OCVARSITY PREDICTS: ACADEMY LEAGUE
1. St. Margaret’s: As the gold standard in the league, the Tartans have captured 13 consecutive titles. Having the league’s best running back and one of the county’s strongest kickers should keep that streak alive.
2. Sage Hill: The Lightning had an unexpected coaching change in early August, but with an offense comprised of speedy playmakers, the shakeup shouldn’t stop them from getting back to the playoffs for a second straight season.
3. Crean Lutheran: With a new quarterback and a sturdy offensive line leading the way, Coach Brett Mertens’ bunch should easily improve on last year’s one-win season.
4. Brethren Christian: After last season’s strong regular-season showing, the Warriors must pick up the pieces of a graduation-depleted roster if they want to return to the postseason.
5. Calvary Chapel of Downey: The Grizzlies need to find a way to keep up with the rest of the high-scoring teams in the league. They averaged 7 points a game last seeason.
COACHES’ POLL
1. St. Margaret’s, 20 poll points (4)
2. Brethren Christian, 14
3. Crean Lutheran, 11
4. Sage Hill, 10
5. Calvary Chapel of Downey, 5
How the poll works: The league coaches do the voting. Calvary Chapel did not participate. First-place votes (shown in parentheses) are worth 5 points, second are worth 4, etc.
IMPACT PLAYERS
Oscar Gomez, St. Margaret’s, Sr., RB: The All-CIF selection leads the Tartans’ ground game once again after running for 1,714 yards and 20 touchdowns last season.
CJ McCord, Sage Hill, Sr., QB/LB: The fleet-footed quarterback threw for more than 1,500 yards in 2013 and should open up the field even further with a strong running attack.
Guy Demazeliere, Brethern Christian, Sr., WR/DE: A sparkplug with speed and strength on both offense/defense, Demzaeliere runs a 4.6 in the 40 and tops out at 330 pounds in the bench press.
Matt Frisbee, Crean Lutheran, Sr., OLB/WR: Frisbee may not rack up statistics that jump off the page, but the captain has a nose for the ball and is heralded as a true playmaker.
MUST-SEE GAMES
St. Margaret’s at Laguna Beach, Sept. 26: The Breakers will look to upset St. Margaret’s after hanging tough in last season’s showdown.
Crean Lutheran at Sage Hill, Oct. 7: Sage Hill won this matchup, 50-40, last year in a shootout, so the Saints’ improved defense will look for redemption against CJ McCord and Co.
Brethren Christian at St. Margaret’s, Oct. 17: The Warriors lost to the Tartans by less than two touchdowns last season, but this could be a must-win game for them if they want to go to the playoffs.
MORE FOOTBALL — OCVARSITY KICKOFF’14: O.C.’S BEST FAN GUIDE:
Everything you need to know about the high school football scene for 2014.
