Sierra Canyon football’s offense is thriving on versatility
CHATSWORTH — Sierra Canyon receiver Massiah Mingo used to watch teams like St. John Bosco and Orange Lutheran on YouTube. Now, he's able to play them.
"It just motivates me to be better, honestly," Mingo said. "Back home, the only top team we would play is (Bishop) Gorman. When I'm actually on the field, I just want to make every opportunity the best for me."
There have been increased opportunities for many players on offense — including Mingo, a transfer from Desert Pines in Las Vegas. The Trailblazers' offense has changed slightly but noticeably in the last few weeks as a result of an injury to running back Dane Dunn.
The versatility of Sierra Canyon's offense could be important when it hosts Orange Lutheran (3-1) at 7 p.m. on Saturday. The Lancers will be the third Trinity League opponent the Trailblazers have played this season.
Dunn was injured Aug. 8 against Oaks Christian on a scoring play and missed Sierra Canyon's Week 3 game against St. John Bosco . He was seen at practice on Wednesday afternoon doing an individual workout on the field and appeared to be moving around without hindrance.
Coach Jon Ellinghouse said that Dunn has improved and is able to lift weights, but it's still unclear when he'll return to play. Either way, the Trailblazers (2-2) have adapted.
"I don't think we've had to recreate the wheel or anything," Ellinghouse said, "but anytime a guy like Dane goes out, there's different guys that have to pick up the void whether it's new tailbacks or quarterback or receivers. We're trying to spread the ball around."
The passing game has stayed intact thanks to quarterback Wyatt Becker's 726 passing yards and five touchdowns and the receivers he has to work with. Mingo has quickly become a sought-after target of Becker's with an average of 58 receiving yards per game and 19 receptions.
"I don't think (Orange Lutheran's) DBs could match up with us," Mingo said. "If they go man, I think we will demolish them, honestly."
Multiple players had seen their roles grow in the run game even before Dunn was sidelined due to injury. Sophomore Jaxsen Stokes and junior Dallas Jones have rushed for 76 and 106 yards, respectively, this season.
De'Markus Barnes is another versatile layer of Sierra Canyon's offense. He can gain yardage at tailback, line up at receiver and even can play outside linebacker — although he's seen his load on defense decrease to balance out the increased time on offense.
The Trailblazers will need all the production they can get out of their offense against an Orange Lutheran team that has held all of its opponents except for Bishop Gorman to two touchdowns or less this season.
"We've just gotta stick to what we know, our daily drills," Barnes said. "Coach (Ellinghouse) is a great coach at teaching us and our line everything — a thousand steps and staying foot to foot and everything."
Orange Lutheran quarterback TJ Lateef, a Nebraska commit, has completed 53 of 69 passes for 597 yards and eight touchdowns with three interceptions this season. He's drawn a lot of attention but the Lancers' defense can't be overlooked, either.
Seven different players have recorded a sack. Defensive linemen Auma Jennings and linebacker Keenan Tagoa'i (USC) have each recorded three sacks while linebacker Armando Figueroa has four sacks. All of them have had at least four tackles for loss in three games.
"Anytime you get these Trinity League teams that are big and strong, I've got a lot of respect for them," Ellinghouse said. "They're a very well-coached team. I think we've gotten to where we match up with teams well and I'm excited about our chances."
