Mission League preview: Alemany's mission is possible
BY GERRY GITTELSON, Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 08/29/2007 10:52:45 PM PDT
Motivated by a successful summer featuring a series of 7-on-7 passing-tournament championships, the Alemany High of Mission Hills football team should be the area's most improved program after finishing just 4-6 in high-profile coach Dean Herrington's first season.
But is Alemany good enough to overtake Mission League powerhouses Chaminade of West Hills, St. Francis of La Canada and St.Paul of Santa Fe Springs?
That's a lot to expect for a program that hasn't won a playoff game since 1999, but the Warriors just might have enough skill-position talent and fundamentals to pull it off.
"We know we have the speed and physical strength," receiver Jon Mesa said. "We have a really solid team."
Mesa is among a group of talented receivers that include promising junior Chris Gant, Leandro Quesada and Nick Cook. Throw in talented running back Malcolm Marable, and it's enough to make just about anyone excited to begin this season - particularly quarterback Patrick McKernon, who could be primed for a 3,000-yard season.
Alemany's other key players include offensive lineman Brooks Porter and kicker Kyle Strazzeri.
The first few weeks should be revealing for Alemany, as the Warriors aim to prove their summer success can carry over.
In what figures to be a tight race between all four teams, Chaminade (9-4) is the league favorite, based on the return of standout quarterback Ryan Griffin. But it won't be easy, even though the Eagles are coming off their most successful season in 11 years.
Griffin passed for 3,128 yards and 30 touchdowns last year, and the 6-foot-4 senior is among California's top returnees.
The key figures to be how well Chaminade adjusts to a new system under first-year coach Anthony Harris and a revamped staff.
One thing is for sure: Griffin should have excellent pass protection, thanks to a big and experienced offensive line, led by Matt Ross, Garrett Hershey and promising tight end Hunter Paulsen.
Among those also expected to play a key role are receivers Craig Kisylia, Collin Frangie and Ronald McRory, defensive back Cory Perkins and linebacker Chris Warren.
St. Francis (6-5), which has qualified for the playoffs 12 years in a row, should be right there. The Golden Knights have a lot of new faces in key positions, but there is no questioning the explosiveness of sophomore receiver/defensive back Dietrich Riley, who's expected to dominate after more than proving himself as an impact freshman.
St. Francis' other top players are tight end Kevin Bessolo, quarterback Austin Heyworth, running back Kyle Morgan and kicker Sean McGuinnis.
St. Paul of Santa Fe Springs, the league's only non-local, should be good, too - like Chaminade, the Swordsmen advanced all the way to the Western Division semifinals last year - but someone has to be picked to finish last.