Spring Insider: Western changes

Western is leaving behind the Southern Division, where the Pioneers loomed as a perennial favorite, to the more-competitive Southwest Division.

Can they compete at the top, with the likes of La Habra, El Dorado and Trabuco Hills?

Coach Toby Howell: “I think a lot of people are like, ‘Well, Orange League shouldn’t be in there …’

“But here’s the thing: We’ve had our best playoff success in better divisions. When we made it to the finals two years in a row (2003-04), we played La Habra … They kicked our butt, but that’s who we played, and that was our division. And then we played Tesoro. They’re probably going to be a Top 10 team this year.”

Since 2004, the Pioneers have not advanced past the CIF-SS quarterfinals.

Howell: “We didn’t really produce. I’m hoping that going to a tougher division will bring out the best in our guys and maybe give them something to shoot for. … We’re excited about the change.

“I think the last couple of years, we’ve sort of been the team to beat and sort of had a target on us. Now, I think there are all kinds of good teams and teams that are probably better than us. I think we might play an underdog role. Who knows how that will work out?”

Running back Ruben Ortega: “It’s going to be a challenge, but we’ve got to step up.”

Western has added Canyon, Fullerton and Marina to its preseason schedule. The Pioneers will face Tustin and Valencia again.

Howell has not discussed the change with his team. Will he?

“To tell you the truth, I don’t even know if half of these guys know the division or anything like that. We just say, ‘Hey look, if we make it to the finals, it’s at Angel Stadium.' They like that.”
 

Contact the writer: jkay@ocregister.com