Experienced Calvary Chapel football team preparing for season opener vs. Azusa

Calvary Chapel players take the field before a game last season. (File photos: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

Calvary Chapel High School’s football team consists of experienced returning players leading the way for the season opener on Friday, Aug. 18 vs. Azusa at Segerstrom, according to Coach Jack McInally.

“We have most of our team returning,” McInally said. “We were extremely young last year, but now we will be experienced going into this year. Matt Peters, our quarterback, has improved a lot this off-season.”

Peters. a junior, is a dual threat quarterback and McInally is looking for another big season from him.

“He’s worked his tail off in his mechanics and I think he’s ready to have a great season,” the coach said. “Coach Manny Wright has four returning starters on the offensive line and he’s been getting them right at practice.

“We have some great leadership from our senior captains in Nathan Nieves and Jackson Pellkofer.”

The Eagles’ nonleague schedule includes games with Azusa, Capistrano Valley Christian, Western Christian, and Carpenteria.

“Azusa and Western Christian are both newly scheduled games and they both had really strong 2022 seasons,” McInally said. “Going into league, I think we will be prepared with this preseason schedule.”

Calvary Chapel was 4-6 overall and 3-3 in the Orange Coast League last season in McInally’s first season as head coach.

2023 Schedule

(Home games at 7:30 p.m.)

Friday, Aug. 18 (H) vs. Azusa

Thursday, Aug. 24, at Capo Valley Christian

Friday, Sept. 1, at Western Christian

Friday, Sept. 8, at Carpinteria

Friday, Sept. 15 at Costa Mesa

Thursday, Sept. 21 (H) vs. Saddleback

Friday, Sept. 29 (H) vs. Santa Ana

Thursday, Oct. 5 (H) vs. Orange

Friday, Oct. 20, at Estancia

Friday,. Oct 27 at St. Margaret’s

For best view, click on the photo

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