Seeking to rebound

Bouncing back from a 42-7 season-opening loss to Trabuco Hills High has created good news and bad news this week for Estancia football coach Mike Bargas.

The good news is that the Eagles clearly have bought into Bargas’ pronouncement that losing to a team then ranked No. 5 in the CIF Southern Section Southwest Division is no reason to diminish optimism that built in the off-season about the 2009 campaign.

The bad news is that practice was so spirited Wednesday, three players were injured on the same play.

“Maybe our practice was a little too good,” said Bargas, who noted that senior offensive tackle Billy Peters (knee), junior tight end Nathan Bennett (concussion) and sophomore receiver-defensive back Alex Troncoso are all likely to miss tonight’s nonleague road game at Bolsa Grande High.

Kickoff is at 7.

Senior two-way lineman Michael Renteria, who sprained an ankle in the opener, is also doubtful, creating an even more extensive personnel shift on the offensive front.

“We’re going with a piece-meal offensive line, trying to get the right fit,” said Bargas, who was displeased with an offense that produced just 142 yards last week.

One highlight, offensively, for Estancia was senior tailback Alex Abalos, who rushed for 92 yards and the lone touchdown on 15 carries against Trabuco Hills.

“Alex was real solid throughout,” Bargas said.

The Estancia passing attack against Trabuco Hills netted just 34 yards on seven completions by senior quarterback Alek Kirshner. Kirshner did not throw an interception in 21 attempts, another positive in Bargas’ eyes.

Junior receiver Matt Carlyle had four catches for 15 yards to qualify as Kirshner’s favorite target. Carlyle needs just one more reception to match his total from last season.

Defensively, Estancia blanked Trabuco Hills in the first and third quarters, and junior end Omar Gutierrez, an All-Newport-Mesa Dream Team performer who led area players with 10 sacks last season, was in on three sacks and at least one additional tackle for loss.

“I think we’re much-improved on defense,” Bargas said. “But we ran 44 plays on offense, so we just couldn’t keep our defense off the field last week.”

Bolsa Grande is opening its season, having scrimmaged against Saddleback.

The Matadors are coming off a 4-6 season that included a 13-6 loss to Estancia.

Bargas said senior tailback Mikhail Lowery and 6-foot, 265-pound lineman Jessie Gorfu are the top returners for coach Jim Lamb’s squad.

“I’m optimistic about being able to put a good football game together,” Bargas said. “I think this will be a better chance to show we are an improved team [from one that went 3-7 in 2008].”