Scout team players, backups contribute to Beckman’s memorable post-season run

Beckman players head to the locker room before Saturday night’s CIF State Division 4-A South Regional against Hillcrest. (PHOTO: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

Beckman’s football team has relied on more than its talented starters to reach the CIF State Divison 4-A final Saturday night vs. El Cerrito at Buena Park High School.

‘I’m really proud of how the kids have continued to show up and work hard, and not just the starters. All the kids who are critical to the scout teams, the backups and the JV and freshmen kids who we brought up; they’ve been great,” said Coach Marcello Giuliano. “I can’t believe these kids are having to balance studying for finals and football practice. Our kids are awesome.

“I think our offensive line doesn’t get enough recognition. It took them a little while to gel, but they have developed into a real weapon for the team. They’ve only given up one sack in the playoffs, and they have closed out games with long, run-heavy drives in the fourth quarter that have kept the ball away from opposing offenses.”

Special teams have also been criticial, including the performance of placekicker Aiden Wimberly, who had clutch field goals in the last two games.

“Our kicker is terrific,” Giuliano said. “He learned a lot from our All-CIF kicker, Gui DeLuca, and he was a stud on JV last year. This year he’s continued to develop into a real weapon, he limits kick and punt returns, he executed that onside kick flawlessly last week, and he’s been lights out with PATs and field goals.

“Obviously, the field goal to tie the championship game was the biggest kick of the season and he drilled it. He’s also a high level club soccer kid, and he’s made some real sacrifices to go six extra weeks of football.”

The Beckman coach said he’s been appreciative of the support of his family during the championship run.

“My family has had a front row seat to my coaching career since the beginning,” he said. “When I first started out coaching on the frosh/soph team at Bishop Diego High School in Santa Barbara, my parents would drive up there to see games. I’ve been a head coach for more than 15 years, and they’ve been at more games than not, which means they’ve seen all the lean years too.

“They are thrilled to be along for the ride, and the fact that their grandson (Enzo Giuliano, number 11 ) is out there on the field makes it even more of a thrill for them.”

Giuliano is looking for one more victory Saturday, but knows his team will be facing a tough El Cerrito team.

“They have a very good defense: fast, multiple, and aggressive,” he said. “They have a couple of high-impact players in the front that cause a lot of disruption, and they’re very athletic on the back end. On offense, overall, they have a pretty balanced attack. If teams want to devote additional coverage to their number one receiver, it opens up the run; when teams load up against the run, they generate explosives in the passing game.

“The key to the game for us are protect the quarterback, take care of the ball, and be great in pursuit and gang tackling.”

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