Segerstrom’s football team celebrates after a victory in overtime over Garden Grove in April. (File photo courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone)
Segerstrom High School’s football team, coached by Joseph Tagaloa, has begun its off-season program in preparation for the fall season and the season opener against North Torrance on Friday, Aug. 20.
The Jaguars were 2-1 during an abbreviated spring season that started in March. There were no CIF playoffs due to the coronavirus pandemic.
So far, there has been a return to normalcy.
“The last three weeks we have been getting back into a normal off-season format with practice (install and skill development), speed and conditioning and lifting,” Tagaloa said. “This is something we were not able to do last season, so I am thankful for that. We have thrown several times so far this summer at Baldwin Park, Fountain Valley, Crean Lutheran and (Santa Ana) Valley. Each time we got to compete against some quality opponents and we were able to get everyone reps.”
While the CIF has waived the traditional summer dead period, Segerstrom took time off on its own, Tagaloa said. The team will resume preparations after the Fourth of July holiday.
“Our school has decided to shut down and give our athletes a break considering many of them play multiple sports and have been grinding since we were cleared back in March,” he said.
“All of our players have been given the opportunity to take some time off. With that being said, I am sure many of them will continue to put in work on their own. We got a tight group of players who always push each other and hold each other accountable, so my guess is that they will stay active during our dead period.
“When we come back, we have some more competitions scheduled with 7 vs. 7 and linemen 1 on 1’s set with Fountain Valley and Beckman, and then two tournaments at Temecula Valley and Lakeside. We have put together a solid summer offseason with specific development goals both on and off the field as well as competitions with quality opponents. I look forward to seeing the progress of our players as a result of their hard work.”
Tagaloa said he expects a number of players to lead the team.
“When we begin camp, we will lean on several returning starters like Frankie Gonzalez who will be under center again for his senior season and our defensive ends: Jalen Cervantes and MJ Leuma,” he said. “Some of our other key returning starters like free safety Erik Martinez and right tackle Miguel De Loera are looking good, but are also mentoring a lot of our younger players, which is paying off.
“We have several young faces (Noble Acosta, Mokey Leuma, Sonny Naiuli, Damien Orejel and Isaiah Valdivia) who look to compete for starting positions so that they may leave a mark in their sophomore season through their contributions. Overall I am excited about the mix of young and experienced players coming together and competing every snap this season.”
2021 SEGERSTROM SCHEDULE
Friday, Aug. 20, at North Torrance
Friday, Sept. 3, California (H)
Friday, Sept. 10, El Modena (H)
Friday, Sept. 17, Thousand Oaks (H)
Friday, Sept. 24, at Trabuco Hills
Friday, Oct. 1, Laguna Beach (H)
Friday, Oct. 8, Cerritos at Gahr High
Friday, Oct. 15, Marina (H)
Thursday, Oct. 21, at Katella
Friday, Oct. 29, at Garden Grove
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