High Hopes For Flintridge Prep Football this 2013

The Flintridge Prep football team knows it can’t rest on its laurels. After putting together its finest season in a decade in 2012, the Rebels are aware not to be complacent this year, looking to match or exceed its last performance this coming 2013 season.

Many feel that what the Rebels achieved last year was a result of its senior-loaded line-up, but Coach Antonio Harrison and his team are out to prove it wasn’t just a fluke.

Last season, the Rebels lost three of its first four games before coming back to finish second place in the Prep League with a winning record of 6-5, 3-1 in league. The last time the Rebels had a winning record was in 2007.

Flintridge Prep enters this upcoming season ranked no. 9 in the CIF Southern Section Northeast Division, and things are looking up for the team so far. The team’s roster size has grown for the second year in a row with 26 players signed up for 2013.

One of the players to look out for is senior Stefan Smith. Despite being a year or two younger than his senior peers, Smith’s size and play on the field makes it seem as if he’s years ahead of the competition.

An All-Area and All-Prep League first team awardee in 2012, Smith is the Rebel’s most dynamic offensive threat tallying 1,708 yard (1,480 rushing, 228 receiving) and 27 touchdowns (23 rushing, three receiving, one interception). He’s also not bad at defensive end notching four interceptions, 22.5 tackles, a forced fumble and a blocked kick.

Smith is a two-way threat that’s the real deal.

Aside from Smith’s running, wing-T offensive coordinator Glenn Beattie’s offense will also depend on an offensive line that will feature returning seniors Augustin Acost-Ghioldi, Bryan Heintz, and junior Cameron Wen. They will be bolstered by juniors Eric Kang, Arthur Chang, and Alex Gunning.

The team knows it’s going to be tough to improve on its 2012 season, but the Rebels understand what it needs to do to reach their goals. With all the hard work and dedication each member has put in, no one on the team is worried.

As for Coach Harrison, his goals are the same: to beat league rival Pasadena Poly, win the homecoming game, compete for the league title, and get a playoff berth. All these were achieved last year, and it is the coach’s (and team’s) goal to do the same this year.

And then some.

Flintridge Preparatory School, 4543 Crown Avenue, La Cañada Flintridge, (818) 790-1178 or visit www.flintridgeprep.org.