Quarterback Competition Continues for Calabasas Football Team

With football season beginning in two months, is still looking at two quarterbacks: senior Branden Marin and junior Ike Fuchs.

Marin is leading, but it’s close, first-year coach Christian Pierce said.

“We have special red jerseys for the quarterbacks with No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 printed on them, and right now Branden is No. 1, but Ike is an upcoming junior, and he’s putting some pressure on him,” Pierce said.

Fuchs is also the starting kicker and punter.

Calabasas competes in the 24-team L.A. Valley College tournament on Saturday. With lots of top programs like Alemany and Servite competing, Calabasas’ main objective is to continue to try and find itself.

“We’re doing well,” Pierce said. “Our goal is to keep improving upon what we do.”

One thing Calabasas is working on is its secondary. Cornerbacks Caleb Madden and Vince Hutchinson are performing well, but Pierce wants more productivity out of the two safeties, so he has been switching guys around.

“The secondary, we’re still adjusting things,” Pierce said. “The safeties are not there yet.”

Madden might be the best player on the team, Pierce said.

“Caleb brings a level of toughness and size that we’re lacking in a lot of other returning starters,” Pierce said. “He’s able to cover any receiver, he has good speed, and he has great movement to the ball.”

Hutchinson is solid, too.

“He has good size, about 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, and he has good speed and a lot of toughness," Pierce said. "That kind of toughness has been lacking at Calabasas over the past few years, and Vince brings that edge.”

VIEWPOINT PITCHER ON MEND

Tyler Sprague, a top returning pitcher for baseball team, is still trying to get back to full strength after missing the last month of the season with shoulder problems.

“I’m working on it. I’m almost where I need to be,” Sprague said. “It’s taking a while, but the doctor said not to rush anything because he doesn't want me to tear anything. I’m throwing some bullpen sessions in Connie Mack League and with the Cubs scout team.”

Sprague heads to Duke University for a prospect camp July 22, and the left-hander is hoping to be all the way back by then.

“If not, then the beginning of August for sure,” he said. “I’m getting there.”

KARATE KIDS

Here’s a good idea: Why not enroll you child in Dawn Barnes’ Karate Kids?

There’s a Calabasas location at 236581 Calabasas Rd., and the phone number is 818-591-2424.

The programs include preschool classes for children 2- to 3-year-olds all the way up to a junior black belt program.