EL SEGUNDO HERALD August 26, 2021 Page 11
Sports from page 3
players for the abbreviated 2020 season. “At
the end, we were down to a fourth-string
quarterback who had absolutely no game
experience,” he says. That’s changed with
an influx of healthy and returning players
making up a roster. It gives Coach Green
more latitude to play his players in positions
that gives the team a better chance at success
as well as the players in place.
The offense has turned the corner, according
to Coach Green. “We did well in two passing
tournaments during the summer. The offense
Gabriel Blanco has been one of the hardest working linemen in practice. Mason Kahn will punish the opposition when he has the ball.
really jelled, and they went from learning the
offense to executing the offense.” The Eagles
lost just one game in the Arroyo Grande
Tournament and fell twice in sudden death
overtime games in the Redondo Tournament
to Redondo and Downey. “The Redondo
Tournament really showed how far we’ve
come,” said Coach Green. One other note
of interest is how well the linemen did at
the Arroyo Grande Tournament. The Eagles
tied for first in the lineman competition that
pits schools against each other in various
skill areas.
The Eagles have plenty of depth on offense,
and it starts with two quarterbacks who have
demonstrated leadership skills. Leo Menendez
returns to head the offense after the junior was
injured last season after just a few snaps in
his first game. Menendez has a real feel for
the offense and has good vision to see the
field. A sophomore who could see action is
Anthony Temasavary, who brings his athletic
ability to run the offense. He is an elusive
scrambling athlete who gives the offense
a different look. Whoever is running the
offense, the passing game, is in good hands
and could be one of the team’s focal points.
The running game has been upgraded and
looks to be primed to be one of the Eagle’s
offensive strengths. After being hampered
by injuries last season, the Eagles have
more depth at running back. One to watch
is sophomore Michael Wilson, who has the
explosive speed to find the open holes. With
his quickness, he could be used in the slot
position to catch passes. Dylan Bucher, the
school’s reigning 100-meter track champion,
and Kenny Morris bring their punishing style
of play to the position and their ability to
catch the ball out of the backfield. Ryan
Campbell and Mason Kahn are two seniors
who have shown they can be a threat running
the ball or an option catching the ball out
of the backfield.
The Eagles’ receivers have the size and are
fast with breakaway speed that poses a threat
with yards after the catch ability. Seniors
Shane Leach and Nate Pascarelli should get
the bulk of the receptions. Leach will punish
the middle while Pascarelli is a deep route
threat. They have the athleticism to give the
opposing defenses fits attempting to cover
them. Jack Stoker opted to play baseball for
the 2020 season but returns and has looked
like one of those special athletes that could
see action on both sides of the ball. Tucker
Stevens is another quick receiver with good
hands and could be counted on when not
playing on defense.
At tight end, Sam Pachuta returns, and the 6’3
210-pound senior looks to have a breakout
season. Besides being one of the team’s
captains, he possesses good receiving skills
and has improved his blocking fundamentals.
Lucas Sun is just a sophomore, but he has
demonstrated he can be an option on offense
while also being a good blocker.
Of course, every successful offense starts in
the trenches, where the play of the linemen
is critical. The line could average 6’2 240
pounds, so they should hold their own against
opposing defenses. Another area that should
help is their skill level and understanding
they bring. Their experience should give the
offense the needed protection to move the
ball up and down the field. Damien Garcia is
a three-year starter at tackle, who leads the
group with his passion and high football IQ;
he’ll also be one of the team’s captains. Duke
Sanders is a returnee at tackle, while Nathan
Ibarra is one of the team’s assets playing
center. The guards have good size and have
progressed and improved their skills. Ariel
Santiago is a quick-pulling type guard who
has developed into a good pass blocker. One
of the most improved players could be Gabe
Blanco. The 6’3 310-pound sophomore has
one of the best work ethics in practice and
continues to impress with his attitude. Others
who look to see action are seniors Cooper
Dolan and Jeremy Hoover, who could see
more playing time on defense but gives the
Eagles depth on offense.
Special Teams was another area of concern
and, at times, frustrating for the Eagles.
Coach Green says that part of the game has
vastly improved thanks to the coaching of
Special Teams coach Darren Glotz. He will
lean on players such as Billy McKinzie,
Colby Sutherland, Diego Zavala, and Gary
Valenzuela. Coach Green says these four
players will be an integral part of the team’s
success on special teams. Tucker Stevens
takes on the role of kicker while Anthony
Temasavary will be doing the punting. Overall,
the special team’s unit is vastly improved
over this past season.
The Eagles played host to Santa Monica in a
scrimmage last week and fared well against
their former Ocean League opponent. Playing
in front of a decent crowd, they moved the
ball well on offense and played particularly
well on defense. “It was a great opportunity
for us to get some real-live action gamelike
simulation. It helped that there were a
crowd and game officials,” Coach Green said.
He added that the players really competed
and the hard work during the past several
months showed. The scrimmage also gave
the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate
as the ball moved up and down the field.
“We got to evaluate them work through their
game situations.”
The Eagles open their 2021 season on the
road at Bishop Montgomery Friday night at
7 p.m. The Knights are 1-0 after their 42-6
win over Santee. The Eagles home opener
is slated for Friday, September 10, at 7 p.
m. against Don Lugo.
Lars Update
Lars Nootbaar, St Louis Cardinals starting
right fielder and a 2015 ESHS graduate,
spotted a Little Leaguer in the crowd after
a game at PNC Park in Pittsburg, PA.
That Little Leaguer happened to be Logan
Meyer wearing his Blue El Segundo Little
League All-Stars cap that drew Lars’ attention.
So, he went over to speak with Logan
and talk some baseball with him. Logan
happened to be a member of this season’s
Southern California Little League 8-10 State
Championship team.•
Logan Meyer met St Louis Cardinals outfielder and El Segundo alumni Lars Nootbaar after a game at PNC Park in Pittsburg.
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