Prep football: Vroom and Doom

Barry Faulkner

COSTA MESA - With their glistening new jerseys, fancy winged

helmets and enough speed to leave defensive backs in the dust, the

Estancia High receiver tandem of senior transfers Nate Harriman and

Jermaine Snell, in addition to junior transfer quarterback Lewis

Bradshaw, have already succeeded in accelerating the expectations of

first-year coach Jay Noonan’s football program.

But, reliant upon an offensive line with virtually no experience at

this level, a stable of backs who gained just 31 yards on five carries

last season, and even the unproven status of Bradshaw, who has not played

quarterback in high school, it remains to be seen whether sprinter speed

at wideout will simply become irrelevant window dressing.

For unless Bradshaw receives sufficient time to locate his fast

company down the field and is accurate enough to place the ball in their

hands, the opportunity for Harriman and Snell to ignite their

afterburners may be limited to kick returns, or chasing down opposing

ball carriers as starting defenders.

Scanning the entire depth chart, which might include seven two-way

starters, it becomes clear that one could find more experience among

fast-food job applicants.

The addition of nine transfers should help dilute the damage done by

the departure of five returning starters to Costa Mesa. As many as 10 of

22 starting roles may be filled by players who wore another school’s

uniform last year.

But, that still leaves 12 spots, only half of which would be claimed

by players who spent the entire season with last year’s 7-4 CIF Southern

Section Division IX playoff team.

Here’s a breakdown of the depth chart as the Eagles head into

tonight’s 6 o’clock scrimmage against Orange:

Quarterback: Lewis Bradshaw, listed as a tight end and defensive back

at Newport Harbor last fall, will assume the reins of Noonan’s split-back

veer, allowing him to unleash his athleticism as an option running

threat.

At 6-foot-3, 189 pounds, he is applying his youthful enthusiasm to

learning his new position and Noonan has already tendered glowing reports

of his progress.

“He has a gun for an arm and he’s working on his mechanics and his

footwork,” Noonan said. “I think he has potential to play at the Division

I (college) level. He’s a great young man and he just loves to play

football.”

Asking a first-year quarterback to trigger the option, in which he

will read defenders in order to direct the ball into the path of least

resistance, will require some patience from the coaching staff. Noonan

acknowledges the turnovers inherent in any option game, but he likes the

fact that it forces defenses to have all potential ball carriers covered.

The Eagles do not have traditional captains, but Bradshaw is one of

the six members of what Noonan calls “the Order of the Talon,” each of

whom has leadership responsibilities.

Sophomore Jason Johnston will be Bradshaw’s backup and will

quarterback the junior varsity.

Running backs: Junior Tanielu, who played receiver last fall, will be

joined in the starting backfield by fellow senior Raymond Romua.

Tanielu (5-11, 170), whose older brothers Manu (Class of 1999) and

Taleni (Class of ‘97) previously starred in the Estancia backfield, will

hope to continue the family legacy. He caught one pass for 6 yards as a

junior, but his next carry will be his first as a varsity player.

“He flies,” Noonan said of Tanielu, who will also start at outside

linebacker.

Romua (5-8, 165) carried three times for 2 yards last season and adds

to the collection of speed Noonan believes is his team’s strength. He is

another in the Order of the Talon.

Noonan said he will not use a traditional fullback, except in

short-yardage situations, so both Tanielu and Romua will be asked to run

inside as dive backs in the option.

The use of three-foot line splits, however, could allow them a greater

opportunity to use their elusiveness than a traditional smashmouth

approach would provide.

Senior Mitch Valdes (5-6, 140), another Order of the Talon designee,

will be be utilized frequently in the backfield, according to Noonan. He

leads all returning rushers, having gained 31 yards on his two carries

last fall.

Nic Koreerat (5-8, 145) comes up from the freshman team to add depth

and senior Mario Macias, the starting tight end, could be the primary

blocking back when one is required.

Receivers: Nate Harriman (6-0, 170) a two-year varsity starter at

McKinney High in the Dallas suburb of McKinney, Texas, is another in the

Order of the Talon. But he’ll contribute more with his metaphoric wings

than his claws.

“He’s a legit 4.5 (seconds in the 40-yard dash),” said Noonan, who

will also utilize him at outside linebacker spot that resembles a strong

safety’s responsibilities. “I think he’ll be an outstanding receiver.

UCLA is already sending him letters and the guys at San Diego State love

him.”

Harriman, who should return kicks, may also be utilized in the running

game.

Jermaine Snell (5-10, 175), who came aboard from Fountain Valley High

after practice began, will start at receiver and cornerback. In addition

to his athletic gifts, Noonan said he has already displayed fine

leadership characteristics.

“He’s a big addition and a tremendous asset,” Noonan said.

Sean Harriman, Nate’s sophomore brother, has asserted himself in fall

workouts, according to Noonan, who plans to use Harriman liberally in his

receiver rotation.

“He has really been on a mission and he’s jumped to the forefront,”

said Noonan, who may also use the younger Harriman at free safety.

Mitch Valdes will also provide depth here.

