Kickoff 2011: Northwood starting lineup

August 26, 2011 7:55 AM

By TIM BURT

OCVARSITY.COM

Last season record: 8-4-1 overall, 3-1-1 in Pacific Coast League (second)

Postseason: Reached semifinal round of CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs, losing to Garden Grove, 35-21.

Coach: Rick Curtis (12^th year, 64-54-3).

Home stadium: Irvine High.

Outlook: The Timberwolves are hoping to contend for the Pacific Coast League title behind some talented returning players, including quarterback Ricky Bautista, who was the league’s offensive MVP and completed 183 of 310 passes for 2,410 yards and 27 touchdowns. Also back is all-league tight end/linebacker Alex King, who had 50 assisted tackles and 50 unassisted tackles. Wide receiver Tyler Zorn, defensive back-wide receiver Joe Dunleavy and defensive back/wide receiver Kevin Norman, who were all-league players, also return. Coach Rick Curtis believes the Timberwolves are strong at the quarterback, receiving, linebacking and special teams positions but is concerned about the offensive line and the overall size and depth of the squad.

Factoid: Northwood has 24 returning lettermen with four offensive starters and five defensive starters returning.

School record: 64-54-3.

Scroll down to see the starting lineup and players to watch at Northwood High School. See the 2011 Pacific Coast League preview. See Northwood's 2011 schedule. See previews for all leagues.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
NAME: Quarterback Ricky Bautista, who was the offensive MVP of the Pacific Coast League and an all-CIF player, leads the offense. Bautista completed 183 of 310 passes for 2,410 yards and 27 touchdowns last year.
NAME: Alex King, a tight end and linebacker, was an all-league player last year and brings two years of experience to the Timberwolves. Last year, King had 50 assisted tackles and 50 unassisted tackles.
STARTING LINEUP
Offense Pos.	Name	Height	Weight	Year
QB	Ricky Bautista	6-1	180	Sr.
HB	Kyle Wakayama	5-7	165	Sr.
HB	Tyler Molnar	5-9	155	Sr.
RB	Jon Beck	5-10	175	Jr.
RB	Guerin Dayer	5-6	165	Sr.
WR	Tyler Zorn	6-3	190	Sr.
WR	Michael Tran	5-9	170	Sr.
TE	Alex King	6-3	215	Sr.
G	Matt Smidt	5-11	195	Sr.
T	Travis Fox	5-10	245	Sr.
C	Ryan Yi	5-10	255	Sr.
T	Dylan Flanagan	6-0	200	Sr.
G	Dyal Lim	5-10	195	Sr.
G	Matt Blackburn	5-10	200	Jr.
K	Nathan Nellesen	5-11	150	Jr.
Defense Pos.	Name	Height	Weight	Year
DE	Blake Miller	6-0	175	Sr.
DT	Oscar Avalos	6-0	250	Jr.
DT	Michael Sleiman	6-2	230	Jr.
DE	Ryan Doyle	6-0	185	Sr.
OLB	Alex King	6-3	215	Sr.
MLB	Austin Hwang	5-11	200	Sr.
OLB	Jonathon Albright	6-2	200	Jr.
S	Kyle Wakayama	5-8	165	Sr.
SS	Joe Dunleavy	5-11	190	Jr.
CB	Tyler Molnar	5-9	155	Sr.
CB	Brian Clyde	5-10	165	Sr.
P	Alex King	6-3	215	Sr.
KR	Jon Beck	5-10	175	Jr.
KR	Kyle Wakahama	5-8	165	Sr.
PR	Tyler Molnar	5-9	155	Sr.