Guards Look To Open Up Offense!

BELLARMINE-JEFFERSON HIGH — With a new quarterback, and their top receiver returning, look for the Guards to pass more in quest to get back to CIF. 

Like its counterpart across town, Burbank High, the Bellarmine- Jefferson High football team has been adversely affected by the smoke from nearby fires.

The unhealthful conditions have forced the Guards to cancel practices, which has cut into much-needed preseason practice time.

“We have had to conduct walk-throughs in St. Eleanor’s Hall when we should be on the field practicing,” said Bell-Jeff Coach Rolando Aguirre, referring to the school’s small auxiliary gym. “But there’s just too much smoke, and we can’t practice in that.”

The situation has put Bell-Jeff at a disadvantage, as well as put the squad behind with its season opener just days away.

The Guards open the year at 7 p.m. Friday with a Zero Week game against Saddleback Valley Christian at Junipero Serra High in San Juan Capistrano.

While the Guards are ranked No. 4 in the CIF Southern Section Northeast Division preseason poll, Saddleback is No. 5 in the division.

With their opponent far away from the fires in south Orange County, Aguirre said that gives the Lions an advantage.

“I doubt that they have missed any of their practices,” he said. “But we are just going to have to deal with the situation.

“Because we’re not outside, we are brushing up a lot on the mental aspect of our game, so that we can be prepared.”

Because the Guards play a week before many other teams begin their season, they will get a bye week late in October.

Bell-Jeff lost its share of impact players to graduation, and Aguirre has been moving some athletes into new positions. To make matters worse, the squad will be missing three key athletes for its opener.

Despite the hardships, Aguirre said he is confident he has a solid group of players who are poised to have a successful season.

“I’m excited, and I can’t wait for us to get going,” Aguirre said.

Bell-Jeff (8-4 in 2008) was the most successful area football team last year. The Guards placed second in the Santa Fe League and advanced to the playoff quarterfinals.

The Guards defeated Fairmont Prep, 28-21, to earn their first postseason win in more than 50 years. Bell-Jeff fell in the quarterfinals to Linfield Christian, 26-0.

Leading the way was linebacker Alex Davidians (5 feet 9, 185 pounds), who is a senior. He earned his second straight All-CIF and All-Area awards, as well as being named the league’s defensive player of the year. He notched 127 tackles (11 1/2 a game).

Taking advantage of Davidians’ athletic abilities, Aguirre has also given his senior some offensive duties this season, as he will see time in the backfield and the slot.

“He didn’t play offensive at all last year,” Aguirre said. “But he has really taken to his new position and I think he’ll do very well.”

Davidians will anchor a defense that gave up just 152 points (12.6 points a game) in 12 games.

He will be assisted by linebackers Galen Quintero (5-11, 160), a junior, seniors Abdo Hajj (6-0, 185) and Dylan Watkins (5-10, 190) and junior Robert Guevara (5-10, 175), who is injured.

The defensive ends will be junior Kevin Yuenyonsakul (6-0, 185) and senior Eduardo Flores (5-10, 165).

That Guards should have a talented secondary behind junior Micah Shirley (6-1, 175), seniors Philip Diaz (5-9, 145), and Emery Else (5-9, 165) and sophomore Elijah Reed (5-9, 155).

Holding down the defensive line will be seniors Eric Filmardirossian (5-10, 200) and Anthony Hallare (5-8, 245). The team also has size in sophomore Brian Delvalle (6-0, 285), and juniors Anthony Aiello (5-11, 265) and Eric Lopez (5-9, 255), some of whom will play on offense.

Taking over the quarterbacking duties is Diaz. Aguirre said the junior has a lot of athletic ability.

“He is very quick and he has a good arm with a quick release,” Aguirre said. “His only drawback is his size.”

Diaz’s primary target will be Shirley. Last season, the first-team All-Santa Fe League wide receiver notched 1,002 yards and had five touchdowns on just 40 catches.

“We are really going to open up our offense this season,” Aguirre said. “We are probably going to throw the ball a lot more downfield than we have in the past. A lot of times we’ll line up with four receivers with a helper.”

Seeing time handling the ball will be Hajj, Yuenyonsakul, Else and freshman Joshua Martinez (5-9, 145), among others.

The center will be Miguel Garcia (5-11, 190).

In league competition, Aguirre said he expects St. Genevieve to be tough.

“I’ll tell you what — there are going to be a lot of teams in league throwing the ball quite a bit this season,” Aguirre said. “But I’m expecting us to be right up there in league.”

Jeff Tully