Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for — the season debut of the new and improved Calhoun Countdown.
The Countown Spotlight is on … Sunny Hills
Sunny Hills football coach Pete Karavedas isn’t hiding from the past.
The Lancers haven’t qualified for the CIF playoffs since 2008 and haven’t won a Freeway League game since 2009. They haven’t finished over .500 since 2008.
“We’re focusing on trying to be 1-0 every week,” Karavedas said. “We know we haven’t won a league game in five years. Our focus is on getting better each week. This week, we have to beat Santiago. We want to be the best version of ourselves and everything else will take care of itself.”
This is Karavedas’ first year as the Lancers’ head coach. He replaced Jon Caffrey, who coached the team for five years.
The Lancers open the season Friday against Santiago. The group is hungry for success, and Karavedas describes this year’s team as “confident.”
“We have guys that started since they were sophomores, and a confidence comes with that,” he said. “The core group has been together (for three years), and with that experience comes confidence.
“Confidence in your assignment and knowing what to execute on each play. I’m excited about that.”
Malcolm Dixon is one of top recruits in the county and will see action on both sides of the ball. David Cabral is back after rushing for 764 yards in the Lancers’ double-wing offense a year ago.
“The kids believe in it,” Karavedas said of the offense. “They also love and trust each other, and when you do that, come the fourth quarter, you know you will be able to rely on each other.”
Karavedas is trying to link Sunny Hills’ past with the present.
The Lancers have won three CIF titles in football. The first came in 1983. In 1990, the Lancers defeated Tustin, 7-3, in the Division VI title game, and two years later the Lancers edged Rancho Alamitos, 14-13, in the Division VII final.
“We have two coaches on our staff that played on those teams and we’ve had some old alumni back as guest speakers to connect to the tradition,” he said.
This year’s group has six returning starters on offense and seven on defense.
The Lancers will try to build on their impressive 8-2 record in nonleague games over the previous two seasons, including a 5-0 mark last year.
“Our league has a lot of talent and great coaching at each school,” Karavedas said. “We have to prepare our kids that more much. Obviously it is a challenge, but right now we’re focusing on Santiago. Time will come when our focus will be on how to get league wins. This team is hungry and excited to get started.”
Here is the rest of the Calhoun Countdown:
Looking for a 60-touchdown season
Did Nick Brown (Rancho Alamitos) etch his name in permanent marker in the county record book with his 52-touchdown passes last season? Can anyone take him down? Brock Johnson (Mission Viejo) is off to a quick start with five TDs in the Diablos’ season-opening victory. What if we set our target at 55? Can anybody get there? Zach Taylor (Buena Park), Patrick Glasgow (Calvary Chapel) … anybody?
The Countdown’s No. 1 contender
As of this writing, the county top 10 hasn’t been released yet. However, I think I know who the No. 1 team is to enter the season. The school may or may not be located in the same city as of our office. That should narrow it down to about 30 schools. My pick for the team to end the season No. 1 is Mission Viejo. We all know treading will be tough in the mighty Trinity League. Not saying the Diablos will have an easy walk in the South Coast League, but I like their chances of ending the regular season undefeated.
I’m going for a repeat
If you remember in last year’s preview section, we had to select the player likely to win county defensive player of the year. I was the only one to pick Matt Locher (Los Alamitos) and if you have forgotten, he was eventually selected as the winner. This year, my pick is Jake Colacion (La Habra). No pressure Jake.
Glasgow-Thompson demands your attention
Calvary Chapel should have an advantage over the competition in the Orange Coast League thanks to the combination of senior quarterback Patrick Glasgow and senior receiver Luke Thompson. Glasgow completed 64.6 percent of his passes last season with 2,665 yards and 21 touchdowns. Thompson had 60 receptions and four touchdowns. I expect both guys to have big years. Just watch. Calvary Chapel opens the regular season Thursday against Sage Hill.
The Countdown Showdown of the Week: Edison at Tesoro, Friday, 7 p.m.
This is an interesting opener for Week 0. Two teams that should contend for their respective league titles and this could be the first of two meetings this season. Both teams were in the top half of the West Valley Division playoff bracket last year. They both finished second in their leagues and could have met in the semifinals. However, both were done by the second round.
The player(s) to watch this week
I’ve heard so much about the dynamic duo down of Vlad Dzhabiyev and Brandon Reaves down at San Clemente. Someone (it could have been Coach Ortiz) has labeled them Thunder and Lightning. Dzhabiyev rushed for 1,149 yards and scored 19 total touchdowns. Reaves scored 20 total touchdowns. The Tritons open up against San Juan Hills. This will be a fun pair to watch all season, now we just need a better nickname.
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In closing: If you made it this far, then you should consider yourself my friend. I need all of my friends to go to ITunes and download and subscribe to the OCVarsity “On the Record” podcast with yours truly and Brian Whitehead. Don’t miss the greatest podcast in OCVarsity history.
