Big shoes to fill: Beck Moss tries to continue the legacy of outstanding Irvine quarterbacks

Beck Moss will be Irvine’s starting quarterback in the fall. (Photo courtesy Harrison Zhang, For OC Sports Zone)

Irvine High’s new quarterback Beck Moss looks ready to make his mark on the program when the football season begins next month.

The 6-2 junior has been preparing this summer to take over the starting job from former quarterback Marc “Bubba” Filia, who set four passing records at Irvine and threw for 2,116 yards and 20 touchdown passes in his senior year while leading the Vaqueros to the CIF playoffs.

Filia, who was also a standout baseball player at Irvine, is headed to UC San Diego to play baseball.

“He (Filia) did great last season; I’m hoping to continue the legacy of Irvine qbs,” Moss said.

Moss said he learned quite a bit from Filia as the back-up last season.

“Like how to be physical on the field and be a better leader and be more vocal because I’ve kind of been quiet the past couple of years and he’s taught me to be a little more vocal,” Moss said.

Moss got into a couple games on varsity and also played on the junior varsity level last season and learned on the sidelines from Filia during games.

First year Irvine Coach Tom Ricci said, “I’m so glad to have that kid. He’s a prototypical qb, he’s big and he has a great drop back and throws a great ball so having him for two years, I’m super excited.”

Ricci undoubtedly realizes that comparisons will be made between Moss and Filia.

“He’s got a different style,” said Ricci. “Filia was a great all-around athlete who could make things happen. I feel that Beck is more of a prototypical qb that can read the field and deliver the football; he’s not really the runner that Filia was. Filia had the escapability, (he could) wait for things to open up and find someone down field.”

Ricci said he doesn’t expect that Moss will run as much as Filia, who was always a threat to scamper for a big gain.

“I’m not afraid if he does, he’s shown some tenacity in practice,” Ricci said.

Moss said he has a couple summer camps to attend before returning with his teammates on July 29 for fall practice.

Among his goals is to help Irvine reach the CIF playoffs.

Ricci expects Moss to be ready for the season and has some clear advice for him.

“We just keep telling him ‘get the ball out of your hands and into our athletes’ hands as fast as you can,’ and he’s good at it,” Ricci said.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com