Saugus coach pleased, but not content

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For me, Saugus is one of the surprises in the San Fernando Valley/North region, but a 4-1 record against some above-average opponents doesn’t come as a shock to Coach Jason Bornn.

‘Honestly, we were expecting some pretty big things, especially on the defensive side of the ball where we have 11 seniors playing,” Bornn said. “So I can’t say I’m surprised. These kids have worked tremendously hard … they’ve done everything we’ve asked for and we’re playing at about the level I expected.”

Despite the high level of confidence Bornn has in his players following their 33-0 victory over St. Francis on Friday, he knows the Centurions are capable of more -- and they’ll have to respond accordingly once they take the field against an up-and-coming West Ranch team next week.

Bornn’s biggest concern is that his offense is ‘too rush heavy.’ RB Ryan Zirbel (863 yards, 13 TDs) is probably the best back in the Santa Clarita Valley (and, no, I haven’t forgotten about Hart‘s Delano Howell) and QB Desi Rodriguez is also great on the ground. But Rodriguez and the Saugus passing game hasn’t quite reached a suitable level.

‘I feel like in order for us to compete at a high level, we have to work on the pass attack more,’ Bornn said. ‘It’s been tough sometimes ...there are times I’d really like to throw the ball more.’

Bornn has been pleased with the play of his defense, but he ‘won’t be comfortable until we reach the playoffs.’ The Centurions boast a strong defensive corps that seems to get better and better with each game thanks, in part, to the efforts of linebackers Justin and Ryan McKillop, Jacob Gallegos and Nick Green. Against the Golden Knights, the Centurions recorded nine sacks.

So I realize Saugus isn’t a perfect football team, but it’s progressed a lot quicker than others and it’s finally starting to prove it can play with the big boys of the Northern Division. They keep surprising me and I think they’ll surprise some other guys before the season’s over.

- Austin Knoblauch