Sports

Calabasas High Already Preparing For New Football Season; Baseball Team Ends Losing Streak

Calabasas Sports Notebook: New football coach Christian Pierce is trying to instill some excitement.

It’s a new era for football, as Christian Pierce has been hired as the new coach, taking over for Larry Edwards.

With the first day of spring practice looming, Pierce, a former assistant who is a head coach on the varsity level for the first time, is trying to ingrain a winning culture, as Calabasas looks to improve upon last year’s record of 3-7 – which actually turned out to be one of the Coyotes’ best seasons over the past decade.

The team has begun working out both in the morning before school and during sixth-period PE, and the first official Black and Gold game is scheduled for May 20.

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“We’ll have an inter-squad seven-on-seven game, kind of showcase the offense and the defense,” Pierce said. “We’ll make it fun, have the cheerleaders out there, the whole thing.

“We’ll also have a strength contest between the offensive line and the defensive line, a relay, a tug of war, that kind of thing because there’s not a lot the linemen can do during the spring. It will keep them energized.”

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Brandon Marin is the new quarterback, taking over for graduating senior Kyle Zion, one of the team’s key players this past fall.

“Brandon is a returner, but he didn’t get a lot of reps last year,” Pierce said. “He has a very good grasp of the system. A great arm and good feet, and a good leader. The other kids look up to him and respect him. He’s smart, a very coachable kid.”

Tyson Jones and Caleb Madden, both of whom started both ways as sophomores, should play a key role. Jones, a running back/linebacker, is switching to fullback and defensive end.

“I think he’ll be much more effective in that defensive spot,” Pierce said.

Madden is a receiver/cornerback.

“Caleb started both ways, he was a big part of the reason we beat Newbury Park,” Pierce said. “Newbury Park had a big receiver, and Brandon shut him down. He played an incredible game. He understands the game, and he’s a tough kid.”

BASEBALL TEAM ENDS LOSING STREAK

Calabasas High's baseball team broke a five-game losing streak in grand style Wednesday, coming from two runs down in the sixth inning in a 12-7 win at Royal in Simi Valley.

“It was a great team victory,” shortstop Alex Rubanowitz said.

Jordan Bass hit two home runs, and Rubanowitz added a grand slam, his third home run of the season, as Calabasas erupted for eight runs in the sixth.

The Coyotes had been struggling at the plate – they entered with a .220 team batting average – and it the power surge proved a welcome relief.

“Everyone was hitting. I think our bats are finally coming alive,” Rubanowitz said. “We’re getting our confidence back.”

Sammy Ross pitched three-plus innings for the win, and he added two hits.

Ross is batting .333, and Rubanowitz is batting .321.

“Sammy has been hitting the ball hard,” Rubanowitz said.

Calabasas (4-7, 1-4) plays host to Moorpark (8-3, 3-1) at 3:30 p.m. today.

HOOPS STANDOUT TO PLAY FOR TOP CLUB TEAM

Jeremy Lieberman, who started at point guard as a freshman and led Marmonte League basketball players in assists, is playing for Team Elite this summer, Calabasas coach Jon Palarz said. Team Elite is among the top club teams.


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