Edison figures to make a charge in 2000

Mike Sciacca, Independent

It’s been five years since Edison High made postseason play, but

the 2000 season figures to see the return of the Chargers.

Simply put, Edison seems loaded, especially on offense, although there

are six returners on both sides of the ball.

“Our big scoring punch returns on offense, and we have experience on

defense,” said Edison Coach Dave White, who enters his 15th year at the helm. “There are a few question marks, but we could have a very good team

on our hands.”

The Chargers led Division I last year in points per game average

(35.8), and seem poised to stay on that perch, mainly due to the fact

that quarterback Richard Schwartz and running back Darryl Poston return

for the senior campaigns.

Schwartz, a returning all-league player who has been offered a

scholarship by the University of California, Berkeley, had a terrific

junior year that included completing 97 of 187 passes for 1,933 yards (a

19.9 average) and 14 touchdowns.

Poston, named last year the Sunset league’s Offensive Player of the

Year, got off to a blazing start in ‘99, and ended the season by rushing

for 1,701 yards (7.2 avg.) and a team-high 26 touchdowns.

It was the best junior year posted by an Edison running back in school

history, White said.

“We had the top scoring offense in Division I and the Sunset League

last year, and both our running back and quarterback return,” White said.

“We also have good team speed, and we’re athletic.”

Schwartz will be chasing Edison’s career passing yards record, which

is held by Jeff Grady, who amassed 3,961 yards, from 1995-97. Poston will

be out to challenge Edison’s single season rushing record, set 21 years

ago by Kerwin Bell (2,268 yards).

The offensive line will be bolstered by Chris Veneracion, a returning

all-league performer, and Edison’s top lineman. Veneracion, a smart

player and student, has been shown interest by several Ivy League

schools. Steve Burke, a solid run blocker, will also help tow the line.

Although first-team All-Sunset League receiver Brendon Cornell has

graduated, Schwartz still has a talented receiving pool to choose from,

among them senior Christian Prelle and Denny Flanagan, each of whom

finished with 15 receptions last year.

“With Poston coming out of the backfield, and Prelle and Flanagan

outside, Richard (Schwartz) could have a great senior year,” White said.

“He’s got a real strong arm and good field leadership, and he’s had a

great summer.”

White says Edison’s defense must improve from last year, when it gave

up 22 points per game, including an average of 31 points to its five

Sunset League rivals.

“Shoring up our defense is a definite concern, but we feel we have the

athletes to do that,” White said. “We have some good, solid guys

returning, and that will be a big help.”

The Charger defense will be under the leadership of all-league players

Seth Prelesnik, a linebacker, and defensive back A.J. Martinez.

Prelesnik, a senior, is a three-year starter, led the team in tackles

(120) last year, and is in pursuit of the school’s career tackle record.

Martinez, along with fellow junior and defensive back Marcus McCutcheon,

had two interceptions as a sophomore.

McCutcheon, also a starter as a sophomore, will also see time at

receiver and handle kick returns.

Another utility player is senior Travis Wilson, who will play

receiver, defensive back, and kicker.

With a talented bounty back in the fold, many league coaches are

tabbing Edison the team to beat in the Sunset League race.

“It’s nice to get that respect, but it all comes down to what happens

on the playing field,” White said. “I think we have a very talented team

that could have a big year.”

The Chargers nonleague schedule is anything but a cakewalk, either.

After opening at South Coast League runner-up El Toro Friday, longtime

nemesis Capistrano Valley visits. That’s followed by a trip to Dana

Hills, but then comes the big bang: games with perennial parochial powers

Mater Dei and Servite.

Mater Dei tied Long Beach Poly for the 1999 Division I championship.

“It’s a great schedule, but a challenging one, at that,” White added.

“We’ll need to be ready right from the start.”