Salesian High School defensive end Davon Moreland enjoys a light moment with an official during Friday's scrimmage with Alhambra. Moreland had 21 sacks a year ago. (Photo by Gary McCarthy)
Story Created:
Aug 30, 2010 at 3:02 PM PST
Story Updated:
Aug 30, 2010 at 3:10 PM PST
In the past, it wouldn’t be going out on a limb to describe Salesian High School’s football profile as low-wattage.
In the school’s first 51 years, the program made only occasional trips to the Southern Section playoffs, rarely advancing beyond the first round when it did.
But thanks to an influx of talented transfers to go along with those already at the school, the East L.A.-based Mustangs are quickly becoming a program to watch.
The star (four-star by rivals.com’s rankings) of a talented roster is defensive end
Davon Moreland, a 6-foot-3, 225-pounder who was unknown a year ago but is now a heavily-recruited college prospect.
Moreland, who never played organized football and was more into boxing until arriving at Salesian from Hawthorne last summer, started attracting attention for his amazing athleticism, which helped him accumulate 21 sacks, 45 tackles for losses and 90 total tackles as the Mustangs advanced to the Northeast Division semifinals, only the second time in the 51-year history of the school the football had gotten beyond the second round.
He should be even better in 2010, although it might not be reflected in a dramatic statistical spike.
Salesian assistant Devah Thomas feels his improvement comes just in the form of having a season’s worth of experience.
“He’s now had a whole year of football training, watching film, a year in the weight room, spring ball, and he did pretty good at the USC camp in the summer,” he said.
Moreland gave a verbal commitment to SMU July 9, according to rivals.com.
Salesian, 4-6 overall and the defending Santa Fe League champion, surrounds Moreland with plenty of talent.
A major returnee is safety Greg Castillo, who had 11 interceptions a year ago. Running back/linebacker Brandon Foley, a talented transfer from Manual Arts, gives a boost to the offensive and defensive units. Linebackers Christian Vega and Mike Moore and offensive tackle Shavon Obuh (6-5, 300), a transfer from Compton being recruited by UCLA, among others, are other key players for the Mustangs.
Running back/linebacker Lavon Lucas and defensive end Lee Edwards (6-3, 220) will also have an impact.
Another is sophomore quarterback Jihad Vercher, who Thomas raves about.
“He’s a phenom,” he said.
As for the Mustangs’ prospects in 2010, Thomas pulls no punches.
“We should win it all,” he said. “We have a quarterback who can throw the ball 75 yards, plus we’re a power, smash-mouth team. The team is stronger, more mature and focused. Now it believes in itself.”
Salesian opens the season Thursday at home against Firebaugh of Lynwood.
Elsewhere in the Santa Fe League, St. Genevieve (9-2, 3-1) again figures to be in the title hunt.
St. Monica (3-6, 0-4) returns seven starters on offense and six on defense, so there is reason for optimism. Senior quarterback Matt Partyka, senior wide receiver Sam Holguin and junior tight end Chris Corbally are the top players for the Mariners.
St. Anthony (5-5, 1-3) builds around junior running back Thomas Brown and junior quarterback Donny Torres.
Bell-Jeff (6-5, 2-2) looks to senior running back Micah Shirley, sophomore running back Joshua Martinez and senior two-way tackle Eric Lopez to lead the way.
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