Newsworthy Items
Serra league teams posted a 18-12 (.600) non-league record in 2005. In 2004 and 2003, five of the six teams advanced to the CIF-SS Division I playoffs. In 2002 all six members entered the playoffs. It was the first time in CIF history a league sent all of its representatives to the playoffs.
The Serra League is one of the four leagues, totaling 27 teams, in CIF-SS that make up Division I. Division I football has been recognized by leading prep sports writers and recruiters as the top conference in the nation.
The Eagles won consecutive Serra League Titles in 2000 and 2001. They have posted a 21-16-1 (.566) all-time mark against Serra League rivals going back to 1991.
PLAYER NEWS
The defensive line is anchored by All-CIF candidate Brad Dixon (d-line leading 47 tackles) and All-State Underclass candidate Logan Harrell (sophomore record 9.5 sacks and 42 tackles). His 9.5 sacks are 2nd in the Serra League. Senior Captain NT Tom Roby, Andrew Johnson (2.5 sacks and 43 tackles) and Fred Carrera (3.5 sacks, 38 tackles) hold down the DE spots.
Junior MLB Kyle Aldridge (team leading 107 tackles) logged a career-high 19 tackles vs. Foothill, 12 at Kealakehe and Bishop Amat and 10 at Dorsey, Mater Dei and vs. Loyola. 2004 First Team All-Serra Leaguer Ross Cumming (88 tackles) and has four Tds in just eight receptions as a TE. He logged 18 tackles, a sack and a TD reception vs. OL after picking up 14 tackles, two receptions for 78 yards and a TD at Kealakehe. Joseph Pellizzon (52 tackles) picked up 8 tackles at Foothill.
The Eagle pass defense has allowed only six TD passes in 2005. Senior Captain SS JD Dawson (2004 All-Serra League db-leading 86 tackles) anchors the secondary. Dawson forced a school record three fumbles at Loyola in 2004 and had 13 tackles last week. Seniors John Angelo (48 tackles) and Connor Plante (42 tackles including 10 vs. Servite and five tackles and one int. vs. Orange Lutheran) and juniors Eric Manarino (20 tackles), Matt Meyer (26 tackles) and Chris Spangenberg man the corner spots depending on the situation. Angelo leads the team with 869 yards on 164 carries (5.3 average) and 10 Tds. He rushed for a career-high 160 yards and scored four TDs against Servite in Week 10 including an 80-yard TD run on the first play of the game. This came one week after he gained 157 yards on 24 carries at St. John Bosco and two weeks after gaining 122 yards on 30 carries with a Td at Bishop Amat. John rushed for 101 yards and returned an interception 45 yards for a TD vs. Orange Lutheran.
Senior K Hunter Bestard kicked a 35-yard field goal at Kealakehe and has sent over 80% of his kickoffs into the endzone for touchbacks. Junior Eric Reisinger is 15 for 18 with PATs with a 24- 27- and 35-yard FGs to his credit. 2004 Special Teams MVP and Academic Award winner Thomas Hull recorded a career-high seven tackles at Mater Dei, caught a 16-yard TD pass at Kealakehe and nailed a 54 yard punt which was downed at the one-yard line at Dorsey. Two of Hull’s punts have been over 50 yards and 15 of his 36 punts have been downed inside the 20 including all four vs. Loyola.
Senior QB Jon Daniels, holds three school records – Completions in a game (26 vs. Loyola), completions in a career (271) and attempts in a career (465). He is completing 61.0% of his passes this year.
The receiving crew is led by the Serra League’s top returning WR Jacob Gordon (34 receptions for 368 yards) as well as Maxwell (34 for 594) and seniors Derek Cisna and Connor Plante. Gordon had a season-high 7 receptions for 70 yards at Foothill. TE Nick Pizzurro caught a career-high 4 passes for 40 yards and a Td at Amat.
Ryan Maxwell became the first Eagle to (i) have two kick return TDs in a season and (ii) score a TD via rushing (20 yards), receiving (60 yards) and punt return (school-record 88 yards) in the same game (at Dorsey). He is averaging 9.2 yards per carry, 17.5 per catch and 13.2 per punt return. Holds or is about to set 6 kick return records.
