OCVarsity’s season preview for 2016:
UNIVERSITY TROJANS
Coach: Mark Cunningham
Last season: 8-3 overall, 3-2 league
Scouting report: The Trojans are riding two waves of momentum. They return several starters from a playoff team in 2015. It was the school’s first postseason appearance since 2007 and snapped a stretch of five consecutive last-place finishes in league. University’s junior class also has been a spark. As freshmen, the class won league with a 10-0 record. Many of the players were 9-1 the following season on junior varsity. Junior brothers Alex and Julian Pourdanesh help lead the group and are key two-way returners. Alex plays slot receiver and linebacker, but he will see some action at quarterback this season. Julian is a lineman. The Trojans’ top returner is leading rusher Sam Winder, who gained nearly 1,000 yards last season en route to first-team all-league honors. One of the team’s question marks is at quarterback. Sophomore Thomas Keeling replaces county all-star Neil Boudreau.
Bottom line: Cunningham believes offensive and defensive line play is the main concern. If the Trojans develop in the trenches, expect them to contend for another playoff berth.
Players to watch: Sam Winder, RB, Sr.; Alex Pourdanesh, ATH, Jr.; Julian Pourdanesh, OL/DL, Jr.; Daniel Dolan, WR/LB, Jr.; Thomas Keeling, QB, So.; Nick Loveland, K, Sr.; Jalen Robertson, WR, Sr.; Darrius Outland, CB, Sr.
RELATED LINKS
- Pacific Coast League preview
- Beckman preview
- Corona del Mar preview
- Irvine preview
- Northwood preview
- University preview
- Woodbridge preview
Contact the writer: dalbano@scng.com
