OCVarsity’s season preview for 2016:
SUNNY HILLS LANCERS
Coach: Pete Karavedas
Last season: 5-6 overall, 1-4 league
Scouting report: In his first year at the helm, Pete Karavedas guided the Lancers to their first postseason appearance since 2008. The goal now is to make it back-to-back playoff trips for the first time since 2003-04. Sunny Hills will run its double-wing offense – it only threw the ball 67 times in 2015 – and is bringing back a veteran offensive line. Senior running back Brandon Castelo looks to build on an 850-yard season in which he scored seven touchdowns. Derrick Davis will start alongside Castelo in the backfield, and junior Brandon Won will be the team’s quarterback. Depth issues will force many of Sunny Hills’ player to go both ways, so injuries and conditioning are always worth keeping an eye on.
Bottom line: Top-to-bottom, the Freeway League doesn’t appear as strong as it was a season ago. In returning five starters on both sides of the football, Sunny Hills has a leg up on Fullerton and Sonora. If they can stay healthy, the Lancers should contend for a fourth-place finish in league and a playoff bid.
Players to watch: Brandon Castelo, RB/LB, Sr.; Derrick Davis, RB/DB, Sr.; Daryl Imperial, TE/LB, Sr.; Nick Sheffer, OL/DT, Jr.; Marquis Knighten, OL/DT, Jr.
RELATED LINKS
- Buena Park preview
- Freeway League preview
- Fullerton preview
- La Habra preview
- Sonora preview
- Sunny Hills preview
- Troy preview
Contact the writer: kconnolly@scng.com
