San Pedro High football has high hopes for the 2015 season as they have several key components returning from an 11-2 season in 2014, which included a share of the Marine League championship and a berth in the CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division I semifinals.

Two of those key components will most definitely be felt on the defensive side of the ball in senior WR/DB Antonio 'A.J.' Frazier Jr. and senior TE/DL Mike Spinosa.

Frazier Jr. comes into the 2015 season among the top recruited prospects in the South Bay area, and among the top safeties in the City Section. The two-time Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass selection, All-City Division I first team defense selection, and Marine League Defensive Player Of The Year a season ago, is as electrifying and explosive as they come.

Last year, Frazier Jr. had 519 all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving & punt returns) with a pair of touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving), while posting 72 tackles, 4 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, a forced fumble & a sack for the Pirates. In the Marine League itself, Frazier Jr. shined against the three main threats besides San Pedro in the Marine League, posting 37 tackles, an interception & a sack against the likes of Narbonne, Carson and Banning.

An injury in the quarterfinals against Arleta prevented Frazier Jr. from showcasing his talents in a rare rematch with Carson in the semifinals, which the Pirates lost, 33-30.

"I've been playing with A.J. since sophomore year and he always brings a positive attitude to practice," San Pedro senior quarterback Jacob Miller says. "He's very consistent and leads by example. He treats his teammates well."

Frazier Jr., like many other past and present Pirates, has also grown really quick to the rabid atmosphere of playing under the lights at Pirate Stadium in front of the most loyal and supportive fans anywhere.

"To be able to play under such great coaches and in front of my hometown that supports us 100%," Frazier Jr. says. "Its the best feeling. Pedro has the best fans it makes us feel like we are all family. We’re not just a team, we’re friends which make us unstoppable. We protect each other, play hard for each other, and want to win for each other."

In last week's scrimmage against defending CIF-Southern Section Western Division champion Palos Verdes, Frazier Jr. caught 3 of Miller's four completed passes, the first one being a 62-yard touchdown which he threaded the needle of the defense on the fourth play of the scrimmage for that scrimmage's only score.

Another key element to San Pedro's success is Spinosa, who became the first tight end in school history to be named Marine League (tri) & CIF-LACS Lineman Of The Year. Spinosa was more known as a blocking tight end last season but is also San Pedro's returning leader in sacks (3) on defense, to go along with 52 tackles on the defensive line, including 7.5 tackles for loss.

"It was an honor to be the first tight end in the CIF-LACS to be selected as Lineman of the Year, but it was really a team effort," Spinosa said.

Frazier Jr. & Spinosa are two San Pedro will definitely rely on in 2015 as they navigate through their toughest nonleague schedule to date in 25 years under head coach Mike Walsh. The Pirates have road games at last year's CIF-Southern Section Northeast Division runner-up Downey & Redondo Union on their nonleague slate.

"I think it's great we have more competition in the nonleague season," Spinosa says. "All that means is that we're going to work harder and that will help us beat better teams in both league play and the playoffs."

Miller, senior WR/DB Christian Michaels, senior RB/DE Donte Huddleston, junior WR/DB Mikey Hernandez Jr. and junior WR Raymond Geha also power San Pedro, who will face Downey, the preseason No.1 team in the CIF-SS Northeast Division, on Friday at Downey High.

(Note: Photos by Vince Pirozzi)