OCVarsity’s scouting report on the Freeway League:
OCVARSITY PREDICTS
1. La Habra: The gap between the Highlanders and the rest of the Freeway League has narrowed, evident by a pair of 42-35 nail-biters against Buena Park and Troy last year. But with return of quarterback Eric Barriere and linebacker Jake Colacion – two of the best talents in the county at their positions – La Habra is the favorite to capture its ninth straight league crown.
2. Buena Park: With Zach Taylor back under center surrounded by a new cast of weapons, the Coyotes again pose the greatest threat to end La Habra’s reign atop the league standings. The offense will score points, but it’s the defense that will determine just how far this Buena Park team can go.
3. Sonora: Tight losses against Troy and Fullerton ultimately kept the Raiders out of the postseason in 2014. With nine starters back on offense, including star running back Jacob Fimbres, Sonora could successfully close out those games this season and find its way back to the playoffs.
4. Troy: Wide receiver Ryan Scotti and running back Dray Shaw give the Warriors two proven playmakers. Troy’s success likely comes down to its play at quarterback, and whether the defense can get more stops than it did a year ago.
5. Fullerton: The helmets and uniforms aren’t the only new elements on Fullerton’s campus this season. The Indians will trot out seven first-year starters on both sides of the football.
6. Sunny Hills: Coach Pete Karavedas takes over a program that went 5-0 against nonleague foes a season ago. The challenge comes in league, where Sunny Hills has failed to win a game since 2009.
COACHES’ POLL
1. La Habra, 23 poll points (3)
2. Buena Park, 19 (1)
3. Sonora, 16
4T. Fullerton, 11
4T. Troy, 11
6. Sunny Hills, 4
How the poll works: The league coaches do the voting. First-place votes (shown in parentheses) are worth 6 points, second are worth 5, etc. Note: Two league coaches abstained from voting.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
Eric Barriere, La Habra: Highlanders coach Frank Mazzotta has raved about Barriere since naming him the starting quarterback as a sophomore in 2013. Barriere’s junior season concluded with Freeway League MVP honors after he led an offense that put up at least 42 points in each of its last seven outings. One of the county’s top mobile quarterbacks, Barriere has shown the innate ability of keeping his eyes down the field when the pocket collapses, which is why La Habra has been one of the top scoring offenses the last two seasons. Sacramento State has already offered the Highlanders signal caller, and more offers should stream in as a stellar senior season is to be expected.
OTHER IMPACT PLAYERS
Jake Colacion, La Habra, LB: The Arizona commit was one of the county’s most sought-after recruits, and he’ll be one of the primary reasons the Highlanders defense bounces back a year after allowing 32 points a game.
Malcolm Dixon, Sunny Hills, QB/DB: A handful of Ivy League schools have already offered Dixon, who will rarely see the sideline this upcoming season.
Jacob Fimbres, Sonora, RB: One of the county’s top backs has his sights set on eclipsing the 2,000-yard mark, as well as leading Sonora back to the postseason.
Ryan Scotti, Troy, WR: The Brown commit was one of only two wide receivers in Orange County that strung together four consecutive 100-yard receiving performances in 2014.
Zach Taylor, Buena Park, QB: There’s no denying the senior is one of the area’s most versatile field generals, especially after he passed for 3,500 yards and rushed for nearly 1,000 in his first year as a starter.
Ryan Rains, Fullerton, RB/LB: After filling in at times as the team’s primary back in 2014 because of injuries, the senior takes over the reigns (pun intended) for the Indians’ backfield this fall.
MUST-SEE GAMES
La Habra vs. Buena Park, Oct. 16: Based on last season’s result – La Habra won, 42-35 – it’s a candidate for regular-season game of the year.
Sonora vs. Troy, Oct. 23: With La Habra and Buena Park considered overwhelming favorites atop the league standings, this matchup could determine who grabs the league’s third guaranteed playoff spot.
Buena Park vs. Edison, Sept. 4: The Coyotes significantly upgraded their preseason schedule by adding one of the county’s premier programs.
La Habra vs. Los Alamitos, Sept. 18: The Highlanders, who also play Mission Viejo for the third consecutive year, take on another one of the county’s most successful public school programs.
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
