Plenty of new faces at Arrowhead Christian

There are many new faces on the roster at Arrowhead Christian Academy including new quarterback Josh Rice.

“He hasn’t played since middle school and a little on the freshman team,” veteran ACA coach Rod Robison said. “He decided to pursue other stuff. But he wanted to play because he has buddies on the team.”

Rice (5-10, 170) had ample time to study the game plan for Thursday’s opener. It was at 7 p.m. at Yucca Valley. The Trojans defeated ACA 21-19 last season.

The Eagles (5-6 overall, 3-2 Mesquite League) a year ago, lost junior quarterback Cole Fornelli to transer; Fornelli is at Ontario Christian with new coach Lonyae Miller, the former Kaiser star who played in the NFL.

Robison has high hopes for freshman running back Isaiah DeStigter who started in middle school.

“It’s like someone forgot to tell him he’s a freshman,” Robison said.

Sebastian Carrillo is a transfer from Citrus Valley who returns to ACA where he played earlier. Carrillo is 5-10, 175.

Other offensive players of interest are lineman Ezekial Salinas (5-8, 195), senior lineman Marquardt Finfrock who is the grandson of Dan Finfrock, the former ACA coach) and two-way junior linemen  Jacob Reans, Tanner Duvall (6-0, 200) and Jordan Solarte (5-8, 185).   

“We’re young on offense, except Isaiah,” Robison said.

Reans and 6-4 Connor Hayes (6-4, 180) are standouts on the along with Salinas. Marquardt and Ramos are the linebackers. Others to watch on the D are Nathan Solardi and Drew Hayden, as well as cornerbacks Moses Tinatado and Sebastian Carrillo and safety Mica Tagolog.

Matthew Billiter moves from Aquinas soccer to the ACA defense where he is joined by Warren Ryan.

“We’re going to have a focus of moving the chains,” Robison said.

ACA is joined by Linfield Christian, Western Christian, and Maranatha in league.

We want to get better Robison said. “I’m optimistic we’ll do that, but it’s a process.”

Following Yucca Valley, the Eagles host Grace.