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8-Man Football: Character First
BACK TO THE BASICS: LAGUNA BLANCA WILL TURN TO FRESH FACES FOR THE 2019 SEASON
By Mitchell White, News-Press Staff Writer
Although some of the faces have changed, the goal remains the same.
The Laguna Blanca football team will enter the 2019 season with a handful of new players, some of whom have yet to put on the shoulder pads for an actual live game. For head coach Shane Lopes, who enters his ninth season at the helm for the Owls, the next few weeks of practice will be used to help build cohesion and chemistry — all while fulfilling the school's core values.
"Our core values here at Laguna are character, community, scholarship and balance," said Lopes. "We're looking to represent all of those areas and be a team that works hard and is responsible — and in terms of representing the school — is also a class act.
"We respect our opponent, we respect the referees, and we respect each other," he said. "We're grateful for our community that supports us, so that's how we can represent (them). Just be grateful that we have a football program and that we can set an example for our Lower School and our Middle School students."
The eight-man squad is currently fielding 14 players, with the hope of having 16 by the time the season rolls around. Of those, six are incoming freshmen who have little game experience.
"The goal is to put all these individuals together and turn them into a competitive football team," said Lopes. "I know that sounds cliché, but that's the main goal. Being responsible, doing our job, playing for the guy to the side of you, and not really focusing on the outcome, but really just having a rich learning experience."
As Lopes looks to instill Laguna's core values, the former Dos Pueblos standout will also be bringing some of the lessons he learned from his Alma mater. He was quick to mention the late Scott O'Leary, the former athletic director for the Chargers.
"He was a true class act and it trickled down to the coaches and the players," Lopes said. "Even when I was a player, he taught us and my class — and all the classes before and after me — the importance of being a class act. The character piece really goes back to Coach O and the way that we were all raised by our families."
With four seniors on this year's team, Lopes has yet to determine what the playbook will look like. The game plan might change week to week based on the opponent, but Laguna will try and stick to the basics.
"We really just want to keep it simple," Lopes said. "We're not throwing a 50-play playbook at these guys. We just want to do a few things well. That's really the goal."
Senior Christian Branch is expected to take the brunt of the snaps for the Owls this season. It will be the first time Branch has been a signal caller, but he is looking forward to capitalizing on the opportunity. He will try and build off the success of last year's quarterback, Ty Trosky '19, while also putting his own stamp on the program.
"I think for myself and all the seniors, we've looked forward to the opportunity of being seniors," said Branch, whose younger brother will be entering his freshman season. "We just like taking charge of the team and setting the example in games and practice."
Lopes said that Branch has shown great composure through the years.
"He stays cool and calm," Lopes said. "He expects a lot out of himself and those around him, but he's able to bring people up in a positive way.
Having a standard of excellence that he represents is something that he does really well. He's not interested in mediocrity, and you know that right away when you talk with him. He wants to be great and he wants his team to be great."
Senior Vincent Vestergaard, who will be entering his second season playing football, is expected to anchor the offensive and defensive lines. Lopes described him as a quiet leader and the most physical player on the team.
"We have so many new guys, and we have to make sure that they're not afraid and that they trust in what they're learning so they can go out there and make some stuff happen," Vestergaard said.
Cole McClintock '22 also figures to play a key role in the trenches, and his older brother, Brian, will look to lead the receiving corps.
Brian McClintock '20 said he's enjoyed having his little brother on the team. Although Cole has a little more football experience, Brian said it's been a learning curve for both of them.
"Number one is just learning how to play with each other," said Brian. "He's been teaching me stuff and I've been teaching him stuff."
Brian also isn't hesitant in showing his sibling some tough love.
"I let him know today," Brian said after practice on Friday. "We did some hitting drills and I made sure I hit him extra hard."
Just two years removed from reaching the CIF Southern Section Division 2 Championship game, the Owls went 3-4 last season. That hasn't stopped this year's team from having playoff aspirations.
"There were a lot of high expectations (two years ago) and once those seniors left, I think last year we were a rebuilding team," said Branch. "To make the playoffs, first and foremost, would be awesome. To have a shot of going back to the championship game would be dope."
"Stay tuned."
All three players said that Lopes is laying the groundwork for a successful season, and they hope they can repay their coach in a big way.
"If we can't, I would like to leave the underclassman with some knowledge," Brian said.
GAME SCHEDULE
By Mitchell White, News-Press Staff Writer
Although some of the faces have changed, the goal remains the same.
