Football preview: Ayala doesn't need much offense
Ayala is just a year removed from sharing a league title, but the Bulldogs missed the playoffs last season courtesy of some late-season, nail-biting losses. The defense, as usual, likely will keep them in most games but head coach Tom Inglima is hoping to be less dependent on his defense for a change.
"Two years ago we had almost 30 takeaways," Inglima said. "I don't know if our defense needs to lead the way this year. We need to be balanced on offense and have no turnovers. We're looking for balance on both sides of the ball."
Senior first-year starter Caleb Carillo will quarterback an offense that returns running back Mauricio Reynoso, who rushed for 574 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Carillo was 17-3 as the junior varsity starter and the Ayala offense could use a boost after a averaging a deceiving 25 points a game - the Bulldogs eclipsed 40 against Chino (0-10), Diamond Bar (1-9) and South El Monte (3-8) but scored a combined 37 points against Chino Hills (10-3), South Hills (10-3), Glendora (7-4) and Damien (5-6).
To his credit, Inglima, who is also the defensive coordinator, hasn't required an abundance of offense to win in the past and this looks every bit like a team that will rely on the defense and consider any offensive outbursts a bonus. One of the best defensive fronts in the area is led by 6-foot-3, 240-pound defensive end Alex Markarian. All-league linebacker Anthony Weiler returns at middle linebacker, a position to which Inglima has trusted much of the defensive play calls in the past.
What may be the most encouraging sign for those concerned Ayala's program is headed for a swoon are a bevy of sophomores from a freshman team that went undefeated last year. "I've been using them a lot during summer," Inglima said. "They've gotten a lot of reps. We're going to be young in some spots but I'm OK with that."
As a likely fringe playoff team this season, the additions of Charter Oak and South Hills to the Sierra League could hurt a team like Ayala the most, evidenced by South Hills sound defeat of Ayala in nonleague play last season. Inglima's teams have thrived when expectations were the lowest, thus it is very possible an Ayala team flying under the radar can force a few pivotal turnovers and claim some ugly, low-scoring victories to creep into the playoff picture.
About Clay
Clay Fowler has been covering high school sports for six years in California and Texas. He was born in Dallas, attended the University of Texas and worked in Central Texas before joining the Daily Bulletin staff in 2006.
Email Clay here
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