El Camino Real Working for Another Title

In recent years, Coach David Hussey has built the foundation of his El Camino Real High soccer program on hard work, discipline and strong academics.

Hussey has created a winning tradition at the West Hills campus, but not how you’d expect.

He doesn’t have top athletes flooding into the school each year, like many other powerhouses.

“The kids are academically very strong and it carries onto the field,” said Hussey, who is 80-39-19 entering his seventh season as head coach. “They know what it takes to win. They work harder than anybody else.”

Although success has been the norm during his tenure, El Camino Real has yet to earn the respect of a traditional power. The Conquistadores are known as overachievers.

“Almost every year we go to the [City Section] final four and nobody expects us to be there,” Hussey said.

That attitude might be changing. The Conquistadores are favorites to repeat as City champions and reach the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season, though they return only six starters.

“That’s where our standards are set,” Hussey said. “It’s going to be tough. We are going to have to play at 100% every game.”

The Conquistadores feature a solid and disciplined defense led by Jason Burbidge, Zach Feldman and Chris Johnstone.

The only trouble El Camino Real could have is scoring goals.

The team doesn’t return any forwards, but Hussey has confidence in sophomores Gianni Facio and Jason Lara and junior Yan Falkinstein.

If Reseda can find a solid goalkeeper, it has the potential to battle El Camino Real for the City title.

The Regents should have no problems scoring. Offensive weapons include All-City midfielder Edwin Miranda, who played sweeper last season when the Regents lost to El Camino Real on penalty kicks in the City semifinals.

Reseda forward Jesse Servin should lead the City in goals. Coach Julio Castillo said success will follow if his team can overcome an inexperienced defense.

Birmingham rounds out the elite City teams. The Patriots return the majority of a 17-2-5 team that lost to Banning, 1-0, in double overtime in the City semifinals.

The Patriots are talented through the center of the field, beginning with goalkeeper John Wall and defenders Mike Erush and Jonathan Moreno. Center midfielder John Ortega is among the best in the City.

Newcomer Aaron Jackson, a sophomore forward, has blazing speed and great ball control. Coach Jose Freire said Jackson is a member of the Jamaican under-16 national team.

St. Francis should compete with Loyola for the Mission League title. The Golden Knights have tremendous depth and strength at all positions. They return all four defenders, with Robbie Layman the leader.

Offensively, St. Francis is sound. Junior forward Ryan Shaw broke the school record with 22 goals last season and junior midfielder Mike Brewer is among the best.

Chaminade could be a surprise. The Eagles always have talent and could challenge St. Francis and Loyola for the Mission League title. Brian Borreson is one of the best defenders in the league.

Thousand Oaks is the favorite in the Marmonte League. Newbury Park won the title last year, but suffered heavy losses to graduation.

Thousand Oaks returns eight starters from a disappointing fourth-place team. The Lancers had problems focusing last year, but Coach Mark Tietjen believes his team has matured.

All-league forwards Chris Jack and Jeremy Terrell lead a group of multi-talented players for the Lancers. David McKoy is the team’s top defender.

Buena and Ventura will battle Santa Barbara and San Marcos for the Channel League title. Buena is quick and fast, but lacks size. If the Bulldogs can play physically and win balls in the air, winning will follow. Forwards Brad Workman and Chris Parkin are the top offensive threats. J.J. Bradbury is the steadiest midfielder and Josh Boyo holds together the defense.

Ventura is set to bounce back from an injury-plagued season that resulted in a 5-11-5 record. Standout goalkeeper Justin Carter returns after nursing a hip injury and junior Mike Enfield, an under-17 national pool player, could emerge as one of the region’s top goal scorers.

Crescenta Valley has the potential to challenge Arcadia for the Pacific League title. The Falcons are much more balanced than last season, when they advanced to the second round of the Southern Section Division I playoffs. Forward Lindon Pecorelli, a member of the under-17 regional team, is the team’s top player. Pecorelli is being recruited by Connecticut and UCLA, said Coach Bill Papagno.

If sophomore sweeper Ismael Valencia returns, Monroe could emerge as a contender for the City title. Coach Elias Andrade said Valencia is academically ineligible, but if he improves his grades he could return in early December. Monroe is strong offensively with Danny Corales, Jose Gomez and Angel Pena all returning.

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AT A GLANCE

* THE PROVEN: Senior defender Evan Kay of Royal is a two-time All-Marmonte League sweeper, but might be moved to midfield. . . Senior defender Leonard Griffin of Littlerock, headed to UCLA, is one of the top defensive players in the state. . . Junior forward Jimmy Sharp of Notre Dame, a transfer from Crespi, is one of the top scorers in the Mission League. . . Senior forward Itzik Rapaport of Calabasas is the top offensive player in the Frontier League. . . Senior forward Peter O’Hare was Westlake’s leading scorer and an All-Marmonte selection last season. . . Senior Mario Merino of Kennedy is the best goalkeeper in the region. . . Senior defender Miguel Luquin of Poly is a versatile defender who can score. . . Senior midfielder Leiys Palacios should lead Grant to Sunset Six title.

* THE PROMISING: Coach Oscar Eligio of Burbank says sophomore midfielder Daniel Cuello is a member of Colombia’s under-16 national team. . . Sophomore George Swaner of La Canada is ready to become one of the region’s top defenders. . . Sophomore midfielder David Vega is one of the top prospects on a talented, young Crespi team, which includes the region’s top freshman midfielder--Taylor Canel. . . Simi Valley touts forwards Howard Reyes, who came from Costa Rica in August, and junior Whitney Fike, the Pioneers’ second-leading scorer last year and an honorable mention all-league pick last year. . . Senior Juan Andrades of Sylmar is a strong midfielder with the ability to help turn the Spartans into a winning team. . . Junior forward Eric Lopez of Burroughs is quick with great skills and has the ability to score.

The Top 10

Preseason rankings of region boys’ soccer teams

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RK School League 1 El Camino Real West Valley 2 Birmingham West Valley 3 St. Francis Mission 4 Reseda Valley Mission 5 Thousand Oaks Marmonte 6 Buena Channel 7 Crescenta Valley Pacific 8 La Canada Rio Hondo 9 Ventura Channel 10 Hart Foothill

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