Fertig debut on tap

Patrick Laverty

It all started so well last season for the Estancia High football

team, which defeated Magnolia, 19-8, in the opening week of 2002.

But it only went downhill from there as the Eagles scored just

eight more touchdowns in their last nine games, losing all nine. For

Magnolia, it only continued get to get worse as the Sentinels also

finished 1-9.

But both schools have renewed hope entering Friday’s season opener

at 7 p.m. at Orange Coast College, because both teams have new

coaches.

Not many new coaches draw as much interest as Craig Fertig has at

Estancia. The former USC quarterback and Oregon State head coach will

be patrolling the high school sideline for the first time Friday.

But as much as most people know about Fertig, he has very little

idea about what Magnolia will try to do under Coach Bob Frasco.

“I don’t know anything,” Fertig said. “They ran a four-three

[defense] last year, so we’re planning on that.

“The thing with the first game of the season is, you don’t know

what you’re opponent is going to do and you don’t know how you’re

team is going to play.”

Fertig can only hope the Eagles play better than they did for much

of the past two seasons, when they combined for one victory in 19

games. Of course that victory came against Magnolia, giving Fertig a

good shot to begin his high school coaching career on a winning note.

The Eagles return six starters on offense and six on defense.

Leading that group is quarterback Brad Young, who completed 3 of 6

passes for 48 yards and a touchdown last year against Magnolia, and

fullback Bubba Kapko, who rushed for 81 yards and two touchdowns on

12 carries in Estancia’s victory.

Kapko is expected to be joined by tailback Mike Cahill in the

starting lineup and junior David Moreno is also expected to receive

some carries as Estancia attempts to establish a running game.

“We’re going to show people we can run out of the I-formation,”

Fertig said. “We’re going to establish a running game to take some

pressure off our quarterback.”

Estancia also hopes to create opportunities on special teams.

Fertig, who broadcasts USC games on Fox Sports Net, said the Trojans

won five games on special teams alone last season.

“We’re going to force you to make a mistake,” Fertig said. “I’m

bringing some things from college and the pros that I don’t think

people have seen on the high school level.”

Of course, the Eagles need to take care of their own kicking game.

In last week’s scrimmage against Santa Ana Valley, Estancia scored

two touchdowns, and missed both point-after attempts.

Last season, Estancia made 7 of 10 conversion kicks. That’s the

type of thing Fertig will need to correct if he hopes to get Estancia

on the right track.