Forward Progress

The Anaheim Western football team is hoping its second trip to the Southern Section Division IX championship game will be remembered more fondly than its first. Fortunately for the top-seeded Pioneers, it would be difficult to perform any worse.

Western, which plays Rancho Santa Margarita Tesoro at Orange Coast College on Friday night, was blown out a year ago by La Habra in the championship game, giving up 27 unanswered points in the first half on the way to losing, 34-7, in the program’s first finals appearance.

In the week leading up to last season’s title game, Coach Toby Howell sensed a poor effort was on its way. When La Habra marched 60 yards in five plays to score on its opening possession, he knew the Pioneers were in for a long night. It was not the impression Howell wanted to leave on the community and school, which is just a few blocks from Knott’s Berry Farm.

“I’ve never been in a game like that,” said Howell, in his ninth season after taking over for his father, Jim, who coached the previous 17. “You blinked and it was over.”

Howell wasn’t optimistic about a return to the championship game this fall. Western had eight returning starters but only two on defense, a unit that was led last season by safety Brian Williams, the Division IX defensive player of the year.

Howell’s concerns were eased during Western’s nonleague games, which began with a 13-0 victory over Anaheim Loara. Two weeks later against eventual Division VI semifinalist Lakewood Mayfair, the Pioneers suffered their only loss, 15-14, after failing on a two-point conversion with nine seconds remaining. They came back the following week with a 14-0 victory over a Tustin team that averaged 25 points a game this season.

But the biggest stride came in Week 5 at Hacienda Heights Los Altos, the two-time defending Division VI champion. The Pioneers marched 70 yards in 13 plays on their final drive and scored with nine seconds remaining to pull out a 27-20 victory, their first in five games against Los Altos.

“Our nonleague schedule has played a big part in our football success this year,” said senior Devonte Merrifield, who has rushed for 1,855 yards and scored 27 touchdowns, including two on interception returns and another on a kickoff return.

During the playoffs, Western has outscored its opponents, 118-65. In addition to Merrifield, the Pioneers’ double-wing offense has been supported by wingback Isaiah Gober, fullback Joe Brown and linemen Travis Kurpjuweit, Walter Gonzalez, Buddy McClure, Mike Iupati, Frank Anderson and Patrick Ohi.

On the 78 plays Western quarterback Anthony Trillo has passed, he has made good decisions, throwing for 862 yards and 13 touchdowns with no interceptions.

“We haven’t had much to work with in recent years,” Howell said of the quarterback position. “But Trillo throws real high-percentage stuff.”

The early success and the lack of any glaring weak spots have the Pioneers glowing with confidence as they prepare this week for second-seeded Tesoro, which is making its first finals appearance. Merrifield said his teammates appear more enthusiastic and focused than a year ago, when they seemed happy just to be playing in the championship game.

“Last year at this time, we were dead on the Monday practice, there was no fire,” Merrifield said. “[This Monday] we went out to practice and everybody was hyped up, making noise, slapping helmets, showing they are ready.”

That’s also a good sign for Howell, who doesn’t want to endure another off-season like the last.

“We’re hoping to do it right this time,” Howell said. “We can’t have another night like that.”