Prepared to take charge

Mike Sciacca

A year ago at this time, the Edison coaching staff was anxious to see

how a talented yet untested group of players would respond to a

tenacious schedule.

Well, week in and week out during the 2003 season, the Chargers

showed their meddle, proved they could play with anybody, and ended

up sharing the 2003 Sunset League championship with Los Alamitos and

Fountain Valley.

They finished 8-4, but might have had a 10-0 regular season, as

three of their losses came by a touchdown or less.

Now the Chargers take a seasoned, decorated bunch into Friday’s

opener against perennial power Servite at La Palma Park in Anaheim.

Twelve returners earned all-league status in 2003 and all figure

to be key cogs for a talented team.

Not only are the Chargers full of talent and experience in 2004,

but they’re also smart, boasting a 3.15 team grade-point average.

“This team has experience, leadership, is hard working and a loyal

group,” said Coach Dave White, himself a former Charger quarterback

now entering his 19th year as head coach.

White has guided Edison to a share of the Sunset League

championship two of the last three years.

“This group is team oriented and has a relentless attitude,” White

said.

The loss of several all-league players to graduation has been

lessened by the arrival of new players from the junior varsity and

the freshman team.

In fact, Edison’s freshman team has gone 19-1 and won league championships the past two years.

This year’s varsity squad will be looking to add to the school’s

12 league titles and four CIF Southern Section championships in its

illustrious history.

This squad will attempt to do so with eight returning all-leaguers

on offense, beginning at quarterback.

Brian Shrock , a 5-foot-11, 180-pound junior overcame a few

sophomore jitters to have an outstanding 2003 season. He completed

120 of 226 passes for 1,500 yards and seven touchdowns.

One rusher he’ll be handing the ball to is Abel Cardona (5-6,

160), who was all-league as a junior, when he the speedster rushed

for 650 yards and six touchdowns.

Equally outstanding in the Chargers backfield is two-way player

Josh Gage, who joined Cardona in the 600-yard club by piling up 620

yards and 10 touchdowns. He also had 25 receptions.

“Josh is tough and athletic and Abel is a strong and quick

runner,” White said.

Junior Gabe Moreno and sophomore Hunter White, the coach’s son,

are also expected to contribute in the backfield.

At receiver, Edison will miss the services of record-setting Matt

White, also the son of Dave White, who graduated last spring.

But a strong corps of pass catchers includes junior Jimmy

Flanagan, seniors Ryan Davis and David Andrew, junior Thomas Marcin

and sophomore Dominique Vinson.

The tight end slot will be in good hands with all-leaguer Adam

Goodman, a 6-2, 215-pound senior who had 10 catches and a touchdown

in 2003.

Seniors Christian Bonsall (6-3, 235) and Shane Swanberg (6-0, 200)

add depth.

Anchoring the offensive line is a trio of all-league returners.

Junior Romney Fuga (6-2, 250), senior Kourosh Davatolhagh (6-2, 250)

and junior Chris Talataina (6-1, 220) should make the blocking wall

tough to penetrate.

Seniors Logan Galitski (5-11, 200) and Tyson Laggenbauer (6-2,

200) are also projected starters up front.

Handling the kicking chores will be Andrew and senior Kyle

Vandenbos.

Edison also starts eight returners on defense, including

all-league honorees Galitski (four sacks in 2003) and Bonsall on the

line, Gage at linebacker, Davis and senior Bill Colazas in the

secondary, as well as Goodman and Moreno, at end.

Fuga and senior Chase Ridenour (6-0, 180, Sr.) should also see

time on the defensive line.

In addition to his rushing antics, Gage had 80 tackles and three

interceptions at linebacker last fall.

Rounding out the linebackers are White, Laggenbauer and senior

Tony Cleveland.

In the secondary, Davis and Colazas each had 60 tackles and

Colazas added a pair of interceptions. Both were all-league picks.

Vinson, Marcin, junior Austin Baca and senior Isaiah Wilson are

also expected to lend their talent to the secondary.

Goodman (seven sacks) and Moreno were both all-league selections

last season, helping Edison record two shutouts and hold six

additional opponents to a touchdown or less.

The Chargers will be tested, as usual, by an extremely competitive

schedule.

In addition to Servite, the Chargers will go up against San

Clemente, Capistrano Valley, Santa Fe and Mater Dei during the

nonleague schedule.

They’ll be looking to even the score against Mater Dei, which

pulled out a 6-0 win last year, and Servite, which held on for a 7-0

win the following week.

“It’s a tough one again,” White said. “We face a big one right off

the bat with Servite and end the nonleague with a big one against

Mater Dei.”