What Now? Parents question handling, future of MHS football program, Page 26 malibu surfside news | June 13, 2019 | malibusurfsidenews.com Next level Five Waves, including area product, drafted by MLB teams, Page 28 Malibu lineman will get his chance at UCLA, Page 27 Dovid Magna runs downfield in 2018 for the Sharks, for whom he played on the offensive and defensive lines. Surfside News File Photo
26 | June 13, 2019 | Malibu surfside news sports malibusurfsidenews.com UPDATE MHS faces scrutiny after moving to 8-person football Joe Coughlin, Publisher The spring announcement that Malibu High School football was shifting down to the eight-player format shocked many in the community. In the weeks since, school officials have faced several tough questions from community members on everything from program safety to program viability. The news came as a jolt to returning team parents who had just seen the Sharks post back-to-back winning seasons under head coach Terry Shorten Then came the coaching carousel: Shorten resigned shortly after the 2018 season; MHS teacher Sean Ryan was hired in November, but resigned for personal reasons in March; school security guard Steve Hernandez was tabbed as head coach in April. Adding to the challenges, the Baseball Five Sharks rewarded with All-League nods Staff Report Woolsey Fire destroyed many community homes and is forcing families to relocate, ensuring a lower enrollment at MHS moving forward. Parents like Amora Rachelle Magna, a member of the Athletic Booster Club, said with nine rostered seniors in 2018 and no local youth football organization, MHS should have been more prepared for a participation dropoff. Amid the instability, according to five MHS parents who spoke with the Surfside News, many would-be returnees will not play football for the Sharks in ’19. Daniel Rafeedie, a linebacker and the conference’s defensive player of the year in 2018, is transferring, his parents confirmed. Dane Kapler, by far the team’s top offensive threat (13 touchdowns, 917 offensive yards), has reportedly relocated with his family. Other returnees who are reportedly declining to play include quarterback Jake Friedman, lineman Riley Banducci and running back/linebacker Liam Moore. Despite the projected roster losses, Hernandez and Athletic Director Chris Neier said the Sharks season is not in jeopardy. Hernandez said in late May that he’s heard from “comfortably 19- 23” students, including incoming freshmen, who plan to play. “That’s never crossed my mind that we wouldn’t have enough,” he said. Multiple team parents questioned a tactic used to inform potential players, however. An email sent to the district from Minerva Quinonez said her son was pulled from class and “pressured” into signing a form stating he would participate, despite informing coaches he did not intend to. “My son completed the form under duress,” the email reads. “[He] told me that the confrontation made him feel uncomfortable.” Neier denied that students were pressured to sign the informal document. “There was a welcome information sheet given to the players so we could gauge interest and see our numbers for the upcoming season as well as let the kids know important dates,” Neier wrote in an email “There was no pressure to sign this form. It was more for informative purposes.” Neier said participation numbers have been on the rise ever since Hernandez and basketball coach Luke Davis Jr. were announced as team coaches. Hernandez played defensive tackle for the Santa Monica High football team. He’s also helped coach SAMO, as well. Davis played football at Northern Illinois University and continued afterward, competing semi-professionally through arena football. He has experience assistant coaching at the high school and college levels. Also on staff is Nate Dollar, the school’s strength coach and a former Sharks running back, and a cousin of Hernandez who played football at New Mexico State. Hernandez said two former MHS players may join the staff too. Hernandez understands parents’ concerns over safety but said he’ll put in the work to build a safe eight-player program, which he said is safer than 11-player. “There’s less players on the field, less linemen, less blocking,” Hernandez said. “ ... All I am asking for [is a chance]. I want to show parents we know what we are doing and have them feel comfortable enough to have their kids come play with us.” The Malibu High School baseball team, who finished the season 10-5 and just short of a postseason appearance, placed five of its players on Citrus Coast All- League teams. Juniors Alec Morrison, a catcher, and Luke Mickens, a pitcher, and senior Lars Peterson, a second baseman, landed on the league’s first team, while senior Lewis Baron and junior Chase Kelly made the second team. Morrison, who played all 15 games, led the Sharks in numerous offensive categories: batting average (.396), hits (19), runs (15), RBI (12), doubles (5), OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage; 1.025) and stolen bases (11). He Lars Peterson also made the league’s first team and had a co-teamhigh 12 RBI. added a .483 on-base percentage and a triple. Starter Luke Mickens finished with a 1.30 ERA in a team-high 37 1/3 innings pitched. He had a 5-2 record and 17 strikeouts, while chipping in 9 RBI on offense. Peterson tied Morrison for the First-teamer Alec Morrison, a junior, led Malibu High in most offensive categories. Surfside News File Photos team lead with 12 RBI while hitting .379 with 17 hits, 8 runs scored and 7 stolen bases. Also a key on offense was Baron, who batted .382 with a teambest .512 on-base percentage. He had 9 RBI, as well. On the mound, Baron notched 2 saves with a 0.68 ERA over 10 innings. Fellow second-teamer Chase Kelly was the Sharks next best arm with a 2.16 ERA, 2-1 record and 19 strikeouts over 22 2/3 innings pitched.
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