Football: Harry Welch vs. Troy Thomas

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Encino Crespi alumni will be paying close attention to the Trinity League battle on Friday night matching Santa Margarita and Coach Harry Welch against Anaheim Servite and Coach Troy Thomas at Saddleback College.

Both are Crespi graduates, though some 20 years apart. Thomas played against the Welch-coached Canyon Country Canyon Cowboys in the 1980s. Thomas coached against Welch when he was defensive coordinator and head coach at Crespi and worked with him in an all-star game.

‘I have a lot of respect for him,’ Thomas said.

Welch has emerged as the leading candidate for coach of the year, directing Santa Margarita to a 7-1 record overall and 3-0 in the Trinity League in his first season as coach. But the toughest part of the Eagles’ schedule comes in the next two weeks against Servite and Santa Ana Mater Dei.

-- Eric Sondheimer