Above: La Serna’s OJ Medina, who has rushed for 1,346 yards and 17 touchdowns this season, leads the Lancers in Friday’s CIF-SS Southeast Division quarterfinal playoff game against Los Altos. (Photo by Chris Burt / Correspondent)
There were those who believed La Serna High School’s run to its first CIF-Southern Section football semifinal in more than 40 years last season was more of an aberration than the beginning of something special.
The Lancers, who basically returned only standouts OJ Medina at running back and Craig Jones at linebacker, believed otherwise and hope to prove it when they travel to Los Altos for a CIF-SS Southeast Division quarterfinal at 7:30 p.m.
“We thought going into the year we had a chance to be successful,” said La Serna coach Margarito Beltran, whose Lancers tied for second in the Del Rio League behind champion Santa Fe and defeated Mayfair 47-34 in the first round of the playoffs. “We didn’t know what the won-loss record would be at the end of the year. But we thought if we could get to the playoffs, we would have a chance to put some victories together.”
La Serna is expected to have a difficult challenge on Friday against Los Altos, which has rebounded from an 0-10 season in 2010 to win six of its first seven games and advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2005.
The Conquerors, one of the more storied programs in the CIF-SS with 11 division titles, feature running back Justin Fa’aola, who has rushed for 1,380 yards and 12 touchdowns, and quarterback Shane Virnala, who has thrown for 1,596 yards and 15 touchdowns.
La Serna counters with Medina, who has rushed for 1,346 yards and 14 touchdowns, and quarterback FrankiePalmer, who has accounted for 1,738 yards and 17 scores.
“You have two distinct, different styles,” said El Rancho coach Rick Zepeda, whose Dons opened the season with a 49-36 loss to Los Altos before dropping a 31-28 setback to La Serna in Del Rio League play in October. “Los Altos uses three backs and tries to play power football. La Serna is fast and tries to fly by you.
“We were able to score points against La Serna, but if they can play defense they have a good shot. It’s going to be a great game.”
ST. PAUL TO HOST BASEBALL CAMP
St. Paul will hold a winter baseball camp Dec. 19-21.
The camp is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day, is open to players ages 8-18 and costs $25 per day or $60 for all three days. It will feature training in hitting, pitching and catching.
“With all the Little League and PONY teams, along with the many travel teams, baseball has become a year-round sport for many players,” St. Paul pitching coach Tom Jimenez said. “Therefore, kids who want to be at the top of their game are looking for this type of advanced instruction.”
For more information and registration call 562-698-6246. ext. 317.
