ON TOP OF THEIR GAME : Secondary to None: Esperanza Defensive Backs Are Talented . . . and Inspired

They have adopted the theme “Death from Above,” a slogan painted on one of the helicopters in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 Vietnam war film, “Apocalypse Now.” They can recite actor Robert Duvall’s lines on cue, having watched the highlights of the film countless times before games.

The memorable Wagner music, “The Ride of the Valkyries,” and the vivid helicopter attacks from the film serve as an inspiration for the secondary at Esperanza High School.

And the inspiration is getting results. Free safety Doug Saunders, strong safety Jason Moler and cornerbacks Craig O’Connor, Jeff Cary and Clint Holt make up one of the best secondaries in Orange County. The group has allowed only 1 touchdown and has intercepted 10 passes in four games.

They are expected to get their toughest test of the season at 7:30 tonight when the Aztecs play host to Bishop Amat and its pass-happy quarterback, J.R. Phillips, in Placentia’s Bradford Stadium. Phillips has completed 33 of 66 passes for 585 yards and 5 touchdowns.

“J.R. likes to throw the ball deep. That’s his style,” said Mark Paredes, Bishop Amat coach. “I think we’ve had at least one long touchdown pass in every game. But I don’t think you can throw deep against those guys. They play deep, and they’re all so darn quick.”

The catalysts of the Aztec secondary are Moler and Saunders, two gifted athletes better known for their exploits on the baseball field. Moler is one of the top pitchers in Southern California, and second baseman Saunders was named the most valuable player in a state all-star series last spring in Lodi.

Juggling two sports should be easy for Moler. He splits time on the football field as a quarterback and safety, and he says playing both positions has its advantages.

“I prefer playing defense because I love to hit people,” he said. “I’ve found that playing one position makes me a better player at the other. At defensive back, I’m good at reading passing schemes because I play quarterback. As a quarterback, I’m able to pick up blitzes well because I also play safety.”

Moler is generally acknowledged as the best hitter on the team.

“He’s a strong safety built like a linebacker (6 feet tall, 170 pounds),” said Gary Meek, Esperanza coach. “He’s not afraid of anything.”

Said Paredes: “Moler is the most impressive player on the team. I’ve seen him in person twice, and he’s the general on the field.”

Saunders spent the summer sharing time among four baseball leagues, a couple of passing leagues and the usual off-season weight-lifting assignments for football. He has maintained a 2.8 grade-point average and looks forward to playing either college or professional baseball next year.

“I’ll make a decision about my future after the draft,” he said. “Right now, I’m enjoying both sports. This will likely be my only chance to play both of them, and I want to make the most of the opportunity.”

Bill Pendleton, Esperanza’s defensive coordinator, said the duo’s experience and intelligence have helped develop the secondary into one of the best in the school’s history.

“This is the most aggressive secondary we’ve ever had at Esperanza,” Pendleton said. “But what sets it apart from others is the experience of Jason Moler and Doug Saunders. Both are very intelligent players who are capable of making quick adjustments in any situation. They’re like having two coaches on the field.”

Both have experienced enough athletic highlights and lowlights at Esperanza to fill a career. They were members of the Aztecs’ baseball team that won the 1986 national championship. Last spring, Saunders was the pitcher in a 1-0 loss to Lakewood in the Southern Section’s 4-A championship game in Dodger Stadium.

On the football field, they played together on the Aztecs’ sophomore team that went 10-0. They helped Esperanza beat Servite last year in a very emotional game.

Moler and Saunders have received most of the accolades, but the supporting cast also has been impressive.

O’Connor, a transfer from Woodbridge, leads the team with three interceptions at his strong corner position (the side of the line on which the opposing tight end lines up). When he arrived at Esperanza last spring, he said he knew little about the Aztecs’ storied football tradition.

“I played with Doug and Jason on the baseball team last year, so the adjustment to a new school was pretty easy,” O’Connor said. “I didn’t know anything about the football team, I just wanted out of Woodbridge.”

O’Connor said he had some differences with the coaching staff at Woodbridge and decided to move to his sister’s home in Anaheim. His sister has become his legal guardian.

O’Connor draws the difficult assignment of defending Bishop Amat’s speedy slotback and receiver, Stefon Pace.

Holt and Cary alternate at the weak corner position. Holt is the free spirit of the secondary, and Cary is one of the smallest players on the team.

Holt’s teammates nicknamed him “Hollywood” after an 82-yard touchdown reception against Pacifica last year. Holt beat a defender for a pass and then waved goodby to him on the play, a tactic that didn’t go over well with Pacifica boosters.

“Clint is a fine player, but off the field, you have to keep an eye on him,” Pendleton said. “He hasn’t come close to reaching his potential.”

Holt played at full speed for the first time last week in a 6-0 victory over Nogales after suffering a hyperextended knee in the Aztecs’ preseason intrasquad game.

It was quite a sight to watch Cary, a 5-6, 140-pound senior, trying to defend 6-7 tight end Mike Kent on scout teams last season.

“Everybody laughed, but Jeff was on him like a gnat,” Pendleton said. “He’s one of those high school players that you can’t judge by his size.”

The five players present striking contrasts in ability and personality, but they have something in common. They team to form one of the best secondaries in the county.