OCVarsity preview for the 2015 season:
BRETHREN CHRISTIAN WARRIORS
Coach: Pat McInally
Last season: 8-4 overall, 3-1 league
Scouting report: Coach Pat McInally’s Warriors welcome back a bevy of starters (13 total) to a squad which advanced to the second round of the East Valley playoffs last season. McInally, a former NFL All-Pro with the Cincinnati Bengals, lost two key pieces to graduation: record-setting quarterback Conner Miller and first-team all-league wide receiver Guy Demazeliere. But the Warriors have quickly retooled. Bobbie Conklin, a Yorba Linda transfer, and Josh Gorrell, a converted wide receiver, will battle for snaps behind center. La Habra transfer quarterback Joey Gutierrez will be available after the fifth game of the season. The trio will hand off to an improved ground attack, shouldered by juniors Jordan Leonard and Jordan James. Receiver Jason Fuga, who had a notable sophomore season with 51 catches and eight touchdowns, moves from slot to the outside. Nathan Sagastume and Brent Nash team with tight end Ronald Jones, a transfer from Long Beach Jordan, to form a trio of reliable targets. The Warriors exude physicality on defense. New defensive coordinator Joe Begnal is teaching an aggressive style of play with the goal of consistently controlling the line of scrimmage. “It’s going to come down to our bigs on offense and defense,” McInally said. “We have plenty of size; it’s just how aggressive they are.”
Bottom line: The Warriors have assembled arguably their deepest team ever, but they must consistently stop the run before they can track down top-dog St. Margaret’s.
Players to watch: Jason Fuga, WR, Jr.; Jordan James, RB, Jr.; Ronald Jones, TE/LB, Sr.; Jordan Leonard, RB, Jr.; Nathan Sagastume, WR/DB, Jr.; Prince Smyth. LB/FB, Jr.; Robby Swanson, DL/DT, Sr.
