Santa Ana Coach Charlie TeGantvoort leads practice as offensive leader Jason Costa (No. 3) gets work in during Thursday’s session. (Photos: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)
Santa Ana High School’s football team, led by Coach Charlie TeGantvoort, is hard at work preparing to defend its Orange Coast League title.
The Saints went undefeated in the abbreviated spring season, defeating Orange 36-34 for the league title on April 16 with a late field goal.
“We usually have a winter and spring to develop,” TeGantvoort said Thursday. “So this year, the next man up just had a little less time to be the next man up.”
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TeGantvoot noted that the Saints lost some outstanding senior players including quarterback Angel Vega and receiver/defensive back Isaac Larriva.
“The guys that are taking their spots are talented, we just haven’t had as much time as normal to get them ready,” he said. “We have a bunch of talented young players, some good senior returners. What they will look like on game night, I’ll let you know in a couple weeks.”
TeGantvoort said he puts great emphasis on the pre-season schedule. The Saints open against Millikan on Friday, Aug. 20 in Long Beach.
“Every year the goal is to not just win a couple but to win them all,” he said. “This year is no different.”
The league race could once again come down to the final game of the year between Santa Ana and Orange on Thursday, Oct. 28.
“Those are fun games and we are proud to be 6-1 in that game and it always comes down to that,” he said.
Leading the offense will be running back Jason Costa who TeGantoort says will be “one of the better players in the county.” Costa will also play safety.
Other top players include Imanol Torres, who TeGantvoort said, “became one of the key slot receiver targets last year and ‘is going to be a great player and definitely a huge weapon for us.”
Receiver Raymond Casillas joins Santa Ana after transferring from Orange. “He was one of the best receivers in the county last year. He’s electric and fast,” TeGantvoort said.
On the line, the Saints return three-year starter Nathan López-Duarte at center. He will also play defensive tackle.
“He’s as dominant as they come,” TeGantvoort said.
Top newcomers include guard José MartÃnez.
“I think he’s going to dominate up front for us,” TeGantvoort said.
Three talented players will vie for the quarterback spot. “We still have three good ones, sophomore Sergio Torres, senior VÃctor Martinez and junior David Araf.
“It’s just a constant battle, they’re all going to be good, we just don’t know when,” TeGantvoort said.
On defense, the Saints will be led by junior defensive end/linebacker Michael Hughes. “He’s so dominant and he’s going to get better and better.”
Hughes twin brother Stephen Hughes, will start at free safety. “Those two will be leading the way.”
Costa, Santa Ana’s offensive leader, said he is excited about his senior year.
“We have a lot of young kids and new kids, but I see a lot of potential in them and they’ve been putting in a lot of work in practice with their conditioning and hitting the weights hard,” he said.
Costa said he’s been working hard to prepare for the season.
“I’ve been putting more numbers up in the weight room and been getting faster with speed training,” he said. “I’ve come in with a different mentality this year and I’m just going to give it my all. We’re going to come for it all and play everything out. Our teammates are dedicated, they’re some of the best teammates that I’ve had. We’re definitely going to put it out. That’s our goal, to do the same thing we did last year.”
He’s also hoping the Saints can have a solid run in the CIF playoffs.
“I know we can as long as we keep pushing like we’ve been,” he said. “Our team has really good chemistry already, we’re just planning on pushing each other every single play,” Costa said.
“I’m planning on getting straight A’s this year and hopefully getting an offer so I can take my football to the next level. I just want to play football for four more years so I will do whatever it takes.”
On Friday, Costa announced through his social media profiles that he had received his first offer from Clarke University. The Pride currently participates in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference of the NAIA.
—Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone
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