Since injuries are becoming more and more prevalent, and unfortunately, affecting games at a more frequent pace, the paper is going to start posting an injury report here on Thursday morning/afternoon.
Here’s the first report.
California High School
Coach Jim Arnold confirmed that sophomore running back/defensive back Josh Perez is out with a hyperextended knee.
Perez’s absence may be damaging since starting running back Justin Dankert (neck) was hurt on Tuesday during practice.
Arnold has listed Dankert as a game-time decision.
Of course, the Condors are without starting quarterback Adam Contreras, who broke his collar bone two weeks ago.
Cantwell Sacred Heart
Cardinals coach Kim Taylor reported no injuries.
El Rancho
El Rancho head coach Rick Zepeda confirmed starting quarterback Troy Campos is back this week after sitting out last week’s 30-20 loss to Bell Gardens with a possible concussion. Daniel Moriel filled in last week for Campos.
La Habra
No report as of 3:30 p.m. (Stay tuned)
La Mirada
Coach Mike Moschetti reported lineman E.J. Galvez is expected to play on offense and defense after only playing defense last week because of an injury.
Linebacker Cooper Weatherly also is expected to play while receiver Aaryn Bouzos (knee) is a game-time decision.
La Serna
Coach Margarito Beltran reports no injuries and says that wide receiver/defensive back Connor Burke, who played versus Long Beach Wilson last week, is improving from a sprained ankle suffered two weeks ago versus Downey.
Montebello
Montebello coach Pete Gonzalez reported quarterback Fernando Hoffens (bruised right forearm) will start on Friday versus El Rancho. Hoffens played versus Arroyo last week and did exacerbate this injury.
Running back Marcus Owens (calf) saw his first action of the season last week, with eight carries. His touches should increase this week.
Pioneer
Pioneer coach Ramon Juarez confirmed linebacker Rigo Luquin is a game-time decision. Luquin sprained his ankle last week against Salesian and has been icing and rehabbing this week.
Senior Anthony Perales, arguably the team’s top receiver, also sprained his ankle and hasn’t dressed for practice this week. However, Perales has shown good movement and Juarez is listing him as probably for Friday.
St. Paul
Coach Marijon Ancich confirmed that the Swordsmen will be without center Greg Gilmore, who according to Ancich, is recovering from a hematoma on his left side. Gilmore is expected to be out for a while and is being replaced by Sergio Lizarraga.
Left guard Rick Garcia, who like Gilmore has been out since the first game, is a game-time decision and will be replaced by Ramsey Nunez if he can’t go Friday.
Linebacker Nick Downs, a transfer from Whittier, has an undisclosed knee injury to which the extent won’t be know until Downs’ doctors examine the injury today or possibly Friday. Downs is listed as doubtful for Friday.
Santa Fe
Coach Jack Mahlstede confirmed defensive back/wide receiver/quarterback Christian Mahlstede is out tonight versus Esperanza. The junior has a broken bone in his right hand but played in the Chiefs’ first two games versus Warren and Bonita. Jack Mahlstede said Christian Mahlstede will sit this week and likely next week to properly heal in time for the Del Rio League season.
Wide receiver Joey Davis played sparingly in Santa Fe’s season-opener versus Warren two weeks ago because of an injury to his right wrist. Davis is out for tonight’s game versus Esperanza and there is no timetable for his return.
Schurr
Schurr coach Ben Negrete confirmed fullback/linebacker Eric Magos is out with a strained knee and is out for probably two weeks.
Right tackle Jose Trejo also has a sore knee and is out this week. Trejo is expected back next week versus California.
Receiver Matt Contreras is also still in the process of trying to recover from severe turf toe suffered during the Mission Viejo passing tournament. Negrete had no timetable for Contreras’ return but did say the receiver was improving.
Whittier
No report as of 3:30 p.m. (Stay tuned)
Whittier Christian
The big smile on coach Sergio Gradilla’s face comes from the news that nose guard Jeff Worthy has been cleared to play. Worthy had been dealing with lingering knee issues developed a week before the regular-season opener.
Worthy was cleared by his doctor and is a go for Friday.
Running back Joel Rhone is out of Friday’s game with a hip injury and may not be back for a couple of weeks.
Cornerback Grady Smith is also slowly recovering from a back injury and may be cleared in two weeks.
