Football: Eagles small in numbers, large in talent
The roster is down seven players to 22 and a new head coach is in the mix, but the Maranatha Christian High football team is confident in its ability to challenge for a Pacific League title and a San Diego Section Division V championship.
And for good reason.
The Eagles return a talented core group, including do-it-all running back/linebacker Trevor Sheng and four-year starting quarterback Christian Cortes. First-year head coach Kyle Duggin was the defensive coordinator last year and he is ready to help the program take another step forward in its fourth season playing 11-man football.
“I am not looking to recreate the wheel here,” Duggin said. “I think the direction of the program is already on point. I am looking to build a little more of an identity to what Maranatha football is in the community. When people see our kids in their gear, I want them to know the commitment and hard work the kids bring to it.”
Winning always helps the cause.
These Eagles will have to overcome the loss of leading receiver and tackler Isaac Schwan, who graduated. Sheng, a fierce 5-foot, 10-inch, 180-pounder, will be the anchor on defense while James Palmer and Ryan Propat, spot receivers last year, will need to help fill the void left by Schwan’s exit.
It helps to have the experience of Cortes under center. The senior threw for 1,614 yards and 13 touchdowns with eight interceptions last year. He and Sheng will need to step into the leadership roles.
“The core of our team is there, which is awesome,” Duggin said. “Our leadership has been outstanding with Christian and Trevor stepping up right at the start of summer ball and two-a-days. That has been huge for us.”
The running game should be the strength of the Eagles’ offense with three returning offensive linemen and Sheng getting the majority of the carries. The offense will still mix in plenty of passing with Cortes, though, as Maranatha tends to run a lot of shotgun with three to four receiver sets.
“There is new terminology, but we are still running what we did last year,” Duggin said. “We have a returning four-year starting QB so we have to keep him comfortable. There is no need to change what is working.”
Maranatha, which is in the midst of having a new weight room, home-field stands and a press box built, beefed up its schedule in 2016. Most noticeably is the presence of Division V power La Jolla Country Day, who the Eagles will face on Oct. 7. LJCD is led by senior QB and Arizona commit Braxton Burmeister.
“We saw our kids have the ability to play with the tough teams so we scheduled them,” Duggin said. “We want to push ourselves so we will be prepared and battle tested when the playoffs come around.”
The Pacific League was won by Tri-City Christian last season. Maranatha beat Tri-City 40-0, but lost its final two league games by a total of seven points. The Eagles are hoping to finish strong this year.
“My goal is a league championship,” Duggin said. “We missed out on it at the end last year. My expectation is a league championship. We just need to stay healthy and keep our guys in shape.”
Maranatha Christian
Coach: Kyle Duggin, 1st year
2015 record: 7-5, 3-3 Pacific League; eliminated in quarterfinals of Division V playoffs
Division: V
Key players: QB, Christian Cortes, Sr.; LB/RB, Trevor Sheng, Sr.; OL/DL, Antonio Partida, Sr.; WR/LB, James Palmer, Sr.; S/WR, Ryan Popat, Jr.; DE/FB, Austin Chambliss, Jr.
Outlook: Duggin, who was the defensive coordinator at Maranatha last year, takes over as head coach. He has the luxury of having some experienced players returning, including four-year starting quarterback Cortes and do-it-all linebacker/running back Sheng. The Eagles did lose a lot at wide receiver and are carrying just 21 players, but still should challenge for the Pacific League championship and a spot in the Division V playoffs.
“We want to be a competitive playoff team and hopefully push for the first CIF championship in school history,” Duggin said.
The Eagles were in the hunt for a Pacific League title last season, but lost their final two league games by a total of seven points to fall off pace. They eventually finished two games behind champion Tri-City Christian. Maranatha opens its season Friday night against Francis Parker at 7 p.m. at Maranatha Christian High.
Prediction: Maranatha Christian 35, Francis Parker 21