Kickoff '07: Freeway League

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COACHES POLL

1. Troy, 12-1 in 2006, 34 points

2. La Habra, 10-3, 32

3. Fullerton, 4-7, 23

4. Sonora, 3-7, 18

5. Sunny Hills, 3-7, 11

6. Buena Park, 1-9, 8

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Troy
(Click here to watch the ocvarsity.com video)

All eyes will be on the Warriors to see if they can build on last season's success. Troy went 7-5 in 2005, but the Warriors had all of the pieces come together and ended up in the Southeast Division semifinals last season.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Sunny Hills

The Lancers might find it difficult to keep up with the powers this year, but with 19 juniors listed on the projected starting lineup, good things could be in store for 2008.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Derrick Coleman
RB/LB, Troy
(Click here to watch the ocvarsity.com video)

Offense or defense, it doesn't make a difference. Coleman (UCLA), who put up huge numbers last year (2,340 yards, 38 touchdowns), is back to carry the load for the Warriors. What can he do for an encore?

OTHER TOP PLAYERS

Troy - Rob Beard, DB/K; Tyler Swaney, QB; Josh Swaney, WR; Brian Tucker, TE; Mike Shaw, OG; Angelo Looney, LB; La Habra - Jason Davis, RB; Chris Morales, QB; Ronnie Hillman, WR; Petey Puga, WR/K/P; Dante McClain, S; Sonora - Gustavo Castillo, RB/LB; Justin Ramirez, DL/OL; Fullerton - Manuel Rojas, DL; George Flores, DL; Chris Huysman, WR/OLB; Thomas Sheehan, QB/S; Sunny Hills - Alejandro Hernandez, RB.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

La Habra vs. Troy
Oct. 12 at La Habra

Surprised? The Warriors overcame a 14-point deficit to rally to a 42-38 victory. The scene shifts to La Habra this season for the league opener. The Highlanders entered last season with a four-game winning streak against the Warriors by an average of 23 points.

TOUGHEST SCHEDULE

Fullerton

The Indians' first four games are against playoff teams and three of the four (La Mirada, El Dorado and Cypress) are on the road. Throw in an Oct. 5 game against El Modena and all five of Fullerton's nonleague opponents finished at .500 or better last season.

 

Buena Park

Players to watch
	Dylan Brazil:Will help try and lead the Coyotes out the football wilderness.
	Justin Blackburn:Senior will see time at fullback and defensive end.

LAST SEASON: 6th place; 1-9, 0-5

POSTSEASON: 2001, lost to Brea Olinda, 45-15, in Division IX final

COACH: Rob Ryan (1st year)

OUTLOOK: Ryan, a former defensive coordinator at Villa Park, takes over for Frank Saiz. The Coyotes showed grit and determination last season as they responded with a pair of two-point losses to close out the season. This came after a six-game losing streak, in which they were outscored 222-60.

HOME STADIUM: Buena Park

FACTOID: The Coyotes haven't won a league game since the 2002 season.

STRONGEST: A.J. Lopez

SCHOOL RECORD: 184-286-18

TO SEE THE TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE

Fullerton

Players to watch
	Thomas Sheehan:Senior quarterback will have the Indians ready for league competition.
	Manuel Rojas:At 6'3, 280 pounds, Rojas will wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks on defense.

LAST SEASON: 3rd place; 4-7, 3-2

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to Santa Fe, 17-0 in first round of Southeast Division playoffs

COACH: Julian Smilowitz (16th year, 94-74-2)

OUTLOOK: The Indians return 12 starters and with a strong offensive line and solid play from quarterback Thomas Sheehan, should be a factor in the playoff chase.

HOME STADIUM: Fullerton District Stadium

FACTOID: If it wasn't for Troy and La Habra. Fullerton defeated Sonora, Buena Park and Sunny Hills by a combined score of 108-14. However, the Indians were outscored 81-7 in losses to the Warriors and Highlanders.

