Challenge awaits

The Estancia High football team might want to bring a note pad along

with its shoulder pads for Friday’s 7 p.m. Golden West League clash

against host Orange at El Modena High.

The Eagles (1-3, 1-0 in league) could, no doubt, benefit by taking

a few notes on the finer points of smashmouth football.

The Panthers (3-1, 0-0), ranked No. 4 in CIF Southern Section

Division VII, have delivered hands-on tutorials to many teams on the

subject of a power running game, ever since shifting to the double

wing offense under Coach Greg Gibson four seasons ago.

Estancia, on the other hand, has produced just 18 rushing yards on

88 attempts this season.

The Eagles, coming off an uplifting 20-14 victory over crosstown

rival Costa Mesa in the Golden West League opener Friday, used the

postgame euphoria to emphasize their goals of winning their remaining

league games.

But that notion might soon be buried beneath a pile of Panther

blockers, as Orange, on a three-game winning streak, builds toward

its Oct. 14 showdown with Westminster.

Orange is 11-1 the last two years against league competition,

including an unbeaten league title run in 2003. The Panthers’ lone

league setback the last two years was to Westminster last fall. The

winner of this year’s Orange-Westminster matchup should earn the

inside track on this year’s league crown.

But Estancia would love nothing better than to derail such

thinking. To do so, Eagles Coach Brian Barnes said he will

substantially alter his defensive scheme.

“We’re going to crowd them up front,” Barnes said of his defensive

plan, a scheme very familiar to double wing teams.

Estancia’s defense, utilizing frequent blitzes, shut down Costa

Mesa for three quarters last week.

But the Eagles have given up an average of nearly 331 yards per

game this fall.

Orange’s ground game is led by sophomore Matthew Contreras (464

yards and four touchdowns on 77 carries) and senior Daniel Chairez

(393 yards and three TDs on 55 attempts).

Orange senior quarterback Sean Wilson is 20 for 58 for 291 yards

and two TDs.

Estancia’s passing game, triggered by senior quarterback Ryan

Watson, has been its bread and butter.

Watson has thrown for 465 yards and four of the team’s five

offensive TDs. His favorite targets have been junior Matt Redding (12

catches for 222 yards and two TDs) and senior Ezequiel Villalvazo

(nine catches for 114 yards and one TD).

Watson is also the team’s leading rusher with 36 yards on 52

attempts.

ESTANCIA STARTERS

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OFFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Po.

8 Ryan Watson 6-0 185 Sr. QB

47 Clayton Mills 6-2 205 Sr. RB

3 Eze. Villalvazo 5-10 170 Sr. WR 88 Matt Redding 6-2 185 Jr. WR

10 Tim Morley 6-2 180 Jr. SR

2 Edgar Vargas 5-7 160 Jr. SR

52 Miguel Cotero 6-2 225 Sr. LT

77 Jesse Herrera 5-9 225 Sr. LG

50 Nelson Leon 6-2 210 Sr. C

54 Sean Ulrich 6-2 225 So. RG

71 Connor McKendry 6-5 240 So. RT

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DEFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Po.

45 Rafael Alejandre 5-9 175 Jr. DE

52 Miguel Cotero 6-2 225 Sr. NG

60 Walter Echanique 6-0 255 Sr. DT

40 Danny Orozco 5-10 195 Jr. DE 7 Kyle Bannon 5-9 180 Sr. LB

50 Nelson Leon 6-2 210 Sr. LB

10 Tim Morley 6-2 180 Jr. LB

19 Lucas Fassari 6-2 175 Sr. CB

3 Eze. Villalvazo 5-7 160 Sr. CB

47 Clayton Mills 6-2 205 Sr. SS

88 Matt Redding 6-2 185 Jr. FS

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