OCVarsity preview for the 2015 season:
LA HABRA HIGHLANDERS
Coach: Frank Mazzotta
Last season: 7-4 overall, 5-0 league
Scouting report: The Highlanders return 10 players who were All-Freeway League selections in 2014, headlined by third-year starting quarterback Eric Barriere and Pac-12-bound linebacker Jake Colacion. Colacion, who committed to Arizona this summer, will also see time at running back alongside senior Cortlin Taylor as the Highlanders will collectively try to match the productivity put forth by Carlos Martin the past two seasons. With a seasoned vet like Barriere working with a talented group of receivers and tight ends, La Habra should continue to roll on offense where it averaged 43 points an outing in 2014. The question comes on defense, where the Highlanders uncharacteristically struggled, allowing 35 points or more in seven games. If La Habra can limit the big plays and tackle better in space, this is a team that can compete with anyone in the Southwest Division playoffs.
Bottom line: A ninth straight Freeway League title would be nice, but the Highlanders really hope to push for their first CIF-SS title since 2010.
Players to watch: Eric Barriere, QB, Sr.; Jake Colacion, LB, Sr.; Matthew Gonzales, DE, Sr.; Prince Ross, WR/S, Jr.; Cortlin Taylor, RB, Sr.
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
