Crespi, Birmingham Ready For New Prep Football Season

Crespi High’s football team celebrates the beginning of a new season with Celt Day on Saturday at the campus football stadium, beginning at 8 a.m. with varsity team photos – a first chance to see Crespi’s new color scheme featuring gold trim instead of the usual brown and white.

The event also includes varsity and lower-level scrimmages and ceremonial player introductions, plus food and Crespi logo merchandise for sale. The varsity scrimmage is the highlight of the day, beginning at noon.

Crespi made the playoffs last season for the first time in three seasons, finishing 8-4 and advancing to the Southern Section Pac-5
quarterfinals under first-year coach Jon Mack.

The season opener is Sept. 2 at Dominguez High in Compton – a top Western Division program – and Mack says the Celts will be ready.

“We’re in full pads in practice, and we’re working really hard,” Mack said.

The Dominguez matchup figures to be a tough one – the Dons defeated Crespi 14-11 in last year’s opener at Crespi – especially considering Crespi will be breaking in a new quarterback.

“Dominguez is going to be very good. They’re a great test,” Mack said. “They have some giant offensive lineman and two really good cornerbacks who are as good as anyone out there.”

The home opener is Sept. 9 against L.A. Jordan. Kickoff is 7 p.m. Cody Cordell, a junior transfer from Oaks Christian, is the starting quarterback, and sophomore Brad Kaaya is in the mix, too. Eric Hauser, a senior who was a backup quarterback last season to record-setting Kenny Stenhouse, has switched to receiver.

“Cody is the No. 1 right now, but Brad is right on his tail,” Mack said. “They’re the two standouts. Cody has great feet and a very fast release and great poise under pressure. Brad is a man-child, still growing into his body. He’s about 6-4, 200 pounds, and he’s going to be a prototype big-time quarterback. He’s going to be with us the whole year. He’s not going down to JV. He’s a varsity football player.”

Some of the other top players are offensive lineman Jordan Simmons and receiver Chris Harper, both of whom are being heavily recruited, along with receiver Mike Davison, running back Terrence Williams, tight end Trevon Callahan, offensive lineman Ricky Wolff, linebacker Luke Wilkerson and defensive backs Noah Ciccel and Tyler Foreman. Also, several transfers have arrived, including Colin Prestesater, a 6-6, 270-pounder from Glendora who is expected to make an immediate impact.

Meanwhile, Birmingham is 5-16 over the past seasons, including a 2-8 record last year, so the Patriots are focused on improving. With many of last year’s key starters back, plus a much easier nonleague schedule, Birmingham figures to do a lot better.

Marcus Harris, a 6-4 receiver who totaled more than 800 yards receiving and eight touchdowns last year, is back after earning All-West Valley League honors.

“Marcus looks real good,” Birmingham coach Jim Rose said.

Harris should be even more effective because after shuffling three quarterbacks last year, Birmingham has a firm No. 1 starter in Trae Smith, who had worked his way into the rotation by the end of last
season.

Offensive lineman David Orellana, a 6-2, 285-pounder, is back, too. He was a first-team All-West Valley selection two years as a sophomore, and he was a second-team honoree last season. He is part of an offensive line that averages 6-2, 270 – one of the biggest blocking units in the San Fernando Valley.

Among the other top returnees are linebackers Joe Pereira and Adrian Mora.