Esperanza Gets a Spark With Switch on Defense

Bill Pendleton, Anaheim Esperanza’s second-year coach, was a defensive coordinator for 18 years during the Aztecs’ glory years. Two weeks ago, Pendleton ordered a defensive face-lift.

“What we were doing on defense wasn’t working against good teams,” Pendleton said of the 4-3 alignment. “We put in the 46 defense that the Chicago Bears used, which we ran in the early 1990s. I gave [defensive coordinator Greg Kemp] the basics.... Guys are tackling better. Their attitude is better.”

It has yielded consecutive victories, including a 29-7 win over Santa Ana Mater Dei, the sixth-ranked team in the Southland by The Times, in a Southern Section Division I playoff opener.

The Aztecs (8-3) forced five turnovers. Gary Rogers had a sack for a safety, an interception and fumble recovery, Wesley Williams had two interceptions, and Steve Tilley recovered a fumble.

Charles Neal rushed 20 times for 172 yards and three touchdowns, and Rocky Taloa rushed 20 times for 133 and one score.

Esperanza plays host to Colton (10-1) on Friday at Placentia Valencia.

-- Martin Henderson

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Lake Balboa Birmingham (7-4) will be close to full strength defensively for its City Section quarterfinal playoff game against host Woodland Hills Taft (10-1) on Wednesday thanks to the return of two all-league players.

Tackle David Ikahihifo (5-10, 280), returned last week after breaking an arm in the opener. End Alan Barahona (5-10, 230), returned two weeks ago after breaking a leg in August.

“I think the winner of this game is the best team in the City,” Birmingham Coach Ed Croson said. Taft won the first meeting between West Valley League rivals, 28-21.

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Three dots and a cloud of dust: Dwight Tardy of Santa Fe Springs St. Paul rushed for nine touchdowns in a 77-35 victory over Crescenta Valley in Division III. It’s a possible section and state record, although Frank Greene of Coronado had 11 touchdowns in a 1929 game, but it’s unknown if all were rushing. Coach Marijon Ancich recorded his 339th victory with the win, moving ahead of Herb Meyer to No. 1 on the all-time state list.... Chad Kackert of Simi Valley Grace Brethren rushed for 493 yards -- the sixth-best total in state history -- and seven touchdowns in a 56-0 victory over Panorama City St. Genevieve in Division XII.... Sophomore Ryan Cloney of Thousand Oaks passed for 509 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-31 victory over Arroyo Grande in Division IV. Junior Matt Luft caught 17 passes for 268 yards, both school records.... Chris Auten of Westlake Village Oaks Christian set the Southern Section record for career extra points. He has 166, breaking the record of 156 set by Dominic Milano of Hacienda Heights Los Altos from 1998 to 2000.