When it comes to the Orange County high school football scene, the OCVarsity reporters have seen and experienced enough to have opinions on everything – the stadiums, snack food, school bands and coaches.
As a way to help O.C. fans get ready for the upcoming season, we’ve asked our top reporters – Steve Fryer, Dan Albano, Kenny Connolly, Damian Calhoun and Antonio Morales – to share their opinions and insights.
We’re calling it – OCVarsity Blitz, because it comes at you from all angles.
For the second preseason installment, we’re looking at the Orange County student sections, stadium food, parking lots and school bands.
Most spirited student section:
Steve Fryer: Servite
Dan Albano: Servite
Kenny Connolly: Servite
(“The students that make up ‘The Asylum’ are fanatics. They travel well, are as witty as they come, and stay until the final whistle blows – win or lose.”)
Antonio Morales: Servite
Damian Calhoun: Servite
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Favorite O.C. team uniform:
Steve Fryer: Saddleback
Dan Albano: Edison
Kenny Connolly: Mater Dei
(“The three white stripes on the Monarchs’ helmets are iconic. With Mater Dei being one of the most renowned high school football programs in the country, the mere sight of those three stripes has to be at least a little intimidating for the opposition.”)
Antonio Morales: JSerra
Damian Calhoun: Trabuco Hills
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School (or stadium) with the best food:
Steve Fryer: Spaulding Stadium at Buena Park High
Dan Albano: San Clemente
Kenny Connolly: El Dorado
(“Everyone’s Friday night should start off with a bag of freshly made kettle corn.”)
Antonio Morales: Yorba Linda High
Damian Calhoun: Fred Kelly Stadium (El Modena High)
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School (or stadium) with the worst parking lot:
Steve Fryer: Glover Stadium at La Palma Park
Dan Albano: Tesoro
Kenny Connolly: Santa Ana Stadium.
(“The downside to Mater Dei fans filling every seat in the stadium: them packing the adjacent parking structure too.”)
Antonio Morales: La Habra
Damian Calhoun: Tustin High
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School band with the best halftime show:
Steve Fryer: Fountain Valley
Dan Albano: Villa Park
Kenny Connolly: Cypress High
(“The Centurions band was selected to perform in the 2015 Rose Bowl Parade. Not too shabby.”)
Antonio Morales: Aliso Niguel
Damian Calhoun: No answer
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School band that plays the best songs:
Steve Fryer: Edison
Dan Albano:Cypress
Kenny Connolly: Capistrano Valley.
(“I vividly remember the Cougars band playing “Call Me Maybe” at the start of the 2012 football season. The crowd went nuts. The players did too. That’s giving the people what they want.”)
Antonio Morales: I don’t know about their band, but Capistrano Valley has a strong DJ.
Damian Calhoun: No answer
