FOUNTAIN VALLEY BARONS
Coach: Ray Fenton (second year, 7-4)
Last season: 7-4 overall, 3-2 league
Scouting report: The Barons have question marks on offense but could be strong enough on defense to show improvement in Fenton’s second season. Chad Olberding takes over at quarterback and will run the Barons’ newly implemented pistol offense. Fenton believes the pistol, with its option features, fits Olberding’s athleticism. Also, keep an eye on the quick Dakarai Barnett, who impressed as a sophomore. Fountain Valley also is talented at receiver with Ryan Finley and Sal Ochoa returning as two of the offense’s four returning starters. The Barons’ strength appears to be on defense with six returning starters, including first-team all-league linebackers Hunter Margain and Stone Escobedo. Fenton also is high on his sophomore class, which includes five transfers. If the defense is strong and the offense finds playmakers, the Barons could make consecutive playoff appearances for the first time since 2008-09.
Players to watch: Cole Chambers, Sr.; Stone Escobedo, Sr.; Ryan Finley, Sr.; Hunter Margain, Sr.; Sal Ochoa, Sr.
PROJECTED LINEUP
Offense
QB: Chad Olberding, Jr.
RB: Dakarai Barnett, Jr.
RB: Trey Davis, Jr.
WR: Ryan Finley, Sr.
WR: Sal Ochoa, Sr.
WR: Jacob Garrett, So.
LT: Cole Chambers, Sr.
LG: Keiti Iakopo, Jr.
C: Scott Craig, So.
RG: Ennis Khaleq, Sr.
RT: Cameron Day, Sr.
Kicker: Javier Campos, Sr.
Defense
DE: Noah Jarvis, Sr.
DT: Keiti Iakopo, Jr.
DE: Cole Chambers, Sr.
OLB: Tyler Vaimaona, Sr.
OLB: Kent Swift, Jr.
ILB: Hunter Margain, Sr.
ILB: Stone Escobedo, Sr.
CB: Jacob Rodriguez, Sr.
CB: Abraham Rodriguez, Sr.
S: Ryan Finley, Sr.
S: Sal Ochoa, Sr.
Punter: Sean St. Clair, Sr.
Punt return: Sal Ochoa, Sr.
Kick return: Dakarai Barnett, Jr.
Kick return: Trey Davis, Jr.
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Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
