Veteran Arleta coach Bill Coan was Matt Cassel’s coach at Chatsworth, so he knows how to throw the football. Arleta has pretty much relied on running the ball for years, but the team has three quarterbacks this season, providing Coan with more options.
Arleta, which went 9-3 last season and won the East Valley League, first has to figure how to tackle running back Dijon Stanley of Granada Hills in its season opener on Aug. 19.
“Maybe not mow the field for two weeks,” Coan joked.
Among the Arleta players to watch are sophomore Alexis Castillo, who was brought up for the playoffs and performed well. He’s a receiver and safety who also will play some wildcat quarterback.
Kennedy Duran is a junior quarterback and defensive back with athleticism and a strong arm. His brother, Kelvin, was Arleta’s star running back last season.
The top senior returnees include linebacker Ross Cajucom, running back Oscar Fajardo and lineman Giovanni Pedraza.
Improved depth and versatility at the quarterback position give Coan hope Arleta will be able to repeat as East Valley League champion.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.