OC VARSITY PREDICTS
1. Trabuco Hills: New coach Tony Henney takes over a team that returns nine starters. The Mustangs return four offensive lineman, which is always a good thing.
2. San Clemente: The Tritons lost Sam Darnold early last season to injury. If he stays healthy they’re certain to improve on their 2-8 record last season.
3. Capistrano Valley: The Cougars return 12 starters. This team has the potential to contend for one of the three at-large berths in the division playoffs.
4. Aliso Niguel: The Wolverines could contend for third place. Their speed on offense will be fun to watch. Inexperience on the offensive line and at linebacker are concerns entering the season.
5. Laguna Hills: The Hawks have the pieces to give the favorites a challenge, but their lack of size and experience at certain positions will be a problem.
COACHES’ POLL
1. Trabuco Hills, 23 poll points (3)
2. San Clemente, 22 (2)
3. Capistrano Valley, 14
4. Laguna Hills, 9
5. Aliso Niguel, 7
How the poll works: The league’s coaches do the voting. First-place votes (shown in parentheses) are worth 6 points, second are worth 5, etc.
IMPACT PLAYERS
Jacob Breeland, Trabuco Hills, WR: The Oregon commit is dealing with a knee injury to start the season, but when he’s healthy he is one of the county’s top offensive threats. Last year he had 36 receptions for 753 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Sam Darnold, San Clemente, QB: After playing just three games last season due to injury, the senior has been the been the hottest name during the summer. He was a finalist at the Elite 11 and is up to 13 scholarship offers.
Adam Gordon, Capistrano Valley, WR/CB/K: Gordon is one of the more valuable and durable players in the county. If there is a big play to be made, the senior is likely the one to do it for the Cougars.
Will Sedgwick, Laguna Hills, LB: The senior has been a player to watch since his sophomore year, when the Sea View League Defensive Player of the Year. He committed to BYU.
Remy Wasserbach, Aliso Niguel, WR/SS: Wasserbach will be a key figure in the Wolverines’ offensive attack. Last year, he gained 560 yards (289 receiving, 271 rushing). Defensively, he is slated to start at safety.
MUST-SEE GAMES
Rancho Cucamonga at Trabuco Hills, Aug. 29: The Mustangs open the season against a team coming off of a 10-2 season and returning 11 starters.
San Clemente at Huntington Beach, Sept. 5: The Oilers were the Southwest Division champions a year ago, but they are now in the West Valley Division for the playoffs. This is an early test for the Tritons.
Aliso Niguel at Capistrano Valley, Oct. 30: The Wolverines scored 50 against the Cougars last season. This game might decide third place.
Trabuco Hills at San Clemente, Oct. 30: The projected favorites meet in the second-to-last game of the year. Will the league title be up for grabs?
MORE FOOTBALL — OCVARSITY KICKOFF’14: O.C.’S BEST FAN GUIDE:
Everything you need to know about the high school football scene for 2014.
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com
