Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Kickoff '07: Orange League
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Check out Anaheim, Century, Magnolia, Santa Ana Valley, Savanna and Western.
OCVarsity.com
COACHES POLL
(Click the link to see a team's schedule and roster)
1. Anaheim, 12-2 in 2006, 21 points
2. Western, 6-5, 20
3. Santa Ana Valley, 4-6, 13
4. Savanna, 9-3, 12
5. Magnolia, 1-9, 12
6. Century, 2-8, 7
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Anaheim
(Click here to watch the ocvarsity.com video)
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Century
The Centurions are lacking depth at several positions. Century lost starting quarterback/wide receiver Ernie Gonzalez to graduation.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Rap Dantic
Magnolia running back
OTHER TOP PLAYERS
Anaheim– Running back Matt Contreras, defensive tackle Eric Rodriguez, linebacker Chris Camacho, linebacker Gilbert Ceballos, tackle Mike Linden, strong safety Jose Verela, quarterback Vince Gomez, Linebacker David Diaz; Century– Strong safety/wide receiver Edgar Vergara, running back Uriel Mora, defensive end Ulysses Mojarra; Magnolia– Running back Rap Dantic, cornerback Eddie Vega, tight end Winston Taylor, tackle Eric Barrios, wide receiver Robert Cruz; Savanna– Quarterback Marc Thomas, running back Dominique Williams, wide receiver Luke Sever; Santa Ana Valley– Running back Juan Gonzalez, quarterback Rudy Penaloza, wide receiver Omar Cruz; Western– Running back Morris Griffin, middle linebacker Uriah Siliga, corner back Allan Dean, free safety Johnny Trujillo.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Anaheim vs. Western
Nov. 9 at Western High
This game could decide the league champion. A large crowd should be on hand in this epic league showdown.
TOUGHEST SCHEDULE
Western
Will play at Valencia and vs. San Gabriel Valley power Los Altos of Hacienda Heights.
Anaheim Colonists
| Players to watch | ||
 | Vince Gomez:Returns to the Colonists' offense at QB. | |
 | Matt Contreras:He should get the bulk of the carries this season. | |
POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to Kennedy, 29-10, in Southern Division finals.
COACH: Lanny Booher (4th year, 17-17)
OUTLOOK: The Colonists return 11 starters from last year’s team that reached the finals. Vince Gomez will anchor the offense at quarterback. Anaheim lost running backs George Predickez and Victor Torres to graduation. Senior running back Matt Contreras is likely to take the majority of the handoffs this season. The Colonists look good on defense with the return of all three linebackers from last season, but the question mark will lie on their young offensive line.
HOME STADIUM: Glover Stadium
FACTOID: The “three amigos” this season could be the three returning linebackers.
FASTEST: Vince Gomez, Matt Contreras
STRONGEST: Isaac Iosefa
SCHOOL RECORD: 464-333-38
TO SEE THE TEAM'S SCHEDULE AND RECORD, CLICK HERE.
| Offense | Defense | ||||||||
| Pos. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Year | Pos. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Year |
| QB | Vince Gomez | 6-5 | 190 | Sr. | DE | Desmond Hatchett | 6-3 | 185 | Sr. |
| RB | Matt Contreras | 5-9 | 190 | Sr. | DT | Art Cortez | 6-3 | 250 | Sr. |
| RB | Angel Salinas | 5-10 | 180 | Sr. | DT | Eric Rodriguez | 6-1 | 260 | Sr. |
| WR | Jose Varela | 6-1 | 185 | Sr. | DE | Chris Noblecia | 5-11 | 190 | Jr. |
| WR | Jose Hernandez | 6-0 | 180 | Sr. | OLB | Chris Camacho | 6-1 | 205 | Sr. |
| TE | Chris Noblecia | 5-10 | 180 | Jr. | MLB | David Diaz | 5-10 | 185 | Sr. |
| T | Art Cortez | 6-3 | 250 | Sr. | OLB | Gilbert Ceballos | 5-8 | 175 | Sr. |
| G | Eric Rodriguez | 6-1 | 260 | Sr. | CB | Luis Reyna | 5-8 | 170 | Jr. |
| C | Isaac Iosefa | 5-11 | 295 | Sr. | SS | Luis Reyna | 5-8 | 179 | Jr. |
| G | Alex Torres | 5-10 | 215 | Sr. | FS | Jose Verela | 6-1 | 185 | Sr. |
| T | Mike Linden | 6-3 | 285 | Sr. | CB | Jose Hernandez | 6-0 | 180 | Sr. |
| K | Ramon Mesia | 5-8 | 245 | Jr. |
Century Centurions
| Players to watch | ||
 | Uriel Mora:Can bounce off tackles well. | |
 | Fernando Arellano:Will start at QB for a second season. | |
POSTSEASON: 2005
COACH: Jesse Gomez (3rd year, 3-17)
OUTLOOK: The Centurions are lacking depth at a lot of positions, losing two players at key positions. Ernie Gonzalez, who anchored last year’s offense splitting times at quarterback and wide receiver, and center Vince Ibarra-Torres graduated. The silver lining is the return of junior running back Uriel Mora and senior wide receiver Edgar Vergara, who also is the strong safety, kick returner and punt returner. Both also were selected to last year’s first team all-league defense.
