OCVarsity Kickoff ’15 preview: Foothill

Foothill running back Jared Copeland, left, will try to help the Knights challenge for the Crestivew League title this season.
Quarterback Preston Moebius is one of the key returning players for Foothill, which reached the quarterfinals of the Southwest Division playoffs in 2014.
Foothill defensive lineman Chris Yaghi is one of the top returning players in the county. He committed to Cal.
Foothill's Chris Yaghi (42) leads the defense for the Knights, who went 8-4 overall and finished second in league in 2014.

Expand

By Kenny Connolly | kconnolly@scng.com | Orange County Register

August 25, 2015 at 8:00 p.m.

OCVarsity’s season preview for 2015:

FOOTHILL KNIGHTS

Coach: Doug Case

Last season: 8-4 overall, 2-1 league

Scouting report: The Knights defense likes to say it plays with an extra man on the field at all times. “(Chris) Yaghi looks like two players and allows us to play like 12,” Coach Doug Case said. “It’s an advantage when you have gap cancellation like that, and it’s like playing with an extra guy.” The Crestview League’s defensive MVP in 2014 headlines a solid nucleus (14 starters return) for the Knights, who made the Southwest Division quarters a season ago and hope to build off of it this year. Foothill should be better equipped to keep up with some of the high-scoring offenses they struggled against last fall. Quarterback Preston Moebius and running back Jared Copeland both return, along with the team’s four leading receivers. As much as Yaghi does for every level of the defense, the Knights’ secondary is an area to keep an eye on. Foothill surrendered 50, 49 and 56 points in three of its four losses, including a 49-7 letdown against Villa Park.

Bottom line: The Knights look to be better suited for a run at the league title than they were a year ago, and it could be decided when they play Villa Park on Oct. 29.

Players to watch: Jared Copeland, RB, Sr.; Preston Moebius, QB, Sr.; Joey Schlemmer, CB, Sr.; Chris Reem, WR, Sr.; Chris Yaghi, NG, Sr.

FOOTHILL ROSTER

FOOTHILL SCHEDULE

Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com