One-on-on with Coach Jason Negro

Question: Tell me about your team.
Jason Negro: We lost some guys, but we had two really good programs. Both JV and our freshman team were undefeated. We have some big shoes to fill. But if you’re going to run a good program, you’re going to have that year in and year out. You’re going to have guys that are leaving that you counted on all year long. And you’re going to have guys that step up. It’s how well you do on the lower levels.

Q: What do you think about the revamped Southwest Division?
JN: Well, you have six CIF finalists. You have three champions and three runner ups. Obviously, it’s a challenge. We’re happy about the opportunity to compete with the La Habras and the Pacificas and the Cypresses. There’s going to be a lot more excitement generated.

Q: Who will be your replacements at running back?
JN: We were pretty talented at the lower level. Shane DeCillo has done some really good things for us. He’s a physical kid like Matt (Wagner), but maybe a little quicker, a little bit bigger. Another kid we have is Danny Arreola. He’s another physical-type kid. He’s got a lot of speed. It’s going to be hard to replace Matt, but we had P.J. (Vallier) and everyone said once P.J is gone you’re going to lose it. Two years ago we had Ryan Taylor and Wagner. And last year we had Matt and Josh Aussem.

Q: What has been the impact of losing All-County defensive back Gabriel Lemon, who transferred to Orange Lutheran?
JN: It’s unfortunate. Since he’s left, our kids have been like, “OK, now we have more opportunities.” Gabe’s a good kid. I really like him. But as far as our team, there’s been no kind of effect on us.

Q: Can you shed some light on what happened?
JN: No, just the fact that Orange Lutheran had all those transfers. It was a press release for Orange Lutheran. When you have that much stuff, when adults get involved and think they know what’s right for student-athletes, then you got problems. That’s exactly what happened to Gabriel. He didn’t want to leave. If he wanted to leave, why was he at all our track meets and our dances and stuff like that? It’s when adults get involved is when high school athletics get screwed up.

Q: What are your spring goals?
JN: We want to get the offense and defensive base game plan in, get us prepared of the passing league. We want to try and identify the personnel, identify the sophomores that we feel can play varsity. It’s all about identification and implementing the game plan. You really can’t do too much because you don’t have gear on. But at least you cab run around and see who can play.

Q: What is the first step you have taken after losing so many of your impact players from last year?
JN: As a coach, the first thing you want to do is identify the people you have coming back. You try to take those kids and place them in the holes you have form the year before. At that time you evaluate where our needs are and where you think you’re weak at and strong at. You can try to move kids around and convince them about playing some other positions and those types of things.

Q: A year ago the character of your team seemed to come form the offensive and defensive lines. Where do you expect it come from this year?
JN: Defensively, it will come form our secondary and linebackers. We have two returners in the secondary, a couple returners in the backer positions. Offensively, I think the running back spot and the quarterback spot. We have both our tight ends coming back. They’re both very skilled kids. One of them is a two-way starter.

Contact the writer: amaya@ocregister.com