Colony sophomore quarterback Joseph Tesimale has a tough act to follow. Josh Thompson did an admirable job holding down that spot the last three years, leading the team to a CIF title in 2014 as a junior.
But now the job goes to Tesimale, who directed the freshman team last year.
Head coach Steve Randall compares Tesimale favorably to his predecessor even when spring practice was still in the early stages. Nothing has happened to change his mind. In fact, Randall was even more pleased with his new quarterback after his scrimmage performance against Etiwanda.
“He had good command of the offense,” Randall said of Tesimale, the younger brother of linebacker Daniel Tesimale who was part of that 2014 team. “He did a great job of checking off from the run to the pass and made good decisions, all things you want to see of a guy stepping into that position.”
Randall says Tesimale has the same attributes as Thompson, who also took the starting reigns as a sophomore but adds his new quarterback has the potential to be even better, Randall said he is a bit better athlete than Thompson and is more vocal than Thompson, who was quiet by nature.
As for other standouts, Randall singled out junior Michael Ezeike, a wide receiver who will also see some time at defensive end.
Among the others to impress are senior wide receiver Ryan Moya-Chapron and senior running back Nathan Tilford, a transfer from Upland who will also line up at defensive end.
The Titans (8-4 in 2015) open the season on Friday at home against West Covina, whom they defeated 28-21 in last year’s season opener.
