Prep football: Grudge mode

Barry Faulkner

NEWPORT BEACH - Though Aliso Niguel High left the Pacific Coast

League after the 1998 football season, the Wolverines never left the

consciousness of the Estancia seniors.

Estancia Coach Dave Perkins said his seniors are still stinging from a

loss to the Wolverine freshmen, which cost the Eagles a shot at the PCL

crown in 1997.

The Eagles (1-0) will get the chance to settle that old score Friday

at 7, when Aliso, now a member of the Sea View League, visits for a

nonleague game at Newport Harbor High.

“The guys that were on that freshman team are a little excited about

this one,” Perkins said.

Aliso, coached by Joe Wood, is excited to have another chance at a

victory, after losing its first two contests this season to quality

opponents.

The Wolverines were hammered in Florida, 40-7, by Sebastian River High

Aug. 31, then were bested, 25-13, last week against South County neighbor

Capistrano Valley.

Estancia, 0-4 against Aliso teams with seniors (Estancia won the first

meeting in ’94 against the Wolverines’ first varsity team), is anxious to

take on what could be the stiffest challenge on its preleague schedule.

“We need to play people like this,” said Perkins, whom, many believe,

has assembled the best Estancia squad since the 1989 Eagles went 10-1.

The Eagles should have their entire lineup healthy, after defensive

starters Freddy Rodriguez (safety), Bobby Arroyo (inside linebacker) and

Jesse Cardenas (noseguard) sat out last week with ankle injuries.

Even without the aforementioned trio, Perkins was pleased with his

defense’s opening effort, in which Magnolia averted a shutout with a

9-yard touchdown pass with 14 seconds left.

Estancia, however, sputtered at times offensively, despite nearly

doubling the Sentinels’ in total offense, 272-143.

Perkins, however, was very pleased with the play of senior quarterback

Kenny Valbuena (6 of 11 for 120 yards and two touchdowns).

“Kenny had a lot more poise in the pocket and made good decisions,”

Perkins said.

Senior Andy Romo caught both TD tosses and finished with 58 receiving

yards on four catches. He also rushed four times for 34 yards and Perkins

said he’d have a more featured role in the ground game this week.

That ground game was led by senior fullback Fahad Jahid, who had 107

yards and one TD on 13 carries.

Aliso, which has made the playoffs five straight seasons, including a

CIF Division VIII crown in ‘96, has been inconsistent offensively this

fall.

Senior Devon Sutton has led the ground attack with 126 yards and one

TD on 37 carries. He had 110 yards on 20 carries against Capo Valley.

Juniors Joel Smith and Bryce Latimer have shared the quarterback job.

Smith was 5 of 14 for 64 yards, with two interceptions, in the opener,

while Latimer was 4 of 9 for 25 yards and one pick against Capo.

Senior safety Mike Mudge, who joins senior cornerback Jeremiah

Williams and senior tight end Brandon Alconcel (6-5, 230) as All-Sea View

returners, has been a big Wolverine weapon. Mudge returned a kickoff 80

yards for the lone score in Florida, then broke one 51 yards last week.

Sophomore kicker Stephen Bemeking has two field goals, with a long of

32 yards.

It’s the first time since 1993 Estancia has played a Sea View

opponent. The Eagles are 0-5-1 against Sea View competition, since

leaving the circuit after winning the league crown in ’89.