High Noon-an

Roger Carlson

COSTA MESA - Estancia High football, for the most part, has found

itself associated with such terms as “backs to the wall,” “down to its

last chance” and “underdogs” over the past few years in what has been an

up-and-down history.

For a long time, a lack of administrative backing (present company

excepted) has been a sore spot, and it is reportedly what drove former

Estancia Coach Dave Perkins to seek the job vacated by Jerry Howell at

Costa Mesa High.

Estancia alumni include former coaches Ed Blanton, John Liebengood,

Perkins and Roy Scaffidi, the latter who wasn’t around for more than a

cup of coffee before he packed his bags and left. Liebengood has

resurfaced as Estancia’s freshman coach and Blanton is an assistant at

Corona del Mar High.

Never, however, has the situation reached this point.

August isn’t even here, but for new football coach Jay Noonan, who has

seen what little remained after June’s graduation stripped away in the

form of the transfer slip, well, he appears to be as alone as Gary Cooper

found himself with the Frank Miller gang closing in.

To make matters even more difficult, he finds himself obligated to

fulfilling previous promises to competing in a “passing league.”

And where’s that? At Costa Mesa High, where Perkins, along with what

are now five veteran Estancia transfers (at least that’s how many piled

out of a Costa Mesa vehicle on Wednesday to file paperwork at the

Estancia administrative offices) have turned themselves into winged

Mustangs.

Their loyalties appear to be with their coach, who left for greener

pastures, and regardless of opinions, the deed is done and that’s that.

If the Newport-Mesa District is going to give its stamp of approval to

such a situation, there seems little room for argument in these days of

“open enrollment.”

Somehow, I don’t believe this is quite what they had in mind when they

decided on the “open enrollment” plan. That athletes could up and leave

for another school in their own district without so much as even changing

bedrooms for no more cause than simply wanting to play under the same

coach, who certainly wasn’t forced to make a move himself in the first

place.

Those in high places have an obligation to make it right, and if

they’re calling what has transpired “right,” about all you can do to

settle the empty feeling in your stomach is to swallow, real hard.

One respected Estancia coach mused out loud, “I don’t believe there

are any rules anymore and although I’ve been coaching for 20 years now,

I’m seriously thinking of calling it quits.”

He added, “That’s not quite the right comment. What I’m saying is that

there are rules, but no one is enforcing them.”

He didn’t elaborate on that line, but the underside of all this is the

“undue influence” factor.

Some Estancia faithful will tell you it would be impossible for

athletes to make such a switch without an “undue influence factor.”

Ironically, some from Costa Mesa will insist that anyone who tries to

convince the athletes to stay where they belong are also guilty of “undue

influence.”

It’s a can of worms which would never have been opened had this “open

enrollment” policy never come into focus.

At first glance there’s a reaction to feel “sorry” for Noonan and his

situation at Estancia. But when you meet up with the first-year coach

it’s very apparent that “solace” is not the operative word. “Hold on,”

might be better advice.

Noonan has a couple of transfers of his own by way of Newport Harbor

and he has a quarterback whom he believes would be his starter regardless

of who transferred out of Estancia.

A dynamic sort, Noonan’s attitude reflects the school’s new angry

Eagle.

When it’s all said and done this fall it would seem Estancia’s Eagles

will have gained some valuable experience as they look toward the ’02

season, as well as an appreciation from Estancia fans who have weathered

various storms since the school opened in the fall of ’65.

There will also be some bruised and tattered veterans who have learned

the value of loyalty, and undoubtedly improved a great deal under the

hand of Noonan’s expertise.

I know this, despite the fact I have great respect for Costa Mesa’s

coach and players: I’m on Estancia’s side.