Eagles are positioned to reach postseason

Estancia football game preview vs. Santa AnaAn Estancia win over Santa Ana, or a Costa Mesa loss, would clinch CIF berth.Last week, the Estancia High football team put itself in position to earn the program’s first CIF Southern Section Division VII playoff berth since 2000.

Tonight at 7, the Eagles will attempt to put themselves over the top against Golden West League foe Santa Ana at Orange Coast College.

Santa Ana (5-4, 3-2 in league) can secure at least third place with a victory as four Golden West League teams will make the playoffs. An Estancia win would give the Eagles a share of third place. And, having defeated Santa Ana, Estancia (2-7, 2-3) would be the league’s No. 3 representative.

Even if Estancia loses, it would clinch the No. 4 playoff spot should Costa Mesa (2-7, 2-3) lose to second-place Orange today at 1 p.m.

If Estancia and Costa Mesa win, it would create a three-way tie for third between the Eagles, Mustangs and Saints. In that scenario, Estancia would earn the No. 3 playoff spot and Santa Ana would get the No. 4 berth.

A victory over the Saints would be the Eagles’ best quality win of the season, first-year coach Brian Barnes said.

“[The Saints] are bigger, faster and more physical than we are,” Barnes said. “Matching up with them could be tough. But if we play the way we did against Saddleback [a 34-7 victory Nov. 3], we have an opportunity to win.”

The Eagles broke through against Saddleback. Estancia rushed for 219 yards on 45 attempts, after having produced just 144 yards on 165 carries its first eight games.

Estancia also produced 277 passing yards against Saddleback. The Eagles’ 496 yards of total offense last week marked its highest output in 49 games, dating back to the 2000 regular season finale.

Barnes said adding running back to senior slot receiver Ezequiel Villalvazo’s responsibilities helped trigger the sudden productivity. Barnes also credited the improved play of his offensive line.

Villalvazo rushed for 78 yards on 11 carries and caught six passes for 169 yards against the Roadrunners. Villalvazo, who had not played running back prior to last week, is now the Eagles’ leading rusher with 93 yards on 15 carries.

Senior quarterback Ryan Watson is still the triggerman for the Eagles’ offense. He has thrown for 1,232 yards and 10 touchdowns, completing 96 of 205 passes with four interceptions.

Villalvazo has 26 catches for 443 yards and two touchdowns this season.

Estancia junior Matt Redding is another weapon. He has 27 catches for 320 yards and six touchdowns.

Santa Ana is paced by 5-foot-9, 175-pound senior running back Jason McCalope, who has 1,382 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on 154 carries this fall. He also has eight receptions for 151 yards and one touchdown.