No. 5 Chaminade
Coach: David Machuca, first year
2021 record: 5-5, 2-3 Mission League Top returners: Marquis Gallegos, DB,
Jr.; Isaiah Chisom, LB, Sr.; TJ Ford, DL,
Jr.; Jackson Forte, DE, Sr.; Adam Sotelo, OL, Sr.; Isaiah Estrada, OL, Sr.; Mike Villagomez, OL, Sr.; David Abajian, OL,
Jr.; Noah Elliott, RB, Sr.; Logan Carpenter, WR, So.
Key losses: Victor Crawshaw, DL; John Crawshaw, DL; Paul Holyfield Jr., RB; Josh Mailander, WR, Sr.; Amari Powell, Sr. Newcomers: Javance Tupopata-Johnson, QB, Sr. (transfer from Notre Dame); Aitor Urionabarrenechea OL, Sr. (from Alemany); Kawzi Gilmer WR, Jr. (from Palisades); Seth Shigg, QB, So. (from Lawndale); Toby Manheim, LB, Sr. (from Palisades); Jaelon Barbarin, ATH, Sr. (from Simi Valley) MACHUCA SAYS...
Team's biggest strength: “Depth on the offensive and defensive line, and team chemistry.”
Team's biggest challenge: “To be prepared weekly for upcoming schedule.”
Chaminade enters a new era this fall under first-year head coach Machuca, who was a longtime assistant under former coach Ed Croson. Machuca will look to key returners and some new faces to pace the Eagles.
Most notable among the new players is quarterback Javance Tupouata-Johnson, a transfer from Notre Dame of Sherman
Oaks and a San Diego State commit. Johnson has received a lot of recruiting accolades and is 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, but he has yet to pass for more than 1,000 yards in a season due to injuries.
Offensive lineman Aitor Urionabarrenechea, athlete Kawzi Gilmer and speedster Jaelon Barbarin are additions to the offense and will make the Eagles more dynamic. Defensive back Marquis Gallegos, linebacker Isaiah Chisom and lineman TJ Ford will anchor the defense.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 19: vs. Oaks Christian
Aug. 26: vs. JSerra
Sept. 2: at Birmingham Charter
Sept. 9: at Crespi
Sept. 16: at Loyola
Sept. 30: at Alemany
Oct. 7: vs. Notre Dame
Oct. 14: at Bishop Amat
Oct. 21: vs. Sierra Canyon
Oct. 28: vs. Serra
2022 W-L prediction: 5-5. Anytime a team brings in a new head coach, there's an adjustment. On paper, Chaminade has plenty of talent, size and speed. Its biggest question mark might be at running back. Instead of going 5-5they could go 4-6or 6-4. A six-win first season for Machuca would be good.
– Tarek Fattal