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TODAY’S GAMES : Estancia Faces University, Seeking to Surpass Its Best Start

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

Estancia High School will attempt to put together a seven-game, season-opening winning streak for the first time in the school’s 25-year history at 7:30 tonight when it meets University at Irvine High in Sea View League play.

Estancia’s best previous start was in 1981 when the Eagles opened with a 7-0-1 record. Estancia is the sixth-ranked team in the Orange County Sportswriters’ Assn. prep poll.

Estancia (6-0, 1-0) opened league play last week with an impressive 16-3 victory over defending Division VI champion Corona del Mar that Coach John Liebengood called, “the biggest win of my coaching career.”

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Estancia has shut out four opponents and allowed only 24 yards rushing in the victory over Corona del Mar. Linebackers Jeremie Chapin and Dan Petrone and tackles Luis Alvarado and Len Herman anchor a defense that has allowed only 10 points.

Estancia is equally effective offensively, averaging 26.7 points per game. Tailback Josh Wojtkiewicz has rushed for 661 yards and eight touchdowns and quarterback Danny Ucker has passed for 607 yards and four touchdowns.

But despite the impressive numbers, Liebengood is leery of a letdown against University.

“You’re always concerned following a big win like the Corona del Mar game,” Liebengood said. “We’ve tried to reinforce some things and have had some good practices this week.”

Liebengood was quick to point out that University (2-4, 0-1) opened a 15-0 lead last week against Newport Harbor in the first quarter before losing, 24-21.

University runs a wing-T offense with quarterback Brian Vail adept at passing, faking or running with the ball. Estancia beat University, 14-9, last season.

“This is the only team on our schedule that uses the wing-T, so our defense is going to have to be on top of its game,” Liebengood. “Our offense didn’t execute particularly well against Corona del Mar, but our defense has been excellent.”

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In other games, two of the county’s top rushers, Gil Greene and Ron Papazian, will be showcased when Orange Lutheran plays host to Whittier Christian in Olympic League play at 2 p.m., and Bishop Montgomery tests Servite’s passing attack at 7:30 p.m. in Anaheim’s Glover Stadium.

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