Eagles will be trying not to be out-Witte(d)

Barry Faulkner

A statistical breakdown of Friday’s Golden West League football

game between Estancia High and host Saddleback reveals two very

similar teams will take the field for the 7 p.m. kickoff at the Santa

Ana Bowl.

Estancia (1-3, 0-1 in league) has scored 33 points, given up 118

and produced 783 yards of total offense.

Saddleback (1-3, 0-1) has scored 37 points, surrendered 127 and

produced 869 yards of total offense.

Both teams are on three-game losing streaks and are coming off

2001 seasons in which they struggled.

There are, however, areas where the Eagles and Roadrunners differ

greatly, not the least of which involves head-coaching experience.

Saddleback Coach Jerry Witte, in his 29th season, will coach his

302nd game at the Santa Ana-based school Friday. His 142 career wins

include a CIF Southern Section title in 1985 and a measure of respect

as vast as his contribution to Orange County prep football.

“(Witte) is one of the most experienced coaches in Orange County

and he has had a tremendous amount of success,” said Estancia Coach

Jay Noonan, the Eagles’ second-year head man who is now 1-12 as a

varsity head coach.

The loser could wind up in the Golden West cellar, while the

winner retains hope of building some momentum.

“The next three weeks (league games with Santa Ana and crosstown

rival Costa Mesa follow), we need to step up and make a statement,”

Noonan said. “This is a critical time of the year for us.”

If Estancia does have a clear advantage, it would be offensive

balance. The Eagles have split their yardage nearly equally between

the run and the pass and junior quarterback Brad Young appears to be

settling in as a passer.

Young, who split time the first two games with returning starter

Lewis Bradshaw, has played full-time since Bradshaw went down with a

shoulder injury on the opening kickoff of a Week 3 loss to Katella.

He was 9 for 21 his first varsity start, but threw two interceptions.

In Saturday’s 41-7 loss to Westminster, Young completed 10 of 20 for

128 yards and a touchdown, without an interception.

Senior tight end Jermaine Young (nine catches for 107 yards), as

well as senior receivers Javy Ramirez (seven for 103) and Louis

Valdes Jr. (seven for 68) have been the primary receivers, though

Bradshaw (five catches for 71 yards) is slated to start at one

wideout Friday.

Junior fullback Bubba Kapko has been the leading ground gainer,

picking up 161 yards on 32 attempts. Geo Macias (81 rushing yards) should also help the running game, which may get a boost if senior

Saddleback transfer Bobby Estrada is able to play. Estrada sat out

the first four games with a broken collarbone, but is hoping to get

clearance to play against his former teammates.

While Estancia has had some success moving the ball, turnovers

have cut into their point production. The Eagles, who run a high-risk

veer option attack, have fumbled 18 times, losing 11, and also thrown

three interceptions. They are minus-nine in turnover ratio, after

finishing last year’s 0-9 campaign at minus-two.

Saddleback has produced nearly 81% of its offense on the ground,

keyed by 5-foot-9, 200-pound junior running back Ramiro Chavez.

Chavez, who rushed for 1,115 yards and 10 TDs as a sophomore, has

earned 524 yards and four TDs on 105 carries this fall.

“They have a very good running back in Chavez and they try to

control the ball with him,” Noonan said.

Saddleback quarterback Guillermo Garcia has thrown for 169 yards

and one TD, but has completed just 18 of 56 (32.1%) with four

interceptions.

Senior Travis Winrow leads Roadrunner receivers with seven catches

for 72 yards.

These two school played nine consecutive years from 1981-89, the

last eight as Sea View League rivals. Saddleback holds a 6-3 series

lead.