High-flying Hawks look to nest atop Manzanita

By Bill Dickens
Updated: August 26, 2016

2016 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL – PREVIEW

MOUNTAIN EMPIRE RED HAWKS

By Bill Dickens
© EastCountySports.com

PINE VALLEY (8-26-16) — The Red Hawks of Mountain Empire will field some pretty hefty numbers this season heading into the Manzanita League.

Mountain Empire, which finished 3-7 a year ago, will have 21 key players on the varsity, which could make them a contender in the five team league.

Parra throws during a preseason practice.

Returning quarterback VICTOR PARRA leads the Red Hawks’ attack and junior BLAKE JARRELL (RB-LB) will help spearhead the running game. Parra was one of only two quarterbacks in the Manzanita League to pass for more than 1000 yards, with 1203 yards and 12 touchdowns.

“Everyone is starting to step up more this year,” Jarrell said. “We’re still a young team.

The Hawks also have a couple of returning receivers in junior WYATT MANN and sophomore DALLAS PRINCE. Mann pulled down 14 passes including 5 for touchdowns a year ago.

Mountain Empire has considerable size in the trenches anchored by 6-foot-7, 260-pound senior left tackle RICHARD LENNOX.

“We just want to win as many games as we can,” said 5-11, 225-pound guard JOHNATHAN PENUELAS, a Red Hawks captain. “We just want to work hard and do the best job we can every single day..

The Red Hawks will get additional size from two-way linemen ELIJAH WHITAKER (OL/DL, 5-11, 270) and sophomore right tackle DAMON GARCIA (6-3, 250).