El Toro (8-0, 2-0 South Coast League) is making the transition to the South Coast League and the PAC-5 Division look fairly easy.
The Chargers fell to Tustin in last year’s Southwest Division championship at Angel Stadium but if there was going to be a year to make the move up, 2012 would be ideal with the return of quarterback Conner Manning.
The Utah commit, who broke Matt Barkley’s Orange County single season passing record last season, has picked up where he left off a year ago and seems poised for another record breaking season. The Chargers are 2-0 in South Coast League play and with a win on Friday at Trabuco Hills (4-3, 0-1 South Coast League), El Toro could be setting themselves up for a chance to face Mission Viejo with the league title on the line in the regular season finale. El Toro has already posted league wins over San Clemente (4-4, 0-2 South Coast League) and Tesoro (6-1, 1-1 South Coast League).
Staying in the South Coast League ....Friday’s game of the week at 7:30pm on FOX Sports West between Tesoro and Mission Viejo (7-0, 1-0 South Coast League) is huge for the Titans. With the league only guaranteed two playoff spots, Tesoro needs a win over the Diablos and then some help from them in the next two weeks for a chance at a league championship. A loss on Friday will leave them on the outside looking in for a playoff spot.
“A lot riding on this game,” said Tesoro head coach Brian Barnes.
A New Level
In the previous three meetings, the last play decided the winner of the Notre Dame/Crespi game. They reached new heights last Friday. For the fourth year in a row the game would be decided on a final play. Ideally, it took them four overtimes to decide a winner with the game ending on a Khalfani Muhammad’s 13-yard rush to lift the Knights (5-3, 1-1 Serra League) to a 40-34 win. It was the first loss of the season for Crespi (7-1, 1-1 Serra League). The win was a big one for Notre Dame. Not only did it keep them alive in the Serra League race, but it was a win over a big time rival. Overcome with joy over the weekend, the football team’s official Twitter page posted multiple pictures displaying the final score.
Post Stanton
Santa Margarita (6-1, 1-1 Trinity League) suffered their first loss of the season last week, falling 24-7 to Mater Dei (6-1, 2-0 Trinity League). Before you say this is what life is going to be like post-Johnny Stanton, it should be noted one of Mater Dei’s four wins in 2011 came against Santa Margarita.
Taz Down
Serra (5-2, 1-1 Mission League) running back/slot Anterio “Taz” Bateman was lost for the season after breaking his left ankle last week in the Cavaliers 42-3 win over Cathedral (6-1, 1-1 Mission League), the Daily Breeze reports. It’s the same ankle Bateman broke last season.
Streak Busters
Pasadena (1-6, 1-3 Pacific League) quarterback Brandon Cox has been in the news recently after switching his commitment from Arizona to Utah. As for the Bulldogs play on the field, there hasn’t been much to talk about. On Friday, Hoover (3-4, 1-3 Pacific League) defeated them 37-8 to end a 17-game Pacific League losing streak.
Orange Lutheran (6-1, 1-1 Trinity League) debuted black uniforms on Friday night and proceeded to beat Servite (2-5, 0-2 Trinity League), 28-14, for the school’s first Trinity League victory over the Friars.
"With all of the history, the kids never got that deer-in-the-headlight look and never panicked," Orange Lutheran head coach Chuck Petersen told OCVarsity.
Coaches Wanted
There were more dismissals in the high school football landscape. In a year in which an offensive coordinator was dismissed earlier this season, last week two head coaches were fired. St. Paul fired first year head coach Elijah Asante after a 1-5 start. Also shown the door was Alhambra first year head coach Joe Kanach. According to the administration, Kanach was no longer a teacher on campus either. The Moors were 2-4 at the time of Kanach’s dismissal. As for Asante, he’s since assumed a role on the staff at Lakewood. He will remain on staff as a teacher at St. Paul.
Wolitarsky Watch
The state’s career leader in receiving yards, Canyon wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky had six catches for 77 yards in the Cowboys’ (5-1-1, 2-0 Foothill League) 41-14 win over Saugus (1-6, 0-2 Foothill League). He now trails Steve Smith by 25 catches for most in a career in state history
Week 7 Top Performers
El Toro quarterback Conner Manning didn’t have his best effort, completing 15-of-27 passes for 279 yards, but still threw four touchdowns and also caught a touchdown in the 41-31 win over Tesoro.
Vista Murrieta (7-0, 2-0 Southwestern League) defense had six takeaways, scored two touchdowns, a safety, and outscored Great Oak (3-4, 0-2 Southwestern League) in a 65-14 win. Linebacker Bryce Smith recovered two fumbles and blocked a punt for a safety. Tyler Cook returned a fumble for a touchdown and Treshon Broughton had a pick six.
North Torrance (5-2, 2-0 Pioneer League) wide receiver Devante Jenkins had 10 receptions for 149 yards and four touchdowns in the Saxons’ 49-21 win over Lawndale (3-4, 0-2 Pioneer League).
