St. Paul camp report: Swordsmen plan to run away from trouble
By Steve Ramirez
SANTA FE SPRINGS - The book on the St. Paul High School football team is supposed to begin and end with senior running back Michael Ortega.
But the Swordsmen are far from a one-man team.
Ortega, who rushed for nearly 1,200 yards, leads the show, but there is also senior fullback David Cabral, who ran for 828; speedster Marcus Garcia; sophomore Elijah Carter and Savanna transfer Jamari Thompson.
"Everyone of those guys can run and they can fly," St. Paul coach Marijon Ancich said Tuesday. "It's rare to have five guys like that. This is the fastest group of guys I've had and they might be the fastest group in the history of the school.
"We have five guys who all can run about 4.5 seconds (in the 40-yard dash), which is fantastic for a high school team. It makes a huge difference because they can make a big play. Normally, it would be a 3-yard gain, but they have the ability to explode and they are up field. That's the key to the thing (this season), their speed and whether we can play defense."
There's also the role of quarterback Paul Telles, who if things go as expected, will have plenty of opportunities for some big plays himself. Telles, who threw for nearly 1,000 yards last season, understands his role in the Swordsmen's weekly game plan, and accepts it.
"We're a heavy play-action
offense," the quarterback said. "We rely on those guys to make plays, and when (the defense) bites on Michael or David, that's when we come with the play-action over the top.
"I accept my role. What (the running backs) do does make (my job) easier."
PLAYING FOR NOW
This is Ancich's last season with the Swordsmen. The coach, who is one of the winningest high school football coaches in California history, is retiring after 34 years. But he doesn't want his players to be consumed by that.
"I'm sure the players are interested in playing for me," said Ancich, who is 353-137-9 at the school. "But I don't lean on them or talk to them about it.
"I want to keep that quiet. I don't want them to think they owe anybody anything. They've been pretty good about it. The hardest thing for us to just maintain that (everyone on the team) is all going for the same goal."
STILL THE ONE
St. Paul has one of the richest histories among CIF-Southern Section football powers.
But while the Swordsmen have dropped in stature a bit while playing a few divisions down from when the program was in its heyday, they still play with a target on their back.
"We're still the enemy here," Ancich said. "You beat St. Paul High School, and you get a stripe on your pants or jersey somewhere.
"We got the experience (this season) that enables us to be ready, but the kids have to be ready."
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About this blog
Steve Ramirez is the prep sports editor for the Whittier Daily News.
Actually Amat did beat us bad two years ago, I think 42-7 or something like that. They have had the upper hand these last few years. But the battles go back for decades, and the games have been epic. I'm not here to bash anyone, except that Phantom idiot. Let's see what does happen come October 21 when Cathedral does come to the pit.
St Paul will be good this year, and I've been to many of the practices to see that first hand. We'll be there in the end battling for league and we will make a good run in the playoffs. Let's see if you are there also Phantom....or just licking your wounds.
I came across this and was reading the comments below, I'm neither amat or st paul fan but if i remember correctly amat only beat st paul by 1 point in triple OT and that was only because the RB slipped and fell for the 2 point conversion (of course going for the win rather than tie) also they didn't have Haynes that game. (star RB)
With that being said, St Paul could compete with pac 5 teams, give it a year or 2 and they will have a monster schedule like they once had... the LB polys, servite's OL crespi etc..
@Amat Parent: Some of our more recent so called fans don't know the SP-Amat history or even their SP history. Besides I doubt heyy and some of these others are really SP fans.
@Phantom Alum: First of all SP has been in the Western Division for years so don't go around acting like it was a recent thing.
Speaking of records, what were you guys last year? 5-5? Oh, and how did you do against SP last year? Oh yeah, you lost. And how did your JV team do? They lost? And where is Calpreps picking you this year? 5th place?
Go ahead and keep talking your weak a** sh**. We are looking forward to the Phantoms coming to the Pit so that we can send you guys crying home to your mommies once again.
One more comment: Although I ended up making some challenging comments towards heyy and St Paul, I agree with St Paul Alum in regards to Respect for coach Ancich. He is a legend in high school football, and I respect what he has done over the many years that he has given of his time.
You know I came on to read this article and see what was being written about St Paul because I have two friends whose boys are freshman there. I was surprised to see Amat being mentioned by the person who goes by heyy.
I find it interesting how envy leads to such negativity. Why mention Amat in your response to that moron that is putting St Paul down? Heyy, you come across as a fool, and a whining one, when you bring Amat into a conversation between St Paul and Cathedral.
Reality is we did crush you guys two years ago, and for that matter, we crushed Cathedral last year even worse. Neither one of your two teams can compete with AMAT. Winning CIF in division 3 is nothing to brag about. We are very competative in Pac 5 each year, and we will be again this year.
It's obvious your hatred towards Amat is simply jealousy. I hope we play St Paul again next year. At least we get to crush Cathedral again this year when they come to us.
It's really sad when people forget about RESPECT! Is it really necessary to bad mouth / make fun of a man who has dedicated his life to making Men out of Boys . People should remember that Men like Coach "A" have a life time of experiences and knowledge to share with those who are open minded enough to listen . He is a Man who deserves to be respected. People don't have to agree with him but attacking his charcter is ridiculous. Win or Lose those young Men are all proud to be a SWORDSMEN ! To say Hazing only happens at St Paul is ridiculous , you just didn't get caught .Good Luck St Paul ! Wishing you a Great year and asking God to protect you and keep you safe from injuries !
It's really sad when people forget about RESPECT! Is it really necessary to bad mouth / make fun of a man who has dedicated his life to making Men out of Boys . People should remember that Men like Coach "A" have a life time of experiences and knowledge to share with those who are open minded enough to listen . He is a Man who deserves to be respected. People don't have to agree with him but attacking his charcter is ridiculous. Win or Lose those young Men are all proud to be a SWORDSMEN ! To say Hazing only happens at St Paul is ridiculous , you just didn't get caught .Good Luck St Paul ! Wishing you a Great year and asking God to protect you and keep you safe from injuries !
Not that i'm an Amat fan, but I remember they spanked the crap out of St. paul just two years ago. Yeah, they did the same to us last year, but we'll compete much better against them this year.
Seriously though "heyy" St. Paul has no chance this year, but believe what you want. We'll meet on oct. 21 and see what happens between us..
@Phantum Alum;
St Paul has not dropped division what are you talking about? we have been Div 3 for a while now. And Amat? lol yea they moved to the pac5 with the servite's but can't hang there, they need to move back to where they were before!
When was the last time Amat won a CIF title?
Yea St Paul's last title came in 2007, and have another chance this year.
Coach, get real. A stripe on your pants or jersey? seriously? St. Paul hasn't been a blip on the radar for many years now. Isn't that why you have dropped in divisions, because you can't compete with the likes of the Amats and Loyolas?
I herard St. Paul had some horses this year, but they will still only win, maybe, 6 games. I doubt they make playoffs. We'll show you on October 21 when we pay you a visit.
The only targets your boys have on there backs are from other St Paul players who are looking to haze them. Time to retire coach because you are still living in the past.