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Crusaders aim to repeat title

 

By Phillip Brents

Posted Sept. 3, 2002

Favorable circumstance has thrust Matt White into the head coaching position on Marian Catholic high school’s football team. It is a job for which he feels he is adequately prepared after serving five years as an assistant coach with the Crusaders and another eight years as an assistant at University of San Diego High School.

White’s Crusaders make their season debut Friday at 7 p.m. with a non-league contest at Monte Vista High School.

"It’s exciting. I’ll be able to call up all the experience over the past few years," he said.

While the head coaching position might be new, it will not take a game program to recognize this year’s team. The sheer number of talented returners (15) from last year’s 12-1 South Bay League champion and San Diego Section Division III runner-up team is sure to make White’s transition to the helm much easier.

Returning is Marian Catholic’s entire back field from a season ago — running backs Patrick Gates, Eugene Alaniz and Marco Contreras along with quarterback Mario Ledesma. All Gates, Alaniz and Contreras did last season was total more than 3,000 rushing yards between them en route to all earning All-South Bay League honors along with Ledesma.

Gates — the South Bay League’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2001 — paced Marian Catholic with 1,658 yards and 23 touchdowns. Alaniz was second with 1,372 yards and 22 TDs while Contreras rushed for 1,149 yards and 11 TDs. Ledesma passed for 1,069 yards and 13 touchdowns while also rushing for 322 yards and five touchdowns.

Also returning for the Crusaders on offense are center John Sullivan, tight end Omar Rodriguez and tackle Nathan Puente. Sullivan was an all-league honorable mention last year and will lead by example in an area hit hardest by graduation.

The defense is equally stacked, if not more so, according to White, with returners Victor Banda (defensive end), Enrique Schulz (nose guard), Joey Olvera (linebacker), Alex Ballesteros (cornerback), Mathew Cruz (cornerback) and Arthur Emus (linebacker). Banda, Schulz, Olvera and Ballesteros were all Second Team All-South Bay League picks a season ago while Cruz earned honorable mention honors.

"We have experience at every defensive position. They know their assignments and tackle well," White said.

Impact newcomers include linebacker Alex Paullada and safety Scottie Goodloe on defense and tackle Angel Carillo and guard Alan Hirales on offense. White described the offensive line as "young and big" and noted it will have to learn fast, with the experienced backfield asked to contribute to blocking assignments.

Punter Eamon Long is one of the best in the section, earning Second Team All-League honors as a junior last year.

White expects the Crusaders to compete for the South Bay League title once more and be competitive in the Division III playoffs.

As for Friday’s opponent, the Monarchs are coming off a 10-2 finish last year and Grossmont South League championship. Monte Vista also swept the league’s junior varsity and freshmen titles, providing a strong recruiting pool for this year’s team.

The Monarchs’ firepower is generated by quarterback Daniel Stevenson and running backs Sharrod Davis and Dallas Hubbard.

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