HOME STADIUMS: Santa Ana Stadium and Segerstrom High
FACTOID: Only one player (Ulysses Mojarra) is listed at least 6 feet.
FASTEST: Edgar Vergara
STRONGEST: Ulysses Mojarra
SCHOOL RECORD: 54-118-4
TO SEE TEAM'S SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE.
| Offense | Defense | ||||||||
| Pos. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Year | Pos. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Year |
| QB | Fernando Arellano | 5-9 | 195 | Sr. | DE | Ulysses Mojarra | 6-0 | 220 | Sr. |
| RB | Abraham Palacios | 5-9 | 180 | Jr. | N | Danny Ray Perez | 5-11 | 275 | Sr. |
| RB | Uriel Mora | 5-10 | 215 | Jr. | DE | Jesus Agustin | 5-11 | 215 | So. |
| WR | Edgar Vergara | 5-8 | 155 | Sr. | OLB | Edgar Montes | 5-8 | 165 | Sr. |
| WR | Tony Santana | 5-9 | 160 | Jr. | ILB | Juan Carlos Sanchez Ramos | 5-8 | 170 | Jr. |
| TE | Miguel Mondragon | 5-10 | 190 | Sr. | MLB | Uiel Mora | 5-10 | 215 | Jr. |
| OT | Juan Villanueva | 5-11 | 215 | Jr. | ILB | Alfred Arias | 5-8 | 175 | Jr. |
| OG | Oscar Ruvalcaba | 5-10 | 200 | Jr. | OLB | Abraham Palacios | 5-9 | 180 | Jr. |
| C | Ben Zamora | 5-11 | 250 | Sr. | CB | Heriberto De Anda | 5-7 | 155 | Sr. |
| OG | Marcos Ramirez | 5-9 | 190 | Jr. | SS | Edgar Vergara | 5-8 | 155 | Sr. |
| OT | Tony Resendiz | 5-11 | 220 | Jr. | CB | Tony Santana | 5-9 | 170 | Jr. |
| K | Abraham Palacios | 5-9 | 180 | Jr. | P | Abraham Palacios | 5-9 | 180 | Jr. |
| KR | Edgar Vergara | 5-8 | 155 | Sr. | PR | Edgar Vergara | 5-8 | 155 | Sr. |
Magnolia Sentinels
| Players to watch | ||
 | Winston Taylor: Strong presence at tight end. | |
 | Rap Dantic: Rushed for 1,700 in 2006 as a junior. | |
POSTSEASON: 1980
COACH: Dave Perkins (1st year)
OUTLOOK: The Sentinels could be the darkhorse of the league and surprise the league. Perkins has instilled discipline to a team that had a hard time arriving on time and was unaccustomed to weight lifting. Senior running back Rap Dantic last year as a junior rushed for 1,700 yards at just 5-foot-8. Tight end Winston Taylor will be a key dimension to the offense this season. Magnolia has plenty of speed, size and time will tell if Perkins can shape a winning attitude.
HOME STADIUMS: Glover Stadium, Western High
FACTOID: Perkins most recently coached as an assistant at Mater Dei.
FASTEST: Rap Dantic, Robert Cruz, Jose Pineda
STRONGEST: Etisone Fa’Atilli
SCHOOL RECORD: 134-300-9
TO SEE THE TEAM'S SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE.
