Prep football: Substitute teaching

Barry Faulkner

COSTA MESA - Though the player turnout was limited in a spring

practice session that concludes today, the Estancia High football program

proved it can rival virtually any school around when it comes to coaching

depth.

Faced with the exodus of former head coach Dave Perkins and his entire

staff to crosstown rival Costa Mesa High a week before spring drills

began, Estancia Boys Athletic Director Tim Parsel pieced together a

highly respectable staff to shepherd the Eagles the last two weeks.

Art Perry, the Eagles former longtime freshman coach, headed the

makeshift staff, which also included former varsity head coach John

Liebengood, former freshman assistant Chuck Perry, Art’s brother, and

former Estancia quarterback Jeff Perry, Art’s son.

“We’re having a great time,” Art Perry said during the final week of

spring drills. “It has brought back a lot of memories for us.”

Perry said the kids’ willingness to accept their instruction and work

hard also made the experience enjoyable.

“The attitude has been great,” Perry said. “Kids are working hard and

we’re trying to teach them the basic fundamentals.”

Though literally in limbo, until a new coach can be hired -- Perry

said the application process was scheduled to close Monday -- Perry and

his staff installed a double wing offense as well as a base defensive

package. This, knowing full well neither will likely be utilized by the

new coach.

Understandably, morale and consistent attendance have been lagging,

but Perry said those who attended workouts, should come away with a

foundation to compete next fall.

There were 28 players at the first workout, May 21, and Perry said the

attendance peaked at 43.

“There are some real fine players,” Perry said. “We could probably put

a competitive lineup on the field, but we’d only be one deep. Morale has

been tough, because the kids aren’t sure what’s going to happen when he

new coach is hired. They asked about when the new coach would arrive and

we just told them the process was ongoing.”

Expected to be thin on seniors anyway, several members of the Class of

2002 elected to sit out spring practice. Whether they will play for the

new coach remains in question.

Perry, however, believes the missing seniors will return once a coach

is hired, to join the likes of Freddy Rodriguez and Mitch Valdes, a pair

of next year’s seniors who remained committed to the program during

spring practice.

Perry also singled out the work of Kyle Casillas, who will be a

junior, Josh Kornegay, who will be a sophomore, as well as prospective

sophomore running backs Nick Koreeat and Jason Johnston.

“Rodriguez, Casillas and Kornegay all have been working at

quarterback,” Perry said. “We’re most pleased with the progress at the

skill positions.”