Losing streak goes down for the count

Barry Faulkner

New to the Estancia High football program last season, Coach Jay

Noonan has learned about Eagle traditions second-hand. But, after an

0-9 debut campaign, there was one ritual he had yet to practice with

his varsity unit, until Friday night.

After the Eagles handled host Magnolia, 19-8, in the nonleague

season opener at La Palma Park, Noonan and his players counted down

their point total as the bus pulled into the school’s parking lot,

honking 19 times to punctuate the countdown. After the chant reached

zero the bus erupted with vocal emotion that, for some seniors, had

been pent up since they won the 10th game of their sophomore season,

Nov. 10, 2000.

“It was a good bus ride back to school,” Noonan said. “The kids

were excited and all the coaches were happy for them. We got the

proverbial monkey off our backs, but I was real happy with the

attitude the kids had Saturday when they came into look at the film

(of the Magnolia game). It was almost the same as it was after the

Laguna Beach scrimmage. The kids said they knew they could play

better than they did against Magnolia. I told them before they left

Friday to celebrate that night, but that I wanted us to be preparing

for Century (Friday’s nonleague foe) when they came in Saturday.”

Noonan acknowledged the end of a 10-game losing streak, the second

longest in the program’s 38-season history, will generate

satisfaction today, as players receive positive feedback from their

classmates.

“There should be a buzz around campus (today), especially after

those announcements are made in second period, and that will be

nice,” Noonan said. “I think it means much more to kids to have their

peers acknowledge their accomplishments than us coaches telling them

how they did.”

Noonan admitted there was a feeling of accomplishment among the

coaches, as well, but not to the degree one might expect.

“Our coaches are all guys who have played and coached for a number

of years and we’ve all had personal moments in the game,” Noonan

explained. “The biggest satisfaction we take from a victory is seeing

the kids enjoy it. We get together after a game and talk as a staff

and it is nice to do so after a victory. But when coaches talk after

the game, it’s always to celebrate the game, not just the outcome of

the game itself. Our celebration is about doing whatever we can to

prepare the kids for the game we just played.”

That preparation went down to the last minute Friday, as Noonan

and his staff were forced to alter their anticipated starting lineup.

Junior tailback Kyle Allen’s Estancia debut was put on hold when a

nagging leg problem sidelined the Newport Harbor transfer for the

contest.

Junior Mike Cahill, a transfer from Mater Dei expected to start at

inside linebacker and also contribute at fullback, was also held out,

in order for CIF Southern Section officials to process his transfer

paper work, expected to be wrapped up early this week.

With Allen and Cahill out of the picture, Bubba Kapko stepped into

the spotlight. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound junior filled Cahill’s

starting spot on defense. He also assumed more of the load in the

running game, rushing for a team-high 81 yards on 12 carries,

including touchdowns of 3 and 8 yards.

“Bubba really came through,” said Noonan, who was reluctant to

term Kapko’s rushing output a surprise.

“To say it was a surprise makes it sound like he hadn’t done

anything in practice to show us he could have success,” Noonan said.

“But what was a little surprising was how well he played on both

sides of the ball. I think he played something like 105 plays, which is something you don’t often ask a junior to do. I was very proud of

the way he performed, though I know I can’t ask him to do that all

the time.”

Noonan also dispensed praise to his entire defense and his

offensive line, noting there were still several first-game errors the

coaches hope to rectify before trying to extend the current winning

streak to two.

Senior cornerback Javy Ramirez gained special praise for his work

on defense, while Noonan also singled out junior linebacker Cullen

Crom, as well as defensive ends Jermaine Young and Bryce McKendry.

Offensively, Noonan said senior returner Lewis Bradshaw (55 yards

passing) and junior Fountain Valley transfer Brad Young (48 passing

yards and one TD), should continue to alternate at quarterback. Young

started the second half and, with Bradshaw at receiver, the Eagles

scored two third-quarter touchdowns.

Noonan reported no injuries, though sophomore Geo Macias, who

started for Allen at tailback and averaged nearly 6 yards on seven

carries and also started at cornerback, was ejected. Macias, by rule,

must sit out the Century game.