Two years ago, a bunch of talented sophomores battled to a 5-5 record.  Last year, the Panthers got comfortable in their own skin and went to the playoffs with a 7-4 record.  This season, as coach Scott Meyer says, “We don’t want to go backwards.  We want to make 7-3 and the playoffs an average year.”

Entering his sixth year at Jordan, coach Meyer saw the steady growth spike last October with an emotional victory over Lakewood. After the John Timu-led defense kept the Lancers in check, 21-14, Meyer said the Jordan football program had, “turned the corner.”

Even though the Panthers are talented (nearly all of last year’s skill players are returning) it really comes down to Timu, because he plays the two most important positions on the field.  On offense, he will spend most of his time in the shotgun, but it’s not because they want to throw.  It’s “playoff style” football in J-Town: run the ball and play defense.  Last year, Timu led the team averaging seven yards-per-carry, but that’s because of the platoon at running back.  It will be no different this year, and up to five different backs could see time in the nonleague schedule.

On defense, the sneaky coverage and relentless outside pressure lifted a low scoring team.  At safety (like in that Lakewood game) Timu can roam the field and change the game.  But the coverage is worthless without pressure.  The defensive line and players like Michael Maoti will need to free up the linebackers and players like Princeton Fuimaono.

One big challenge for the Panthers will be conditioning.  They seemed to be running low on gas in the playoffs against Mater Dei after the long, brutal Moore League schedule.  But the coaches know that.  They have implemented weight room sessions focusing on stamina and a post-practice run taken from Tampa Bay Buccaneer training camp.  Players run to sprint and have to get back to the end line in 45 seconds.  After a minute rest they go again.  This goes on while the rest time decreases.  It’s meant to condition for late-game situations.

With almost all the starting players able to go both ways, those exhausting situations late on Friday nights could make the difference between this Jordan program turning the corner or going backwards.

Jordan Panters 2009 Schedule (Games at 7pm unless noted)

Week Zero: September 4th

Bye

Week One: September 11th

@ Beverly Hills

Week Two: September 18th

Vs. Pasadena

Week Three: September 25th

Vs. Dominguez

Week Four: October 2nd

@ Poly

Week Five: October 9th

@ Oaks Christian

Week Six: October 16th

@ Millikan

Week Seven: October 23th

@ Lakewood

Week Eight: October 30th

Vs. Compton

Week Nine: November 6th

Vs. Wilson

Week Ten: November 13th

Vs. Cabrillo

Schedule Analysis

Jordan has its toughest nonleague schedule since Meyer took over, and this list of games has more to do with long-term goals.  On Sept. 25^th the final score will decide the game against Dominguez while another game is played in the stands.  “Guys from over here go over there all the time,” says Meyer.  Now, we’re not saying the North Side football recruiting battle is anything like college recruiting.  But Jordan, Compton and Dominguez have all experienced recent success, and with open enrollment and the new one transfer rule… well, we’re just sayin’, a win against Dominguez would help keep NLB kids in NLB.  Also in an effort to solidify future success, Jordan will play Oaks Christian, a mammoth test for the developing program.  They know successful teams from Long Beach improve CIF seeds with big wins over LA schools.  In league play, the early road games will control the Panther’s fate when they travel to Poly and Lakewood back-to-back.  Like Poly, Jordan’s opening stretch is crucial–so is that conditioning program, since their only week off is the first week of the season.  Then it’s ten straight weeks of punishing football, and most likely, at least another one after that.

Five Players To Watch:

Princeton “Bobo” Fuimaono, LB/RB, senior #9

For the last three years, the talented outside backer has looked better every time he straps it up.  After a summer of getting faster and stronger, Fuimaono is one of the front-runners for Moore League Defensive MVP.  With impressive lateral speed and range Fuimaono can truly play run first before dropping back into coverage.  During the passing league (especially at Poly in late June) he played great in coverage and was staying with anyone going up the sideline.  The 6’0” 205lb senior will also see a lot of time in the backfield, particularly in the red zone.  Last year he scored three touchdowns on just 29 carries.

John Timu, QB/DB, senior #15

Yes, we’ve talked a lot about the 6’1” 200lb senior, but a lot of people are talking.  The returning Moore League MVP, Timu has matured as a leader as he enters his third year behind center.  That comfort level has given Jordan coaches a chance to tailor the running game to give Timu some lanes.  Instead of just waiting for Timu to create something on a broken play, which happened a lot last year, the Panthers will have more of a speed option twist to the classic spread look.  Oh yeah, he’s also one of the best safeties in the league.

Vincent Porter, DB/RB, senior #5

Porter is an extremely exciting player on offense, defense, and special teams.  Unfortunately, last year he suffered from nagging injuries that limited his effect.  This year he will again be returning kicks, playing number one receivers on the right side and sharing carries in the backfield.  With his game-breaking speed, Porter could win some games for the Panthers this year.

Michael Maoti, OL/DL, junior #64

A tackle on both sides of the ball, Maoti learned a lot while starting as a sophomore.  At 6’2” 296 pounds, he leads a group of juniors who make up a young front four.  But like Maoti, all four got playing time last season.  Okay, right now it might be easier to visualize something while I explain how important Maoti is to the Jordan offense.  Just think about Vince Young and Texas in that classic National Title win over USC.  Every time VY took the ball out of the running backs hands and sprinted to the pylon, it seemed like he had nothing but green and one defender to beat.  That’s because the Texas offensive line was doing a great job of shedding lineman and neutralizing backers.  When Maoti can do that, it’s Timu and one defender out there.  We’ve all seen how that ends.  Just go watch our highlight videos from last year.

Anthony Smith, WR/FS, senior #6

Smith and Timu will be working very closely this season, but it’s not yet clear if Smith will have more of an impact on offense of defense.  On defense, his speed and game-smarts make him just as dangerous at safety as Timu.  And on offense, if he can become the deep threat to spread an already spread out secondary, the crossing routs Timu loves to find will be wide open.