The Register’s scouting report for the Sea View League:
OCVARSITY PREDICTS
1. San Clemente: The Tritons are loaded with enough returning starters, including eight on offense, to defend their league title. With five Division 1-A recruits and perhaps more to come, they’ll also likely be ranked No. 1 in the Southwest Division preseason poll.
2. Trabuco Hills: From the departure of CIF-SS coach of the year Tony Henney to the transfer of two All-CIF players, it has been a turbulent offseason for the reigning Southwest Division champion. The Mustangs still have several players and coaches with championship experience, so don’t expect them to drop from contending status.
3. Capistrano Valley: Graduation hit the Cougars hard after they made the semifinals in 2014, but they’ve established a winning culture. Capistrano Valley is going to have to reload quickly but bring along inexperienced players. “These guys have been around winning for a couple years,” Cougars coach Ernie Bucher said.
4. Aliso Niguel: The Wolverines have the most experienced quarterback in the league, Nick Chapman, a three-year starter. The senior captain also has weapons at receiver, so consider Aliso Niguel a serious contender for a playoff berth. As San Clemente showed last season, turnarounds can arrive fast. “Their talent level is up,” Bucher said of Aliso Niguel.
5. Laguna Hills: The Hawks return 10 starters overall and hope to be improved in Bruce Ingalls’ 18th and final season as head coach. If they progress, the Hawks will need a united effort because they don’t have the star power of other teams. “Hopefully we’ll be better and at least be competitive,” Ingalls said.
COACHES’ POLL
1. San Clemente, 25 poll points (5)
2. Trabuco Hills, 19
3T. Aliso Niguel, 13
3T. Capistrano Valley, 13
5. Laguna Hills, 5
How the poll works: The league coaches do the voting. First-place votes (shown in parentheses) are worth 5 points, second are worth 4, etc.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
Vlad Dzhabiyev, San Clemente: The senior running back returns not only as the league’s reigning offensive MVP, he’s one of the best players in Orange County. “He’s tough – tough to tackle,” Capistrano Valley coach Ernie Bucher said. Dzhabiyev (6-0, 195) rushed for 1,149 yards last season on just 165 carries and added 28 receptions for 232 yards. He finished with 19 TDs. With offensive linemen such as Tucker Scott (Utah) and Donte Harrington blocking and a new starting quarterback in the mix, expect Dzhabiyev and fellow RB Brandon Reaves to get plenty of carries. Dzhabiyev will also lend a hand to the Tritons’ defense by playing linebacker.
OTHER IMPACT PLAYERS
Tucker Scott, San Clemente, OT: Three-year starter and Utah commit is outstanding at pass and run blocking.
Chad Crosbie, Trabuco Hills, RB: The senior broke loose for 1,286 yards and 11 TDs last season. He had five 100-yard games.
Alex Bale, Capistrano Valley, DT: The senior had 10 sacks as a junior and could earn the league’s defensive MVP.
Nick Chapman, Aliso Niguel, QB: The senior threw for just over 2,500 yards and 22 TDs last season. He could challenge San Clemente’s Jack Sears for air supremacy in the league.
Sam Warren, Laguna Hills, RB/LB/DB: The Hawks’ best player also is a versatile senior.
MUST-SEE GAMES
San Clemente vs. Capistrano Valley, Oct. 9: The Tritons beat the Cougars twice last season, including an overtime thriller, 28-27, in the semifinals. This one is a league opener.
Capistrano Valley vs. Trabuco Hills, Oct. 23: The Mustangs won last season’s game, 21-6, en route to second place in the league.
San Clemente vs. Trabuco Hills, Oct. 30: The schools split two memorable games last fall. Both games were decided by seven points.
Capistrano Valley vs. Aliso Niguel, Oct. 30: The Wolverines will be at home and coming off a bye before this critical game.
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
