Featured Games : Ocean View vs.St. Paul

The records--Ocean View (1-2), St. Paul (3-0).

The site--Cranham Field

Ocean View update--Coach Karl Gaytan views this game as a critical point in his attempt to turn around Ocean View’s football fortunes. Ocean View is coming off a 24-23 loss to Gardena, currently ranked second in The Times’ CIF Los Angeles City Section Top 10. The Seahawks failed on a two-point conversion try that could have given them a one-point victory. “It’ll be interesting to me to see if our kids can play two good games back-to-back,” Gaytan said. “I haven’t seen that yet at Ocean View. If things go well, it could really turn our program around.” The Seahawks will be without the services of quarterback Mike Spence, whose residency status has been questioned by the Huntington Beach Union High School District. Gaytan said he is awaiting a ruling from CIF Southern Section officials regarding Spence’s eligibility. Gaytan said Chris Ibargary will start at quarterback and will be backed by David Stocks. Gaytan on the loss to Gardena: “Moral victories don’t look good in the yearbook, but the kids know they had Gardena beat.”

St. Paul update--The Swordsmen are coming off a 9-7 win over Carson, the City Section’s top-ranked team this week, and have outscored their last two opponents, 54-14. The 34 points St. Paul scored in its season opener against Loyola was the most points Loyola has allowed since 1980. Quarterback John Scott has combined with wide receiver Frank Mazzotta, whose father is head coach at Cerritos College, to form one of the Big Five Conference’s most potent passing combinations. Gaytan said the Swordsmen pass 80% of the time. “They’re like watching BYU,” Gaytan said. “Their offensive line just sits back and pass blocks you to death.”

Key to the game--St. Paul’s home-field advantage. The victory over Carson was Coach Rick Ready’s first experience with what has become known as “The Pit” at St. Paul. “We’ve got some real energetic fans,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to be Ocean View coming here to play.”

Consensus--The Swordsmen have been one of the biggest surprises of the Southern Section thus far. Ready said his team is fortunate to be 3-0. Look for St. Paul to make it 4-0 tonight.

Newport Harbor vs. Estancia

The records--Newport Harbor (2-1), Estancia (2-1).

The site--Orange Coast College.

Newport Harbor update--The Sailors beat a good Huntington Beach team in their last outing, 19-14, but Newport Harbor had to rally from a 14-0 deficit. Big but not unbeatable, the Sailors may find things more difficult should they fall two touchdowns behind tonight. Shane Foley, who is throwing well, creates problems for most defenses. The Sailor defense has been vulnerable to the pass.

Estancia update--Considering how much injuries have plagued the Eagles, it’s amazing that they have a winning record. Quarterback Sean Kincade has done a fine job in place of Mike Rosselini, who has been suffering from mononucleosis. Rosselini, who has been practicing with the team, could play tonight. Estancia beat Los Amigos last week, 24-6, thanks to Kincade’s passing and few defensive mistakes. The Eagles will need similar efforts tonight.

Key to the game--Estancia’s offense. If the Eagles can control the ball as well as they did against Los Amigos, thus keeping it out of Foley’s hands, the Eagles could handle the Sailors. Should Newport Harbor’s defense force some turnovers, however, it could be a long night for the Eagles.

Consensus--Both the Sailors’ size and Foley’s arm tends to wear out teams by the end of the game. Newport Harbor should win in a close game.

Lakewood vs. La Habra

The records--Lakewood (2-0), La Habra (2-1)

The site--La Habra Stadium.

Lakewood update--The Lancers have had a relatively easy time in their first two games, defeating St. John Bosco and El Rancho. However, to hear Lakewood Coach Gene Melvin tell it, the Lancers have yet to play a good game. “We’ve been a second-half team. Our play in the first half hasn’t been that great.” Against St. John Bosco, the Lancers led by just seven points at halftime before pulling away for a 26-13 win. In their game against El Rancho, the Lancers were tied, 7-7, at the half, before dominating the Dons in a 25-7 victory. Melvin credits his special teams with turning around both games. Loren Lujan and Ennis Finley each have had kickoff returns of 50 or more yards. The Lancers will be returning a lot of kicks if they can’t contain La Habra running back Chuck Weatherspoon, a 5-foot 8-inch, 190-pound senior, who has rushed for 326 yards this season. “You’re not going to stop him, you just have to keep him from breaking a big run on you,” Melvin said. “We’re going to try to get him running sideways instead of up field.” The Lancers have good size on the their defensive line, but the entire unit is somewhat inexperienced.

La Habra update--Though Weatherspoon ran for 137 yards, La Habra was thoroughly dominated by Saddleback last week, 34-0. This is the second consecutive season the Highlanders opened 2-0 only to be shut out by the Roadrunners. Weatherspoon, bulky at 190 pounds, still has the speed to be a breakaway threat. La Habra Coach Bob Rau has had trouble finding a quarterback this season. Sophomore Matt Shackleford has completed just seven passes this season. Shackleford has split time with junior John Robertson, who has completed only three passes. Going into the Saddleback game, the Highlander defense had allowed only three points in two games. But the Highlander defensive line was manhandled by the Roadrunner offensive line, which opened holes for Saddleback runners. Roadrunner running back Glenn Campbell rushed for 148 yards, and quarterback Myron Butler was well-protected and threw for 165 yards. Defensive tackle Scott Hooper (6-2, 200) and linebacker Chris Cisneros (5-11, 215) will lead the La Habra defense against Lakewood’s wing-T offense.

Key to the game--Weatherspoon’s performance should set the tone for the game. The best a team can hope for is to contain him. Lakewood probably can’t get away with a weak first half this time as Weatherspoon could run them out of the game. La Habra, though, cannot totally depend on Weatherspoon, as witnessed by last week’s effort.

Consensus--The Highlanders’ defense was victimized for big yardage last week, but Saddleback’s Campbell is the county’s sixth-leading rusher. Weatherspoon should have a good game against the Lancers, who are relatively young on defense. When Weatherspoon has a good game, La Habra usually wins.