Defending CIF Champs Have High Expectations
Eastlake High Football Team Prepares for 2010 season
The feeling in the football locker room at Eastlake High is light and laughter isn't hard to come by, but within a few minutes the sense of determination and dedication among the players and coaches is obvious. Coming off their first-ever CIF championship, the Eastlake Titans want to make sure they are still the team to beat, not only in the Metro Conference, but in San Diego County.
Senior Quarterback Jordan Hines leads the Eastlake High Titans in warm-ups.
In the preseason, the team is working hard. Before practice starts, the first team offense is on the field running formations and players are running drills. Once head coach John McFadden heads down to the field from the locker room, and without any direction, practice officially starts when the players immediately line up for stretching and warm-up exercises. In mid-August when many teams are still fielding teams and getting to know each other, the Titans look like they are in mid-season form.
Eastlake begins its season on September 3 against one of California's toughest teams, Moorpark. The Titans then move on to face perennial CIF San Diego Section playoff teams Lincoln, El Camino, Steele Canyon and Cathedral before entering Metro Conference play mid-season.
The Titans are returning several key players at skill positions, including Jordan Hines, who will be transitioning from wide receiver to quarterback, and Chris Fletcher at running back. Both have already received interest from several colleges. Also returning to action are Zack Bannon, Clark Moses and Fernando Cabico.
When asked about their outlook for the 2010 season, Hines and Fletcher in almost unison said, "Very promising."
McFadden has high expectations of his team and recognizes that while they hope to repeat last year's efforts, there are a lot of factors that need to work out in winning a title.
"I want our team to perform at the level we are capable of," said McFadden. "If they do that, I'm going to be really happy."
Most importantly, McFadden hopes to instill in his players a sense of pride and a work ethic that they will carry on with them beyond the football field and Eastlake High.
"These kids are good kids," said McFadden. "They are respectful and treat the game and the school the way it's supposed to be treated."