Pertusati's time has arrived
LA VERNE - Peeking over his linemen at the defensive formations, Damien High school quarterback Danny Pertusati licked his fingers, took the snap, dropped back and delivered a perfect strike on cue.
Then he did it again and again.
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Another time he was forced out of the pocket and hit a receiver on the run.
Then he did it again and again.
It was just a practice on Monday in preparation for the Spartans' season opener on Friday at Riverside Poly, but the senior being asked to replace Mark Mendrum, who threw for 2,080 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2006, was showing all the signs of a confident quarterback.
"I've been thinking about this since my freshman season," Pertusati said. "I learned a lot from watching Mark play, and part of that was how he prepared.
"I did a lot of off-season training, lots of footwork and agility stuff, the same things that Mark did. Hopefully, I can be just as good as he was or a little better."
Pertusati showed his promise as a freshman and sophomore on the lower levels, but completed only 7 of 14 passes as a junior.
Spartans coach Scott Morrison doesn't equate that with inexperience, even though his senior is yet to make his first start behind center.
"First of all, he's a smart kid and understands the position," Morrison said. "It's not like he hasn't played under the lights before."
As a safety, Pertusati had three interceptions last year and feels playing on the defensive side will help him take over at quarterback.
"There's something to that," Morrison said. "When you play a defensive position, you're able to watch the quarterback from a different perspective. And knowing Danny, he'll probably use some of that knowledge to his advantage."
Pertusati knows there undoubtedly will be comparisons to his predecessor. The Spartans are returning after a 9-3 finish, a Sierra League title (5-0) and a second-round appearance in the CIF-SS Inland Division playoffs.
The 6-footer also has a pair of talented receivers at his disposal in Taylor Herrera and Eric Bento but, as Morrison noted, comparisons to Mendrum just aren't fair.
"Mark was a great athlete and Danny is a great athlete and that's what we like in our quarterbacks," Morrison said. "Danny is very capable of running our offense, but whether he has the kind of season Mark had is irrelevant, because we know Danny's a great leader and he commands the huddle."
Morrison also likes Pertusati's toughness, which comes from being a hard-hitting free safety.
"You know you've got a great competitor when you have a kid willing to play hurt," Morrison said. "You can't play injured, but a tough kid will play hurt, not complain, and that's Danny.
"We know how fast his feet are. We know how talented of an athlete he is and we know he can throw the football with authority and make plays on the fly. But when you can do that and be a leader and play with a toughness, those are the characteristics you want in your quarterback."
But how much of a load will Pertusati be asked to carry?
Last year's leading rusher, Chris Marine, has graduated, and senior Marcus Williams, who was expected to balance out the offense, broke his leg and is out for at least two months.
"We'll be fine, but losing Marcus is a big deal," Morrison said. "He was a senior and brought a lot of leadership qualities. He has made it a point to stick around and lead his teammates in different ways, but there's no doubt he's going to be missed.
"But that doesn't mean that everything falls on Danny. Your program shouldn't revolve around one guy. When someone goes down, everyone needs to pick up the slack and make up the difference. You have to rally around each other, and that's what we've done."
If the absence of Williams means Pertusati will be leaned on more than he originally thought, that's fine with him.
"If I need to get outside or tuck and run, then that's what I have to do," Pertusati said. "But honestly, we've got guys in the backfield that will get the job done. (Sophomore Phillip) Saenz has done a great job and we've got a great offensive line to help us all out.
"I think people are going to be very surprised how well we do offensively. I know it looks like we've lost a lot, but we've got a lot of great guys ready to step in."
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Miguel Melendez's prep blog
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San Bernardino Sun Preps
LA times Varsity Blog
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Dyestat Track and Cross Country
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College Level Athletes
I Was at the LOS O/AMAT on friday but, from what I heard was that the DHS running game did not show. I also talked to some of the coaches and they said the DL was awesome as well as Pertusati.
Maybe I was correct in my last post.
Chocolate rain, my reply was entirely relevant to the slanderous comment, that "anonymous" posted, in reference to those who didn't choose to attend, or send little papito to Damien or any other private school.
Chocolate Lame hahaha that was a good one thanks it made me laugh. and please dont get so offended by what i write on here its just my opinion, dont take it so personally. o and jeremy this isn't english class so stop grading other peoples posts haha jp man grade all you want
Anonymous, you speak of "higher" education, and mock others, yet you don't even know to put commas in your sentences, or to paragraph your posted ramblings.
r u mommies
Thank god that Damien does not accept food stamps for tuition. People like you that does not want your children to have a higher education we do not want at Damien. So crawl back into your Pinto station wagon and go to your laundy mat to get out of the heat today. I do feel sorry for people like you. Wait I do not feel sorry for you I fell sorry for your kid's.
To Chocolate Lame. You are a perfect example why myself and others would never let their kids ever go to Damien. Gee, no attention for Damien ? Boo Hoo,,Wonder why?
hahaha you must have misunderstood me. i was laughing at how nobody (especially glendora fans) haven't been coming on here talking about how their quaterback is better and how Pertusati wont be able to do anything against their "heaven sent" defense you know the usual gibberish they post on here. i like how damien always gets the least attention yet always manages to stand out by the end of the year
I see your point on slowing him down on D. But this team needs a running game in order to pass as all teams do. With Marcus out Damien is notdeep at RB. McMahon is a big hitter on D but I don't think a 5'6" 140lb kid can handle the D2 Sierra leauge. You will see tonight. I hope that I am wrong. Riv. Poly is a week program but next week they play SJB and those kids can hit. I hope your coach has a back up plan. If McMahon is a D1 prospect he should not have a problem going both ways. Follow the history great athletes in HS Football. A high % play both way's
Good luck
i disagree that damien should play their players both ways. McMahon is a great football player, but if you have him carrying the ball and playing defense, its going to slow him down because of the beating he will take as the season goes on. You have to protect your best players so they can be fresh going down the stretch. If McMahon, or anyone else for the Spartans goes both ways, it should be very sparingly.
Chocolate rain, I left out the best part. Your name isn't there. Are you tasting sour grapes?
Chocolate rain, I left out the best part. Your name isn't there. Are you tasting sour grapes?
chocolate rain check it out who' s name is at the top of the thread nuff said..
For Damien to have a shot at the SL title as posted in one of Aram blog's by Aram. Ryan McMahon better carry the rock the majority of the time. With Marcus Williams out with a broken leg the so. kid will not be able to handle the load. Thus putting the presure on Pertusati. The coaching staff does not think that their players can play both way's. This is the same problem we had two years ago. Coach Mo is a good head coach but it is time he Joins the ranks of top coaches in the valley and start playing his good athletes both ways. He started doing that some last year and look at the results.
haha i love how this thread gets the least attention.
i love you lebron. cash rules everyhting around me.
still cant spell mark mendrun right
thurs aug 30th scrimmage upland at los altos 6 pm
DP is a solid athlete with leadership qualities.
With this Damien team, I think the O-line will be it's strong suit.
Coach M does well with his pool of talent---there's plenty in the cupboard.
I watched this kid last week. He has good foot work and great speed. His arm is not the strongest but very accurate. His recievers have great hands. The key is as always the OL.
its about time damien gets some love