Football: Calhoun’s final thoughts on Week 5
October 10th, 2009, 1:03 pm · · posted by Damian Calhoun
The nonleague season is done, now the fun starts. It is time to separate the pretenders from the contenders.
Are you ready?
Welcome to another edition of my final thoughts.
Joshua Quezada gets loose: The senior running back rushed for 249 yards, scored three touchdowns and the winning two-point conversion against San Clemente Friday night. Next week, should be “Joshua Quezada Week” around the La Habra campus.
Handicapping the Sunset League: Edison was the preseason pick to win the league title and I think the Chargers should be the favorite to win the title when the fun gets underway next week. However, after last season, I’m preparing myself for anything and everything and you should too.
What has happened to Newport Harbor? The Sailors were coasting after their first three game but since then, they have looked like a different team. Dana Hills smacked them 41-7. Mira Costa of Manhattan Beach left town with a 24-10 victory. Not exactly the way you want to be playing when you have Los Alamitos, Edison and Fountain Valley coming up (in three consecutive weeks). That stretch could spell doom for the Sailors.
Sorting out the Trinity League: At least we know how this one will end up. Orange Lutheran beats Mater Dei who beats Servite who beats Orange Lutheran and there’s a coin flip the Saturday following the final night of the regular season. This can’t possibly happen again, can it?
Some first-half awards, just for you:
The top star of the first half: Anthony (All-Day) Wilkerson, Tustin. Leads the county in rushing (1,038 yards) and touchdowns (16) in just four games.
First-half surprise: Dana Hills. The Dolphins were picked to finish fourth in the South Coast League, but looks to be in line for a playoff berth as league play begins next week.
First-half survivors: Mater Dei, Orange Lutheran and Laguna Hills. The Monarchs finished nonleague 3-2, the Lancers went 2-3 despite several key injuries. The Hawks were shut out in two of their first three games, but the defending Southern Division champions are 3-2.
Early candidates for coach of the year:
(This is just a short list, there are several others that should be considered.)
Robert Frith (El Toro): The Chargers won two games last season. They’re 3-2 this season.
Brent Melbon (Dana Hills): The Dolphins have rebounded after some big graduation losses. They’re 4-1 and ranked in the county top 10.
John Shipp (Fountain Valley): The Barons were playoff bound last season and 5-0 this season.
That’s it for this week, see you at a stadium near you.
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“The top star of the first half: Anthony (All-Day) Wilkerson, Tustin. Leads the county in rushing (1,038 yards) and touchdowns (16) in just four games.”
If all the numbers are right, over at Maxpreps. Wilkerson is the state’s 2nd leading rusher. Trailing Cooper of Citrus Hill by 46 yards.
I thought Abalos might surpass him yesterday. But it seems he was rested during the 2nd half against Oceanview.
You might want to keep an eye on Muhammad from Cypress. He’s got over 700 yds and 12 TD’s on only 57 touches…12.4 ypc is tops in the county. All but 4 came from more than 20 yds out, including two 90+ KO returns v. Mater Dei.
Another back to keep your eye on is Jesse Callier out of Warren HS in Downey. He’s been putting up insane numbers and he was out one game. However, I don’t know where he was this week against, Murrieta Valley?
What about Axel Sanchez OHS I think he out rushed half the guys you have listed as top rusher in week 5
Alex Sanchez out at Orange is a talented back, unfortunately he plays on a team that’s 1-3, and got their first win against a weak El Modena squad. If he played on a better team against better competition he’d get more press. Too bad.
If he continues to put up those type of numbers throughout the year and if Orange makes the play-offs, I guarantee that he’ll be right in the mix with backs like Wilkerson, Quezada, Callier, Middlebrooks, etc. consistency is the key.
Actually, after reviewing Sanchez’s stats for this year, and after seeing that Orange is 1-4, Sanchez had only one good game, before his 279 yard performance the other night. He had two games where he rushed for under 100 yards against mediocre teams. Maybe he was sick or injured I don’t know. But so far, there is no way he should be even mentioned in the same sentence with the counties rushing leaders. They all put up big numbers against tough competition.
Good choices for first half awards so many great players,coaches, teams to choose from.If there was a first half team award, my pick would be Garden Grove.Thank U Mr.Calhoun
The La Habra/San Clemente game was one of the most exciting and challenging games I have seen in the past 10 years of prep football. Congrads to both teams for such a competive game.