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.