Prepare for a wild ride in Trinity League
10/9/2014
Print Article: Prepare for a wild ride in Trinity League
Prepare for a wild ride in Trinity League BY DAN ALBANO 20141008 18:15:44
The high school football league considered by some to be the toughest in America has become so challenging that even Friday’s openers are being approached as mustwin games. Yes, welcome to the Trinity League. Please fasten your seat belts. “We’re going into the gauntlet,” Mater Dei senior defensive lineman/fullback Malik McMorris said. “It’s going to be nice and rough.” The league’s profile appears stronger thanks in large part to the rise of JSerra (50). Once an alsoran in the allparochial school league, the Lions have taken their spot alongside the rest of the league’s football powerhouses in the rankings. All six teams are ranked in the CalHi Sports state top 20. “It’s a phenomenal league,” said Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas coach Tony Sanchez, whose Gaels (70) – ranked No. 1 in the nation – have defeated three Trinity League teams this fall. “The play is phenomenal, but if you look at the quality of coaching in that league and just the organization that goes into it and the advancement of the schemes people are running, it’s just a quality league, from top to bottom.” When it comes to qualifying for the playoffs, at least one or perhaps two or three of the teams will be left out. The top three finishers will earn automatic postseason berths while the other three will be competing with most likely the highly competitive Mission League in the Los Angeles area for the two available atlarge berths in the Pac5 Division. That’s why a sense of urgency will engulf the league starting Friday. “Everybody knows the importance of winning this game right out of the chute because if you’re not, you are already behind,” JSerra coach Jim Hartigan said. “If you want to go to the playoffs, you better make sure that you win at least three games, otherwise there’s no guarantees. We found out firsthand last year.” Here’s an updated glance of the teams (listed by their SoCal Varsity Top 20 ranking): NO. 1 ST. JOHN BOSCO (41) Opener: vs. Mater Dei, Friday (Ticket info) Defining moment: The Braves returned only a few starters from their state Open Division championship team, but outscored Bishop Gorman by 14 points in the second half of a 3431 loss on Sept. 26. That was a promising sign. Emerging standout: Sanchez was impressed by the Braves’ inside linebackers, a group led by seniors Dennis Willis (60, 218) and Nas Anesi (61, 225). “Both are playing pretty well right now,” Braves coach Jason Negro said. Key to success: St. John Bosco returned only two starters on defense, so it could be challenged by the http://www.ocvarsity.com/common/printer/view.php?db=ocvarsity&id=75433
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10/9/2014
Print Article: Prepare for a wild ride in Trinity League
league’s highpowered offenses. Quotable: “(Quarterback Josh) Rosen is definitely going to make his plays,” Sanchez said. “And defensively, the thing that really impressed me was their linebackers.” NO. 2 MATER DEI (50) Opener: at St. John Bosco, Friday (Ticket info) Defining moment: The Monarchs rallied in the second half last week to edge Westlake of Westlake Village, 2827, sealing the victory when 65 junior Andre Collins blocked a potential winning 33yard field goal in the final seconds. Emerging standout: Senior linebacker Gerran Brown (63, 210) racked up a teamhigh eight tackles and broke up three passes against Westlake. Key to success: The Monarchs need steady production on offense to support arguably the best defense in the league. Quarterback Jack Lowary, a firstyear starter, has delivered just that, completing 59 percent of his passes and finishing the first five games without an interception. Quotable: “It just depends if your will is better than the guy across from you,” McMorris said. NO. 5 SERVITE (32) Opener: vs. Orange Lutheran, Orange Coast College, Friday Defining moment: The Friars lost to national powers Bishop Gorman and De La Salle of Concord, but their best performance came in a 5614 victory over La Mirada. Dualthreat QB Travis Waller delivered one of his best games. Emerging standout: Terrell Bynum edges fellow sophomore receiver Osiris St. Brown after a strong performance against De La Salle. Key to success: Defense. In their two losses, the Friars have allowed 48 and 47 points and experienced coverage breakdowns. In Servite’s three victories, it has held opponents to 17.3 points. Quotable: “Their quarterback (Waller) is an absolute stud,” Sanchez said. “I was so impressed with him. … They’ve got the potential to score a lot of points.” NO. 6 JSERRA (50) Opener: vs. Santa Margarita, at Saddleback College, Friday Defining moment: The Lions’ best victory was against Chino Hills (41), which defeated Hart of Newhall and Bishop Amat, which stunned Serra of Gardena last week. Emerging standout: Running back Edward Vander, a transfer from Paramount, has helped balance an offense already strong at quarterback, receiver and the offensive line. The junior has rushed for 789 yards and 15 touchdowns. Key to success: Pass defense. With several top quarterbacks in the league, the Lions’ secondary will be put to the test. Quotable: “We’re greatly improved,” Hartigan said. “We used to be the team that you could probably not put your full effort into it and probably get a win. (Now) if you don’t come to play against us, we’ll go test you.” NO. 10T ORANGE LUTHERAN (41) Opener: vs. Servite, at Orange Coast College, Friday Defining moment: The Lancers showed their potential in a 5249 loss on Sept. 6 to Centennial of Corona, which fell the following week to Bishop Gorman, 4342, and then beat Long Beach Poly. Emerging standout: Dualthreat QB quarterback LJ Northington has been a smooth fit in the Lancers’ http://www.ocvarsity.com/common/printer/view.php?db=ocvarsity&id=75433
