Prep football: Abstract Artists

Barry Faulkner

LAGUNA BEACH - Impressive back-to-back Pacific Coast League

victories to clinch the program’s first postseason appearance since 1995,

very few injuries, and a reasonable shot at a share of the PCL crown.

Things are, indeed, going well for the Estancia High football team.

That’s what has Coach Dave Perkins worried, as his Eagles (6-3, 3-1 in

league) visit Laguna Beach (2-7, 1-3) tonight at 7 o’clock in the

regular-season and PCL finale.

“I believe we’re on the verge of doing some special things,” Perkins

said. “But we can’t fall down against Laguna Beach. We have to finish our

business to have a shot at a share of the league championship.”

The Artists have been a surprising nemesis in recent years, having won

four of the last seven against the Eagles, all as underdogs (including an

Estancia forfeit in ’96 for using an ineligible player). Estancia

maintains a 9-6 lead in the series, but recent history suggests Perkins’

players are most vulnerable when basking in prosperity.

“We feel pretty good about what we’ve accomplished (including the No.

10 ranking in CIF Southern Section Division IX), but we’re not

overconfident,” said Perkins, who saw his squad open 2-0, only to fall to

underdog Canyon and Santa Ana Valley in nonleague play this fall.

An Estancia victory, combined with a Corona del Mar win over

University Friday, would lift the Eagles into a three-way tie for first.

Coin flips would follow to determine the league’s No. 1 playoff

representative.

Should University prevail, the Eagles would gain sole possession of

second with a victory tonight. And, Perkins believes, a good shot at

opening the playoffs at home. The Eagles last playoff win came in 1980.

Perkins, however, has a healthy respect for the Artists, guided by

former 20-year CdM head man Dave Holland.

“They throw the ball well and we haven’t played very good pass

defense,” said Perkins, whose team has surrendered 1,161 aerial yards.

Laguna’s passing attack is triggered by junior Todd Merz, who has

thrown for 1,326 yards and six TDs. He has completed 80 of 190 with 10

interceptions, with 57 of those completions to senior Will Blodgett.

Blodgett, who has 880 receiving yards, needs 11 catches to tie the

school single-season record set by Luke Matjas in 1992.

Junior Jason Boyd (616 yards on 105 carries) is the Artists’ leading

rusher.

And while the Eagles have had some trouble stopping opposing offenses,

theirs has also been tough to stop.

Senior Andy Romo leads the team in rushing yards (900 on 122 carries)

and receptions (24 for 258 yards). Including one kickoff return, he has

scored 13 touchdowns.

Senior fullback Fahad Jahid (814 yards and six TDs on 133 carries) is

another rushing threat, as is senior quarterback Kenny Valbuena.

Valbuena has carried 22 times for 108 yards the last two weeks, mostly

on scrambles. When he stays in the pocket, he has completed 63 of 121 for

1,033 yards and seven TDs. He has thrown only two interceptions.

Senior tight end David Stoddard is also a favorite Valbuena target. He

is averaging 23 yards on his 20 catches, including three TDs.

Laguna Beach broke an eight-game PCL losing streak with a 31-21

decision over Northwood last week. That losing streak, however, included

losses by six (twice), two and three points.

“The big thing for us will be to control the ball and keep Merz and

Blodgett off the field,” Perkins said.

Estancia controlled things last week against CdM, amassing more than

30 minutes of possession.