Sports
Spring Football Preview: Los Amigos Looking Up
With few key players lost to graduation, the Lobos return an experience group of players who don't want to miss out on reaching the playoff for a third season in a row.
The Los Amigos football team finished with a record of 3-7 last season (2-3 in the Garden Grove League) and failed to reach the playoffs for the second year in a row under coach Carl Agnew (10-22) who will begin his fourth season at the helm this fall.
The Lobos were a very young team last season and lost no key players to graduation, which means they will bring that much more experience to their 2011 campaign.
“It has been a real struggle to get this program back to where it
should be,” Agnew said. “But next [fall's] team should be one of the best we have had at this school in a while. I have high expectations for this team.”
Los Amigos welcomes back two time all-league quarterback Danny Hernandez, along with all-league tight end-linebacker Alex Lopez.
“These two are the core of our team and our leaders,” Agnew said. “With that said, we have nine starters returning on offense and 10 starters coming back on defense that will be counted on to give major contributions to our squad.”
Hernandez will be under the tutelage of offensive coordinator and
former Lobos head coach Roger Takahashi, who will run a variation of the
trendy spread offense next season.
Running back Jerry Saldivar, who gained 1,029 yards and five touchdowns in 210 carries and 121 yards and one touchdown in 12 catches last season, will carry a bulk of the offensive work load.
Find out what's happening in Fountain Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Look for tight end Lopez (25 receptions for 386 yards and seven touchdowns), receiver Noe Perez (28 receptions for 286 yards and two touchdowns) and receiver Angel Alvarez (17 receptions for 270 yards) to serve as Hernandez’s primary targets.
“It’s wonderful to work with Roger,” Agnew said of his veteran assistant coach.
“He hired me as his assistant when he was the head coach here and has
taught me a tremendous amount about football and what it takes to be
successful as a coach.”
On defense, the Lobo’s will utilize a 3-4 zone package scheme to take advantage of their team speed. Led by inside linebacker Lopez, Agnew also expects big things from outside linebackers Perez and Robert Bonilla. Agnew also expects defensive lineman Juan Cruz to have a breakout season. Last season, the Lobos gave up 285 points in 10 games.
“Our defense will be our key next season,” Agnew said of his team’s chances for success. “We know that we are going to be tough on offense but we need to be just as tough on defense. We can’t afford to spot teams with 28 points every week and hope to be successful.”
Find out what's happening in Fountain Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Los Amigos' 2011 Varsity Football Schedule
Friday, Sept. 2 at San Diego Clairemont, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 9 vs. Godinez at Santa Ana Stadium, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 15 vs. Loara at Glover Stadium, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 22 at Irvine, 7 p.m.
Thursday, oct. 13 at Garden Grove, 7 p.m.*
Friday, Oct. 21 vs. Bolsa Grande at Garden Grove High, 7 p.m.*
Thursday, Oct. 27 vs. Santiago at Garden Grove High, 7 p.m.*
Friday, Nov. 4 vs. La Quinta at Westminster High, 7 p.m.*
Thursday, Nov. 10 vs. Rancho Alamitos at Garden Grove High, 7 p.m.*
* Indicates Garden Grove League game
