OC Sports Zone Kickoff 2019: Segerstrom looking to make a run at Big 4 League crown

Segerstrom’s football team takes the field for a game last season. (Photo and mug shots courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone)

Segerstrom’s football team, led by fourth-year Coach Joseph Tagaloa, is hoping to make a run at the Big Four League title.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo

The Jaguars were 8-3 overall last year and finished second to Garden Grove with a 2-1 record.

Segerstrom, which opens the season Friday night at home against Bell Gardens, has six starters back on offense and six on defense.

“We have a talented group this year on both sides of the ball,” Tagaloa said. “Angel Vega returns at quarterback after setting every major passing stat in school history.

“His number one target from a season ago also comes back in Iverson Fuiava, who averaged a TD catch a game. Andrew Schouw is a 2-way starter who made a huge impact on the return game last year setting up short fields for our offense and huge momentum swings.”

The Jaguars’ defense also looks strong.

“On the defensive side of the ball we return Rey Garcia who is going to anchor our linebackers,” Tagaloa said. “As the league’s defensive MVP, Rey put up big numbers and he looks to come back even better for his senior season. Saul Ramirez will be applying the pressure on opposing quarterbacks at defensive end. His motor and ability to get off the ball make him a player that you must account for.

“Jacob Rodriguez is another two- way starter who expects to make a huge impact on both sides of the ball. This core of returning guys will all play important roles.”

Tentative offensive starters

C: Angel Berrum, senior, three-year starter, all-league;  Jacob Dominguez, RG, senior, two year starter; Pablo Flores, LG, junior, starter last year; Brandon Cureno, LT, senior, starter last year; Marco Velarde, RT, senior, two-year starter; Angel Vega, QB, junior, two-year starter, offensive player of the year last season; Jacob Rodriguez, RB, senior, two-year starter; Anthony Gomez, RB-WR, junior, starter last year; Nathan Tagaloa. FB, junior, starter last year; Andrew Schouw, WR, senior, WR, two-year starter, all-league; Iverson Fuiava, WR, senior, three-year starter, all-league.

Projected defensive starters           

Saul Ramirez, DE, senior, three-year starter, all-league;   Christian Hernandez, DT, senior, started last year;  Pablo Flores, DT, junior, started last year; Julian Torres, DE, senior, started last year;  Farid Partida, OLB, senior, two-year starter;  Jacob Rodriguez, OLB, senior, started last year; Rey Garcia, ILB, senior, two year starter, defensive MVP;  Israel Escobedo, ILB, junior, two-year starter; Iverson Fuiava, FS, senior, two-year starter, all-league; Andrew Schouw, DB, senior, two-year starter, all-league;  Douglas Lopez, DB, senior, started last year.

Special teams

Anthony Gomez, punter/kicker; Andrew Schouw, punt and kick-off returner, returned three kicks for touchdowns last season; Jacob Rodriguez, punt returner and kick-off returner.

RELATED: 2019 Segerstrom football schedule

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