Underclassmen football players typically have a selection of seniors to learn from and emulate when they join the varsity team. That’s not necessarily the case at Alemany
“Normal programs, when you walk in the door as a freshman, you have a handful of older guys that you can kind of look to and watch,” Alemany head coach Casey Clausen said. “Well, half our team is 10th and 9th graders.”
Underclassmen like Gianni Haynes have been given plenty of room to grow as the Warriors rebuild their program in the Angelus League after previously competing in the Mission League. The Warriors (5-1, 0-1) continue to play opponents with more experience but believe their young team can compete — and next up is a home game against St. Francis (0-6, 0-1) on Friday at 7 p.m.
“We’re already building chemistry now when we’re young,” Haynes said. “Next year, we should definitely go further than we are now because we’ll have the great chemistry. We’ll have the coaching, we’ll have more kids coming in, we’ll have everything we need.”
Haynes and his cousin, Damare Dezeurn, are both sophomores and two fast components of the receiving corps. Haynes ran a personal-best 11.11 seconds in the 100 meters and 22.90 in the 200 as a freshman at Culver City High School.
Dezeurn’s 100 time of 10.36 tied for fourth-best in the state in his freshman year of track at Alemany. He clocked 10.70 to place third at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in June. His speed has helped him become a four-star receiver.
“It’s pretty hard for corners to guard us one-on-one and safeties to guard us one-on-one,” Haynes said. “We have to use our speed to our advantage to make sure it’s hard for them regardless.”
Linebacker John O’Brien is one of six seniors on the team and has helped the defense hold all of its opponents but one to 17 points or less this season. He has stayed at Alemany for all four years, and Clausen thinks he’ll be rewarded at the next level.
“I just trust the process, trusted the coaches that they would develop me as a player and get me ready for college,” O’Brien said.
Alemany linebacker John O’Brien is one of only six seniors on the team. (Photo by Haley Sawyer, LA Daily News/SCNG)
Alemany alumni have come back this season to show support for the program and also inspire the players. San Jose State running back Floyd Chalk, Washington receiver Kevin Green and cornerback Ephesians Prysock as well as USC quarterback Miller Moss have all returned.
The alumni presence gives the Warriors a near-instant confidence boost but is also a reminder that progress takes time.
“We try to pick our spots and be positive with them and there’s gonna be some times when we’re just playing a team that’s just bigger and stronger and faster than us,” Clausen said. “Everybody is young. It’s just a matter of having patience.”
In other games Friday:
Andrew Cordero makes a catch for Chaminade as they host Sierra Canyon in a Mission League game Oct. 4, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Serra (4-2, 1-0) at Chaminade (1-5, 0-1), 7 p.m.
The Eagles are looking to bounce back from their loss to Sierra Canyon in their Mission League opener. Cameron Pooley holds the reins as starting quarterback after previously splitting time with Ari Sykes. Serra gave up 35 points in its win over Loyola last week and has given up an average of 244.7 passing yards per game this season. Devin Olmande is Chaminade’s leading receiver with 322 total yards and four touchdowns.
Sierra Canyon (3-3, 1-0) at Notre Dame (4-2, 1-0), 7 p.m.
Notre Dame has momentum going into this Mission League matchup after beating Bishop Amat 28-21 but have a tough task ahead of it in Sierra Canyon. Dane Dunn is back in the lineup after injury and is averaging 52 yards per game. Jaxsen Stokes, De’Markus Barnes and Dallas Jones provide support in the rushing attack.
The Trailblazers’ defense has held teams to an average of 178.2 passing yards per game but could face a challenge in the Knights’ offense, which is led by dual-threat quarterback Steele Pizzella and a trio of speedy receivers in Luc Weaver, Elliot Cooper and Tre Fernandez.
Sun Valley Poly (4-2, 2-1) at Verdugo Hills (4-2, 2-1), 7 p.m.
These two East Valley League opponents come into the game with identical records and Poly is going for its second straight win after beating Monroe 47-12 last week. The Parrots’ defense has achieved two shutouts this season and held Chavez to just eight points.
Verdugo Hills quarterback Jered Smith has already surpassed 1,000 passing yards this season and has completed 68 of 122 passes for 1,124 yards and 10 touchdowns with just three interceptions. His two primary targets are Jordan Martin (552 yards, five touchdowns) and Jack Ifrate (251 yards, five touchdowns).
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