After losing 19 of its last 20 games in the two previous seasons, the St. Monica football team appears vastly improved.
Coach Shawn Ritter has reason for optimism, in part because five transfers have joined the program, significantly bolstering the roster.
Three players came from Daniel Murphy after that school closed. Two others are from Loyola.
“We will have more size and depth,” said Ritter, who saw his new players in summer workouts and in formal practice during the last week.
In addition, St. Monica will play three home games at Corsair Field after playing its home schedule at St. Bernard High in Playa del Rey the last half dozen years.
SMC is installing FieldTurf at Corsair Field, allowing for more games to be played. With natural grass, the field becomes torn up. Now the playing surface won’t be affected much by a game being played on Friday night and another on Saturday.
Two of the newcomers are massive linemen.
Chris Evans weighs 290 and Petor Kalidan 275. Both are from Daniel Murphy where Evans was voted that school’s Lineman of the Year in 2007.
The third transfer from Daniel Murphy is defensive back Walter Wilson.
The transfers from Loyola are Hector Santlesteban, a senior who plays running back and defensive back, and junior Michael Holuboski, a tight end and safety. Holuboski is also an outstanding volleyball player.
Ritter said the Mariners will also benefit from some talented players who spent 2007 on the school’s freshman team.
