OCVarsity team preview for the 2016 season:
ALISO NIGUEL WOLVERINES
Coach: Kurt Westling
Last season: 3-7 overall, 1-3 Sea View League
Scouting report: The Wolverines have four returning starters on offense and five returning starters on defense. An important position at which they do not have a returning starter is quarterback, where Nick Chapman was a three-year starter and all-league first team last season. Aliso, a throwing team in 2015, will lean on the running game this season. Andre Cotton, a senior, is a third-year starter. “Andre has great balance and great vision,” Coach Kurt Westling said. Sam Marrazzo, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound senior tackle who has an offer from University of San Diego, anchors a large offensive line. Nate Soresen, a junior, and sophomore Kyle Robertson were contending for the starting quarterback position during the summer. On defense, the Wolverines might be strongest at linebacker where senior Bear Greene (5-10, 215) is a three-year starter. Cotton will play linebacker, where he was all-league second team last season, as needed. Aliso’s nonleague schedule includes a home game against Tustin. The Wolverines’ first two league games are against the perhaps the top two teams in the league, El Toro and Capistrano Valley. Aliso would play in the Division 9 playoffs division if it qualifies.
Bottom line: The Wolverines must play better defense than they did last year, when they allowed 38 points a game, if they are to make their first playoffs appearance since 2011.
Players to watch: Andre Cotton, RB/LB, Sr.; Bear Greene, LB, Sr.; Chrisian Hovey, Jr, DB; Tyler Jones, Sam Marrazzo, OL, Sr.
RELATED LINKS
- Sea View League preview
- Aliso Niguel preview
- Capistrano Valley preview
- Dana Hills preview
- El Toro preview
- Laguna Hills preview
Contact the writer: sfryer@scng.com