| Offense | Defense | ||||||||
| Pos. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Year | Pos. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Year |
| QB | Elijah Laulu | 5-11 | 175 | Jr. | DE | Alonso Diaz | 6-2 | 255 | Jr. |
| RB | Rap Dantic | 5-8 | 170 | Sr. | N | Laau Asoau | 6-3 | 295 | Jr. |
| RB | Mike Mora | 5-10 | 200 | Sr. | DE | Andrew Diller | 6-1 | 240 | Sr. |
| WR | Jose Pineda | 5-11 | 180 | Jr. | ILB | John Castellon | 5-9 | 190 | Sr. |
| WR | Robert Cruz | 5-9 | 165 | Jr. | OLB | Giovanny Campbell | 6-2 | 210 | Jr. |
| TE | Winston Taylor | 6-2 | 215 | Sr. | MLB | Bernardo Perez | 6-0 | 205 | Sr. |
| OT | Laau Asoau | 6-3 | 295 | Jr. | OLB | Dominic Lopez | 5-10 | 190 | Sr. |
| OG | Etisone Fa-Atilli | 6-1 | 265 | Sr. | CB | Robert Cruz | 5-9 | 165 | Jr. |
| C | Osbaldo Flores | 6-2 | 300 | Sr. | FS | Enrique Cordova | 6-0 | 165 | Sr. |
| OG | Miguel Ramirez | 6-1 | 265 | Jr. | FS | Alan Carranza | 5-10 | 185 | Sr. |
| OT | Eric Barrios | 6-2 | 290 | Jr. | CB | Eddie Vega | 5-9 | 160 | Sr. |
| K | Mike Mora | 5-10 | 200 | Sr. | P | Robert Cruz | 5-9 | 165 | Jr. |
| KOR | Rap Dantic | 5-8 | 170 | Sr. | PR | Robert Cruz | 5-9 | 165 | Jr. |
Santa Ana Valley Falcons
| Players to watch | ||
 | Rudy Penaloza:Should have plenty of protection to work. | |
 | Omar Cruz:Offensive spark at wide receiver. | |
LAST SEASON: Fourth place, 4-6, 2-3
POSTSEASON: 2005
COACH: Larry Mohr (1st year)
OUTLOOK: This is a big Falcons team and they move well. Four linemen are at least 6-foot
tall. Coach Mohr says despite their size they have speed. But the team is young despite a roster riddled with seniors and juniors. Santa Ana Valley does, however, return seven starters and the young players will rely on their leadership. Omar Cruz will anchor the offense at wide receiver. He stands a solid 6-foot, 170 pounds.
HOME STADIUM: Santa Ana Satadium.
FACTOID: Junior linemen Mark Solano (6-3, 280 pounds) and Jorge Atilano (6-4, 300) are quite a presence up front.
FASTEST: German Pineda
STRONGEST: Luis Higareda
SCHOOL RECORD: 236-246-2
TO SEE THE TEAM'S SCHEDULE AND ROSTERS, CLICK HERE.
| Offense | Defense | ||||||||
| Pos. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Year | Pos. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Year |
| QB | Rudy Penaloza | 5-9 | 180 | Sr. | DE | Ilai Eteaki | 5-11 | 210 | Jr. |
| RB | Juan Gonzalez | 5-10 | 180 | Sr. | DT | Luis Higareda | 5-9 | 280 | Sr. |
| RB | Jose Chavez | 5-8 | 180 | Sr. | DT | Michael Torres | 5-9 | 200 | Sr. |
| WR | Omar Cruz | 6-0 | 170 | Sr. | DE | David Mojica | 6-0 | 200 | Sr. |
| WR | Manny Estrada | 5-9 | 150 | Sr. | OLB | Silvestre Flores | 6-1 | 180 | Sr. |
| TE | Alex Gutierrez | 6-4 | 200 | So. | MLB | Robert Mares | 5-9 | 180 | Sr. |
| OT | Steven Mercado | 6-3 | 250 | Sr. | OLB | Fred Mojica | 5-11 | 180 | Sr. |
| OG | Lauro Chavez | 5-10 | 250 | Sr. | CB | Angel Quevedo | 5-8 | 160 | Sr. |
| C | Fabian Ornelaz | 6-0 | 210 | Jr. | SS | Eddie Perez | 5-11 | 165 | Sr. |
| OG | Mark Solano | 6-3 | 280 | Jr. | SS | Jerry Cardona | 5-8 | 170 | Jr. |
| OT | Jorge Atilano | 6-4 | 300 | Jr. | CB | Omar Cruz | 6-0 | 180 | Sr. |
| K | Medrano Garcia | 6-0 | 180 | Sr. | P | Medrado Garcia | 6-0 | 180 | Sr. |
| KOR | Darius Nacoste | 5-9 | 160 | So. | PR | Darius Nacoste | 5-9 | 160 | So. |
Savanna Rebels
| Players to watch | ||
 | Dominique Williams:Receiver is fastest player on the team. | |
 | Luke Sever:Could make impact on offense, defense and in kicking game. | |
POSTSEASON: 2006, lost in first round to Kennedy, 38-14, in Southern Division.
COACH: Roger Whalen (4th year, 22-12-1)
OUTLOOK: The Rebels have good speed as a team. They gave Anaheim and Western a run for their money last year. But things could change this season with an inexperienced line on both sides of the ball. Losing quarterback Aaron Strazicich to graduation will hurt. Senior Marc Thomas will fill in as quarterback while senior Stephen Jones switches from wide receiver to running back. Dominique Williams and Luke Sever show a lot of potential at wide receiver.
HOME STADIUMS: Glover Stadium, Western High
FACTOID: The Rebels return only four players, two on offense and two on defense.
