Heroes wanted for Estancia Eagles

Estancia High football supporters in the mood for a little deja vu

this fall, might want to pop a 2004 game videotape into the VCR and

stay home on Thursday and Friday nights.

For, in addition to a new coaching staff, directed by first-year

head man Brian Barnes, new uniforms and a new commitment program

wide, there figures to be plenty of novelty in terms of those making

plays.

Returners were responsible for about 1.4% of last year’s 1,290

rushing yards and a mere 14.1% of the 1,118 passing yards (including

passing and receiving stats).

Of the 23 touchdowns produced by the offense last season, only

three were scored by players wearing Estancia helmets this fall.

Here’s a position-by-position look at those expected to create new

memories for Estancia rooters this season:

Quarterback: Ryan Watson opened last season at quarterback and

threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns, before switching to receiver,

where he had four catches for 100 yards and one TD.

The 6-foot, 185-pound senior completed 12 of 30 pass attempts with

four interceptions last season and is winning the early battle with

junior Tim Morley for the starting nod, Barnes said.

“[Watson] is a good, tough kid who can make plays,” said Barnes,

who plans to utilize Watson’s mobility in the running game, as well.

Barnes said Watson is also one of the team’s primary leaders.

Barnes said Morley is the better passer, while sophomore Mike

Morley has impressed his coach, who believes the younger Morley has a

bright future.

Running backs: Kyle Bannon (5-9, 180), a senior newcomer at

tailback, has impressed Barnes with his toughness and he figures to

punish opposing tacklers.

“He understands football and he runs hard,” Barnes said. “We think

he can also catch some passes. We’re expecting him to do great

things.” Bannon is also expected to start at outside linebacker.

Barnes said junior Rafael Alejandre (5-9, 175) should see some

time at tailback in an offense that often has just one back in the

backfield.

The Eagles will run some I-formation, however, and will line up in

other sets in which a fullback is used.

Senior Clayton Mills (6-2, 205), a returning starter on defense,

is the frontrunner at fullback. He carried 14 times for 47 yards and

two touchdowns last season, making him the most proven returning ball

carrier by far.

Barnes said Mills will also operate as the single back, at times.

Junior Edgar Vargas, who was a projected starter at receiver, was

also in line to factor into the running game, Barnes said.

But the Vargas (5-7, 160) suffered what was believed to be a

broken hand late in early season workouts.

Receivers: The base four-receiver set creates great opportunity

here, though there are no proven commodities.

Senior Ezequiel Villalvazo (5-10, 170) established varsity

credentials as a starter in the secondary last season and his

athleticism should translate to pass-catching chores this year.

“He’s one of the best players on the team,” Barnes said of the guy

his teammates call Easy. “And he’s a good leader for us.”

Junior Matt Redding (6-2, 185) and senior Alex LaGrand (6-4, 280)

are the two projected starting wideouts, while Vargas’ slot position

will likely be inherited by sophomore Eddie Tomasek (5-11, 160).

“Redding really came on this summer and we think he can be a

tremendous receiver for us,” Barnes said. “He’ll probably catch quite

a few balls.”

Barnes said LaGrand’s size and skill should make him a nemesis for

opposing cornerbacks, while Vargas, who may not be out long, has the

kind of speed and moves that will make him dangerous in space.

“Vargas is the kind of kid we can flip the ball to in the flat and

let him take off,” said Barnes, who has also been impressed by

Vargas’ strength.

“He’s not real big, but he’s one of the stronger kids we have,”

Barnes said.

Senior Nick Engelke (6-0, 180) is also expected to contribute, as

is Tim Morley, Barnes said.

Senior Josh Henrikson (5-11, 170), who caught one pass as a

junior, as well as junior Riley Hart (6-0, 160) and Jose Franco (5-8,

155), will be counted upon to supply depth.

No tight end will be utilized, Barnes said.

Offensive line: Senior Nelson Leon (6-,2, 210), a returning two-way starter, will anchor the blocking wall at center.

Senior Miguel Cotero (6-2, 225) is expected to start at right

guard, where he will add to Leon’s leadership on this unit.

