Stability behind high hopes for La Cañada football

LA CAÑADA – For the first time in quite some time, there’s a sense of familiarity and excitement surrounding the La Cañada High football team.

The man at the center of both sentiments is second-year coach Ryan Zerbel, who finds himself in a much better place than he was a year ago. Last summer, Zerbel was the last-second fill-in for coach Ramsey Lambert, who abruptly left the program after spring football to take a job at Santa Monica High.

Now with a year under his belt and much more time with his team, Zerbel notes that change is in the air.

“It’s just a lot different at this point this year compared to last year,” Zerbel said. “Just the preparation that we put in and the work in the offseason. The kids have been working out and they’ve now had a full year to implement what we’ve been teaching.

“We had a year to build up the culture of La Cañada football and the kids understand more of what the expectations are. Heck, even the equipment is better this year. It’s just night and day.”

That equipment upgrade included a $1.5 million renovation of the school’s artificial turf, which has paid immediate dividends during hot summer days.

“The field runs about 10 degrees cooler than last year and when you’re our here for hours, you can feel it,” La Cañada senior lineman Raffi Hairapetian said. “It just feels better and it’s softer. When you fall, you’re not going to be covered in tiny cuts with black stuff everywhere. To not have those little pelts in your shoes, socks and helmets is really nice.”

Prior to a few weeks ago, the field was the biggest news surrounding the program until the transfer of Loyola High senior running back Drake Beasley.

The All-Mission League first-team selection rushed for 1,647 yards and 17 touchdowns and enrolled at La Cañada on Aug. 8. While La Cañada originally approved the transfer, Loyola has since contested it due to alleged “undue influence” and it’s unlikely that matter will be resolved before the Spartans open the season Friday at Hawthorne.

“He’s a special player for sure,” Zerbel said of Beasley, “but it’s not like we tailored our whole offense around him. We had a blueprint for success before Drake was here and he knows that, too. He knows he’ll be just another player here at La Cañada and he’s fine with that.”

The Spartans struggled last season in posting their first losing regular season (4-6) since 2012, while missing the playoffs for the first time in three years due to a 2-3 record in league, which placed the team fourth.

La Cañada did, though, receive a gift during the offseason when the CIF Southern Section office moved the Spartans out of the Central Division (Division VII) down to Division XII during realignment.

The last two times La Cañada reached the postseason in 2013 and 2014, the team was outclassed by Paraclete and Colony by a combined score of 102-3. So, the hope is that a new division will provide better opportunities.

As for Beasley, the Spartans are more of a threat to league heavyweights San Marino and Monrovia with him taking snaps.

Without Beasley, the Spartans possess 35 players on a roster that’s small, but one that’s also very capable and experienced and one that has 18 seniors.

“Regardless of whoever is here, the goal is the same and that’s CIF [playoffs],” said senior running back Tyler Breneman, younger brother of former all-leaguer Ryan Breneman. “We know we can win, both in league and in the playoffs. This is a new year and this team believes in itself.”

The Spartans’ silent strength is in the trenches as Rio Hondo League first-team pick David Vardanian and second-teamer Hairapetian are back.

Vardanian earned his league accolade on defense as the 220-pound wrestler finished with 71 tackles, 22 of which were for a loss that included six sacks. Hairapetian was a second-team choice on offense on a run-heavy team that graduated all-league first-team running back Ryan Breneman, who rushed for 1, 026 yards and 11 touchdowns on 172 carries.

The Spartans offensive line will also include seniors Tyler Rubendall, Lionel Humphries and center Jake Harb, while the defensive line will feature all-league second-team senior Theo Chamberlain (56 tackles, 12 1/2 for a loss) along with Vardanian, Hairapetian and Humphries.

“These guys are the catalysts for our success,” Zerbel said. “If they’re doing their job, we’re going to do well.”

At linebacker, Zerbel has “a diverse group” headlined by Rubendall, Luke Johnson and Tyler Jacinto.

In the secondary, the team lost a talent in all-league first-teamer Andrew Sarceda, a shutdown corner who finished with 40 tackles (five for a loss), three interceptions, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

While the Spartans might not have that same kind of impact player, the squad is hoping to rally around a group that includes seniors Tyler Breneman, Linus Jones, Brandon Sharman and Aidan Phillips. Should and when Beasley is activated, the senior would also see some time in the secondary.

On offense, La Cañada has had its issues the last few years developing a steady quarterback. Zerbel is hoping he’s found his guy in junior Eric Helbing, who’ll be making the move up from junior varsity. Helbing is looking to change the perception that La Cañada’s passing attack isn’t effective.

“We’ll do that slowly; it’s not an overnight process for sure,” Helbing said. “It’s going to take a lot of hard work and training to get to where we want to be, but also to get the confidence from our coaches.”

Helbing will hand off to another Breneman in Tyler, a third-year varsity player who will take over for Ryan.

The Spartans also have an impact group of receivers in seniors Bryce Benton, Sam Adida, Linus Jones and tight end Chamberlain.

Adida, a standout on the soccer field, will be handling the kicking duties, while Rubendall is the team’s punter.

Zerbel will be assisted by Jason Sarceda (defensive coordinator) and coaches Jeremy Cisneros, Tory Cisneros, Bob Connell, Marti Valdez, Brian Kimball, Chris Zubia, Mando Martinez and Dave Olsen.