Football: Looking for a ‘Miracle on Rinaldi Street II’
There have been times this season Alemany’s defense has not looked good but also times it has looked very good. Coming up on Friday night will be the Warriors’ biggest challenge yet: Unbeaten St. John Bosco in the Pac-5 semifinals.
There’s talent at Alemany. The secondary has a terrific junior cornerback in Colin Samuel and senior safety Brandon Boyd. Defensive lineman Kevin Summers is back from an injury. There’s quickness and the fact the Warriors rose up to knock off Corona Centennial and Servite this season.
Most importantly, defensive coordinator Rick Herrington knows how to scheme in big games. In 1995 and 2003, when he was an assistant at Hart, the Indians were underdogs in section championship games against Antelope Valley and Jermaine Lewis and Mission Viejo and Mark Sanchez. Hart won both times.
But Herrington knows what he’s up against this time. Quarterback Josh Rosen has 28 touchdown passes and is connecting on 70% of his throws. Sophomore running back Sean McGrew has rushed for 1,252 yards. Shay Fields is averaging 20.4 yards a catch. And the offensive line is bigger than some college lines.
“No doubt, they’re one of the best teams we’ve seen,” Herrington said.
In 1982, Alemany had the “Miracle on Rinaldi Street,” when the team reached the Big Five semifinals. A win over St. John Bosco would be “Miracle on Rinaldi Street II.”
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