Coyotes prepare for Marmonte football

Larry Edwards can’t help but be excited as his Calabasas Coyotes prepare for football season.

But as he enters his 23rd year as head football coach, he’s also a little tentative this year because his team will face a big test. The Coyotes move from playing small schools in the Frontier League to the big schools of the Marmonte League.

"This is going to be a challenge for our program," he said "I am sure we are going to have some growing pains, but we think we can be competitive this year." Calabasas was 2-9 overall with a 2-2 third place in the Frontier League last season.

His team opens with a road game against the El Camino Real Conquistadors of the West Valley League tomorrow at 7 p.m. and then plays the Eagles at Oak Park of the Tri-Valley League at 7:30 p.m., Fri., Sept. 20.

"One of our strengths is that our receiver corps is very solid. We are loaded with receivers," Edwards said. "Our defense is looking the most consistent and solid. It’s vastly improved from last year."

Senior wide receiver Alex Rosenblum (5-foot-10, 170-pounds) is a key player. Rosenblum, who caught 59 passes and ran back three for touchdowns last season, is "a big play guy for us," Edwards said. "And he can turn a game around instantly with his 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash."

Coyote pass-catchers will be looking to junior quarterback Keith Barrett (6-3, 190) to put the football in the air this season. Regarding Barrett, Edwards said, "He’s been improving every day. He is the prototypical quarterback. He has a strong arm and we hope we can throw the ball real well with him. He looked real good this summer."

In addition, Coyote fans will see at least three other pass receivers: senior Dan Hawley (6-1, 190) and wide receivers Nick Ferra and Tom Dumary.

Edwards is pleased with Dumary. "He’s making some big plays for us," he said. "He’s been a clutch receiver. His preparation for the first game is outstanding."

Another pre-season offensive standout has been junior tailback Obi Ikemefuna (6-0, 180). "He’s a hard runner," the coach said. "He runs strong between the tackles and has the speed to get outside. He gives us a great deal of balance to run anywhere inside and outside."

Edwards said that Calabasas has strength in its offensive tackles with senior Nick Maffe (6-3, 250) and junior Dan Melancon (6-3, 240).

Maffe is a returning All-Frontier League player, described by Edwards as "a unique lineman with speed and quickness. We can do a lot of different things with him because of that."

Regarding Melancon, who started last year as a sophomore, Edwards said, "He improved all season and came into his own. He will be a strong anchor on the right side."

On defense, senior linebacker Ezra Butler-Beaton (6-3, 250) is a Division 1 collegiate prospect, according to Edwards. "He’s a real outstanding player. It doesn’t take long to find him. He has a presence on the field."

Another senior linebacker, Barry Dadon (6-3, 240) is "a solid player and big," Edwards said, adding that he plays fullback on offense.

Defensive tackle Ray Parker (6-0, 230), a sophomore transfer, has been impressive in early drills, according to Edwards.

After playing at El Camino Real and at Oak Park, the Coyotes open their home season in the third pre-conference game when Nordhoff High visits on Sept. 27. How Calabasas will do in its inaugural Marmonte season that opens on Oct. 4 at Royal remains unclear for Edwards and his team.

"We hope we can shock some people," he said. "We are practicing pretty well and we hope we can transfer that to some success on the field, beginning Friday night."