Kickoff '07: Empire League

Comments |

Recommend

League overview and a breakdown of each team

COACHES POLL
(Click on the link to go to the team's schedule and roster)

1. Valencia, 7-5 in 2006, 31 points

2. Pacifica, 8-4, 30

3. Kennedy, 10-4, 28

4. Cypress, 10-3, 18

5. Loara, 0-10, 12

6. Katella, 3-7, 7

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Valencia
The Tigers have one of the county's top returning offensive stars, running back Wes Fletcher. They should be able to throw the ball well, too, and there is plenty of talent and speed on defense.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Cypress
(Click here to watch the ocvarsity.com video)
The Centurions had one of the better seasons in school history last year, but many of their top players, and leaders, graduated.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Valencia RB Wes Fletcher
(Click here to watch the ocvarsity.com video)
The Valencia senior running back already has rushed for more than 4,000 yards in two seasons of varsity football.

OTHER TOP PLAYERS

Jeremy Hensley, Kennedy, Sr., OL/DL; Tyler Ortiz, Pacifica, Sr., WR; Corey Smith, Kennedy, Sr., WR; Eli Tekurio, Kennedy, Sr., TE/DL; Ryan See, Kennedy, Sr., LB; Rafael Huizar, Pacifica, Sr., DB

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Valencia vs. Pacifica
Oct. 18 at Bolsa Grande High
The league's favorites meet in the second week of league play.

TOUGHEST SCHEDULE

Pacifica
The Mariners take on two Pac-5 Division teams, Fountain Valley and Long Beach Wilson, and conclude nonleague play against Freeway League favorite Troy.

Cypress Centurions 

Players to watch
	Gabe Santana: He should be a force on the offensive line.
	Mike Vanderipe: His coach says the QB is ready for a big season.

LAST SEASON: Third place (tie) 10-3, 3-2

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to Anaheim, 13-0, Southern Division semifinals

COACH: Ray Fenton (third year, 12-11)

OUTLOOK: The Centurions' remarkable turnaround last season, from a 2-8 finish in 2005, was produced primarily by a strong group of seniors. They lost 34 seniors to graduation, so it might be a rebuilding year at Cypress. But Fenton likes the team speed of this season's team, and there might be more depth on the roster at many positions than there was in '06. It is a challenging league, and Cypress is going to have to fight to get to the playoffs again. This could be a fun team to watch. Fenton said quarterback Mike Vanderipe is ready for a big season, and receiver Ryan Saumur is another top offensive threat.

HOME STADIUM: Western High

FACTOID: Cypress reached the football semifinals for the first time in school history last season.

FASTEST: Donovan Dukes

STRONGEST: Gabriel Santana

SCHOOL RECORD: 133-211-4

CLICK HERE FOR THE TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER

Katella Knights

Players to watch
	Chris Servin:He provides strength as a starter on both lines.
	Nathan Purcha:The speedy cornerback is a key on defense.

LAST SEASON: Fifth place 3-7, 1-4

POSTSEASON: 2002, lost to Foothill in Division VI first round

COACH: Dominek Unger (11th year, 45-58-2)

OUTLOOK: Look for the Knights to be more competitive this season. They will have to score some upsets to finish in third place or higher to get into the playoffs, with Cypress, Kennedy, Pacifica and Valencia all expected to be superior teams. Katella has some good skill-position players, led by quarterback Vince Peraza, who passed for 916 yards and 14 touchdowns last season; running backs P.J. Papailili and Tanner McCall; and receiver Antuan Lara. Every other starter has some varsity experience, too. But depth is an issue. Many Knights will play both ways. If injuries hit, the chances for a playoff berth will be hit, too.

HOME STADIUM: Glover Stadium

FACTOID: Unger is the longest-tenured coach in Katella football history.

FASTEST: Nathan Purcha

STRONGEST: Chris Servin

SCHOOL RECORD: 152-237-16

CLICK HERE FOR THE TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER

Kennedy Fighting Irish

Players to watch
	Corey Smith:Speedster will make an impact running and as a DB.
	Jeremy Hensley:The second-team all-county selection returns.

