La Habra-San Clemente: Tale of the tape
October 7th, 2008, 6:36 pm · 20 Comments · posted by TODD HARMONSON, OCREGISTER.COM
Here’s a breakdown of Friday’s meeting between San Clemente and La Habra:
San Clemente Tritons (4-0)
South Coast League
Combined record of opponents: 4-14
26.8 pts/g
7.5 pts allwd/g
168.5 rush yds/g
153.5 pass yds/g
La Habra Highlanders (3-1)
Freeway League
Combined record of opponents: 10-6
35.5 pts/g
14 pts allwd/g
221.3 rush yds/g
99.3 pass yds/g
Five things to watch for Friday night
1. Who’s the healthiest?
Highlander RB Ronnie Hillman twisted his ankle in the first half of last week’s loss to Los Alamitos. He played the entire second half and didn’t appear to be bothered by it.
The Tritons had five starters miss last week’s victory over El Toro, including OLB Jack Anderson, FS Aaron Jones and RB Ryan DeLeon. All are expected back Friday night.
2. How will the Tritons contain Ronnie Hillman?
San Clemente has faced strong running backs in Santa Fe’s Aaron Turner and El Camino’s Joseph Daris. However, the Highlanders line up Hillman all over the field. This is the fastest Tritons defense in about five years. They’ll need that speed and must tackle well.
3. It would be a mistake for the Tritons to think the Highlanders are a one-man team.
Hillman is the Highlanders’ do-everything guy, but he has help. RB Joshua Quezada has more yards rushing than Hillman (349-312) and has 158 receiving yards. Also, QB Randall Nygren has 181 rushing yards.
4. Highlanders need to match up with San Clemente’s weapons.
The question facing La Habra’s defense is who’s going to get the ball for the Tritons. San Clemente has four players with at least 15 rushing attempts - RBs David Espino, DJ Gallgos and Ryan DeLeon and QB Duke DeLancellotti.
The Tritons have 12 players who have caught a pass and 7 players who have scored a touchdown.
5. Can San Clemente step up?
La Habra learned much about itself in last week’s loss to Los Alamitos. The Tritons haven’t played as tough a schedule as the Highlanders. It will be key early on for the Tritons to raise their level of competition since La Habra is already there.
Players to Watch:
La Habra:
Ronnie Hillman: rushing 18 carries 312 yds; receiving 11 catches 209 yds; 6 TDs
Joshua Quezada: rushing 38 carries 349 yds; receiving 9 catches 158 yds; 7 TDs
Randall Nygren: passing 24 of 44 378 yds; rushing 23 carries 181 yds
Chris Gonzales: 7 catches 121 yds
San Clemente:
David Espino: rushing 50 carries 194 yds; 8 catches 75 yds; 7 Tds
DJ Gallegos: rushing 26 carries 204 yds; 5 catches 80 yds;
Duke DeLancellotti: passing 51 of 77 614 yds; rushing 19 carries 99 yds
Graham Tenney: 15 catches 184 yds
Dominick Ela: 12 catches 153 yds
CHRIS TOBOLSKI/OCVarsity
October 7th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Chris,
I think you hit the hammer right on the head! This game looks like a very even match up. You are right…….who will be healthier in the 4th quarter. I believe this game is going to come down to turn-overs. The team that turns the ball over the least wins this game.
October 7th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
D,
I agree. Should be a great match up and looking forward to the game but not the traffic….
What is the status of Hillman? I heard he may be out!
October 8th, 2008 at 9:08 am
i think this will be a good match up and there two good teams but i think San Clemente will pass all over them with Duke DeLancellotti will lead them to a big WIN
October 8th, 2008 at 9:48 am
I am sure Hillman is playing……..the SC defense is getting treated like the Rodney Dangerfield of HS football
October 8th, 2008 at 9:55 am
This is the question surrounding San Clemente. If you take away Santa Fe of Santa Fe Springs, which is 3-1, the overall record of the Tritons’ opponents is 1-13.
I think we’ll find out more about San Clemente on Friday night than we will about La Habra.
October 8th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I spoke with Highlander coach Frank Mazzotta this morning. Hillman is going to ready and IS playing.
October 8th, 2008 at 11:27 am
that’s good to know!
October 8th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
It will be a dandy!
October 8th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
San Clemente is going down and, sadly, they have no idea what is about to hit them. First they will be beaten by La Habra, followed by Dana, then Tesoro and, finally, Mission Viejo will put them away. The only good thing about their season will be those early September memories when SOME people thought they deserved to be in the top ten.
October 8th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
ya look out for chris gonzales (gonzo) given the ball he will take make it happen
October 8th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
You sure are positive mom,
is life really that tough in Laguna?
The kids will compete and the best team will win but it is HS football and you can never count out a team.
But then again, you would never know that as you have never played the game
October 8th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
The Laguna Mom is a disgrace to all mothers. How dare you imply that four teams will defeat San Clemente and leave them with September memories. 1st of all Dana Hills lost to SC last year 48-20, Tesoro won the game in the last second of the game off of a pass interference, and the great Mission Viejo had to cheat 2 times to just tie SC, so Miss. Laguna mother why dont you get your facts straight before you insult the # 9th ranked team!!
Go Tritons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 9th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Chris…Take away Los Alamitos win loss ratio and compare the win loss record of the three teams they trounced. That to me makes more sense. Just to be fair and balanced…Right!
October 9th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Take away Los Alamitos’ win/loss record from La Habra’s schedule and the Highlanders have played teams that are 6-6 so far. Still more impressive than the Tritons’ 1-13 without Santa Fe.
But, ultimately, this is why they play the game. All I want is to see everyone’s comments hear after the game when it’s all said and done.
That’s what I’m looking forward to as much as the game at this point.
Thanks for everyone’s interest.
October 9th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
yackity yackity yackity yack……………….I have listened to it all from both sides and I love the folks from schools outside of the task at hand getting involved. If you are not for the SCL getting it done outside of League than you are a true hater, who has no concept of League play and the ramifications of strength of schedule.
The entire SCL should be behind the Tritons unless you are a MOM from Dana who does not have an idea of the long term ramificatios of a loss by SC to LH……….SC U KNOW
October 10th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Laguna Mom sounds more like a La Habra mom with a purse full of water bottles!
Horrible Laguna Mom needs to learn the difference between cruddy officiating and cheating!
And Kooky, a tip, if you guys are winning in the 4th, don’t go to a run game to kill time like Los Al did. And you might want to serve them drinks in Dixie Cups, they don’t go far when you throw them.
As far as the SCL being behind SC, we don’t simply want you to win, we expect it. Bring it all to the game, and leave it all on the field! Good Hunting!
October 10th, 2008 at 11:53 am
The La Habra vs. San Clemente game will be televised on Cox3. It will air at 11pm Friday night, 2pm on Saturday and 8pm on Sunday.
This should be a great game!
October 11th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
lol san clemente won laguna mom, Never put a team down…
October 12th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Now who’s O V E R - R A T E D ?
xxaapp, you rock!
Obviously, you are someone who has truly paid attention. . .
October 13th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Chris,
This team continues to do the small things that make a team successful, no turnovers, play hard to the whistle, never surrender. Everyone expected LH to win, most pushed for it, the boys never listened. LH is an excellent team and well coached…having said that SC scored everytime they had the ball in the first half and when the presure was in the fourth they executed. First half of the season is over and forgotten….SCL begins friday that’s what we have been preparing for since the loss to Servite. Can’t wait! Hope Steve Fryer was there….