2021 PFN Team Preview: The California Trojans @caltrojansfb @DamaniStafford @ethan_fike @PABackyard

Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 7, News

Nate Grella | July 24, 2021

California Trojans PFN PAGE

PIAA District 7 – Class A
League: Tri-County South

Head Coach Ed Woods

@caltrojansfb

2020 Season Record 6-1 (6-0)

2021 Schedule

DATE	OPPONENT	LOCATION	TIME/SCORE
08-21	vs. Charleroi (SCR)		10:00 am
08-27	@ Uniontown (0-0)		7:00 pm
09-03	vs. Bethlehem-Center (0-0)		7:00 pm
09-10	@ Waynesburg Central (0-0)		7:00 pm
09-17	@ West Greene (0-0) *		7:00 pm
09-24	vs. Mapletown (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-01	vs. Avella (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-08	@ Jefferson-Morgan (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-15	vs. Carmichaels (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-22	@ Monessen (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-29	vs. Bentworth (0-0) *		7:00 pm

* – denotes league game
(SCR) – denotes scrimmage

2020 RECAP

California entered the year with a talented backfield, but questions at QB and on the lines. The Trojans answered and then some. Jaeden Zuzak shattered records, carrying the Trojans to a TCS title. The Trojans beat Carmichaels late in the year clinch along with a statement win against Avella.

OFFENSE

DAMANI STAFFORD was one of the best QBs in the TCS following a career at RB. Brownsville transfer HUNTER ASSAD should plug in at QB which will allow Stafford to return to RB for his senior year. Assad will be looking for weapons with the graduation of Kwondre Porter, Matt Trunzo and Nathan O’Savage, however look out for CONNOR VIG and CADEN POWELL to fill in. A young line that played as good or better than anyone in the conference returns almost everyone.

DEFENSE 

Defensively, the Trojans lose 2 of their 4 best defenders in Seth Rerricha and Anthony Haschets. 2 star ETHAN FIKE returns as the unit’s leader along with ADDISON PANEPINTO and STAFFORD at LB. ASSAD should be help in the secondary. On the lines, replacing Rerricha will prove difficult, and a true pass rusher will have to emerge. 

OVERVIEW

Coach Ed Woods went out and got a QB. Simple as that. With Assad under center and Stafford in the backfield, Ed Woods can outscheme any team in the Tri-County South. It’s an added benefit that the offensive line showed so much promise throughout the season and returns almost everyone. A Trojans team that only played one home game in seven last year plays 6 in 2021, including games against possible unseaters in Avella, Mapletown and Carmichaels. A West Greene game at Kennedy will prove to be the tone-setter of the season, and if California takes care of business, this could be another undefeated regular season for a team that’s looking to take the next step in the big dance.

Key Starters Lost
Jaeden Zuzak
Kwondre Porter
Matt Trunzo
Nathan O’Savage
Seth Rerricha

Offensive Starters Returning
Damani Stafford
Ethan Fike
Donovan Davis
Tanner Pierce

Defensive Starters Returning
Donovan Davis
Tanner Pierce
Ethan Fike
Damani Stafford
Addison Panepinto
Mason Sholock

Key Newcomers
Connor Vig
Caden Powell
Hunter Assad

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