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10/9/2014
Print Article: Prepare for a wild ride in Trinity League
multiple spread offense. The lefthanded junior has completed 75 percent of his passes for 858 yards and five TDs and hasn’t been intercepted. Don’t be surprised if he holds his own against Waller. Key to success: Dominance from Keisean LucierSouth. Coach Chuck Petersen said the senior defensive end has started to dominate like last season, and that’s a positive sign. LucierSouth, who started the season at linebacker, has two sacks, six QB hurries and six tackles for losses. Quotable: “This is the best the Trinity League has been in the three short years I have been here,” Petersen said. “We need to take advantage of opportunities that we create and be sound in the kicking game.” NO. 10T SANTA MARGARITA (41) Opener: vs. JSerra, at Saddleback College, Friday Defining moment: The Eagles’ seasonopening 2621 victory against Bishop Amat was telling. Bishop Amat beat Santa Margarita last season and recently knocked off Serra. If the Eagles are in the hunt for an atlarge spot, that victory over Bishop Amat could come in handy. Emerging standout: Matt Mark. The junior running back/linebacker has been a twoway standout. He rushed for 96 yards against Bishop Amat and had 14 tackles and three rushing touchdowns against Santiago of Corona. He leads the Eagles with seven TDs. Key to success: Defense. Junior quarterback KJ Costello and the fastpaced offense have already set a few school records. But Bishop Gorman scored 41 points against the Eagles, who were hurt by big plays and two turnovers. Quotable: “Santa Margarita is a good team,” Sanchez said. “They’re a better team than they showed the night we played them. … They’re going to win some games.” Contact the writer: [email protected] © Copyright 2014 Freedom Communications. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Site Map
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Print Article: Prepare for a wild ride in Trinity League
Prepare for a wild ride in Trinity League BY DAN ALBANO 20141008 18:15:44
The high school football league considered by some to be the toughest in America has become so challenging that even Friday’s openers are being approached as mustwin games. Yes, welcome to the Trinity League. Please fasten your seat belts. “We’re going into the gauntlet,” Mater Dei senior defensive lineman/fullback Malik McMorris said. “It’s going to be nice and rough.” The league’s profile appears stronger thanks in large part to the rise of JSerra (50). Once an alsoran in the allparochial school league, the Lions have taken their spot alongside the rest of the league’s football powerhouses in the rankings. All six teams are ranked in the CalHi Sports state top 20. “It’s a phenomenal league,” said Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas coach Tony Sanchez, whose Gaels (70) – ranked No. 1 in the nation – have defeated three Trinity League teams this fall. “The play is phenomenal, but if you look at the quality of coaching in that league and just the organization that goes into it and the advancement of the schemes people are running, it’s just a quality league, from top to bottom.” When it comes to qualifying for the playoffs, at least one or perhaps two or three of the teams will be left out. The top three finishers will earn automatic postseason berths while the other three will be competing with most likely the highly competitive Mission League in the Los Angeles area for the two available atlarge berths in the Pac5 Division. That’s why a sense of urgency will engulf the league starting Friday. “Everybody knows the importance of winning this game right out of the chute because if you’re not, you are already behind,” JSerra coach Jim Hartigan said. “If you want to go to the playoffs, you better make sure that you win at least three games, otherwise there’s no guarantees. We found out firsthand last year.” Here’s an updated glance of the teams (listed by their SoCal Varsity Top 20 ranking): NO. 1 ST. JOHN BOSCO (41) Opener: vs. Mater Dei, Friday (Ticket info) Defining moment: The Braves returned only a few starters from their state Open Division championship team, but outscored Bishop Gorman by 14 points in the second half of a 3431 loss on Sept. 26. That was a promising sign. Emerging standout: Sanchez was impressed by the Braves’ inside linebackers, a group led by seniors Dennis Willis (60, 218) and Nas Anesi (61, 225). “Both are playing pretty well right now,” Braves coach Jason Negro said. Key to success: St. John Bosco returned only two starters on defense, so it could be challenged by the http://www.ocvarsity.com/common/printer/view.php?db=ocvarsity&id=75433
