Roundup: Redondo Football Ready for Opener

football coach Gene Simon expects an intense encounter when his Sea Hawks host North Torrance in a 7 p.m. nonleague contest Friday.

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"North is going to bring some competition and play their hearts out," Simon said. "We're expecting a battle."

Redondo's defense also will be in for a battle with North running back Ryan McDaniel, considered one of top runners in Southern California. Simon said they'll do their best to defend him.

"You've got 11 guys on defense and those 11 guys have assignments," the coach said. "If every guy does his assignment, theoretically, there is a wall on every play. But this kid can run through walls. Eventually, you hope he gets tired if we're where we need to be all the time.

"We're thinking that just slowly we're going to wear him down. That's what we're hoping on defense. Offensively, we're hoping we move the ball and keep the ball away from their offense and not give them a lot of opportunities."

That will be a challenge. The Sea Hawks return only three starters on offense, with one of their key performers, running back-linebacker Ryan Spiwak, nursing a sore hamstring.

"He's going to try it on defense, but we can't play him on offense yet," Simon said.

Actually, that doesn't hurt the Sea Hawks too much if seniors Deon Williams, Brandon Kim and Eric Brown are able to spring some runs—Williams, a 5-foot-10-inch 212-pounder, in particular, since he will be the featured runner.

"He's the guy we will rely on most," Simon said. "He's exciting. That kid wants the ball."

The kid who will handle the rock most is sophomore quarterback Harrison Faecher, who will be starting his first varsity game. Faecher, who is 5 feet, 11 inches tall and 165 pounds, is stepping in this season after former Redondo quarterback Nickolas Johnson Pope transferred to Long Beach Poly.

"He's good. He's a sophomore, but we think we've got the best sophomore in the CIF," Simon said.

An experienced defense though is what the Sea Hawks will rely upon most.

"I like our defense," Simon said. "Our linebackers are solid, our D-line is coming along and our secondary is experienced. That's the strength of our team."

Spiwak, lineman Sam Ben-Amor, linebacker Zack Zent and safeties Londone Hawkins and Christian Fernandez and Brown, who will play some corner, are among the standouts on defense.

"Those guys have to lead the way," Simon said.

Hawkins believes the Sea Hawks will start leading the way in the opener.

"I got all the jitters out during the Narbonne scrimmage last week," said Hawkins, a 6-foot, 160-pound senior. "I feel confident and the whole team is confident. We're looking to come out and get a ‘W.' We're in it to win it."

Sea Hawks, Mustangs rated among volleyball's best

Redondo and Mira Costa were ranked among the top 10 of the CIF Southern Section Division I-AA preseason rankings. The Sea Hawks are pegged as the No. 3 pick, while the Mustangs are rated No. 8.

Los Alamitos is rated No. 1, with Dos Pueblos at No. 2. Redondo and Mira Costa were the only South Bay teams ranked in the top 10, though Palos Verdes was mentioned in "Others" receiving consideration.

But it's no secret Redondo and Mira Costa have been the cream of the crop for girls volleyball. Both have distinguished history in girls volleyball and an even more extensive one in the game itself. Last season, the Sea Hawks and Mustangs finished as co-champs of the Bay League.

But the Sea Hawks had the best run in the postseason, advancing to a CIF final and a Southern California Regional Division I final before falling both times to high-powered Long Beach Poly in a pair of riveting matches.

Costa-Loyola football showdown

Friday night's showdown between Mira Costa and host Loyola is generating much attention. It is one of just four prep football games that Fox Sports is streaming live. A pre-game show kicks off the coverage at 6:30 p.m.

Mira Costa players could care less about the coverage. The Mustangs want to beat Loyola, which has had its number recently, in the worst way.

"At their house and starting our season would give us some big momentum for the rest of the year," said defensive end-fullback Quinn "Tank" Goldman.

Goldman, who despite his 5-8, 205-pound statue is one of the strongest and more talented linemen in the South Bay, said the Mustangs want to get a monkey off their backs.

"We've never beaten this team on the varsity level since I've been here," Goldman said. "We're played them three times. Still, you've got to treat this game like any other game. You have to calm down and not get caught up in the hype. You have to focus. We know they're a good team, but if we keep our composure, we can get them. This is a battle with two good teams. It is every year. But I think we can get them this time."

Injuries won't dampen Sea Kings' excitement

Palos Verdes already has a difficult task opening its football season on the road against a tough Moorpark team, but injuries could enhance the Sea Kings' challenge even more.

"We're pretty banged up and that's what we're fighting through right now," Palos Verdes coach Guy Gardner said. "It's a concern because we didn't have much depth to start with and now we've got some players banged up. I'm sure a lot of other teams are going through the same thing. Its just part of the game. But it doesn't make it any easier."

Junior linemen Andrew Bucklin and John Bulaich will miss Friday's opener and senior running back Zach Henkhaus is doubtful with a shoulder separation. Though Gardner left open the possibility Henkhaus might play, the coach wasn't expecting it.

The absence of Henkhaus, who was expected to help fill the void in the backfield left by the graduation of Marc Sasso, means several of the Sea Kings will have a chance to step up. One of them, quarterback Zack Fixen, was confident he and his teammates could pick up the load.

"It's a big first game and against a tough opponent, but I'm not concerned (about the injuries)," Fixen said. "We have a lot of depth at cornerback, but it's a bummer to lose a starter like Zach. He is a big part of our running game, too, but we should be OK."

They put their faith in seniors Carl Aguirre and Salvatore Vitale and junior Roman Smith. Gardner has said previously that each of the players is capable of big games.

The injuries won't hamper the excitement surrounding the Sea Kings and their new season. A 10-2 club last year and one of the best in the South Bay, Fixen believes this season's team is looking forward to the challenge of playing as well as last year. They will be pressed to match last season's output, but the Palos Verdes is approaching it in a positive manner.

"There are a lot of question marks, but I'm really excited to see how are passing game goes and our running game," Fixen said. "I think it's going to be fun."

Fixen enjoyed a strong season last year, passing for 20 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions with 1,332 yards in 12 games. Though his completion rate (72 of 135 for 53 percent) was a bit low, Fixen believes he can improve.

"Just take it one game at a time and focus on every game," he said. "Practice hard every day and take it slowly. I'm feeling good and looking forward to it. We've got a lot of good receivers, so it makes my job even easier."

But duplicating the success of last year's club, which finished as runner-up to Bay League champ Mira Costa, won't be a walk in the park. Fixen gets that.

"We have a tougher nonleague schedule this year," said Fixen, who already has committed to the University of Maryland next year to play lacrosse. "But we're going to do good. We've got the talent. We just have to put the wins together."