Estancia must contain the run

Patrick Laverty

Less than a week after Westminster High running back Carlos Brooks

rushed for 220 yards against it, Estancia High’s defense will have

its hands full once again with an opposing rusher.

The Eagles (3-2, 1-1 in Golden West League play) will be looking

to move back above the .500 mark in league play and avoid that mark

overall for the first time this season when it plays host to

Saddleback (2-3, 1-1) tonight at 7 at Newport Harbor High.

The Roadrunners, ranked 10th in CIF Southern Section Division VII,

will rely heavily upon senior running back Ramiro Chavez, who has 439

yards and six touchdowns on 100 carries this season.

But as they showed in an overtime victory over Costa Mesa two

weeks ago, the Roadrunners can beat you in a variety of ways.

“They’ve got a great back and they’re a well-coached team,”

Estancia Coach Craig Fertig said. “They don’t beat themselves.”

That means the Eagles can’t beat themselves either, something they

have done in their two losses this season.

Both losses, to Katella in Week 3 and last week to Westminster,

saw Estancia fall behind early. That takes away the Eagles’ ability

to rely on power running backs Bubba Kapko (83 carries for 380 yards)

and Mike Cahill (52 carries for 301 yards). Sophomore Kelani Teo, a

change-of-pace back, is also expected to see increased carries this

week.

“We’re not a real catch-up team,” Fertig said. “I think it’s

important for us to jump out to an early lead. Then we can use our

two big backs to pound you down.”

Falling behind has forced Fertig to rely on the arm of senior Brad

Young more than he would like. Young has had some success, completing

47 of 97 passes for 617 yards and three touchdowns. But he has also

thrown six interceptions.

Fertig places the blame for the majority of those interceptions on

poor protection.

“I think our pass blocking [leaves] something to be desired right

now,” Fertig said. “It makes Brad look bad because someone’s in his

face all the time.”

One of Young’s top targets, junior Geo Macias, is questionable

this week because of a sprained knee. Doctors are attempting to fit

him with a brace so he can play.

If Macias is unable to play, it would be a huge blow to the

Eagles’ overall game plan. Macias also starts at cornerback, returns

kicks and serves at the team’s punter and kicker. Senior Noe Martinez

would take over the punting and kicking duties if Macias is unable to

play. Junior Ryan Sanford would move into the starting role at wide

receiver and sophomore Eazy Villavazo would start at corneback.

But the biggest key for the Eagles could be how well they adjust

to stopping the run. Fertig said the coaching staff had put the

linebackers -- Kapko, Cahill, Mike Softa and Cullen Crom -- in the

right spots to make plays last week, but Estancia suffered a bout of

poor tackling.

Facing a team that likes to run the option, Fertig has moved Kapko

to defensive end this week and Chad Sherrell to inside linebacker.

“Their quarterback better put his helmet on tight, because Bubba’s

coming after him,” Fertig said.

The Eagles’ other defensive end, Landon Pulizzi, who also starts

on the offensive line, is questionable because of a shoulder injury.

But Fertig expects him to play.