Knights hoping to reload and continue piling up the victories

The Stone Ridge Christian High football program lost a group of seniors who will be hard to replace.

Gone is last season’s best defensive player in Luke Jenkins, who led the team in tackles (85) and sacks (18). Leading rusher Shane Casillas and two versatile weapons in Bryce Louters and Cole Houweling.

“You can’t really replace guys like that individually,” said Knights coach Mark Gutierrez. “It’s going to take multiple players to fill those roles.”

Gutierrez says with the group he had last year they could have run any offensive scheme or any defense and still been successful.

“This year we have to tailor to our strengths,” Gutierez said. “With this being my second year with them, I know what we can do and what we can’t do. It makes the transition a little smoother.”

Stone Ridge Christian should be strong up front with an offensive line led by junior Jaden Rogers and sophomore Mathew Jordan.

“It’s definitely a matter of some guys stepping up,” Rogers said. “It’s going to take me and some other guys to contribute. Every team needs to have those key players who you can count on to get the job done.”

Rogers is making the move from tackle to left guard, where he’ll be asked to be the lead blocker on a lot of the running players.

“It’s a lot more running, for sure,” Rogers said. “At guard you get to form a close bond with the center. I love that. It’s fun. I’m learning the different techniques.”

The Knights may use a group of running backs, led by David Boyce. Enam Davis-Eva and Gabe Lopez may also contribute in the backfield.

“David Boyce would probably start on most teams last season but we had one of the most prolific ball carriers back there (Casillas),” Gutierrez said. “David has been an all-league defensive player that last two years.”

Ethan Moradzadeh and Riley Acree are battling it out for the quarterback spot. Both are dual-threat quarterbacks.

“I think team speed is still our biggest strength,” Gutierrez said. “That combined with a lot of experience up front.”

The goal for the program is to reload and not rebuild. The Knights went 10-2 last season, winning the Central California Athletic Alliance championship. The program is 43-9 in the last four years.

The Knights want to keep that momentum going.

“One thing I like is our work ethic,” Rogers said. “We don’t quit until the play is over.”

“I like the cohesiveness already more than last year,” Gutierrez said. “It’s a family atmosphere. They all know each other. It’s a tight-knit group.”

This story was originally published August 15, 2018 at 9:10 PM.