LAST SEASON: First place (tie) 11-3, 4-1

POSTSEASON: 2006, defeated Anaheim, 29-10, in Southern Division championship game

COACH: Mitch Olson (21st year, 144-80-3)

OUTLOOK: The Fighting Irish should be contenders for a third consecutive league championship. They lost their top player from last season, All-County linebacker Ed Pleasant, who also was the league's defensive player of the year, Southern Division defensive co-MVP and an outstanding running back, too. Also lost to graduation is Eric Okula, a team leader at quarterback who was Southern Division offensive MVP. But Kennedy does have eight experienced returnees on defense, including all-league first-team selections Eli Tekurio on the line and Ryan See at linebacker. But other than first-team all-league and second-team all-county pick Jeremy Hensley, there will new faces on the offensive line.

HOME STADIUM: Western High

FACTOID: Kennedy has won 22 games over the past two seasons.

FASTEST: Corey Smith

STRONGEST: Jeremy Hensley

SCHOOL RECORD: 269-169-9

CLICK HERE FOR THE TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER

Loara Saxons 

Players to watch
	Jesse Ben Ron:He starts at both tight end and linebacker.
	Anthoney Bautista:Running back is the Saxons' fastest player.

LAST SEASON: Sixth place 0-10, 0-5

POSTSEASON: 2001, lost to Cerritos, 42-7, in Division VI first round

COACH: Dean Lappin (second year, 0-10)

OUTLOOK: Coming off of a difficult 2006, the Saxons have nowhere to go but up in '07. They have the potential to do so. There is improved depth, especially on the offensive line. Overall team strength should benefit from a rigorous offseason program, and team attitude should be better. Loara still is trying to identify a starting quarterback. The Saxons might not match up well, size-wise, with their league opponents and they also have a shortage of experienced players at many positions.

HOME STADIUM: Glover Stadium

FACTOID: The Saxons have missed the playoffs the past five seasons.

FASTEST: Anthoney Bautista

STRONGEST: Henry Pineda

SCHOOL RECORD: 251-206-13

CLICK HERE FOR THE TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER

Pacifica Mariners 

Players to watch
	Tyler Ortiz:Two-way starter had 52 catches and 13 TDs last season.
	Sahr Hemmor:The Mariners' strongest player starts at DT.

LAST SEASON: First place (tie) 8-4, 4-1

POSTSEASON: Lost to Anaheim 21-17, Southern Division second round

COACH: Guy Gardner (fourth year, 23-12)

OUTLOOK: The skill players are there, including receiver Tyler Ortiz who had 52 catches and 13 touchdowns last season. Gardner also likes his tight-end combination of Nick Mahler and Richie Williams. But the Mariners might not match up very well, size- and experience-wise, with the league's other contenders along the offensive and defensive lines. Expect Pacifica to compete for the league title once again.

HOME STADIUM: Bolsa Grande High

FACTOID: This is Pacifica's second year in the Empire League after a long run in the Garden Grove that featured seven league championships.

FASTEST: Tyler Ortiz

STRONGEST: Sahr Hemmor

SCHOOL RECORD: 290-256-3

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER

Valencia Tigers 

Players to watch
	Zach Johnson:Starts on both lines.
	Wes Fletcher:One of the top running backs in the county.

LAST SEASON: Third place (tie) 7-5, 3-2

POSTSEASON: 2007, lost to Laguna Hills, 19-17, Southern Division second round

COACH: Mike Marrujo (27th year, 221-91-7)

OUTLOOK: Running back Wes Fletcher, the league's offensive player of the year and All-Amateur Athletic Federation first team last season, is back and so is '06 starting fullback Mason Schmidt. But this year's Tigers should be able to pass effectively, too, with last season's starting quarterback Marcus Beckman also returning. The keys to success, though, could be the offensive and defensive lines. Little experience is there, but Marrujo does have some talented players to fill the holes. Valencia is a playoff fixture, and should battle for the league championship, too.

HOME STADIUM: Valencia HS

FACTOID: Fletcher has rushed for more than 4,000 yards.

FASTEST: Wes Fletcher

STRONGEST: Zach Johnson

SCHOOL RECORD: 318-246-19

CLICK HERE FOR THE TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER 

Contact the writer: sfryer@ocregister.com