the running game.
The new BVHS coach said to keep an eye out for top newcomers Bobby Cosio (senior receiver) and Egor Cleary (junior tight end).
The team’s defense will be led by returning starters Alfonso Rangel (senior linebacker/tight end) and Justin Shorty (junior linebacker/fullback) along with returning starters Lanier and Cota, who saw lots of playing time in the secondary a year ago.
Williams and George Herrero (junior corner back/running back) also will be counted on to bolster the secondary unit.
Kirkland admitted the Barons will have to contend with the loss of the team’s entire defense line to graduation. However, Antunez, Cleary and Cory Ainsworth (junior defensive tackle/guard) will help fill out the rotation of pass-rushers.
“Youth will be on the side of a young athletic defense that will feature a lot of speed and depth at the skill positions, but experience at the key spots,” Kirkland said.
Mustangs kick off defense of Metro-Mesa League title
Defending Metro-Mesa League champion Otay Ranch will surely have a target on its back when it kicks off play this season.
The Mustangs finished 4-0 in league play last season en route to a final 8-4 record. Otay Ranch received the No. 4 seed in the Division II playoffs and defeated Lincoln, 49-26, in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals against top-seeded Ramona, losing by a 42-14 score to end the season.
Head coach Lance Christensen’s team lost a great deal of talent to graduation off last year’s league championship team (30 seniors) but may need only to reload rather than completely rebuild this season.
Top returners include quarterback Puka Stewart, who passed for 1,178 yards and 12 touchdowns last season while also rushing for 235 yards.
The Mustangs graduated the bulk for their rushing attack that generated 35 touchdowns last season.
Seniors Noah Isley and Rayne Llaneta prepped for this season at the running back position during summer passing tournaments while junior fullback Owen Oswald also saw action in the backfield.
Candidates at the wide receiver spot include seniors Sebastian Avila and Boogie Phillips while senior Michael Touchette has auditioned at the tight end position.
Junior Francisco Puentes is also looking for time at the quarterback position.
Otay Ranch appears blessed with more experience on defense, especially in the secondary.
Defensive backs include seniors Vita Hafoka (strong safety), Nate Castro (cornerback), Manny Concepcion (cornerback), Kenny Robinson (free safety) and Steven Filippi (strong safety/outside linebacker).
Senior Dylan Zolezzi, a track standout as a sprinter, will use his speed at the middle and outside linebacker positions while classmates Jake Sandoval and Miguel Felix will see action at the inside linebacker position.
Phillips is also listed as a two-way player as a defensive back.
Zolezzi led the team with 105 tackles last season while recording four sacks and two fumble recoveries. Hafoka recorded 52 tackles and made two interceptions. Zolezzi and Hafoka each scored one defensive touchdown last season.
Seniors Andrew Salaiz and Omar Verdin anchor the offensive line while Oswald and Touchette will also see action on the defensive line in addition to their offensive duties.
Senior Chad Sapinoso can play both sides of the line while junior Zak Rachow (6-6, 240) may be the largest Mustang to play on the line.
Otay Ranch participated in July’s South County Passing Tournament at Southwestern College. The Mustangs only played well enough to earn the 15th seed (out of 24 teams) for the playoffs during the opening day of competition, but promptly reversed course on the second day by winning three playoff games to advance to the winners bracket semifinals, losing only to eventual runner-up Torrey Pines.
“I was more happy with the consistency in our performance the second day,” Christensen said. “I’m happy for the kids. The goal is to play as many reps as possible and play as a team.”
The Mustangs hit the road for their season opener Aug. 17 at San Marcos. Otay Ranch hosts Valley Center (Aug. 24) and Point Loma (Aug. 31) the following two weeks.
After massive losses, Eagles will need players to step up this season
The Eagles — 6-6 a season ago — are smarting from the loss of 32 players to graduation and will need to rebuild this season.
“We had a large senior team last season,” explained OHS head coach Paul Van Nostrand, who is in his seventh season with the team. “We have a lot of youth coming up. Guys will have to step up and play right away. Of course, the schedule doesn’t get any easier.”
Junior Arnold Escano (running back/defensive back) is the team’s top returning offensive contributor after collecting 240 all-purpose yards as a sophomore. He rushed for 187 yards and scored three touchdowns.
Senior linebacker Jared Desmond scored one defensive touchdown last season.
Escano and Desmond were the only underclassmen to score touchdowns last year.
Desmond ranked among the team’s defensive leaders in 2017 with 132 tackles and also made two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
While many players will have to prove themselves in a hurry, Olympian is buttressed by several players who will lead by example from the onset.
Key players include senior linemen Luis Castro and Shaihi Baker, senior linebacker Angel Huerta, junior linebackers Diego Sanchez and Tyler Powers, senior running back/defensive back Damarian Thornton, senior defensive back Renz Casiano and senior kicker/punter Erik Duarte.
Castro is a standout wrestler, qualifying for last year’s state tournament.
Sanchez ranked third on the team with 103 tackles while Huerta recorded three sacks. Both players recorded two forced fumbles.
Thornton had two picks while Casiano made one interception.
Duarte registered 62 kicking points last season that included 38-of-41 extra-point attempts (93 percent) and a perfect eight-of-eight on field goals (100 percent).
Additionally, senior Blake Yamamoto had two fumble recoveries last season.
