Samohi Seeks to Repeat

Coach Lacy Has High Hopes For Vikings Squad

Jessica Stamp
Mirror contributing writer

   The Samohi Vikings are looking to win a second consecutive division title in 2002, but will have to do so with a significantly altered team and within an entirely new division.
   The 2001 California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Football Coach of the Year, Norm Lacy, detailed Santa Monica’s “Keys to Success” for the upcoming season:
   “The keys for our success are 1) to establish that we can play a physical, intimidating defense, by not giving up big plays and by forcing turnovers, 2) looking for a “W”, 3) from an offensive standpoint, focusing on understanding formations and new plays that emphasize getting good players the ball and developing our offensive personality, 4) I always emphasize great special teams, especially in high school, 5) we are going to be in better shape. Our intensity will stay up for a longer period of time, 6) finally, we have to have good luck and stay healthy. Losing one or two good guys can really affect us.”
   Let’s start with the defense. Santa Monica returns with a fortified defensive structure, with championship experience. “Not only do we have all these returning starters, but they are all outstanding returning starters,” Lacy says. According to Lacy, the Vikings’ defense will be expected to anchor the team. The six returning starters know Lacy’s system of play and each other.
   Abraham Badillo, described by Lacy and Santa Monica High School Athletic Director, Mike Griswald, as “awesome,” headlines the defensive team alongside linebackers Zeido Hamzle and Adrian Gonzalez.
   Strong safety and four-year starter Ricky Johnson returns to provide significant experience on defense. However, Johnson’s duties at safety come second to his new role as Samohi’s quarterback. When asked why he is willing to gamble and risk injuring Johnson on defense, Lacy simply replies, “He is just so talented.”
   The defense does welcome a few newcomers. Chris Christian and Aaron Guestup graduated from the 2001 junior varsity squad and join Tyler Brunk, a Samohi freshman, to round out the Viking defense.
   Santa Monica’s offense is another story. Offensively, Lacy’s focus is on developing the Viking’s untested squad. The young offense includes Milos Blagojevis, Taj Lands, Nick Silverman, and Austin Thomas — all inexperienced lineman. Running backs Chris Clay and Paul Helmey will provide on-field leadership. Athletic Director Griswald is excited at the mention of Samohi’s running game, describing Clay emphatically as “really good and key offensively,” adding, “Our running backs are excellent.”
   On the whole, Lacy seems confident when it comes to his young offense. “We don’t have as many skilled guys, but we will be successful.” He noted that his style will have to change according to the strengths of his offensive unit. “We want to get good players on the ball. Last year we had a lot of skilled players so we could spread it out. Now we may have to focus on two or three guys.” In fact, Lacy has yet to decide exactly how the offense will function and hopes to discover the best approach in preseason practices and games. “We are still figuring out what type of passing and running we want to use.”
   The Vikings begin their season September 13 against La Costa Canyons at Santa Monica High, at 7 p.m. “The six pre-season games will be very competitive. Game one will be a contest. There will be good games right off the start unlike last year.”
   Santa Monica dominated the Ocean League in 2001, beginning by defeating rival Venice High, 49-27. Lacy feels La Costa Canyons will be much more difficult. “I don’t know much about La Costa. They could be wide-open. I know the area is affluent, with kids often going to Ivy League schools. This shows parental support. The program gets boosts, and football is a high priority. They will probably be well-coached, intelligent and tough players.”
   Lacy sees the match-up as a good measuring tool for his squad, especially for the inexperienced offense. “It will be a good time test. We will see how skilled our guys are. [La Costa] will be disciplined and make few mistakes. We’ll have to see what athletes they have and how we match up.”
   The entire season will be a challenge for the Division X defending champions. Samohi has moved into the more competitive Division IV and will see some new teams, such as Hawthorne, Redondo, and West and North Torrance, as well as familiar rivals Venice, Peninsula, and Paso Robles. The Division also includes teams from Ventura County. “I know Venice is excited about their team this year,” Lacy says, “They haven’t beaten us in a while and that game will be an intense game for sure. Our school has never beaten Peninsula High.  That is a point of emphasis and will be a big game for us.”
   The Vikings began their preparation, even before arriving for preseason practices, with a five-week lifting and conditioning program and a 7-on-7 passing league during summer vacation. The boys did have three weeks off at the beginning of August before reporting to campus for double-and triple-practice days on August 26. The Vikings were injury-free going into last Thursday’s first practice with pads. The grueling preseason camp of multiple training sessions a day, usually totaling six hours of training, ended today, with the start of school.
   As the season starts, Mondays will be used for preparation in anticipation of Friday’s game, usually involving a three-hour, but lighter, training session.Tuesdays and Wednesdays are described by Lacy as “blue collar” practices – three-hour sessions with full pads and extreme intensity. Thursdays are used to polish and fine-tune before the game the following day. The coaches give the players the weekend off and take advantage of that time to prepare themselves for the upcoming week.