Where did the summer go?
It seems like just yesterday we had our end-of-the-year banquet to wrap up the 2013-14 sports year.
Now, here we are – Week 0 of the 2014 football season.
What happened? (Side note: The banquet was the last time I’ve seen my OC Varsity colleague Damian Dottore. Does he still exist?)
So what are you looking forward to this season?
Is there anyone able to dethrone St. John Bosco?
Will the move to the Southwest Division signal the end of Corona del Mar’s title run?
Can Garden Grove takeover the Southern Division? Will I finally make it to El Toro Bravo?
So many questions, but fear not – DC is here to provide the answers.
Changing and trading places
Trying to keep up with the new CIF football league groupings is as confusing as trying to remember all of the boxers holding titles for the WBA. (Trust me there are a lot of WBA champions.)
As for the O.C. football landscape, here are the changes: San Juan Hills and Dana Hills have moved from the Sea View League to the South Coast League; San Clemente and Trabuco Hills are now in the Sea View League; Yorba Linda bounces from the Empire League to the Century Conference; the Century Conference will be separated into two divisions (Crestview and North Hills); Crestview will consist of Esperanza, Foothill, Villa Park and Yorba Linda; North Hills will be the home of Brea Olinda, Canyon, El Dorado and El Modena.
Did you get all of that?
Wait, I almost forgot … the South Coast and Sunset Leagues have been moved to the West Valley Division!
That could make for some interesting road trips. Poor Antonio Morales. I see a lot of road trips in his future.
Can anyone take CdM’s crown?
Corona del Mar has been on an impressive run, winning three consecutive CIF titles in the Southern Division.
As stated above, this year, CdM is in the Southwest Division, but can anyone there stop the Sea Kings?
CdM welcomes back a lot of familiar faces – Parker Chase, Cole Collins, Bo St. Gene, Cole Martin, Justin Hess and Brett Greenlee, to name a few.
The Sea Kings enter the season on a 26-game winning streak and riding high after a 16-0 run last year. 16-0!
This year’s nonleague schedule is interesting with games against Dana Hills, the rival game against Newport Harbor and Pac-5 power Tesoro.
CdM is the favorite to win the Pacific Coast League and the target on its back will be even greater once the playoffs roll around.
Four-peat? Stick around. This will be a fun ride.
Time to crown the Argonauts
With Corona del Mar moving on, I think it would be safe to assume that Garden Grove, the two-time runners-up, is first in line to assume the mantle.
That’s my pick.
First-year coach Ricardo Cepeda takes over a team with six starters returning on offense and five on defense. The Argos return three wide receivers – Austen Christian, Alejandro Ceja and Reily Hoalton.
Danny Avila or Josh Green will step in at quarterback, replacing Angel Martinez.
There’s one concern for Grove. Can the Argos really replace key contributors like Martinez, Bryan Quexel, Christian Rodriguez and Sione Masoe?
Last year’s team was special. Defensively, the Argos recorded six shutouts. They only allowed 24 points in league play.
One interesting date on the nonleague schedule is a trip to Dana Hills on Sept. 26. I expect the Argos to go undefeated in league and run the table in the playoffs.
Welcome to the year of the quarterback.
I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but we have some decent quarterbacks around the county this year.
Travis Waller (Servite), KJ Costello (Santa Margarita), Sam Darnold (San Clemente), Eric Barriere (La Habra) – the list is endless.
Which of the QBs are you interested in seeing? I’m really looking forward to seeing the development of Brock Johnson (Mission Viejo). Johnson led the Mission Viejo JV to a 10-0 record last year and after a summer of passing tournaments, he should be ready to go this season.
The OCVarsity rushing title
To be honest, this is only title that the good folks at the Calhoun Pregame Compound really care about.
The only problem is that we haven’t been able to come up with a good trophy for the rushing leader. My people in the trophy department will get to work on that.
Until then, let’s take a look at some of the potential rushing champions: Cole Martin (CdM) is the leading returning rusher from last season (1,881 yards). Carlos Martin (La Habra) will be in the battle.
One player to watch is Kennedy’s T.J. Williams. Williams rushed for nearly 1,400 yards last season. Kennedy has an experienced offensive line returning, so Williams might be able to top that number.
Who are your picks to win the title?
Don’t sleep on this game
The Kennedy-Fullerton game on Friday night is an intriguing game.
The Fighting Irish, led by Williams, finished tied for second last year in the Empire League. Fullerton finished third in the Freeway League, but advanced to the Southwest Division semifinals.
The Indians return just seven starters and the preseason polls have them finishing fourth (league coach’s) and fifth (OCVarsity). Kennedy is picked to finish third (OCVarsity) and fourth (league coach’s poll).
Keep an eye on Fullerton’s Joshua Hill.
Calhoun’s prediction: Kennedy rides Williams to victory.
The new-look Santa Margarita Eagles
Last year was one to forget for the Santa Margarita Eagles as they finished in last place in the Trinity League. This year, with new coach Rick Curtis at the helm, the Eagles look to bounce back.
First up, is a showdown against Bishop Amat. Last year, Amat defeated the Eagles, 38-28. This year, the Eagles will be fun to watch as they work in Curtis’ spread offense.
At Northwood, Curtis’ offenses were always fun to watch. With Costello under center, look for the Eagles to flourish on offense, starting Friday against Bishop Amat.
Calhoun’s prediction: Santa Margarita
Barriere vs. Tinsley
Another fun opening-week match-up pits El Toro against La Habra – or No. 6 vs. No. 8 on the OCVarsity quarterback list – as Trey Tinsley (El Toro) meets Eric Barriere (La Habra).
Tinsley had the biggest shoes to fill last year as he took over for Conner Manning. Tinsley completed 60 percent of his passes with 3,059 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Barriere passed for 2,401 yards and 29 touchdowns.
This game might take forever with the passing ability of both quarterbacks.
The Highlanders are again the favorites in the Freeway League and one of the contenders for the Southwest Division title. El Toro is picked to finish third in the South Coast League, but will make things difficult with its offensive attack.
Calhoun’s prediction: La Habra
Calhoun’s Game of the Week
Bishop Gorman vs. Servite, Friday, at Cerritos College: The early-season showdown has the Gaels heading to SoCal to face the Friars. Last year, Bishop Gorman defeated Servite, 41-17.
The Gaels are ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA Today. They opened the season with a 44-0 victory over Brophy of Arizona. The Gaels have a bit of star power with Cordell Broadus (Snoop Dogg’s son), Biaggio Walsh (grandson of Muhammad Ali) and Nicco Fertitta (son of UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta), and we can’t forget UCLA-committ Alize Jones.
Dan Albano will be in the press box. That’s all the star power you need.
Calhoun’s prediction: Bishop Gorman
The player to watch this week …
Jack Lowary, Mater Dei. The Mater Dei starting quarterback job is second to Steve Fryer’s job as the most scrutinized in the county.
Lowary is a senior and has good size (6-4, 205). His first game is against Centennial of Corona on Saturday night at Mission Viejo High.
