Eagles to air it out

Estancia grid pre vs. Santa AnaThe Estancia High football team is averaging roughly the width of the football each time it runs this season.

Indeed, 47 rushing yards on 113 carries, five inches per attempt, is hardly a foundation on which to construct a winning season.

But the Eagles are coming off consecutive games with positive rushing yards and first-year Coach Brian Barnes said progress is better than the alternative when it comes to forging some semblance of a running game.

Still, the Eagles (1-4) plan to rely on their passing game when they play host to Garden Grove (4-1) in a nonleague game tonight at 7 at Newport Harbor High.

“We should be able to throw the ball pretty well,” said Barnes, who has seen consistent productivity from his senior quarterback, Ryan Watson.

Watson has completed 52 of 102 attempts for 640 yards and five touchdowns this season. He has thrown only two interceptions and his 19 completions in last week’s 50-6 loss to Orange tied a 25-year-old school single-game record, Barnes said.

Watson is also a threat to run. His 64 rushing yards in a Sept. 30 victory over Costa Mesa are the highest single-game output by an Eagle this season. With one rushing touchdown, Watson has had a hand in all six of the Eagles’ offensive TDs.

Watson’s favorite receivers have been junior Matt Redding (15 catches for 240 yards) and senior Ezequiel Villalvazo (12 receptions for 158 yards and one TD).

Garden Grove, sitting alone atop the Garden Grove League standings with a 2-0 league mark, is looking to continue the program’s two-season upswing. The Argonauts have won 12 of their last 16.

The two teams share one common opponent this season. Buena Park handed Garden Grove its only defeat, a 7-0 verdict Sept. 23.

Estancia fell to Buena Park, 19-0, Sept. 16.

Garden Grove would appear to have an advantage on defense. It has surrendered 62 points in five games, while Estancia has given up 130 points to its five opponents.

ESTANCIA STARTERS