No rest after bye week for Eagles

Rick Devereux

Estancia High Coach Craig Fertig is happy with the way the defense

has performed, especially in the 19-0 shutout over Buena Park Sept

18, the last game the Eagles played.

“Our defense played real fine last game,” he said. “Our offense is

going to have to step up. Of course I’m talking to the same guys

[since most play both ways], but I want to put the emphasis on the

offense playing better.”

The Eagle offense will face defending Golden West League champions

Orange Friday. The Panthers (3-1) are currently No. 4 CIF Southern

Section Division VII and have been impressive in wins over Sunny

Hills and Canyon. Orange had a come-from-behind victory over Muir in

the season opener, but had the second game called short after the

power went out at El Modena High School, resulting in the Panthers’

lone loss this year.

Orange runs a run-oriented double-wing offense. Freshman running

back Matthew Contreras has rushed for close to 500 yards for the

Panthers through the first four games, and has scored eight

touchdowns.

“I don’t think Orange depends on passing the football, so we need

to be able to stop their run,” Fertig said. “Our defense is getting

to go where they are supposed to be, and I like it. We have nine guys

going to the ball with two [defending] the pass.”

Fertig said he has been impressed with the play of defensive

tackles Ian Morton and Mike Jones. In the double-wing offense, the

offensive guards are the key to offense. If the linebackers and

tackles can follow the guards, they will find the ball carrier.

“I told [Morton and Jones] to stick to [the guard’s] pocket,”

Fertig said.

Orange runs a four-three defense, and Fertig expects the Eagle

offense to be high-powered.

“Their defense is pretty standard,” he said. “They are a great

fundamental team tries to control the gaps. They like to run a

two-deep zone, which allows our passing game to dink and dunk away at

them. We want to go, go, go on those guys and keep their offense off

the field.”

Fertig said he knows a win against Orange will be tough, but he

believes it isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

“They are a well-coached team and probably the class of our

league,” Fertig said. “They are the best team we’ve played. [Corona

del Mar] has an experienced team, and Orange has the same type of

athletes CdM has. When you are playing the class of the league you

have to step up.”