Tight end: Senior Mario Macias (5-10, 210), who missed most of last

season after he collapsed on the sideline during a Week 2 win over Aliso

Niguel and was later diagnosed with a heart murmur, is projected to share

the starting role with sophomore Cullen Crom.

Macias, also a starter at inside linebacker, should make more of an

impact as a blocker than a receiver.

Crom (5-10, 160) represents the sophomores in the Order of the Talon.

Noonan said he provides more of a finesse element to the position, which

figures to translate into pass-catching opportunities.

Junior Fabrizio Gutierrez and sophomore Tim Bates, a transfer from

Elsinore High, supply depth.

Offensive line: Senior left tackle Fernando Montes (6-1, 195) and

junior center Joe Hernandez (5-11, 240) are the returning letterman in

the starting five, but they saw very limited duty behind last season’s

all-senior unit. Last year’s group helped Andy Romo become the sixth

rusher in school history to surpass the 1,000-yard mark in one season.

Junior right tackle Matt Morrell (6-2, 245) was a reserve center at

Newport Harbor, but becomes a two-way starter in the trenches for the

Eagles. Yet another Order of the Talon designee, he’ll anchor the strong

side, along with sophomore guard Gary Strawn (5-9, 235), up from the

freshman team.

Paul Flory (6-0, 240), recruited from the baseball team, has earned

the nod at left guard, rounding out a group that averages 6-0, 230.

A limited repertoire of running plays will help keep the blocking

schemes basic, which could be a plus for a unit so short on experience.

“Our blocking system is so simple, we can teach it to anybody,” Noonan

said. “These guys have size and, for what we want to do, it’s a very

athletic line.”

Starting inside linebacker Marco Montez, senior Eric Sahagian and Nick

Razo (6-3, 234), a senior recruited from the golf team, are the backups

at tackle.

Landon Pullizi supplies depth at guard and fellow sophomore Mario

Estrada does the same at center.

Defensive line: Lewis Bradshaw, whom Noonan considers the team’s best

football player, will be one half of an end tandem which operates from a

standing position. This highly unusual practice for ends on a four-man

front, will, Noonan believes, help limit opposing quarterbacks’ sight

lines, both before the snap and immediately after.

Fernando Montes has earned the starting nod at strong-side end, while

Matt Morrell and sophomore Gary Jones are slated to start at the tackle

spots.

Noonan acknowledges having your quarterback play defensive end is

unusual, but his philosophy is to keep the best players on the field.

“(Bradshaw) doesn’t want to leave the field,” Noonan said. “He likes

playing defense and he’s good at it.”

Noonan also likes the rest of his front four.

“Montes is very good with his hands and enjoys physical contact.

Morrell is looking real solid and Jones has really stepped up with a heck

of a summer.”

Gary Strawn and Paul Flory are the backups at tackle, with Eric

Sahagian, Fabrizio Gutierrez, Tim Bates, Georgia transfer Roger Poole and

sophomore Bubba Kapko forming a deep pool of replacements at end.

Linebackers: The inside will be manned by the M&M; Boys, Mario Macias

and Marco Montez.

Montez (5-9, 245), a senior transfer from Connecticut, was tried

initially up front, before being shifted to fill a linebacking need.

Playing on the weak side, which Eagle coaches term the knocker backer,

Montez will be deployed as a down linemen in certain schemes.

Macias will be counted on to supply a physical presence on the strong

side.

Cullen Crom is the primary backup at both spots, while senior newcomer

Mike Fernandez and sophomore Ray Mills should also add depth.

Junior Tanielu is the strong-side outside linebacker, while Nate

Harriman starts on the other side.

Noonan said Defensive Coordinator Scott Wilkie likes to bring the

linebackers on frequent blitzes and, Noonan believes, the speed of

Harriman and Tanielu will create matchup problems for pass blockers.

Crom will also back up Tanielu, while Nic Koreerat and Raymond Romua

supply depth at the other outside spot, which Noonan said could be termed

a strong safety.

Secondary: With so much emphasis on the blitz, the coaches will place

great trust in the man-to-man coverage skills of their cornerbacks.

“You need speed at the cornerback position to run this defense the way

we like and we have that,” Noonan said.

Jermaine Snell supplies swiftness on one side, while senior Ryan

Grimes (5-9, 130) has stepped forward to claim the other cornerback spot.

“(Grimes) has been our most pleasant surprise, so far,” Noonan said.

“His attitude, hustle and enthusiasm have really impressed us.”

The free safety spot, manned the last two years by now-Costa Mesa

senior Freddy Rodriguez, will likely be shared by Sean Harriman and Mitch

Valdes.

Jason Johnston is a backup at safety, while Raymond Romua, senior

Ernie Lopez and junior Jesus Torres figure to add depth at cornerback.

Kicking game: Javy Ramirez, who booted 30 conversion kicks and one

field goal last year as a sophomore, did not return, but Noonan believes

freshman Geovanni Macias will step in and succeed as the place-kicker.

Lewis Bradshaw is the punter, which gives the Eagles an added

dimension, should they wish to carry out Noonan’s admitted penchant for

gadget plays on special teams.

Mitch Valdes is the longsnapper and will join a group of return

candidates that also includes Jermaine Snell, Nate Harriman and Junior

Tanielu.