With seven starters returning on both sides of the ball, including an accomplished quarterback, expectations are high for Redondo Union’s football squad that kicks off the season Friday, Aug. 28 with a 7 p.m. home game against North Torrance.
While Redondo will be celebrating Teacher Appreciation Night, the Sea Hawks will also be looking to avenge last season’s 13-10 loss to the Saxons.
Redondo is coming off a 6-6 season and an appearance in the CIF Western Division quarterfinals. The Sea Hawks finished second in the Bay League to eventual CIF champion Palos Verdes.
Running the spread and shotgun offense, head coach Matt Ballard’s offense will feature a new quarterback and offensive coordinator this season.
Senior quarterback Jacob Silvera was a surprise transfer from rival Mira Costa and will give the offense a boost. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound signal caller threw for 1,552 yards and 13 touchdowns with four interceptions last season, also rushing for 239 yards.
Former Redondo head coach Gene Simon, who as an assistant coach at Loyola remained a teacher at Redondo, will serve as offensive coordinator and hopes running back Jerone “JJ” Jackson and receivers Preston Faecher and Warren Jackson will provide the Sea Hawks a balanced attack.
Jerone Jackson, a 5-foot-9, 160-pound senior runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds. Junior Warren Jackson (6’5”, 180) will provide a big target for Silvera.
The senior Faecher (5’11”, 175 lbs.) runs a 4.8 and will play key roles as a starting linebacker and backup quarterback.
Junior Dallas Branch (5’11”, 170) will share time running the ball.
Although Ballard is optimistic about his offense, he feels the defense will give the Sea Hawks an opportunity to win every game.
“The strength of our team is defense and brotherhood,” said Ballard who begins his fourth year at the helm of Redondo’s program. “We have great team chemistry and will compete with every team we play.”
Redondo’s defense is led by senior defensive end Cedric Muzik (6’2”, 245) who runs the 40 in 4.9.
Faecher and senior Cole Leblanc (6’2”, 185) will anchor the linebacking corps with support from defensive backs Jackson, Branch, junior Diego Balcarcel and senior Ryan Armalin.
Top linemen include senior Justin Curtis (6’1”, 230) and junior Danny Zimmerman (6’2”, 230).
North is coming off a 7-4 season and is led by multi-talented Mique Juarez, one of the most recruited high school linebackers in the nation.
The 6-foot-2”, 225-pound senior has committed to play outside linebacker at USC but also is slated to be the Saxon’s starting quarterback this season.
Offensively, Juarez split time at quarterback and wide receiver in 2014. His 98-yard kickoff return with 1 minute, 26 seconds left gave North a 13-10 victory over visiting Redondo in the season opener last year.
Seniors Justin Allmond and Jason Colclasure will play vitals roles at the receiver and linebacker positions for North head coach Todd Croce who enters his 16th season with a 94-76-1 record.
Redondo Sea Hawks Schedule
Aug. 28 North
Sept. 4 @ Santa Monica
Sept. 11 San Pedro
Sept. 18 @ West
Sept. 25 Mission Viejo
Oct. 9 @ Inglewood
Oct. 16 Morningside
Oct. 23 Peninsula
Oct. 30 @ Palos Verdes (3pm)
Nov. 6 @ Mira Costa
All games start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted
