The Register’s All-County first-team defense for 2014.
FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE
LINEBACKERS
MATT LOCHER – Defensive Player of the Year
Los Alamitos, 6-3, 245, Sr.
The Register’s defensive player of the year
GERRAN BROWN
Mater Dei, 6-3, 210, Sr.
The hard-hitting linebacker stood out on a defense loaded with stars. The first-team All-Trinity League selection led the Monarchs in total tackles (55) and tackles for a loss (171/2). Brown also had four sacks, two interceptions and played tight end. He had two sacks in a playoff loss to Centennial of Corona. “Tremendous speed and really a powerful hitter,” Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson said. “He was simply outstanding for us.”
RILEY WHIMPEY
San Clemente, 6-1, 215, Sr.
Whimpey helped push the Tritons to the Sea View League title and a Southwest Division runner-up finish. The league’s co-defensive player of the year racked up a school-record 172 tackles, smashing the previous record by 57. The hard-hitting linebacker recorded a season-high 17 tackles in a league-clinching victory against Trabuco Hills and 16 in a semifinal triumph against Capistrano Valley. “Riley was the heart and soul of our defense,” Tritons coach Jaime Ortiz said. “One of the best linebackers I have ever coached in my 22 years.”
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
D.J. BAILEY
JSerra, 6-5, 255, Sr.
The defensive end was an unsettling matchup on the edge for the top-ranked team in the county. The Harvard commit racked up a 14 sacks, three hurries, 22 tackles for losses and 45 tackles despite many opponents scheming to avoid him. “Most plays went away from him,” JSerra coach Jim Hartigan said of the first-team all-Trinity League selection. “He had a major impact when it came to pass rushing. Very disruptive to most offensive schemes.”
PARKER CHASE
Corona del Mar, 6-3, 205, Sr.
The hard-charging defensive end led one of the best defenses in the county with 22 sacks in 12 games. His highlights included a season-high five sacks against Beckman, three against rival Newport Harbor and two against Tesoro. The Pacific Coast League MVP also led the Sea Kings with 103 tackles. “There wasn’t an offensive tackle we played all year who could block Parker,” Corona del Mar coach Scott Meyer said. “He was equally good against both the run and pass.”
MALIK McMORRIS
Mater Dei, 6-0, 290, Sr.
McMorris used an explosive burst at the line of scrimmage and speed to create havoc for opposing offenses, which often tried to double-team him. The Trinity League co-most valuable defensive player of the year still racked up 40 total tackles, three sacks and five tackles for loss. He recovered two fumbles and had a sack in a playoff victory against Westlake. McMorris also played fullback, rushing for six TDs and paving the way for teammates. “Great explosion on the get-off,” Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson said. “He always brought a load.”
RASHEED WILLIAMS
Mater Dei, 6-2, 260, Sr.
Williams was one of the most consistent defensive ends in the county, leading the Monarchs’ stout unit in sacks (seven) and quarterback hurries (21). He had a team-high seven tackles and four hurries against Centennial of Corona in the playoffs. Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson said Williams made good use of a well-rounded skill set. “A variety of moves and his flat-out power made it extremely difficult to block him,” Rollinson said of Williams. “Excellent speed allowed him to run a lot of things down.”
DEFENSIVE BACKS
MAURICE DAVISON
Servite, 5-9, 173, Sr.
Opponents often paid the speedy cornerback the ultimate compliment by avoiding him for long stretches. The two-time first-team All-County selection still collected 39 tackles and two interceptions en route to earning first-team all-Trinity League honors. Davison’s highlights included returning an interception 98 yards for a touchdown against La Mirada and an interception against Mater Dei. He also had 176 yards on kickoff returns against Santa Margarita, including a spectacular, tackling-breaking 84-yarder.
RICK ELLISON
Santa Margarita, 5-11, 190, Sr.
Ellison made his presence felt as an ultra-active safety and key leader for the Eagles. The first-team all-Trinity League selection led the team in tackles (98) and pass breakups (nine). Ellison also helped out at running back. In a 22-17 victory over Servite, Ellison rushed for 118 yards, including a winning 26-yard TD in the fourth, and also had eight tackles and blocked a field goal. “Rick was the heartbeat of our team,” Santa Margarita coach Rick Curtis said. “He was a true leader by example. As a team captain, he went 110 percent in the weight room, in practice and in games.”
JULIAN OWENS
Mission Viejo, 6-0, 185, Sr.
The safety emerged as a top playmaker and leader for a defense that helped the Diablos capture the South Coast League and CIF-SS West Valley Division titles. The West Valley defensive MVP racked up 88 total tackles, nine pass deflections and grabbed a late interception that helped set up the winning field goal in a league showdown at Tesoro. “A vocal and spiritual leader for us,” Mission Viejo coach Bob Johnson said of Owens. “An irreplaceable guy.”
GEORGE WILSON
Tustin, 6-3, 185, Sr.
Wilson was a difference-maker on both sides of the ball, helping the Tillers reach the CIF-SS Southwest Division playoffs. As a cornerback, the Empire League’s co-defensive player of the year collected six interceptions, returning four for TDs, and recovered two fumbles. On offense, he racked up 840 yards receiving, 381 yards rushing and also passed for 450. “With George, we knew we could take away (an opponent’s) best receiver with one guy,” Tustin coach Winter Welz said. “That really helped our defense. And offensively, he was doubled or tripled every play, which really helped our other receivers and our run game.”
RELATED:
Offensive Player of the Year: Sam Darnold, San Clemente
Defensive Player of the Year: Matt Locher, Los Alamitos
Coach of the Year: Jim Hartigan, JSerra
All-Puprose and Special Teams capsules
Past Register All-County football award winners
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
