OCVarsity Kickoff ’15 preview: Katella

Katella High lineman Ector Loayza, a senior, was the lineman of the year in the Orange League in 2014.
Katella lineman Ector Loayza is one of the top returning players in the Orange League.
Katella lineman Ector Loayza, a senior, was the lineman of the year in the Orange League in 2014.
Katella lineman Ector Loayza, a senior, is one of the top returning players in the Orange League. He was the league's lineman of the year in 2014.
Senior lineman Ector Loayza will be one of the key players for Katella this season.
Katella lineman Ector Loayza is one of the top returning players in the Orange League this season.

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By Damian Dottore | ddottore@scng.com | Orange County Register

August 25, 2015 at 9:40 p.m.

OCVarsity preview for the 2015 season:

KATELLA KNIGHTS

Coach: Fred DiPalma

Last season: 7-4 overall, 5-0 league

Scouting report: Seven starters are back from last year’s league championship-winning team, so inexperience will be a factor. Two of those players – lineman Ector Loayza and running back James Fatasia – will be the keys to Katella’s offense. Loayza, a senior tackle, was the league’s offensive lineman of the year in 2014, and Fatasia put up impressive numbers as a sophomore. On defense, the Knights return three of their top tacklers from last season – Loayza, Nick Hurtado and Sebastian Demaso (83 tackles in 2014). Hurtado and Loayza added 43 and 21 tackles, respectively.

Bottom line: The Knights aren’t as experienced as DiPalma would like, but they have enough experience at the positions that matter. They are likely the team to beat for the league title.

Players to watch: Sebastian Demaso, ILB, Sr.; James Fatasia, WR, Jr.; Jorge Fonseca, RB, Jr.; Nick Hurtado, DE, Sr.; Ector Loayza, T/DT, Sr.; Joe Vasquez, QB, Sr.

KATELLA ROSTER

KATELLA SCHEDULE

Contact the writer: ddottore@ocregister.com