Cesta Has Left His Mark at Saddleback

Joe Cesta came to Saddleback College looking for an identity.

No matter how well he did in sports growing up, he was always following in the footsteps of his brothers, Tony and Mike.

“People would always say, ‘You’re Mike Cesta’s or Tony Cesta’s little brother,’ ” Joe Cesta said. “I was never just Joe.”

Now, after two outstanding seasons at middle linebacker for Saddleback, Cesta has made a name for himself.

Earlier this week he gained a new title, Mission Conference Central Division player of the year. Cesta is the center of Saddleback’s defense, the best in the 13-team conference. He led the team by being in on 111 tackles, 31 more than any teammate.

Cesta’s last game as a Gaucho is Saturday, when Saddleback (10-0) plays host Sacramento in the first Capitol Shrine Bowl.

Saddleback is ranked No. 1 in California and No. 2 in the J.C. Grid-Wire’s national rankings. Sacramento (10-0) is second in the state and third in the nation.

Sacramento’s offense is tops in the state, averaging 500 yards a game. But Saddleback defensive coordinator Eric Patton has confidence in his unit, thanks in large part to Cesta.

“He’s got so many good qualities,” Patton said. “But what sets him apart is his intelligence. He never makes the same mistake twice. He’s a coach on the field.

“He’s also an emotional leader. He’s a very strong tackler. You never have broken tackles with him. He’s really one of the best I’ve ever coached.”

It was Cesta’s desire to establish his own identity that led him to Saddleback in the first place.

At Los Angeles Loyola High he started at linebacker and tight end. He was drawing recruiting interest from several colleges, including USC and UCLA, but suffered a season-ending knee injury running with the ball after catching a pass in the fourth game of his senior season.

Recruiting interest dropped off after the injury and he was forced to attend a community college.

His brother Mike, a Marine, was stationed at Camp Pendelton, so Cesta planned to live with him and his wife and started looking at Orange County community colleges.

He visited Orange Coast but was told that all-conference pick Steve Gonzales was returning and that he might be better off looking elsewhere. His next stop was Saddleback and after one meeting with Coach Bill Cunerty and a tour of the campus, he made up his mind.

“I just had a feeling about it,” he said of Saddleback. “Plus, they needed my position.”

Saddleback went 8-3 last season, winning its final six games, including beating Mt. San Antonio, 21-20, in the Simple Green Orange County Bowl. The Mounties went for two on the last play and Cesta made the game-saving tackle.

After last season, Cesta made a commitment to work out as hard as possible to increase his strength and quickness. He joined Tim Sulick, now at San Diego State, in an intense program that included running and leaping over a bar about four feet off the ground.

“Sometimes I couldn’t drive home,” Cesta said. “I’d just be sitting in the seat of the car, shaking, turning pale and white.”

Last spring, his brother was transferred from Camp Pendelton and Cesta needed a place to live.

Cesta, the defensive captain, became roommates with starting quarterback and offensive captain Justin Vedder.

Earlier this season, Vedder, who holds every major Saddleback career passing record, said he would consider it an honor to have a pass intercepted by Cesta . . . in practice.

“We’re not the biggest team,” Cesta said, “and we’re not the fastest or most athletic defense. But none of us wants to lose and we all work hard so it doesn’t happen.”

Notes

Saddleback brings into Saturday’s game a 16-game winning streak, the third longest streak in the history of the program. Vedder has thrown for 2,418 yards with 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He was the Mission Conference Central Division offensive player of the year. Sacramento quarterback Brendan Edmonds has passed for 2,938 yards with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Sacramento has allowed 350 yards a game and Saddleback has given up 248 yards a game. Saddleback linebacker Brandon Smith is second on the team in tackles with 80 but leads in interceptions with four. David Josker, the other linebacker, had three interceptions and 62 tackles. Lineman Gage Oetgen led in sacks with nine. Joe Cesta also led by causing three fumbles.

The game, which kicks off at 1:30 p.m., will be broadcast live in the Saddleback area on KSBR, 88.5 FM.