SCHOOL RECORD: 482-346-44

TO SEE THE TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE

La Habra

Players to watch
	Chris Morales:One of the county's most productive quarterbacks as last season's 31 touchdowns can attest.
	Ronnie Hillman:The junior should increase his 742 total yards of last season.

LAST SEASON: 2nd place; 10-3, 4-1

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to Schurr, 9-7 in semifinals of Southeast Division playoffs

COACH: Frank Mazzotta (9th year, 78-32-1)

OUTLOOK: Chris Morales is a good starting point for the Highlanders. The senior quarterback passed for 2,400 yards and 31 touchdowns last season. Replacing Mr. Everything Greg Francis may be a tall task, but La Habra has the necessary components to make another run in the Southeast Division playoffs.

HOME STADIUM: La Habra

FACTOID: Petey Puga will have a busy season. The senior will see time as wide receiver, kicker and punter. He also has a 3.8 GPA.

FASTEST: Ronnie Hillman

STRONGEST: Nick McDermott

SCHOOL RECORD:261-256-18

TO SEE THE TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE

Sonora

Players to watch
	DJ Esquivel:Senior quarterback will be looked upon to provide leadership.
	Gustavo Castillo:Earned first team honors last season as running back and linebacker.

LAST SEASON: 4th place; 3-7, 2-3

POSTSEASON: 2001, lost to Brea Olinda, 51-13, in first round of Division IX playoffs

COACH: Paul Chiotti (2nd year, 3-7)

OUTLOOK: At least one Raiders team has a positive look on the upcoming season. In Chiotti's second season as coach, the Sonora Raiders are stronger after a dedicated year of off-season conditioning. Sonora will have to rely upon its team leadership and work ethic if it wants to challenge for a playoff spot.

HOME STADIUM: La Habra

FACTOID: The Raiders allowed an average of 49 points in their three league losses last season

FASTEST: Graham Lovelady

STRONGEST: Justin Ramirez

SCHOOL RECORD: 193-232-3

TO SEE THE TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE

Sunny Hills

Players to watch
	Alejandro Hernandez:Returning all-league rusher will carry the load and Lancers.
	Carlos Magdelano:The junior will see time at quarterback and middle linebacker.

LAST SEASON: 5th place; 3-7, 1-4

POSTSEASON: 2004, lost to Los Amigos, 20-6, in the first round of Division IX playoffs

COACH: Marc Patino (1st year)

OUTLOOK: The Lancers lack the experience and the size to contend with the powers of the Freeway League. Senior running back Alejandro Hernandez will carry the offensive load. Hernandez was a second team all-league rusher last season.

HOME STADIUM: Buena Park

FACTOID: Patino is also the Lancers' baseball coach. He replaces Jim Arnold, who accepted the coaching job at California High of Whittier.

FASTEST: Josh Yang/Albert Anaim/John Porter

STRONGEST: Kevin Conner

SCHOOL RECORD: 267-216-11

TO SEE THE TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE

Troy

Players to watch
	Angelo Looney: Big things are expected from the senior linebacker this year.
	Derrick Coleman:An early favorite for county Offensive Player of the Year.

LAST SEASON: 1st place; 12-1; 5-0

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to Santa Fe, 33-28 in semifinals of Southeast Division playoffs

COACH: Jim Burton (3rd year, 26-15)

OUTLOOK: The Warriors enter the season with the bull's-eye on their back, but they should more than capable of handling the pressure. Troy returns 13 starters, including eight on offense, led by Derrick Coleman and the Swaneys (Tyler and Josh). Burton touts his team's experience as one of the key factors heading into the season.

HOME STADIUM: Fullerton District Stadium

FACTOID: Rob Beard averaged 59 yards per kickoff last season and earned first team all-league honors at linebacker

FASTEST: Rob Beard

STRONGEST: Derrick Coleman

SCHOOL RECORD: 245-178-13

TO SEE THE TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE

Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com