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Schools

Lancers Football: MacNeal Era Begins on Friday

Carlsbad High opens the 2011 season Friday vs. St. Augustine with alum Thadd MacNeal in charge.

The Carlsbad High School football team is in for another facelift.

Last season, following two years of playing their “home” games at other schools, the Lancers finally returned to playing home games at their own home when the refurbished Swede Krcmar Field reopened with a new playing surface, new seating and a new press box.

This year, Carlsbad has a new head coach for the first time in nearly two decades following the resignation of longtime coach Bob McAllister. Carlsbad alumnus Thadd MacNeal takes over as head coach after McAllister resigned in February following 17 seasons in charge of the Lancers’ football program.

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During his tenure, McAllister coached the Lancers to 133 victories, six Avocado League championships and three CIF San Diego Section Division I crowns, in 2002, 2005 and 2006. Known to many simply as “Coach Mac,” McAllister turns over the reigns to a new Coach Mac.

“We have a lot of new faces, but we have a great staff,“ said MacNeal, a 1989 Carlsbad grad who played quarterback for the Lancers. “We’re definitely a young team, but we have a real good bunch of kids.“

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MacNeal, 40, coached five years at Lakewood High, leading the Lancers to a 45-15 record, five playoff appearances and a Moore League championship in 2009. Prior to Lakewood, MacNeal served as offensive coordinator for eight seasons at perennial Southern Section powerhouse Los Alamitos High and the same post for three seasons at Capistrano Valley.

“I’ve been around some great coaches and some great programs,” MacNeal said. “I hope to pass along some of that knowledge.”
The Lancers had five defensive players selected to the all-league team last year, but all of them were seniors. MacNeal inherits an inexperienced team that will rely on a core of four returning starters.

Two key seniors returning are Mike Coe on the offensive and defensive lines and Andrew Proulx at cornerback. Middle linebacker Leo Marin returns after a strong sophomore season last year, and calling the signals at quarterback will be Tanner Wrisley, a senior who started the last three games last season for the Lancers.

Carlsbad qualified for the CIF playoffs last year despite a 5-5 regular-season record, and the Lancers won their first-round playoff game over San Pasqual 34-6 before losing 20-16 to Torrey Pines to cap off a 6-6 campaign.

Carlsbad kicks off the 2011 season Friday against St. Augustine at Mesa College, the first of three straight road games to open the season. The first home game is Sept. 30 when the Lancers host Torrey Pines.

The Lancers will host cross-town rival La Costa Canyon in the Avocado West League opener on Oct. 14.

MacNeal said he has simple expectations for his young team.

“We’ve got to take care of the football. That’s No. 1,” MacNeal said. “We need to play solid on both sides of the line. If you don’t have experience to burn, you’ve got to play with consistency.”

Date  
  Opponent  
  Location    Time Sept. 2  
St Augustine Mesa College 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9   San Diego HS Balboa Park 7 p.m.
Sept. 16
 
Ramona Ramona 7 p.m.
Sept. 23
  BYE     Sept. 30
  Torrey Pines Carlsbad 7 p.m.
Oct. 7
  Fallbrook Fallbrook 7 p.m
Oct. 14
  La Costa Canyon
Carlsbad 7 p.m.
Oct. 21   El Camino El Camino 7 p.m.
Oct. 28
  Poway Poway 7 p.m.
Nov. 4
  Oceanside Carlsbad 7 p.m.
Nov. 11
  Ranch Buena Vista Carlsbad 7 p.m.
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