Paul Telles has been the starting quarterback for St. Paul for the past two seasons. Heading into his senior year, he won't allow himself to believe he'll be given the job for a third straight season.
"The reason he doesn't feel his job is safe is because I don't let him," said new St. Paul head coach Elijah Asante. "I don't want him to settle in and feel comfortable, but he is our quarterback unless he gets beat out."
Telles feels no job is safe under Asante, who took over as St. Paul's head coach last December after a two-year run at Carson.
"He wants perfection," Telles said. "That's what he breeds. (That's what) us quarterbacks have to strive for. That's something I've never experienced. It's something different but it's good."
It's just one of the ways things have changed for the Swordsmen under Asante.
They're in the weight room every morning at 6 a.m. Conditioning is emphasized more. There's a whole new playbook and concepts that have to be consumed.
Instilling discipline is a huge part of the adjustment with a new coaching staff.
With a strong senior class last season, football players played a part in policing themselves. Now, under Asante, if there's a punishment to be handed down, the new head coach is laying down the hammer.
"If you miss one day of practice or anything you got 20 laps," said offensive lineman Cristian Garcia. "Two days (missed) is 30 (laps). The third day is 50 (laps).
"You really don't want to miss."
The production of Garcia and the rest of the offensive line is going to be important for the success of St. Paul during the 2012 season.
It's a large focus of Asante leading up to the season.
The Swordsmen have been participating in a lot more 7-on-7 competitions this spring than in the past. The offensive line doesn't stay behind, they travel too, working on linemen drills with the other schools.
"The main thing is them big boys," Asante said. "We're going to Santa Margarita to get it in with their linemen. So, we've been putting a big emphasis on the line. "
The offensive line is going to called on to do more pass blocking than they have in the past, which means Telles (or whoever is at quarterback) is going to be called on to do more than just run the ball.
"It is (like a dream)," Telles said of being able to throw the ball more. "I got some weapons now. I'm excited."
Giving Telles a push is backup sophomore quarterback Jacob Maier, a transfer from La Habra.
He's one of six transfers to enroll at St. Paul this offseason. Also included in that bunch is sophomore running back Kurt Scoby from Charter Oak and sophomore tight end Darrell Cloy from Garfield.
An influx of transfers could be frowned upon with such a tight knit group and a program with such history and tradition as St. Paul. There was some hesitation in the beginning.
"At first (the returning players) all stuck together," Garcia said. "All the transfers stayed together. I think finally, after a couple of things that we've gone through I think we've gotten closer."
"Trust is built over time," Asante said. "As we have success, that's how it's going to be accepted. If you don't have success then people question everything. Winning resolves a lot of issues."
Asante can only hope they grow closer and improve more by time the season rolls around.
The non-league schedule for the Swordsmen includes home games against La Habra, Mater Dei, and Servite and a road game at Bishop Amat. They'll begin the season Aug. 24 at La Mirada.
In the meantime, Telles will work on trying to keep his job.
"I want to...impress the coach," Telles said. "I'm competing for my spot, still. Even though I'm a three year guy, I'm still competing for my spot because the backups are just as good."
