August 31, 2012
2012 Team Preview: |
 |
Junior WR/OLB Sonny Nash is one of many experienced players returning for Kearny. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| Kearny Football Practice Photo Gallery |
By Jason Bernstein Editorial Director |
|
|
KEARNY – Pete Llaneza understands the learning curve that comes with his Triple Option offense and Odd Stack defense systems. But as Llaneza's Kearny squad enters its third season in the schemes, the head coach is starting to see the lessons and work start to pay off.
"I think we're now starting to see the work of the first two seasons, the work being done in the offseason and the weight room starting to pay some dividends," Llaneza said. "We have a lot of guys who got a lot of experience last year and in the previous year on both sides of the ball. I think this year, in comparison to the previous two years, we're light years ahead of where we were."
With plenty of experience throughout the starting lineup - most notably at quarterback and along the offensive line, the hope is for the physically and mentally more mature Kardinals to turn the corner in 2012.
Offensive Overview:
 |
Junior left tackle Byron Quevedo is the only new starter on Kearny's veteran offensive line. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| Kearny Football Practice Photo Gallery |
The Kardinals' offensive line might not look physically imposing, but its an experienced group with four-returning starters. Left guard Kyle Griffin (6'3", 265) anchors the unit with fellow seniors Ryan Michaels (6'0", 215) at center, Nick Belotti (6'1", 215) at right guard and Winder Pasache (5'7", 205) at right tackle, all back.
Junior left tackle Byron Quevedo (5'11", 195) rounds out the unit, which will be asked to create room for the Kearny rushing attack led fullback Gabriel Xavier. Xavier, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound junior, rushed for 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns a season ago.
"The thing I like about him is that he loves football and he loves everything about football, including weight lifting and speed training," Llaneza said. "He's got great talent and he maxes out his talent."
Xavier won't be asked to lead the running attack by himself, with junior T.J. Witt poised to have more touches after a big off-season. At the slot backs are Jax Angulo, who missed all of 2011 with an injury, Nick Santos, Jorge Fernandez and Jonathan Pagan. Quarterback Eric Greenlee, a three-year starter, is also a threat to run the ball in Kearny's Triple Option. Tim Soto is Greenlee's backup and has experience.
Sonny Nash and Robert Silva are returning starters at split end with Owen Nee and Miguel Roman also in the mix.
Defensive Overview:
 |
Outside linebacker Gabriel Xavier is one of eight returning starters on defense. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| Kearny Football Practice Photo Gallery |
Kearny's Odd Stack defense places a heavy emphasis on its linebackers, in particular the "Mike" linebacker. It's a spot, the Kardinals have in good hands with Witt, a 5-foot-10, 190-pound junior, who moves to the middle after starting on the strong a season ago.
"He's very physical. He's a very good wrestler and he does not shy away from contact," Llaneza said about Witt. "That's the trait that makes good linebackers good linebackers, their willingness to stick their nose in there. He definitely has that trait."
Owen Nee returns at weak side inside linebacker with Quevedo and Pasache competing at the other inside spot. Xavier is a returning starter at strong side outside linebacker with Nash and Fernandez battling it out for the other outside position.
Greenlee and Soto start at cornerback with Santos and Angulo vying for snaps. Roman is the starting free safety and will also be Kearny's kicker and punter.
The defensive line returns all three starters with Belotti and Michaels at end and Griffin at tackle. Senior Renato Matta (6'2", 265) is also in the rotation and is expected to have a big role inside.
Star Spotlight: Eric Greenlee QB/CB
 |
Senior QB Eric Greenlee has become a bigger part of Kearny's running game. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| Kearny Football Practice Photo Gallery |
Midway through last season head coach Pete Llaneza had a discussion with quarterback Eric Greenlee about the importance of being more aggressive running the ball in the Triple Option. Since then, Greenlee has heeded the advice and has not looked back since as he has become more and more comfortable in the offense.
"I'm at the point where I feel like I'm 100-percent (comfortable) and I'm ready to go," Greenlee said. "I learned stuff from my sophomore year and junior year and now I feel like I can run it without a problem."
"I think generally he's more aggressive as a runner," Llanez said. "If you get a guy going to tackle the fullback, you've got to pull the ball and be a runner. I think as the season progressed, I think he got better at that. If he's able to make defenses pay when they collapse on the fullback, it makes our offense tougher."
A three-year starter at quarterback, Greenlee (5'8", 150) has used that aggressiveness for big runs throughout the preseason.
2012 Kearny Overview |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HCIAL National; North 2, Group IV |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
