La Serna High’s football team suffered a significant blow Saturday night when senior Macenzie Duarte suffered a left leg injury during the Lancers’ scrimmage at La Habra.
Duarte, a starter at wide receiver as a sophomore and junior for La Serna, was injured early in the scrimmage and was treated by the training staff of both teams before an ambulance arrived. As he lay in pain on the field, an assistant coach held Duarte’s hand. Once paramedics arrived, his left leg was immobilized and he was wheeled off the field on a stretcher as players, coaches, cheerleaders and fans from both sides applauded.
La Serna coach Margarito Beltran didn’t know the severity of the injury at the time.
After a delay of about 30 minutes, the scrimmage resumed and both teams seemed to put the injury behind them. La Serna senior quarterback Frankie Palmer looked poised in the offense, and running back Bryce Oliver had several long carries against La Habra’s starters. Late in the scrimmage, sophomore defensive back Johnny Rojas made a nice hustle play to run down a La Habra receiver who had broken away, saving a touchdown in the process.
“It’s a learning process,” said Beltran, who was pleased with the team’s overall effort and poise. “Some things we did well, but we have lots of things to work on. … La Habra is a good team, and they expose your weaknesses.”
La Habra played without starting offensive linemen Casey Martin and Paul Soto and Boise State-bound defensive lineman Greg Gaines, who are all nursing injuries. Sophomore quarterback Eric Barriere showed off a strong arm while on the field and connected with Elijah Carter for a long TD pass.
“He’s gonna be awesome,” La Habra coach Frank Mazzotta said.
Danny Uribe added an interception off a deflected pass against La Serna’s starters, and senior linebacker Alex Bush had a big hit to break up a screen pass early.
La Habra opens its season Friday against El Toro at Trabuco Hills High. La Serna will visit Vista of the San Diego Section for its opener.