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10/9/2014
Print Article: Prepare for a wild ride in Trinity League
league’s highpowered offenses. Quotable: “(Quarterback Josh) Rosen is definitely going to make his plays,” Sanchez said. “And defensively, the thing that really impressed me was their linebackers.” NO. 2 MATER DEI (50) Opener: at St. John Bosco, Friday (Ticket info) Defining moment: The Monarchs rallied in the second half last week to edge Westlake of Westlake Village, 2827, sealing the victory when 65 junior Andre Collins blocked a potential winning 33yard field goal in the final seconds. Emerging standout: Senior linebacker Gerran Brown (63, 210) racked up a teamhigh eight tackles and broke up three passes against Westlake. Key to success: The Monarchs need steady production on offense to support arguably the best defense in the league. Quarterback Jack Lowary, a firstyear starter, has delivered just that, completing 59 percent of his passes and finishing the first five games without an interception. Quotable: “It just depends if your will is better than the guy across from you,” McMorris said. NO. 5 SERVITE (32) Opener: vs. Orange Lutheran, Orange Coast College, Friday Defining moment: The Friars lost to national powers Bishop Gorman and De La Salle of Concord, but their best performance came in a 5614 victory over La Mirada. Dualthreat QB Travis Waller delivered one of his best games. Emerging standout: Terrell Bynum edges fellow sophomore receiver Osiris St. Brown after a strong performance against De La Salle. Key to success: Defense. In their two losses, the Friars have allowed 48 and 47 points and experienced coverage breakdowns. In Servite’s three victories, it has held opponents to 17.3 points. Quotable: “Their quarterback (Waller) is an absolute stud,” Sanchez said. “I was so impressed with him. … They’ve got the potential to score a lot of points.” NO. 6 JSERRA (50) Opener: vs. Santa Margarita, at Saddleback College, Friday Defining moment: The Lions’ best victory was against Chino Hills (41), which defeated Hart of Newhall and Bishop Amat, which stunned Serra of Gardena last week. Emerging standout: Running back Edward Vander, a transfer from Paramount, has helped balance an offense already strong at quarterback, receiver and the offensive line. The junior has rushed for 789 yards and 15 touchdowns. Key to success: Pass defense. With several top quarterbacks in the league, the Lions’ secondary will be put to the test. Quotable: “We’re greatly improved,” Hartigan said. “We used to be the team that you could probably not put your full effort into it and probably get a win. (Now) if you don’t come to play against us, we’ll go test you.” NO. 10T ORANGE LUTHERAN (41) Opener: vs. Servite, at Orange Coast College, Friday Defining moment: The Lancers showed their potential in a 5249 loss on Sept. 6 to Centennial of Corona, which fell the following week to Bishop Gorman, 4342, and then beat Long Beach Poly. Emerging standout: Dualthreat QB quarterback LJ Northington has been a smooth fit in the Lancers’ http://www.ocvarsity.com/common/printer/view.php?db=ocvarsity&id=75433
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10/9/2014
Print Article: Prepare for a wild ride in Trinity League
multiple spread offense. The lefthanded junior has completed 75 percent of his passes for 858 yards and five TDs and hasn’t been intercepted. Don’t be surprised if he holds his own against Waller. Key to success: Dominance from Keisean LucierSouth. Coach Chuck Petersen said the senior defensive end has started to dominate like last season, and that’s a positive sign. LucierSouth, who started the season at linebacker, has two sacks, six QB hurries and six tackles for losses. Quotable: “This is the best the Trinity League has been in the three short years I have been here,” Petersen said. “We need to take advantage of opportunities that we create and be sound in the kicking game.” NO. 10T SANTA MARGARITA (41) Opener: vs. JSerra, at Saddleback College, Friday Defining moment: The Eagles’ seasonopening 2621 victory against Bishop Amat was telling. Bishop Amat beat Santa Margarita last season and recently knocked off Serra. If the Eagles are in the hunt for an atlarge spot, that victory over Bishop Amat could come in handy. Emerging standout: Matt Mark. The junior running back/linebacker has been a twoway standout. He rushed for 96 yards against Bishop Amat and had 14 tackles and three rushing touchdowns against Santiago of Corona. He leads the Eagles with seven TDs. Key to success: Defense. Junior quarterback KJ Costello and the fastpaced offense have already set a few school records. But Bishop Gorman scored 41 points against the Eagles, who were hurt by big plays and two turnovers. Quotable: “Santa Margarita is a good team,” Sanchez said. “They’re a better team than they showed the night we played them. … They’re going to win some games.” Contact the writer: [email protected] © Copyright 2014 Freedom Communications. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Site Map
http://www.ocvarsity.com/common/printer/view.php?db=ocvarsity&id=75433
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