Football: Adam Guerra has St. Monica in semifinals

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Three years ago, when he was just 24 years old, Adam Guerra became the interim coach at Los Angeles Loyola after the sudden exit in the middle of the 2009 season by Jeff Kearin.

Loyola then went a different direction in 2010, hiring Mike Christensen. Guerra, a Loyola graduate, didn’t coach that season.

But when the St. Monica job opened in 2011, Guerra applied and got it. Now he has St. Monica in the semifinals of the Northeastern Division, playing Rio Hondo Prep on Friday.

He was a defensive specialist at Loyola, and it’s good to see a young coach getting the chance to prove himself.

In a slow economy, with few new teaching jobs, it has been hard for young coaches to get the opportunity to prove themselves. St. Monica might have lucked out.

Guerra teaches history and English.

‘It’s been a great fit,’ he said. ‘I loved Loyola, but it’s good to know you can branch out and have success.’

And Guerra’s excitement is growing, because in February, he and his wife are expecting their first child.

-- Eric Sondheimer