Estancia mindful of young squad

West Ranch High, located in Stevenson Ranch near Valencia, is a first-year varsity program.

Estancia is 5-1 and has scored at least 34 points in all of its wins.

These facts appear to indicate a mismatch, but they don’t sway Eagles Coach Brian Barnes as his team prepares for its final nonleague game tonight at 7 at Orange Coast College.

That’s because West Ranch (3-2) has been very competitive over its first five games.

“They’re doing pretty well for a first-year varsity team,” Barnes said of the Wildcats. “They have a real nice running back, and they’ve got some decent-sized offensive linemen. I’d compare them to a JSerra, maybe even a hair better.”

Estancia had its most thrilling win of the season over JSerra in the Eagles’ 34-33 come-from-behind victory on Sept. 21.

West Ranch also has an athlete in quarterback Jake Bernards, who is 6-foot-4.

“They don’t throw the ball a ton; they like to run it,” Barnes said. “They also don’t score a ton of points, but their defense has been shutting people down. But I don’t think they’ve played anybody as physical as us yet.”

Of course, many of Barnes’ praises for West Ranch could also be said about his surging Estancia squad.

Running back Rafael Alejandre had his third straight game of 140 or more rushing yards in last week’s 35-7 win over Ocean View. Alejandre has rushed for 648 yards thus far.

Alejandre and fullback Danny Orozco are a formidable combination on the ground, as are quarterback Mike Morley and receiver Matt Redding through the air.

On defense, the Eagles have seven interceptions in their last two games, including three by Brian Harriman and two by Edgar Vargas.

“Our kids are really getting comfortable,” Barnes said. “Our defensive coordinator, Robert Trice, he made it real simple for our kids. It’s just about reacting to the football, playing hard and having fun.”

Barnes said tonight’s game has added importance because it’s the Eagles’ last game before Orange Coast League play begins. Estancia has a bye next week before playing Costa Mesa at Newport Harbor on Oct. 27.