Eagles display promise
Steve Virgen
Several players from the Estancia High football team say the Eagles
are different this year. They are more skilled, more confident and
more aggressive. The Eagles provided glimpses of this in a scrimmage
hosted by Santa Ana Valley Friday.
The source of their new attitude can be traced to their first-year
coach Craig Fertig, a former Oregon State coach (1976-79) and USC assistant, who has seemed to breathed life into the Eagles. Fertig, a
USC quarterback in the early 1960s, has been leading the charge,
while maintaining cool control that has appeared to take pressure off
his players.
“The difference from last year to this year is mainly the
attitude,” said senior Brad Young, the Eagles’ starting quarterback.
“It’s not like a football club, it’s a football team. Everyone is
playing harder and trying to bring this thing together.
“I like [Fertig] a lot. He started everything. He’s the one who
changed everyone’s attitude and everyone’s desire.”
In addition to showing its new attitude, Estancia also presented a
preview of its potential, typified by one play in its second
offensive series. Senior receiver Jason Johnston caught a pass from
Young on a quick slant and went the distance, completing a 57-yard
catch-and-run play for a touchdown.
“He can run,” Young said of Johnston, who was out last season with
a shoulder injury. “He just has to get the ball and he can go.”
While there was much to get excited about for the Eagles, Fertig
also noticed plenty of mistakes that will need correcting before
Estancia takes the field in its opener against Magnolia Friday at 7
p.m. at Orange Coast College.
“It was a good effort,” Fertig said. “But there are reasons why
you practice, because obviously it wasn’t perfect. We were killing
ourselves. I think the play-calling was good, the execution was good,
but there were penalties. Those are things we can correct.”
Estancia had six penalties for 31 yards.
Fertig also said the Eagles must improve on their tackling and
pass blocking, and the team’s most important focus will be tuning up
the offensive and defensive lines. Estancia allowed four sacks, which
resulted in a loss of 36 yards.
Santa Ana Valley, which went 4-6 last year, scored on a 14-yard
run on its first offensive series, completing a six-play drive that
covered 60 yards and was aided by a defensive holding penalty. Each
team had 12 offensive plays for three series apiece and then they
played for one quarter.
The Falcons scored three times and connected on their PATs, while
Estancia scored twice and missed both extra-point tries. Santa Ana
Valley had 216 yards of offense and the Eagles produced 140 yards.
Young was 4 of 9 for 95 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
“They’re working hard,” said Fertig, who took over a team that
went 1-9 a year ago. “They have been looking forward to this. I saw
it in their eyes on Tuesday. They have a competitive attitude, which
is what I love about this team.”
The Eagles showed that competitiveness by scoring right after the
Falcons’ touchdown. Junior David Moreno found paydirt on an 8-yard
run, which capped a 60-yard, eight-play drive. Moreno rushed for 46
yards on four carries on the drive.
The Eagles also made some key plays on defense. Lineman Chad
Serrell tackled a Falcon running back for a loss of 8 yards. And, in
addition to his 57-yard touchdown reception, Johnston intercepted a
pass and returned it 20 yards until he was tackled hard, but he
jumped right back up.
The Eagles went for a first down on fourth-and-19 on its final
offensive series and, thanks to a pass interference call, they moved
the chains. Young went deep to Johnston, who was tugged at before he
could make a play on the ball.
“I went for it on fourth and long,” Fertig said with a smile,
while walking toward Estancia Principal Tom Antal.
“I think the principal will fire me,” Fertig said in jest.
Antal thought otherwise. He said the coach has changed the program
and the players have responded well.
The Eagles plan to show more next week.
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