Young, rebuilding Crusaders excited about new season
This season marks John Joyner’s 10th year as head coach at Mater Dei Catholic. The Crusaders have pretty much hit for the cycle during that span, winning a state championship in 2015 to go with San Diego Section championships in 2015 and 2016 and a runner-up CIF place-finish in 2014.
Each season is different, however. This one is no exception.
“We’re excited,” Joyner said. “We’re a pretty young team trying to rebuild. At this point, we have a lot of optimism. We have three returning starters on offense, which is exciting for us.”
Junior tailback/linebacker Aiden Calvert (5-10, 180) should garner a lot of attention on offense after drawing rave reviews last season.
Strong points are his great instincts with the ball and his ability to make sudden cuts on the field.
“He had a breakout season last year and I expect him to have a really good year this season,” Joyner said.
Other impact players this season include senior receiver/defensive back Jayden Flores, senior strong safety/running back Sam Vasquez, senior running back/strong safety Christian Paquian and receiver/defensive back Rayshawn Holscher.
Add senior receiver Simeon Speight, senior linebacker Scott Clifton and senior linemen Alan Garner, Jameson Coolidge and Spencer Kacijancic to that list.
Sophomore quarterback Trevor Appelman will direct this year’s offense. Appelman shouldn’t have difficulty seeing over incoming lineman as he stands 6-5.
The Crusaders finished 4-6 overall last season (1-3 in Metro-Mesa League play) and did not qualify for the playoffs. They will be competing for a berth in this year’s Division II postseason field alongside fellow league rivals Olympian and Bonita Vista, making the teams’ Metro-Mesa matchups of added importance.
Prep Kick-Off 2018
Friday Night Lights
Friday, Aug. 17
Chula Vista 27, La Jolla Country Day 14
Castle Park 55, O’Farrell Charter 6
Montgomery 12, Hoover 6
Santa Fe Christian 28, Olympian 25 (OT)
Escondido 31, Hilltop 20
Southwest 57, Escondido Charter 26
St. Augustine 35, Bonita Vista 0
Torrey Pines 13, Eastlake 0
Monte Vista 44, Mar Vista 0
Mission Bay 38, San Ysidro 14
Ramona 28, Mater Dei Catholic 0
San Marcos 24, Otay Ranch 21
San Pasqual 48, Sweetwater 7
Metro-Mesa League
2018 Football Schedules
Bonita Vista Barons
August
17: St. Augustine vs. Bonita Vista at Southwestern College, 7 p.m.
24: Madison vs. Bonita Vista at Southwestern College, 7 p.m.
31: Bonita Vista at Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley), 7 p.m.
September
7: Bonita Vista at Steele Canyon, 7 p.m.
14: Bonita Vista at Patrick Henry, 6:30 p.m.
21: Hilltop vs. Bonita Vista at Southwestern College, 7 p.m.
28: Mater Dei Catholic vs. Bonita Vista at Southwestern College, 7 p.m.
October
5: Bonita Vista at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.
12: Bonita Vista at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
19: Bye
26: Olympian vs. Bonita Vista at Southwestern College, 7 p.m.
Eastlake Titans
August
17: Torrey Pines at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
24: Hilltop at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
31: Santiago (Corona) at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
September
7: Grossmont at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
14: Eastlake at Valhalla, 7 p.m.
21: Eastlake at El Camino, 7 p.m.
28: Bye
October
5: Eastlake at Mater Dei Catholic, 7 p.m.
12: Bonita Vista at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
19: Eastlake at Olympian, 7 p.m.
26: Otay Ranch at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders
August
17: Mater Dei Catholic at Ramona, 7 p.m.
24: Mater Dei Catholic at El Capitan, 7 p.m.
31: Bishop’s at Mater Dei Catholic, 7 p.m.
September
7: Mater Dei Catholic at Kearny, 6:30 p.m.
14: Chula Vista at Mater Dei Catholic, 7 p.m.
21: Mater Dei Catholic at Oceanside, 7 p.m.
28: Mater Dei Catholic vs. Bonita Vista at Southwestern College, 7 p.m.
October
5: Eastlake at Mater Dei Catholic, 7 p.m.
12: Olympian at Mater Dei Catholic, 7 p.m.
19: Bye
26: Mater Dei Catholic at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.
Olympian Eagles
August
17: Olympian at Santa Fe Christian, 3:30 p.m.
24: Olympian at Poway, 7 p.m.
31: Torrey Pines at Olympian, 7 p.m.
September
7: Olympian at Hilltop, 7 p.m.
14: Point Loma at Olympian, 7 p.m.
21: Olympian at Cathedral Catholic, 7 p.m.
28: Otay Ranch at Olympian, 7 p.m.
October
5: Bye
12: Olympian at Mater Dei Catholic, 7 p.m.
19: Eastlake at Olympian, 7 p.m.
26: Olympian at Bonita Vista, 7 p.m.
Otay Ranch Mustangs
August
17: Otay Ranch at San Marcos, 7 p.m.
24: Valley Center at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.
31: Point Loma at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.
September
7: Otay Ranch vs. St. Augustine at Mesa College, 7 p.m.
14: Otay Ranch at Steele Canyon, 7 p.m.
21: Valhalla at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.
28: Otay Ranch at Olympian, 7 p.m.
October
5: Bonita Vista at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.
12: Bye
19: Mater Dei Catholic at Otay Ranch, 7 p.m.
26: Otay Ranch at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
