LAST YEAR: 11-2 overall, 4-1 in Marine League, lost to Carson 33-30 in L.A. City Section Division 1 semifinals
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Jacob Miller (Sr. QB), A.J. Frazier (Sr. WR/DB), Christian Michaels (Sr. WR/DB), Mike Spinosa (Sr. TE/DL), Raymond Geha (Jr. WR), Juan Campuzano (Sr. OL), Donte Huddleston (Sr. RB/DL), Mikey Hernandez (Jr. WR/DB)
COACH: Mike Walsh, 25th year, 220-70-2 record.
OUTLOOK: The last time San Pedro coach Mike Walsh had a three-year starter at quarterback, Melvin Yarbrough led the Pirates to an undefeated L.A. City Section championship in 1996.
Almost 20 years later, Walsh and San Pedro have another one in senior Jacob Miller.
So, you can understand why there might be a little more excitement than normal around the San Pedro football team.
“It’s a pretty cool coincidence,” Miller said. “I think a lot of people are expecting a repeat of that, so we’re going to try our best to meet those expectations.”
Miller grew by leaps and bounds last season, throwing 14 touchdown passes, and will lead a Pirates offense that has plenty of talent at the skill positions.
Everything is in place for Miller to have a huge season. The Pirates lost their top two rushers in Chris Alvidrez and Christian Serna (1,990 yards and 31 TDs combined last season), but return a bevy of talented receivers, which means Miller should have plenty of chances to fling the ball around.
Multi-purpose threat A.J. Frazier leads that list. The reigning Marine League Defensive Player of the Year does most of his damage in the defensive backfield, but is a dynamic threat on offense, totaling 515 all-purpose yards as a junior.
Raymond Geha is a junior speedster who caught two passes of more than 60 yards last season. He is Miller’s favorite deep threat.
“I’m pretty excited about the guys we’ve got back at receiver,” Miller said. “I think we’re going to end up throwing the ball more this year.”
San Pedro never has trouble finding running backs and Narbonne transfer Brian Halsey and Jo-Jo Santiago are vying for the starting spot this summer. Look for Donte Huddleston to see plenty of carries as well.
The one question mark offensively might be on the offensive line, which lost four starters. Tight end Mike Spinosa and senior lineman Juan Campuzano will be looked upon to anchor the blocking efforts.
Frazier obviously leads the efforts defensively, a sure tackler and strong in coverage in the Pirates’ secondary. He is joined by Christian Michaels and Mikey Hernandez Jr., each of whom had three interceptions last season.
Spinosa anchors the defensive line as the Pirates’ returning sack leader.
San Pedro’s 2015 Schedule
(All games at 7 p.m. unless noted)
NONLEAGUE
Friday, Aug. 28 at Downey
Thursday, Sept. 3 vs. Roosevelt
Friday, Sept. 11 at Redondo
Friday, Sept. 18 vs. Culver City
Friday, Oct. 2 vs. Fairfax
MARINE LEAGUE
Friday, Oct. 9 at Banning
Friday, Oct. 16 at Washington
Friday, Oct. 23 vs. Gardena
Friday, Oct. 30 at Carson
Friday, Nov. 6 vs. Narbonne
2015 H.S. FOOTBALL PREVIEW
• North’s USC commit Mique Juarez upholding family legacy
• To huddle or not to huddle? Spread offenses are all the rage
• Juarez, Betiku headline list of area’s biggest recruits
• Serra-Centennial rematch lead list of season’s must-see games
