Despite a young, inexperienced team, Redondo Union High School football coach Matt Ballard is optimistic that playing a tough non-league schedule will help prepare the Sea Hawks to make a run for the Bay League title.
“We have a good bunch of kids,” Redondo coach Matt Ballard said. “We lack experience, but they are a dedicated bunch that puts the team first.”
Redondo begins its season Friday with a 7 p.m. road game at Crescenta Valley. Redondo is coming off a 6-5 record while Crescenta Valley went 8-3 but dropped three out of its final four games, including a 13-12 lose to Mira Costa in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 6 playoffs.
Returning for Redondo is senior running back Demarcus Johnson (5-10,190), who is coming off a productive 2017 season when he rushed for a team-high 821 yards for a 5.6 per carry average while scoring six touchdowns. Johnson also caught 21 passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns
Senior wide receiver Aidan Goldfield (5-10, 175) scored three touchdowns while leading the Sea Hawks with 37 receptions and 524 yards last season. As a free safety on defense, he led the team with two interceptions and had 34 tackles.
Junior tight end Drew Wilson (6-2, 185) had 24 receptions for 304 yards and three touchdowns.
Other top returning players include senior lineman DJ Wingfield (6-3, 340), junior lineman Thor Reneau (6-3, 190), senior running back/linebacker CJ Dietrich (5-11, 185) and junior quarterback Daniel Webb (6-0, 160).
Last week, Redondo held a scrimmage against San Pedro with many of the Sea Hawks experiencing a new level of competition.
“For being the first varsity competition for many, we were happy with their efforts and competitive levels,” Ballard said.
Competing in Division 4, Redondo plays non-league games against Villa Park (No. 1, Div. 4), at Sierra Canyon (No. 9, Div. 3) before traveling to Clermont, FL on Sept. 6.
Contests played during the month of September are Touchdowns Against Cancer games when high school football teams across America raise funds to help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital fight childhood cancer with every touchdown scored.
Redondo completes the month with home games against West and new Bay League member Centennial.
The Sea Hawks conclude their season with October games against host Leuzinger, Palos Verdes and at Peninsula (3 p.m.) before hosting rival Mira Costa.
The Bay League has a new look this season with Centennial and Leuzinger replacing Inglewood and Morningside.
“It will be interesting to have new teams to plan for,” Ballard added.
