Beckman football team looks for experienced offensive line to lead the way

Beckman takes the field for a game last season. (Photo courtesy Beckman football).

Beckman High School’s football team has made great strides in the pre-season preparing for the season opener on Friday, Aug. 18.

“This off-season and summer we revamped our training program and the kids have really responded to the new challenge,” said Coach Marcello Giuliano. “The kids really got after it in the summer and they made great gains in strength, speed, and endurance. It showed up in successful summer passing and lineman tournaments and we’re looking forward to seeing the results in real football as well.”

Giuiliano is looking for improvement this season.

“The last two seasons have been one extended process of rebuilding and we have been exceptionally young,” he said. “This season we are looking forward to reaping the benefits of growing up and gaining experience. Ultimately our goal is to get back into the playoffs; in order to do that we have to stay healthy, stay together and improve each day so we can play our best football in a very competitive league.

“We have a lot of terrific players and productivity to replace, but, fortunately, we have a lot of important pieces returning.”

With four returning starters Kenny Aldaco, MK Karpukhin, Kian Kashkoolinia and Abraham Vargas, the coach said the offensive line should be the strength.

“We have several two-way players that will be really important, especially linebacker / fullback Miles Park, and wide receiver / outside linebacker CJ Bertoni, both of whom have been tremendous leaders and workers in the off-season program as well,” Giuliano added.

“We have a core of additional returners who will be key performers, including Drexel Gibson, Nick Molina, Lucas Morgan, Austin Shepard, Dominic Thompson and Sean O’Rourke.”

Beckman was 3-7 overall and 1-2 in the Pacific Valley League last season. The Patriots will compete in the same league, one of two in the Pacific Coast Conference, again this season.

2023 SCHEDULE

Home games at Tustin High School

Friday, Aug. 18, (H) vs. Santa Ana Valley

Thursday, Aug. 24 at Bolsa Grande

Friday, Sept. 1, (H) vs. San Bernardino, at Portola

Friday, Sept. 8, at Laguna Hills

Friday, Sept. 15, at Azusa

Friday, Sept. 22, (H) vs. Loara

Friday, Oct. 6, at Portola

Friday, Oct. 13, (H) vs. University

Thursday, Oct. 19 (H) vs. Irvine

Friday, Oct. 27, at Woodbridge (Uni)

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