The Register’s All-County First Team Offense for 2013:
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
ALL-PURPOSE
KAI ROSS, HUNTINGTON BEACH
6-3, 190, Sr.
The well-rounded and clutch play of Ross led the Oilers to a breakthrough season. He played quarterback, cornerback, safety and returned kicks in guiding Huntington Beach to the CIF-SS Southwest Division title. He passed for 2,291 yards and 31 TDs and rushed for 810 yards and nine TDs. On defense, he grabbed seven interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns in the CIF final.
ALL-PURPOSE
CASEY EUGENIO, JSERRA
5-9, 180, Sr.
Eugenio defined “all-purpose” and cemented his status as arguably the best player in JSerra history. Despite a shoulder injury, he rushed for a school-record 1,130 yards and also played receiver, safety and cornerback. He finished with four interceptions to push his career total to a school-record 12. Eugenio returned punts and kickoffs. He finished his career with a school-record 46 TDs and school-record 2,649 yards rushing. Coach Jim Hartigan called him as good as any player he has coached. “We benefited as a football program and school (from Eugenio),” Hartigan said.
QUARTERBACK
TRAVIS WALLER, SERVITE
6-3, 185, Jr.
Waller delivered a breakout season as a dual-threat quarterback, leading Servite to the second round of the Pac-5 playoffs. He paced the ground attack with 1,293 yards and 13 TDs and passed for 1,669 yards and 12 TDs to give him 2,962 yards of total offense. The Trinity League’s co-most valuable offensive player made big plays with his arm and legs. He rushed for 202 yards in a 31-24 victory against Long Beach Poly and threw a last-second, 40-yard pass for a touchdown to stun Orange Lutheran. He has been offered by Washington and has received interest from Ohio State, USC and UCLA among others.
RUNNING BACK
DEVEN BOSTON, BUENA PARK
6-1, 208, Sr.
Boston followed up a strong junior season with an even better senior campaign. He rushed for 2,112 yards and 31 TDs to help the Coyotes qualify for the CIF-SS Southwest Division playoffs. The Freeway League’s offensive player of the year averaged just over 9 yards per carry and 192 yards per game. “I did all right,” said Boston, who had 230 carries. “There’s always room for improvement.” He finished his career at Buena Park with 5,172 yards rushing. He has been offered by UTEP and will take a recruiting trip to New Mexico State.
RUNNING BACK
JON RIVERA, TESORO
6-0, 195, Sr.
Rivera emerged from the shadow of 2012 All-County running back Nate Tago to help power the Titans to the second round of the Pac-5 Division playoffs. The first-team All-South Coast League pick rushed for 1,582 yards on 266 carries (5.95 yards per carry) and scored 20 TDs. He rushed for a season-high 257 yards against Cabrillo of Long Beach in the first round of the playoffs and added 146 yards in a second-round loss to eventual Pac-5 champion St. John Bosco. “Kid was an absolute workhorse for us,” Coach Matt Poston said.
WIDE RECEIVER
QUEST TRUXTON, NEWPORT HARBOR
6-0, 160, Sr.
The versatile Truxton established himself as an all-time great at Newport Harbor with an all-around game that helped push the Sailors to the CIF-SS Southwest Division final. The Sunset League offensive player of the year hauled in 83 receptions, tying teammate Cory Stowell for the single-season school record. Truxton also had a school-record 1,325 yards receiving and caught 17 TDs. He racked up the offensive numbers while also playing cornerback and returning punts (14.4 average) and kickoffs (28.7 average). Truxton finished with four interceptions, two of which he returned for TDs. He blocked two field goals. “He’s one of the better players we’ve had,” Coach Jeff Brinkley said.
WIDE RECEIVER
DOMINIC COLLINS, EL TORO
6-3, 175, Sr.
Known for his leaping catches, Collins became a record-setting receiver in the Chargers’ pass-oriented offense. The South Coast League co-offensive MVP set a county single-season record with 106 receptions in 10 games, breaking the record of 93 (Los Alamitos’ Robbie Katzaroff, 1985). Collins finished with 1,328 receiving yards for an average of 12.5 per reception. He also smashed the county’s career record for receptions with 239 in a three-year career, surpassing the previous mark of 212 set by Los Alamitos’ Jeremy Childs. El Toro coach Robert Frith called Collins the “most tenacious” receiver he has coached.
