OCVarsity Kickoff ’15 preview: Sonora

Sonora quarterback Cole McDonald, center, joins his teammates in a skipping drill during conditioning training on the first day of practice Monday.
Sonora quarterback Cole McDonald, left, and running back Jacob Fimbres work hard during a sprinting drill on the first day of practice.
Sonora coach Paul Chiotti oversees his team during conditioning training on the first day of practice.
Sonora quarterback Cole McDonald
Sonora running back Jacob Fimbres
Sonora's Jacob Fimbres was one of the county's top rushers in 2014. He averaged more than 160 yards per game.
Sonora's Jacob Fimbres will be the focal point on offense, but the Raiders are also looking for contributions from quarterback Cole McDonald.

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By Kenny Connolly | kconnolly@scng.com | Orange County Register

August 25, 2015 at 7:20 p.m.

OCVarsity preview for the 2015 season:

SONORA RAIDERS

Coach: Paul Chiotti

Last season: 6-4 overall, 1-4 league

Scouting report: The Raiders haven’t advanced to the postseason since 2012, but Coach Paul Chiotti and his players are confident this is the year they make it back to the postseason. Running back Jacob Fimbres is one of the favorites to win the county’s rushing title after averaging 160-plus yards a game last year. Quarterback Cole McDonald is also a legit threat to tuck it and run, but with opponents inevitably keying in on slowing down Sonora’s rushing attack, he’ll need to make strides in the passing game against eight- and nine-man fronts. Ball control could be the Raiders’ best friend this season, masking the fact they’ll trot out a relatively young lineup on defense.

Bottom line: Fimbres puts up All-county-type numbers, but the Raiders only advance to the postseason if McDonald develops as a passer and the defense improves on what it did in 2014, when it surrendered 37 points a game to league opponents.

Players to watch: Jorge Bernabe, OT/DE, Sr.; Jason Clayton, WR, Sr.; Dakota Eckheart, LB, Sr.; Cole McDonald, QB, Sr.; Julian Orozco, OG, Sr.; Eric Pulliam, C/DT, Sr.

Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com