The Laguna Blanca football team will enter the 2019 season with a handful of new players, some of whom have yet to put on the shoulder pads for an actual live game. For head coach Shane Lopes, who enters his ninth season at the helm for the Owls, the next few weeks of practice will be used to help build cohesion and chemistry — all while fulfilling the school's core values.
"Our core values here at Laguna are character, community, scholarship and balance," said Lopes. "We're looking to represent all of those areas and be a team that works hard and is responsible — and in terms of representing the school — is also a class act.
"We respect our opponent, we respect the referees, and we respect each other," he said. "We're grateful for our community that supports us, so that's how we can represent (them). Just be grateful that we have a football program and that we can set an example for our Lower School and our Middle School students."
The eight-man squad is currently fielding 14 players, with the hope of having 16 by the time the season rolls around. Of those, six are incoming freshmen who have little game experience.
"The goal is to put all these individuals together and turn them into a competitive football team," said Lopes. "I know that sounds cliché, but that's the main goal. Being responsible, doing our job, playing for the guy to the side of you, and not really focusing on the outcome, but really just having a rich learning experience."
As Lopes looks to instill Laguna's core values, the former Dos Pueblos standout will also be bringing some of the lessons he learned from his Alma mater. He was quick to mention the late Scott O'Leary, the former athletic director for the Chargers.
"He was a true class act and it trickled down to the coaches and the players," Lopes said. "Even when I was a player, he taught us and my class — and all the classes before and after me — the importance of being a class act. The character piece really goes back to Coach O and the way that we were all raised by our families."
With four seniors on this year's team, Lopes has yet to determine what the playbook will look like. The game plan might change week to week based on the opponent, but Laguna will try and stick to the basics.
"We really just want to keep it simple," Lopes said. "We're not throwing a 50-play playbook at these guys. We just want to do a few things well. That's really the goal."
Senior Christian Branch is expected to take the brunt of the snaps for the Owls this season. It will be the first time Branch has been a signal caller, but he is looking forward to capitalizing on the opportunity. He will try and build off the success of last year's quarterback, Ty Trosky '19, while also putting his own stamp on the program.
"I think for myself and all the seniors, we've looked forward to the opportunity of being seniors," said Branch, whose younger brother will be entering his freshman season. "We just like taking charge of the team and setting the example in games and practice."
Lopes said that Branch has shown great composure through the years.
"He stays cool and calm," Lopes said. "He expects a lot out of himself and those around him, but he's able to bring people up in a positive way.
Having a standard of excellence that he represents is something that he does really well. He's not interested in mediocrity, and you know that right away when you talk with him. He wants to be great and he wants his team to be great."
Senior Vincent Vestergaard, who will be entering his second season playing football, is expected to anchor the offensive and defensive lines. Lopes described him as a quiet leader and the most physical player on the team.
"We have so many new guys, and we have to make sure that they're not afraid and that they trust in what they're learning so they can go out there and make some stuff happen," Vestergaard said.
Cole McClintock '22 also figures to play a key role in the trenches, and his older brother, Brian, will look to lead the receiving corps.
Brian McClintock '20 said he's enjoyed having his little brother on the team. Although Cole has a little more football experience, Brian said it's been a learning curve for both of them.
"Number one is just learning how to play with each other," said Brian. "He's been teaching me stuff and I've been teaching him stuff."
Brian also isn't hesitant in showing his sibling some tough love.
"I let him know today," Brian said after practice on Friday. "We did some hitting drills and I made sure I hit him extra hard."
Just two years removed from reaching the CIF Southern Section Division 2 Championship game, the Owls went 3-4 last season. That hasn't stopped this year's team from having playoff aspirations.
"There were a lot of high expectations (two years ago) and once those seniors left, I think last year we were a rebuilding team," said Branch. "To make the playoffs, first and foremost, would be awesome. To have a shot of going back to the championship game would be dope."
"Stay tuned."
All three players said that Lopes is laying the groundwork for a successful season, and they hope they can repay their coach in a big way.
"If we can't, I would like to leave the underclassman with some knowledge," Brian said.
GAME SCHEDULE
Fri., Aug. 30 at Coast Union, 6 p.m.
Fri. Sept. 13 Villanova Prep, 4 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 20 at Fulton, 3:30 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 4 at Sherman Oaks CES, 6 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 24 Beacon Hill, 3:30 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 1 at Valley Christian Academy, 7 p.m.
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Laguna Blanca is Santa Barbara’s premier private, co-educational, college preparatory day school for students in Early Kindergarten through Grade 12.