WIDE RECEIVER
DANTE PETTIS, JSERRA
6-2, 170, Sr.
The versatile Pettis racked up 50 receptions for a school-record 892 yards. The first-team All-Trinity League pick highlighted his season with 10 receptions for 204 yards and two TDs in a 48-43 victory against Servite, the Lions’ first against the Friars. Pettis also played cornerback and returned an interception for a touchdown in a victory against Santa Margarita. Pettis blocked a punt and a field goal during the season. “He was instrumental in us winning seven games,” JSerra coach Jim Hartigan said of Pettis, who is receiving interest from Washington among others.
OFFENSIVE LINE
TICO FUGA, EDISON
6-2, 330, Sr.
The Chargers’ two-way lineman was slowed by injuries, but when healthy, he played well. The right guard helped power the running game and drew double teams as a defensive tackle, freeing teammates to make plays. Fuga also helped Edison capture the Sunset League title. He was selected league MVP. “He’s pretty dominant,” Chargers coach Dave White said. Fuga’s season ended because of a knee injury early in the playoffs. He has committed to BYU.
OFFENSIVE LINE
COLE SMITH, MISSION VIEJO
6-3, 255, Jr.
Smith anchored the Diablos’ offensive line from the center position, the same spot his father, Doug Smith, starred at with the Los Angeles Rams. “That’s the one position we never had to worry about,” Coach Bob Johnson said. “He’s just born to play center, like his dad.” Smith was a first-team All-South Coast League pick. He helped the Diablos capture the league title and reach the second round of the Pac-5 Division playoffs.
OFFENSIVE LINE
GIOVANNI GENTOSI, CORONA DEL MAR
6-3, 235, Sr.
Gentosi anchored an offensive line that pushed Corona del Mar to its first state championship in football. The Sea Kings beat rival Newport Harbor for the first time since 2006 and captured a third consecutive CIF-SS Southern Division title, something only a handful of county schools have done. The Sea Kings won their Division 3 state bowl game and finished with a 16-0 record. Gentosi was a big reason for the success, especially with Corona del Mar’s ground attack. He was selected Pacific Coast League MVP.
OFFENSIVE LINE
TOA LOBENDAHN, LA HABRA
6-4, 295, Sr.
The left tackle, a transfer from Lakewood, quickly made his presence felt once he became eligible for the Highlanders. The USC commit helped La Habra capture the Freeway League title and reach the second round of the Southwest Division playoffs. Coach Frank Mazzotta said Lobendahn played like a “monster” at times. “He’s so physical. His technique is so good,” Mazzotta said. Lobendahn was selected lineman of the year in the Freeway League and to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
OFFENSIVE LINE
RAMSEY HUFFORD, NEWPORT HARBOR
6-4, 300, Sr.
The two-way tackle helped power the Sailors to the Southwest Division final. Hufford protected the blind side of quarterback Cole Norris, who passed for almost 3,000 yards. He also started at defensive tackle, racking up 51 total tackles and three sacks. Hufford was selected co-defensive lineman of the year in the Sunset League. “He did a good job,” Sailors coach Jeff Brinkley said. “Offensively, he probably took more of a step forward.” Hufford has narrowed his college decision to Fresno State and UC Davis, Brinkley said.
KICKER
ZACH OLSON, MISSION VIEJO
5-9, 170, Sr.
Olson gave the Diablos one of the most consistent, balanced and clutch kickers in the county. He made 9 of 10 field goals, including two games in which he went 3 for 3 and tied the school record for most field goals in a game. He kicked a 32-yarder with seven seconds left in the fourth quarter that forced overtime against Don Bosco Prep of New Jersey. Mission Viejo won, 28-25. Olson converted 51 of 52 extra points, kicked 83 percent of kickoffs for touchbacks and also punted. “Clutch kicker,” Coach Bob Johnson said of Olson, who made 158 of 161 extra points in his career.
• The Register’s All-County selections are made by the Register’s writers afer considering all-league lists and coaches’ comments.
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
