Eagles hungry for a victory

Coach Brian Barnes said his Estancia High football players are tired

of waiting for their first victory of the season.

Apparently, Buena Park, which plays host to the nonleague clash

with the Eagles Friday at 7, reached that point last week.

The Coyotes ended their 15-game losing streak with a 7-6

double-overtime triumph over Century in their opener Friday night.

Though the Estancia losing streak spans only the first two games

of this season, Barnes believes it needs to be brought to a halt.

“Our kids are hungry for a win,” said the 26-year-old Barnes, in

his first season as a head coach at any level. “We’ve been out here

since April. We’ve been talking about winning and that winning is

important, and it’s time. Losing gives you a sick feeling in your

stomach and anybody who accepts losing is probably not a real

football player.”

The Eagles, outscored in losses to Corona del Mar and Huntington

Park, by a combined 49-12, believe they have a real opportunity to

experience the feeling the Coyotes have been savoring all week.

“It should be a real good game,” Barnes said. “Both teams match up

pretty well. We’re finally getting to some teams with the same

numbers and size of kids we have. I think we’re hungry and we’re

looking to compete.”

The Eagles defeated Buena Park, 19-0, last season in a game that

senior quarterback Ryan Watson recalls fondly.

Watson, then a junior, threw his only two touchdown passes of the

season against the Coyotes last fall.

This season, Watson already has two TD tosses and has surpassed

last season’s passing numbers in every other positive category.

Watson, operating most often out of a one-back set with four

receivers, has completed 23 of 42 for 280 yards.

Junior Matt Redding has been Watson’s favorite target. He has

seven catches for 143 yards, including a 75-yard scoring hookup

against Huntington Park.

Senior Alex LaGrand has four receptions for 51 yards.

The Eagles have struggled in the rushing department, totally only

24 yards in two games.

Estancia will need to overcome the loss of senior

receiver-cornerback Ezequiel Villalvazo, who is sidelined with a

concussion.

“Not having [Villalvazo] hurts us,” Barnes said. ‘He’s probably

our best player.”

Barnes said Buena Park had some success after switching to a veer

offense against Century. Coyote quarterback Eric Mediriab rushed for

95 yards in the victory.

ESTANCIA STARTERS

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OFFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Po.

8 Ryan Watson 6-0 185 Sr. QB

2 Edgar Vargas 5-7 160 Jr. TB

88 Matt Redding 6-2 185 Jr. WR

83 Alex LaGrand 6-4 180 Sr. WR

10 Tim Morley 6-2 180 Jr. SR

11 Nick Engelke 6-0 180 Sr. SR

60 Walter Echanique 6-0 255 Sr. LT

77 Jesse Herrera 5-9 225 Sr. LG

50 Nelson Leon 6-2 210 Sr. C

54 Sean Ulrich 6-2 225 So. RG

71 Connor McKendry 6-5 240 So. RT

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DEFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Po.

56 Travis Todd 6-3 240 Sr. DE

52 Miguel Cotero 6-2 225 Sr. NG

60 Walter Echanique 6-0 255 Sr. DT

40 Danny Orozco 5-10 195 Jr. DE 7 Kyle Bannon 5-9 180 Sr. LB

50 Nelson Leon 6-2 210 Sr. LB

10 Tim Morley 6-2 180 Jr. LB

89 Riley Hart 6-0 160 Jr. CB

16 Josh Henrikson 5-11 170 Sr. CB 83 Alex LaGrand 6-4 180 Sr. SS

88 Matt Redding 6-2 185 Jr. FS

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