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  • Kennedy will lean on running back T.J. Williams again this...

    Kennedy will lean on running back T.J. Williams again this season. The senior rushed for nearly 1,400 yards a season ago, making the run game the Fighting Irish's obvious strength.

  • Kennedy running back TJ Williams, front, and offensive linemen, left...

    Kennedy running back TJ Williams, front, and offensive linemen, left to right, Domenic De Fiore, Nick Della Rocco, Michael Freeman, and Chris Alvarez.

  • Kennedy running back TJ Williams, back, and offensive linemen, left...

    Kennedy running back TJ Williams, back, and offensive linemen, left to right, Michael Freeman, Nick Della Rocco, Domenic De Fiore, and Chris Alvarez.

  • Kennedy running back TJ Williams

    Kennedy running back TJ Williams

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Associate mug of Kenny Connolly, Anaheim reporter.

Date shot: 12/31/2012 . Photo by KATE LUCAS /  ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

OC VARSITY PREDICTS

1. Valencia: The Tigers’ three losses in 2013 came by seven, eight and nine points. With 15 starters returning and Yorba Linda changing leagues, Valencia is the clear-cut favorite to claim the league title.

2. Cypress: First-year coach Rick Feldman inherits an experienced group of skill position players led by Quenten Pounds. They’ll be fun to watch, but not to play against.

3. Kennedy: Not the flashiest team around, but a gritty team that showed a lot of heart at the end of last season. The physical, hard-nosed squad could ride T.J. Williams and its line into the postseason.

4. Tustin: How will Coach Winter Welz and the Tillers respond after going 1-9 in 2013? Tustin will have the athletes to compete for a spot in the playoffs.

5. Pacifica: The Mariners hope to compete for a playoff spot, but they can’t afford to give up points like they did last season (35 points per game).

6. Western: A new head coach, a new offensive system and only five starters returning from 2013 seem to indicate the Pioneers are facing an uphill battle this season.

COACHES’ POLL

1. Valencia, 36 (6)

2. Cypress, 29

3. Tustin, 20

4. Kennedy, 19

5. Pacifica, 12

6. Western, 10

How the poll works: The coaches do the voting. First-place votes (shown in parentheses) are worth 6 points, second are worth 5, etc.

IMPACT PLAYERS

Nick Garcia, Pacifica, QB: The Mariners threw the ball 32 times a game last year. The junior will have a chance to put up big numbers in his first year as a starter.

Pat Godoy, Valencia, QB: The senior makes shows great poise and accuracy in the pocket, and he is also a threat to tuck the ball and run (640 rushing yards, 9 touchdowns in 2013).

Raymeon Maae, Western, RB/LB: The senior, a two-way starter, could lead the Pioneers in both rushing yards and tackles made.

Quinten Pounds, Cypress, WR/CB: The senior is one of the county’s most dynamic athletes. He can score in a lot of different ways and he can shut down one side of the field on defense. He’s a Division I talent.

TJ Williams, Kennedy, RB: He gets stronger as the game goes on. The 6-1, 230-pound senior has a punishing nature that makes him one of the toughest backs to bring down in the county.

George Wilson, Tustin, WR/CB: The senior is a 6-3, 190-pound match-up nightmare. He is a two-way star that could take over a game on either side of the ball.

MUST-SEE GAMES

Foothill vs. Tustin, at Tustin High, Sept. 5: The Tillers battle their cross-town rivals in a Week 1 contest. It’ll be a good chance to see the direction Tustin is headed in under Coach Winter Welz.

Fullerton vs. Cypress, at Western High, Sept. 5: The Centurions match up against the Indians in their opener. Fullerton reached the Southwest Division semifinalists last season.

Valencia vs. Kennedy, at Western High, Oct. 9: The Tigers knocked the Fighting Irish out of playoff contention with a victory in Week 10 last season. Kennedy will have revenge on its mind this year.

Cypress vs. Valencia, at Valencia High, Oct. 24: These two preseason favorites clash with the winner likely seizing control of the Empire League standings.

Kennedy vs. Tustin, at Tustin High, Nov. 8: The league coaches predicted these two schools will battle for the coveted No. 3 spot in the standings. It’s convenient they face off in the last week of the regular season.

MORE FOOTBALL — OCVARSITY KICKOFF’14: O.C.’S BEST FAN GUIDE:
Everything you need to know about the high school football scene for 2014.

Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com