La Mirada Matadores: 2019 Division 4 Southern Section football preview

After a two-year absence, Mike Moschetti is back on the sideline as La Mirada’s head coach. Here's an inside look at the 2019 Matadores.

Links: La Mirada team page | 2019 schedule

2018 IN REVIEW

Overall record: 2-9 (2-1 in league, 2nd in the Suburban League). La Mirada lost 44-14 to Downey in the first round of the Division 3 playoffs.

HEAD COACH

After a two-year absence, Mike Moschetti returns as La Mirada’s head coach for the 2019 season. Coach Moschetti was previously the head coach for La Mirada from 2008-2016. During that time, he was 78-36, including two division championships and a state championship.

TOP PLAYERS

QB Alex Flores, 6-2, 202, Sr.

RB Nate McQuarrie, 5-8, 190, Sr.

T/DT Daniel Medeles, 6-4, 280, Sr.

TE Shaun Grayson, 6-3, 204, Jr.

K/P Seth Ponce, 5-10, 155, Jr.

FS Tamir Johnson, 6-0, 172, Sr.

DB Thaddeus Dixon, 6-2, 190, Sr.

OLB Michael Nedrow, 6-0, 210, Sr.

FS Austin Cook, 6-2, 200, Sr.

OUTLOOK

While La Mirada signed up for a brutal preseason gauntlet and finished with a 2-9 record in 2018, they did their work in league (2-1) and made the Division 3 playoffs. This season, they only return four starters on each side of the ball. Still, coach Moschetti says the Matadores have the same goal they always do – win a state championship, and send as many student-athletes to college as possible.

Offensively, they return starting QB Alex Flores and their RB2 in Nate McQuarrie. They are also expecting big things out of OT Daniel Medeles and TE Shaun Grayson. K/P Seth Ponce gives them an edge at special teams as well.

Their secondary projects to be a strength, with Paramount transfer Thaddeus Dixon joining La Mirada after a strong junior season. Last year, he recorded 64 tackles, 41 of them unassisted. He joins senior safeties Tamir Johnson and Austin Cook in the backfield. OLB Michael Nedrow will be tasked with anchoring a young interior defense.