OCVarsity’s scouting report for the Pacific Coast League:
OCVARSITY PREDICTS
1. Corona del Mar: The Sea Kings have won three consecutive league titles. Although there will be some new faces on both sides of the ball, they should still have enough to claim another title.
2. Irvine: The Vaqueros return seven starters on defense and also has some solid components on offense. They also poise a dangerous 1-2 combo at the slot position with Josh Gray and Curtis Jackson.
3. Woodbridge: The Warriors finished second last season and should have enough to contend for the third playoff berth. Look for Conor McBride to carry the offense.
4. Northwood: The Timberwolves have six starters returning on both offense and defense from a team that finish in third place last season. They have experience returning on the offensive line, defense and at wide receiver.
5. Beckman: New coach Marcello Giuliano arrives on campus to turn around a team that finished in fifth place last season. If the new faces are able to jell quickly, then the Patriots will be able to contend for a playoff spot.
6. University: The Trojans could end up suprising everyone this season. They have a lot of returners and the overall team depth is improved.
COACHES’ POLL
1. Corona del Mar, 35 poll points (5)
2. Woodbridge 24
3. Irvine 21
4. Beckman 18 (1)
5. Northwood 17
6. University 11
How the poll works: The league coaches do the voting. First-place votes (shown in parentheses) are worth 6 points, second are worth 5, etc.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
Chase Garbers, Corona del Mar, QB: Garbers (6-3, 210) settled in last year at quarterback and went on to earn league offensive MVP honors. He completed 70 percent of his passes (108 of 154) for 1,356 yards with 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for 236 yards with nine touchdowns. The junior could be headed for an even better year this season.
OTHER IMPACT PLAYERS
Matt Abellaneda, University, RB/DB: The 5-foot-5 senior can make big plays on the field. Last year he gained 1,239 all-purpose yards and made an impact on defense.
Peter Bush, Corona del Mar, WR: The senior split time at quarterback and tight end last season, but this season he is set to start at receiver.
Alex Young, Woodbridge, WR/RB: The Yale commit could be in line for a big year. He gained 981 all-purpose yards last season.
Josh Gray, Irvine, WR: He didn’t disappoint when he got his hands on the ball last season. He gained 1,248 total yards with 11 touchdowns.
Trevor Lawrence, Northwood, QB: The senior replaces Brian Abel under center. Lawrence scored a combined six touchdowns last season.
Jett Zeimantz, Beckman, OL/DL: The senior two-way lineman has the size (6-3, 280) to cause serious trouble on both sides of the ball. He is headed to Brown University.
MUST-SEE GAMES
Corona del Mar vs. Woodbridge, Oct. 9: CdM hasn’t lost a league game since 2011. This is the league opener and could be the first step toward another undefeated league run.
Northwood vs. Irvine, Oct. 9: The Timberwolves edged the Vaqueros, 23-21, in last year’s meeting. Northwood finished third in league.
Woodbridge vs. Irvine, Oct. 16: The Warriors clinched the Dennis Toohey Fence Post Trophy for the first time since 2006 with last year’s victory.
Northwood vs. Beckman, Nov. 6: Every game is going to be important in the race for the league’s guaranteed playoff berths. This is the final game of the regular season.
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com
