“When this group become seniors, I truly believe we could have one of the best teams in the country. Our front seven on defense is pretty special.” — Tesoro coach Brian Barnes on the Titans’ defensive front.
“I think any kid who has to cover a receiver for eight seconds would be in trouble. There were probably a dozen times where we had our arm on him (Adams), but that’s not enough; you have to get him down, and we didn’t do that.” — Bishop Amat coach Steve Hagerty on the Lancers’ secondary, noting they gave Alemany QB Vernon Adams too much time to beat them last week.
By Fred J. Robledo
If fourth-seeded Bishop Amat (9-1) doesn’t take care of business against visiting Tesoro (7-3) in Friday’s first- round CIF-Southern Section Pac-5 Division opener at Kiefer Stadium, the Lancers better hope they avoid the Titans in the near future. The Titans start nine sophomores and have a defensive front that Lancers coach Steve Hagerty says is the best they will have faced all season – and he won’t get an argument about that from Titans coach Brian Barnes. (To continue click thread).
Here is a look at raw footage of Chino Hills 14-13 win over Tesoro earlier this season.
“When this group become seniors, I truly believe we could have one of the best teams in the country,” Barnes said. “Our front seven on defense is pretty special.”
They’re not all young, though – 6-foot-3 senior defensive end Sean O’Grady is headed to Arizona State, and senior middle linebacker Nolan Muchow is a monster.
“It’s a great defensive line; one of their sophomores looks like Mario Williams (of the Houston Texans),” Hagerty said. “They’re going to pose some real matchup problems.
“I wouldn’t say they’re as athletic as some of the teams we’ve played, but they definitely have a lot of talent and have played some very good teams tough.”
Tesoro was one of the top- ranked teams in Orange County before finishing with losses to San Clemente and the division’s top-seeded Mission Viejo – two games in which they were without starting running back Nate Tago, one of their dynamic sophomores.
In Friday’s loss to Mission Viejo, fullback Brandon Cody suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, so they’re limping into the first round somewhat, though sophomore quarterback Matt Adams is starting to blossom.
“He’s (Adams) playing better and better,” Barnes said. “If we can provide some coverage and give him some support, we’ve got a chance.”
Bishop Amat is undefeated at home since Hagerty arrived in 2008. Barnes has visited Kiefer before, just never as a coach or player.
“It’s one of the best home- field advantages in high school football,” Barnes said.
Shay not expected back
Change-up back Zach Shay is expected to miss his fourth consecutive game since suffering a severe ankle sprain against Crespi on Oct. 15.
Hagerty was hoping to have Shay back for last week’s Serra League title game against Alemany, but it’s an injury that’s slow to heal.
“Our (trainer) says it was one of the worst ankle sprains you can have,” Hagerty said. “He (Shay) practiced (Monday), but it didn’t go well. We would love to have him out there, and he’s going to do what he can the rest of the week to get himself ready, but at this point we probably won’t have him.”
Secondary issues?
In Friday’s 38-30 loss to Alemany, Warriors quarterback Vernon Adams had his way with the Lancers, completing 15
The Lancers gave up two huge pass plays in the final minute of the first half that turned a 17-14 lead into a 28-17 halftime deficit, and when they had chances to wrap Adams up, he continually broke free and made plays.
“I’m concerned that we gave up 38 points, our defense did not play that well, but everyone keeps talking about the secondary, and that’s not it,” Hagerty said. “We gave their quarterback too much time to throw the ball. Give him credit he kept getting away, and we have to do a better job of tackling and wrapping him up.
“I think any kid who has to cover a receiver for eight seconds would be in trouble. There were probably a dozen times where we had our arm on him (Adams), but that’s not enough; you have to get him down, and we didn’t do that.”
