Daily News football: Sierra Canyon ready for first test of the season Friday vs. JSerra
Friday will mark the third consecutive season that Sierra Canyon football has opened its schedule against JSerra, but the Trailblazers will face a different coaching staff this time.
JSerra hired Victor Santa Cruz as its head coach in December. Santa Cruz last served as head coach at Azusa Pacific University.
“It’s always a challenge when it’s your first game of the year, then you’ve got a new staff,” Sierra Canyon coach Jon Ellinghouse said. “And then, obviously, this is a different one where the staff is a college staff that hasn’t been at our level. So it was definitely a challenge to prepare, but we feel like we’ve got these guys ready to go.”
JSerra tied for third in the Trinity League last season, and despite being relatively young, the Lions have a talented offense.
They run a spread offense led by quarterback Michael Tollefson, an Arizona State commit. Ellinghouse said he expects disciplined play from JSerra’s offensive line, but Sierra Canyon could match up well with Oklahoma commit Eugene Brooks leading their own line.
The Trailblazers’ secondary could also prove valuable against the Lions’ system. Jaylen’dai Sumlin (Stanford), Madden Riordan, Jae’on Young and Marquis Gallegos will comprise that component of the defense.
“Time will tell,” Ellinghouse said. “I’m a big believer in our team. I think we’re ready. I think we’re prepared. I believe in our guys, and I’m excited to watch them go out there and compete.”
The Trailblazers will turn loose running backs Terrell Cooks Jr. and reigning Daily News Player of the Year Dane Dunn. In his sophomore year, Dunn rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Wyatt Becker will take the field for the first time in a Sierra Canyon uniform on Friday night after transferring from Notre Dame. The quarterback gives the Trailblazers another option in a versatile offense.
“Our line is looking great,” Dunn said. “We have dangerous receivers, dangerous running backs, we have a quarterback, we have positions all around the field that I think we could use. If one gets stopped, the other’s gonna go.”
Returning first-team all-league running backs George Perez and Kamar Gabourel will take the field for JSerra, along with multiple returning offensive linemen including 6-foot-6, 280-pound junior tackle Jake Flores.
The Lions’ defense is strong on the line with edge rusher Luke Webb and at the linebacker position with junior transfer Madden Faraimo.
“I’m excited,” Dunn said. “I’m counting down the days, hours. Ready ready to get this game started. We’re trying to come out with some fire, some energy, some heat right off the bat.”