Most Viewed Stories
Most Commented Stories
Most Recommended Stories
Save & Share this Article
Kickoff '09: Golden West League
Comments 0 | Recommend 0See what's in store for the season.
COACHES POLL
1. Westminster, 7-4 in 2008, 27 poll points
2. Segerstrom, 6-5, 26
3. Santa Ana, 7-4, 20
4. Orange, 3-7, 15
5. Ocean View, 4-6, 12
6. Saddleback, 0-10, 8
(*Teams receive 6 points for a first-place vote, 5 points for a second-place vote, etc.)
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Segerstrom: Picked by many to challenge for the league title a year ago, the Jaguars (3-2) finished third, losing to league champion Westminster and second-place Santa Ana by a combined total of six points. Led by the all-league tandem of quarterback Brian Murrietta and running back/linebacker Justin Mills, the Jaguars return 11 total starters on offense and defense. Will this be the season that Segerstrom breaks through to capture the first league championship in school history?
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Westminster: The Lions continued their mastery over the rest of the league last season, winning their fifth consecutive league title and running their league winning streak to 27 games. But graduation took a toll on Westminster, which must replace numerous starters on offense and defense. How quickly the new starters mature will go a long way in determining if the Lions can continue their winning tradition in 2009.
PLAYER TO WATCH
QB Brian Murrietta, Segerstrom. A first-team all-league selection in 2008, Murrietta completed 59 percent of his passes and threw 10 touchdown passes with only two interceptions. He also proved to be a playmaker on the ground, rushing for 221 yards and eight touchdowns.
OTHER TOP PLAYERS
Ocean View: Kody Afusia, DE; Nolan Tippy, QB/FS, Charlie Webb, T
Orange: Edgar Bejarano, QB/FS/P, Axel Sanchez RB, Francis Talavou, OL
Saddleback: Tino Candelas, QB, Alvaro Escutia, G, Ricardo Rodriguez, T
Santa Ana: Luis Diaz, K/P, Jesse Martinez, OL, Bobby Peralta, RB
Segerstrom: Aaron Amrine, RB/FS; Gary Fermen, OLB, Matt Navarro, RB
Westminster: Emerson Aiava, OL, Bryan Garcia, DT/TE, Jose Ortiz, RB/DB
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Westminster at Segerstrom, Nov. 6, 7 p.m. In last season’s meeting, the Jaguars held the lead early but were unable to hold off the Lions, who rallied for a 33-28 victory. Westminster has never lost to Segerstrom, so if the Jaguars are to claim the school’s first league title, they have to figure out a way to get past the Lions.
TOUGHEST SCHEDULE
Segerstrom. The Jaguars will be tested early as two of their nonleague opponents are defending CIF champions. Segerstrom plays host to two-time defending Central Section Division III champ Tehachapi in the season opener (Sept. 4) then plays host to defending CIF-SS Division II Southern Division champion Laguna Hills (Sept. 18). The Jaguars also have a road matchup with defending Garden Grove League champion Santiago (Sept. 24).
OTHER LEAGUE PREVIEWS:
Garden Grove, Golden West leagues
Orange, Orange Coast leagues
Pacific Coast, Sea View leagues
South Coast and Sunset leagues
Trinity league, small schools
See archived 'Sports' stories »
We want our site to be a place where people discuss and debate ideas that foster stronger communities. We built this for you. Please take care of it. Tolerate broad thinking, but take action against obscene or hateful material. Make it a credible and safe place worth preserving and sharing.
