OCVarsity preview for the 2015 season:
ST. MARGARET’S TARTANS
Coach: Stephen Barbee
Last season: 15-1 overall, 4-0 league
Scouting report: St. Margaret’s isn’t out to reinvent the wheel. The 2014 CIF-SS East Valley champions and Division IV State finalists continue to field well-coached, effective and talented teams. Nick Shanks was Mr. Everything last season, and, if possible, his role will expand in his senior season. Although working with a new offensive coordinator, Shanks should get more rushing touches in addition to his work as a receiver, defensive back and fielding punts and kicks. St. Margaret’s also boasts one of the better wide receiver corps in the division, led by senior Taylor Freitas and junior Auston Locke. The Tartans are equally talented on defense with junior Nick Amoukhteh in the front seven but slightly less experienced in the secondary. The only concern might be with a slightly undersized offensive line, but that’s a problem St. Margaret’s has consistently faced and combatted by being technically sound. The Tartans also go into the season with a freshman kicker, Chris Vartanian.
Bottom line: St. Margaret’s is a machine that will excel with a varied offense and quick defense and it expects to compete for a CIF title.
Players to watch: Nick Amoukhteh, DL/LB/OL/FB, Jr.; Ryan Cragun, CB/WR, Soph.; Taylor Freitas, WR/FS, Sr.; Auston Locke, WR/SS, Jr.; Nick Shanks, RB/WR/DB, Sr.
