Prep football: Bravehearts

Opponents who try to run the football on Estancia High may discover

there is no end to such means. This is due, in large part, to the Eagles’

mean pair of ends, seniors David Rodriguez and Cesar Romero.

The duo, along with rotating senior noseguards Rick Valdez and Robert

Aquilera, helped keep Magnolia in check in Thursday’s 25-8 season-opening

nonleague victory.

“David and Cesar just played great,” Estancia Coach Dave Perkins said.

“On the first play of the game, they tried to run a counter and David

took on the pulling guard and the pulling tackle and made the tackle.

“Then, later in the game, Cesar split a double team from the tight end

and tackle and stopped the ball carrier with a flat back.”

Rodriguez, a returning All-Newport-Mesa District and first-team

All-Pacific Coast League performer, also scored a touchdown at fullback.

Romero, an all-league offensive lineman last year, shifted from

linebacker to end on defense this fall.

Valdez, a newcomer, and Aguilera, a returning all-league offensive

lineman, filled in admirably for junior starter Jesse Cardenas, who was

held out to let his sprained ankle heal one more week.

The front three helped hold Magnolia to 117 yards on the ground, 143

yards of total offense. Magnolia averted the shutout with a 9-yard

touchdown pass in the final 14 seconds.

-- by Barry Faulkner