PREP BASKETBALL : El Dorado to Challenge Pacifica’s ‘Awesome’ Defense

Carl Sweet, El Dorado High School coach, searched for the proper way to describe a Pacifica defense that has allowed only three points in five Empire League games. It came to him the way a Mariner linebacker moves to the ball. Quickly.

“I guess awesome is the word,” Sweet said.

Sweet wasn’t the only area coach in awe after Pacifica shut out Los Alamitos, which had been averaging more than 24 points per game, last week. But this week, it’s up to Sweet and his offense to find the end zone against a Mariner team which is not too generous about offering directions. El Dorado’s postseason hopes depend on it.

The Golden Hawks (3-2 in league and 5-3 overall) enter tonight’s 7:30 game in Bolsa Grande Stadium in a three-way tie for third place with Loara and Esperanza. A loss could drop them from contention for a berth in the Southern Conference playoffs.

“There’s no where to go for us after this ball game,” Sweet said. “We have to win.”

Pacifica (5-0, 6-2) is in a considerably better position. A victory would assure them of at least a tie for the league title. A loss would do no worse than drop them into a tie for the lead, with Kennedy awaiting the Mariners in the regular season finale.

Said Pacifica Coach Bill Craven: “They have to win the football game. We do, too, but they’re kind of in a do-or-die, survival situation.”

And not many teams have been surviving against the Mariners, particularly in league play. Pacifica has allowed an average of 6.4 points per game. Craven said the key to his defense has been quickness.

“I don’t think we knock anybody’s socks off,” he said. “I just think we get a lot of people to the football.”

Sweet is hoping his team can block some of those people before they get there. He saw his offense put together won of its better efforts in last week’s 28-16 win over Cypress.

El Dorado quarterback Dan Sutherland has struggled in league play, but completed 9 of 18 passes for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Centurions. Running back Rich Chamberlain carried 19 times for 182 yards in that game, his best rushing performance of the season.

In other games starting tonight at 7:30:

ANGELUS LEAGUE Pius X (0-4, 4-4) vs. Mater Dei (2-1, 5-3) in Santa Ana Stadium--Mater Dei’s offense sputtered in last week’s 13-7 win over Bishop Montgomery. The Monarchs’ only touchdown came on Tim Haider’s 33-yard run after a fumble recovery. Placekicker Gary Coston kicked field goals of 46 and 38 yards, however, to give him 10 on the season. Pius X has lost all four of its league games after a 4-0 nonleague start.

CENTURY LEAGUE Tustin (1-4, 3-5) vs. El Modena (4-1, 7-1) in Fred Kelly Stadium--Tustin Coach Marijon Ancich’s pursuit of career win No. 198 continues. Ancich thought he had it last week against Canyon, but saw a controversial pass interference penalty set up a Canyon touchdown with 1:29 to play as the Comanches pulled out a 13-10 win. El Modena has won three straight since being upset by Foothill, 14-0, on Oct. 10.

GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE Bolsa Grande (2-1, 4-4) vs. Garden Grove (1-2, 1-7) in Garden Grove Stadium--Believe it or not, Bolsa Grande is two points away from being alone in first place in the league. Since dropping their league opener to heavily favored La Quinta, 13-12, three weeks ago, the Matadors have upset Santiago, 10-0, and Los Amigos, 14-0. The loss to La Quinta came only after Bolsa Grande failed on a two-point conversion attempt late in the game. A win tonight would virtually assure the Matadors of their first playoff appearence since 1982, Greg Shadid’s first year as coach.

ORANGE LEAGUE Western (2-1, 6-2-1) vs. Savanna (0-3, 1-7) at Glover Stadium--The Pioneers are coming off one of the most stunning upsets of the 1985 season, an 18-15 win over Valencia. Western took a 18-0 lead and held off a furious Valencia comeback led by running back Ray Pallares, the county’s all-time rushing leader. A Western letdown may be Savanna’s only hope. The Rebels have been outscored, 278-69, in eight games.

In nonleague action, Irvine (2-3, 5-3) plays Gahr (1-4, 2-6) in Hanford Rants Stadium.