FASTEST: Dominique Williams
STRONGEST: Mauricio Johnson
SCHOOL RECORD: 186-262-11
TO SEE THE TEAM'S SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE.
| Offense | Defense | ||||||||
| Pos. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Year | Pos. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Year |
| QB | Marc Thomas | 6-0 | 180 | Sr. | DE | Deshawn Miller | 6-0 | 200 | Jr. |
| RB | Stephen Jones | 5-9 | 185 | Sr. | DT | Jason Oregel | 5-10 | 225 | Jr. |
| FB | Dominique Williams | 6-1 | 195 | Sr. | DT | Mauricio Johnson | 6-0 | 280 | Jr. |
| WR | Luke Sever | 6-2 | 200 | Sr. | DE | Dominique Williams | 6-1 | 195 | Sr. |
| WR | Mike Badica | 5-9 | 180 | Sr. | OLB | Kenny Rone | 6-1 | 320 | Sr. |
| TE | TBA | MLB | Luke Sever | 6-2 | 200 | Sr. | |||
| OT | Moses Medina | 6-5 | 265 | Sr. | OLB | James Mares | 5-11 | 200 | Jr. |
| OG | Jason Oregal | 5-10 | 225 | Jr. | CB | Stephen Jones | 5-9 | 185 | Sr. |
| C | Juan Juarez | 5-10 | 235 | Sr. | SS | C.J. White | 6-0 | 185 | Sr. |
| OG | Mauricio Johnson | 6-0 | 280 | Jr. | FS | Darius Small | 5-9 | 180 | Sr. |
| OT | Robert Brennan | 6-0 | 200 | Jr. | CB | Dylan Johnson | 5-9 | 145 | Sr. |
| K | Luke Sever | 6-2 | 200 | Sr. | P | Luke Sever | 6-2 | 195 | Sr. |
| KOR | Dominique Williams | 6-1 | 195 | Sr. | PR | Stephen Jones | 5-9 | 185 | Sr. |
Western Pioneers
| Players to watch | ||
 | Derek Orman:QB is one of the strongest players on the team. | |
 | Morris Griffin:Solid back was an all-league selection last season. | |
POSTSEASON: 2006, Lost in first round to Cypress, 28-24, in Southern Division.
COACH: Toby Howell (12th year, 88-42-1)
OUTLOOK: The Pioneers return six starters on offense and eight on defense. Howell said inexperience lies in the defensive line. But Howell has been at the helm for more than a decade and will find a way to get the most out of them. The defense, however, does have some strengths and it comes at the linebacker and defensive back positions. Western lost quarterback Lester Bodiford to graduation; junior Derek Orman will have some tough shoes to fill. Look for running back senior Morris Griffin to get the majority of the handoffs. He stands a solid 6-foot-2, 210 pounds. Morris, along with Uriah Siliga, Johnny Trujillo and Allan Dean, were selected all-league last season.
HOME STADIUM: Western High
FACTOID: The Pioneers lost their first league game in six years last season.
FASTEST: Mitch Stone
STRONGEST: Derek Orman, Mookie Cooksic
SCHOOL RECORD: 259-230-1
TO SEE THE TEAM'S SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE.
| Offense | Defense | ||||||||
| Pos. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Year | Pos. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Year |
| QB | Derek Orman | 5-10 | 180 | Jr. | DE | Morris Griffin | 6-2 | 210 | Sr. |
| RB | Morris Griffin | 6-2 | 210 | Sr. | DT | Aaron Small | 5-9 | 210 | Jr. |
| RB | Mookie Cooksic | 5-9 | 160 | Jr. | DT | Nico Alaniz | 6-0 | 260 | Jr. |
| RB | Ruben Ortega | 6-1 | 205 | So. | DE | Phillip Pedro | 6-3 | 220 | Jr. |
| TE | Phillip Pedro | 6-3 | 220 | Jr. | OLB | Rey Lucena | 5-9 | 175 | Sr. |
| TE | Francis Amasio | 6-0 | 200 | Jr. | MLB | Ruben Ortega | 6-1 | 205 | So. |
| OT | Daniel Jomokha | 6-4 | 230 | Jr. | OLB | Paul Ohi | 6-0 | 205 | Sr. |
| OG | Ceaser Tenorio | 6-3 | 265 | Sr. | CB | Uriah Siliga | 5-11 | 215 | Sr. |
| C | Adam Shakouj | 5-11 | 215 | Sr. | CB | Derek Orman | 5-10 | 180 | Jr. |
| OG | Uriah Siliga | 5-11 | 215 | Sr. | FS | Johnny Trujillo | 6-0 | 170 | Sr. |
| OT | Mitch Stone | 6-1 | 245 | Sr. | CB | Allan Dean | 5-10 | 180 | Sr. |
Contact the writer: mmelendez@ocregister.com
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