“Nelson and Miguel are both the kind of kids we want Estancia

football players to be,” Barnes said. “They’re both tough, hard-nosed

kids who work so hard, it’s scary.”

Hard work in the weight room during the off-season should pay off

for the rest of the starting unit, which is expected to include

senior left tackle Walter Echanique (6-0, 255), senior left guard

Jesse Herrera (5-9, 225) and sophomore right tackle Connor McKendry,

who at 6-4, 240 is the biggest on a 42-player roster that has only 10

kids taller than 6-0.

McKendry could be shifted to left tackle, Barnes said.

Barnes (6-7, 300), who played center for his father at Los

Alamitos High and tackle in college at Nevada, has a soft spot in his

heart for the offensive line. Part of his coaching duties will

include working with the people movers.

“For us to be successful, we have to have a great offensive line,”

Barnes said.

Barnes said Herrera has made great strides in the off-season,

while McKendry, Barnes believes, is going to be a “big-time high

school player, who can eventually be a college player.”

McKendry is the younger brother of Bryce, who rushed for a

team-high 720 yards and scored 10 TDs as a senior last fall, en route

to All-Golden West League and Newport-Mesa Dream Team honors.

Echanique is the strongest player on the team, Barnes said.

Both Cotero and Echanique could also wind up starting on the

defensive line, though Barnes would ideally like to start a

two-platoon system with his linemen.

Senior tackle Travis Todd (6-3, 240) and junior guard Kristian

Carranza (5-8, 210) are foremost among those providing depth.

Defensive line: With Leon shifting from end to middle linebacker,

there will be four first-time starters up front.

Todd could be a standout at end, Barnes said, while Cotero and

Echanique will be asked to do the dirty work at the two inside spots.

Barnes considers one of the inside positions in his four-three scheme

to be a noseguard.

“Todd is a real good player, who is tough, strong and has a lot of

fight,” Barnes said. “I think he’s going to be an exciting player to

watch.”

Barnes believes Echanique will be a force at tackle, where his

strength may make him very difficult to block.

Cotero is the noseguard.

Junior Danny Orozco (5-10, 195), who was moved from linebacker

late in summer workouts, appears to have won the battle for the other

end spot, though McKendry still looms there.

Working in Orozco’s favor is Barnes’ desire to limit two-way duty

for linemen.

Herrera is the primary backup, as several late defections have

depleted the ranks on the defensive line.

Linebackers: Leon is set to lead this group at middle ‘backer,

with Bannon and Tim Morley flanking him at the two outside spots.

Barnes said Alejandre is still battling Morley, who started a

couple games at outside ‘backer as a junior.

Barnes said Alejandre and Vargas will see ample time here, to help

keep the three starters, two of whom start on offense, fresh.

Engelke could provide valuable depth.

Tomasek has shown promise as well and should help provide depth.

Secondary: Villalvazo, a returning starter at cornerback, brings

experience and ability to the last line of defense.

“He runs around and makes things happen,” Barnes said. “He’s a

playmaker.”

Henrikson appears to have edged out Hart for the other starting

cornerback spot, a position at which depth is not abundant, Barnes

said.

Mills shifts fro outside linebacker to start at free safety, while

Redding has stepped forward to earn the starting nod at free safety,

Barnes said.

LaGrand is a quality backup at safety, while Watson may also be

utilized, though Barnes would prefer to let him concentrate on

running the offense.

Kicking game: Senior Lucas Fassari is expected to assume punting

duties, while freshman Danny O’Neil is expected to fill a void as the

place-kicker.

Barnes was reluctant to summon O’Neil to the varsity as a ninth

grader, but was left no choice when no other kicking candidates

presented themselves.

Barnes said Villalvazo and Vargas (when he returns) could sparkle

as kick returners, while Leon is the long-snapper.

Barnes said special teams will not, as with some teams, present an

opportunity to work reserves into the game.

“Our best players need to play special teams,” Barnes said. “I

think some teams like to get a kid or two in, but I think if you’re

not playing your best kids on special teams, that’s where you are

going to lose games.”

The Eagles open the season Friday at 7 p.m. against Corona del Mar

at Orange Coast College.