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New coaches. New schemes on offense and defense. And new positions.
Those are just a few of the changes Anaheim’s football players have adjusted to since the hiring of Gus Martinez as their coach in February.
The Colonists have adapted so well, they’ll compete in the CIF Southern Section semifinals on Friday.
Anaheim (10-2) plays at No. 1 seeded Gahr (7-5) in Division 13.
“I ran into a great group of kids, and they’ve bought in,” Martinez said of his team, which features 27 seniors. “We want to keep playing.”
Anaheim’s players have learned new schemes on offense and defense.
Under first-year offensive coordinator Jeff Reitz, the Colonists are running Reitz’s version of the Flexbone offense. The run-oriented attack features a single running back, two slot receivers positioned close to the offensive line and two wide receivers.
Martinez encountered the offense while coaching at Nogales, which played Reitz’s Diamond Bar teams in the Hacienda League. Last season, Reitz coached at Katella.
“We love it,” Martinez said of the offense, which is averaging 28 points per game.
Under defensive coordinator David Reese, Anaheim has employed a 50 front, or an alignment of five defensive linemen. The defense is designed to stop run, and as Martinez explained, force opponents to “beat us in the air.”
In the playoffs, Anaheim has held both Miller and Arrowhead Christian to under 20 points.
The Colonists made several position changes to implement their new schemes.
On offense, Jason Garrett (6-3, 170) switched to full-time quarterback after mostly playing wide receiver last season.
The senior, who was banged up in the quarterfinals, has passed for 1,392 yards and 10 TDs and rushed for 425 yards and 14 scores.
On defense, Anaheim shifted senior lineman Derick Bojorquez (5-10, 255) inside to nose guard to anchor its 50 front.
Bojorquez teams on the defensive line with tackles Joshua Meza Zavala (5-9, 240) and Alex Olivas (5-11, 210) and ends Leiden Sisifo (6-0, 190) and Adrian Lopez (6-0, 190).
Sisifo, a senior, leads the team with 10.5 sacks. His father Lene, a former standout at Santa Ana Valley, coaches the interior defensive linemen.
Anaheim went 5-0 in the Tango League for its first outright league title since 1966 in the Sunset League. The Colonists’ overall win total is their most since they finished 12-2 in 2006 as the CIF-SS Division 9 runner-up.
Martinez said the winning formula includes support from former coach Lanny Booher, who remains an athletic director, and the school administration.
Martinez’s affection for his players runs deep. He’s worked hard to build team chemistry by introducing a bonding trip to watch a UCLA football game. He’s also leaned on the team captains.
Martinez praises the leadership of captains Garrett, Bojorquez, Diego Benitez, Armando Torres and Alan Jaimes. Benitez and Jaimes play linebacker while Torres is a standout wide receiver and safety.
“The kids are fighting,” Martinez said. “They’ll go through a wall for you.”
YORBA LINDA’S DEFENSE SHINES
Yorba Linda coach Jeff Bailey praised the Mustangs’ secondary for their play in a 24-20 victory against Serra in the Division 2 quarterfinals.
“It was tough,” Bailey said of a matchup that included facing Serra wide receiver CJ McBean. “Our defensive backs played disciplined coverage and made them earn it. Real proud of all of them.”
Yorba Linda’s secondary featured cornerbacks Jake Lopez and Thomas Knutson and safeties Owen Smith and Logan Allen.
SHORT ROUTES
Servite running back Quaid Carr and Mission Viejo defensive end Jaden Williams have switched their college commitments to Washington and Boise State, respectively. The seniors were both previously committed to San Diego State. …
Costa Mesa, which tied for second in the Tango League, collected its first playoff victory since 1997 by defeating Temecula Prep 42-13 in the first round of the Division 14 playoffs. The Mustangs fell to San Gabriel 41-35 in the quarterfinals. …
Retiring Foothill coach Doug Case notched career victory No. 219 in the Knights’ 38-35 quarterfinal triumph against Lakewood. Case is tied for eighth in Orange County history with former Irvine coach Terry Henigan. Former Edison coach Dave White is seventh with 238 victories.
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