Estancia facing long odds

Estancia football preview vs. Santa FeTop-seeded Santa Fe appears to be overwhelming favorite in CIF Division VII clash.The odds appear insurmountable. The goal: seemingly unattainable.

But Estancia High football coach Brian Barnes need only venture 16 seasons into his own program’s past to provide inspiration for his players against top-seeded Santa Fe in tonight’s CIF Southern Section Division VII first-round game at Pioneer High in Whittier. Kickoff is at 7.

The Chiefs (10-0) have outscored opponents, 421-54, with victory margins this season of 64, 63, 55, 35 and 34 points. They have shut out six foes.

Estancia (2-8) has been outscored, 278-111, has not been to the playoffs since 2000, and has not won a playoff game since 1980.

“Really, the biggest thing is getting the kids to believe,” Barnes said.

There are a few teachers on the Estancia campus who more than believe a No. 1 seed can fall in the first round. They saw it happen, in fact, when the 1989 Estancia squad, 10-0 though the regular season, was eliminated in the opening round, 15-12, by La Mirada.

“We’ve told our guys that we’re starting the whole season over again,” Barnes said. “You never know what can happen. That’s why you play the games.”

But if Santa Fe, the Del Rio League champion, appears imposing on paper, viewing the Chiefs on videotape only enhances their reputation, Barnes said.

“They are pretty impressive on film, too,” Barnes said. “They have some dudes. One of their offensive tackles is 6-foot-5, 295 pounds and the other one is 6-7, 330. Their middle linebacker [Joe Hernandez] is 6-4, 220 and he can run. He’s as big as [Estancia two-way lineman] Connor McKendry, but he runs like [receiver-running back Ezequiel Villalvazo].”

The Chiefs feature an offense as balanced as it is potent. Leading rusher Aaron Jackson, a 6-0, 220-pound senior, has 1,104 yards and 19 touchdowns on 99 carries.

Junior quarterback Angel Molina has thrown for 1,281 yards and 15 touchdowns, completing 68 of 103 passes with only two interceptions.

Santa Fe has five additional players with at least 122 rushing yards, while Villalvazo leads Estancia ball carriers with 110 yards this season.

Estancia has improved its ground game in recent weeks. But quarterback Ryan Watson has been the Eagles’ most consistent weapon all season. Watson has completed 99 of 213 passes for 1,262 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Villalvazo and Matt Redding both have 27 receptions, for a combined 773 yards. But they have split time at running back the last two games.

Barnes, who has shown a penchant for trick plays, said some may be in the works.

“We may have to do some different things,” he said.

Tonight’s winner will meet either Rowland (8-2) or San Gabriel (7-3) in the quarterfinals.

ESTANCIA STARTERS