Estancia finally catches a break

Barry Faulkner

As a nation takes time on Veteran’s Day to remember, Estancia High

football coach Jay Noonan made a decision he hopes will help his

players forget.

So, on the heels of surrendering the most points in the 276-game

history of the program in a 58-7 nonleague loss to Pacifica, and in

the midst of an eight-game losing streak, the Eagles will skip

practice today to rest their collective body mind and soul.

“We want them to heal up a little bit,” said Noonan, who utilized

Friday, after last week’s Thursday game, to introduce his players to

some things they’ll work on this week in preparation for Friday’s

league and season finale against Ocean View.

The physical toll taken by a 42-0 loss to Orange Nov. 1 forced

several Eagles out of the lineup against Pacifica, which proceeded to

dominate in every facet on its way to its ninth straight postseason

appearance.

The Mariners pounded out 439 rushing yards, the most by an

Estancia foe in 63 games, dating back to a 487-yard output by Laguna

Hills in 1996.

The 58 points scored upped the Estancia opponents’ total this

season to 321, just one shy of last year’s nine-game total and only

15 shy of tying a school single-season worst, established by the 1986

team that finished 0-10.

The Eagles broke a three-game scoreless streak when Brad Young

connected with Lewis Bradshaw for a 13-yard touchdown pass midway

through the third quarter.

But Estancia’s 54 points this season rank last in Orange County

(tied with a Tesoro squad that has no seniors).

Against Pacifica, the Eagles did without, or received limited duty

from, starters Gary Jones (high fever), Mike Cahill (hip pointer),

Cullen Crom (thigh bruise) and Landon Pulizzi (strained neck).

Noonan said senior Joseph Hernandez, who has started at center all

season, filled in admirably on the defensive line. Noonan also

credited senior end Erik Andersen with a fine defensive effort and

said junior quarterback Brad Young had his most impressive

performance of the season.

“It may not have been statistically Young’s best game, but he

showed the most poise he has all season,” Noonan said. “He stepped up

in the pocket, made good reads and delivered the ball.”

Young completed nine passes for 115 yards, utilizing five

different receivers.