Charter Oak WR/DB Dennis Rufus
(West Covina) – South Hills and Charter Oak both got moved by CIF to the Sierra League and into the Inland Division. They haven’t met on the field in helmets and pads since November 24, 2006 when Charter Oak beat the Huskies 35-0 in the second round of the playoffs. They’ll meet again November 12 of this year in the last game of the regular season.
Thursday they met at South Hills but this time in simply shirts and shorts in a three way passing competition. Crespi was there as well.
Charter Oak has won two consecutive Southeast CIF titles but now will have to win a third in the Inland Division.
“This has happened to us before so we are kind of used to it,” said Charter Oak Coach Lou Farrar. “We started out originally in the Montview League. I just do the best I can to get my team prepared. That’s all I can do.”
Vince Hernandez will assume the permanent starting role at quarterback for South Hills
The Chargers lost five players who got college scholarships at the D-1 level and will be young in 2010.
“That’s a lot to replace,” Farrar said.
But Charter Oak does have some talent back to fill the holes. Travis Santiago returns at quarterback after a solid season last year. If he were to struggle or go down Josiah Thropay is waiting in the wings. Thropay was sharing snaps with Santiago.
Dennis Rufus, an all league player, returns at wide receiver and he will play cornerback as well. J J Tamayo will be another target for Santiago.
The Chargers have a big offensive line led by Travis Doll.
South Hills as usual as an abundance of skill position players. Vince Hernandez, who started a few early season games in ’09 for the Huskies has assumed the role of full time starter at quarterback for his junior season.
Travis Santiago returns at QB for the Chargers
“That was only a sophomore that you saw running around out there last season,” said South Hills Coach Steve Bogan. “He has been going to a lot of camps in the off season. Chris Rix (former Florida State quarterback) and several others have been working with him. He has improved tremendously.”
Jordan Canada, who just signed with Montana, was declared ineligible by the CIF last year and wasn’t able to play but his brother Jamie should be unleashed in 2010. He tweaked a knee earlier this year but looks to be ready for the season. The versatile Canada can play either back, receiver or on defense.
Jamel Hart is another back the Huskies will be counting on for a big year along with Jordan Gutierrez. Defensively middle linebacker Chris Nagy is expected to have a strong season.
“We have some beasts up front. That might be our strongest point,” said assistant coach Brian Johnson.
Jeff Vargas, Peter Nonu and Sioasi Aiono, who just verbally committed to Utah, are all on the front lines. Aiono goes 6’4”, 290, Nonu is 6’1”, 270 and Vargas is 6’4”, 240. Beasts indeed.
South Hills junior middle linebacker Chris Nagy
Circle November 12 on your calendar but also take a look at the Huskies non league schedule. They open with Baldwin Park followed by West Covina and Tesoro. Monrovia travels to District Field in week four and South Hills has Los Osos on the road in week five. The Huskies begin Sierra League play with Damien in October 15.
Charter Oak kicks off league play at Ayala on October 15. The Chargers non league schedule consists of Glendora, Gardena, Esperanza, Rancho Cucamonga and Santa Fe.
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