By Zach Cavanagh
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For the first time in a very long time, Saddleback Valley Christian has hit the full rebuild period.
The Warriors graduated all but a handful of their major impact players from last season, but if SVC learned anything from last season, it’s that there is plenty of time to get their train rolling.
In 2018, the Warriors lost their opening five games but won three in a row, including two of their three league games, to secure a playoff spot. SVC was even competitive in a first-round loss to Laguna Beach, 30-21.
Photo Gallery
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2019 SVC Football Preview. Photo: Zach Cavanagh
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2019 SVC Football Preview. Photo: Zach Cavanagh
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2019 SVC Football Preview. Photo: Zach Cavanagh
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2019 SVC Football Preview. Photo: Zach Cavanagh
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2019 SVC Football Preview. Photo: Zach Cavanagh
“One thing we usually do really well as a program,” SVC coach Brendan Chambers said, “is we’re playing our best football by the end of the year. Obviously, we want to win football games, but those first couple weeks, we’re going to have to feel it out and see what we are.”
With the dawn of the 2019 season upon them, Chambers still doesn’t truly know what his team has.
There are strong returners such as senior captain Evan Spry at running back and defensive back, as well as junior Zeke Greene at receiver. However, the majority of SVC’s roster just doesn’t have the experience of previous groups.
“I think it’s going to take us a couple years to get after it,” Chambers said. “We’ve had to tailor back the offense a lot and slowly put stuff in. We’re going to rotate a ton (in early games) just to see what we have.”
Chambers does think his offensive line will be good, and the linebacking corps has promise, but the Warriors have a lot of players who need to learn the game and step up.
If SVC can find that late-season groove, they can again contend for a playoff spot in the San Joaquin League.
Schedule
Date Opponent Location, Time
8/23 Northwood Irvine HS, 7 p.m.
8/30 Crean Lutheran JSerra, 6 p.m.
9/7 Ontario Christian JSerra, 6 p.m.
9/13 Laguna Hills LHHS, 7 p.m.
9/20 Tri-City Christian TCCHS, 7 p.m.
10/5 Bishop Montgomery JSerra, 6 p.m.
10/11 Pasadena Poly PPHS, 3 p.m.
10/18* St. Margaret’s SMES, 7 p.m.
10/25* Capistrano Valley Christian CVHS, 7 p.m.
11/1* The Webb Schools JSerra, 6 p.m.
*– San Joaquin League game
Zach Cavanagh
Zach Cavanagh is the sports editor for Picket Fence Media. Zach is a California Journalism Award winner and has covered sports in Orange County since 2013. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @ZachCav and follow our sports coverage on Twitter @SouthOCSports.
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