Kickoff '07: Trinity League

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Check out JSerra, Mater Dei, Orange Lutheran, Santa Margarita and Servite

COACHES POLL*
(Click link to see team's schedule and roster)

1. Mater Dei, 8-3 in 2006, 21 points

2. Servite, 8-4, 20

3. Orange Lutheran, 14-1, 19

4. Santa Margarita, 10-3, 12

5. St. John Bosco, 6-4, 8

6. JSerra, 1-8, 4

* Team-by-team previews at bottom.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Orange Lutheran
(Click here watch the ocvarsity.com video)

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

JSerra
Lions coach Jim Hartigan returns to the county after spending several years as the head coach at Clovis West. Hartigan was Santa Margarita's first coach and led the Eagles to a CIF-SS championship in 1997. Hartigan has a tall order, taking over at JSerra, which forfeited its Trinity League games last year because it wasn't ready to play a varsity schedule.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Matt Kalil
Servite offensive lineman
(Click here to watch the ocvarsity.com video)

OTHER TOP PLAYERS

Mater Dei– QB Matt Barkley; OL Khaled Holmes; DL Cameron Meredith; WR Robbie Boyer; K Patrick Duffy; OL Ben Tauanuu; WR/FS Carlos Valdes; TE Chris Pinesett; DB Andrew Abbott; Orange Lutheran– TE Blake Ayles; LB/RB Ricky Pemasa; LB Alex Pemasa; WR Cody Smith; RB Tyson Seneca; OL Lance Barker; K James Rammelsberg; DB Hayden Shaw; DL Don Williams; St. John Bosco– RB Lawrence Doss; Santa Margarita– DL Logan Harrell; OLB John Michael Davis; RB Carlos Audagnotti; Servite– WR D.J. Shoemate; LG Stuart Hein; LB Austin Niklas; LB Anthony Hannon; RB Greg Portis; TE Andrew Ostergaard; QB Johnny McEntee.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Mater Dei vs. Orange Lutheran
Nov. 2 at Santa Ana Stadium

This is Orange Lutheran's home game at Mater Dei's home field. The Lancers beat the Monarchs in a 24-21 thriller last season. Mater Dei has one of its better teams in recent years, but Orange Lutheran, the defending Division II state champion, should be strong as well.

TOUGHEST SCHEDULE

Servite

The Friars' nonleague schedule includes powerhouses St. Paul of Santa Fe Springs, Edison and Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks. Their other two games are against a tough squad from Santiago of Corona and Lynwood, which always has a bunch of good athletes.

 

 

 

JSerra Lions

Players to watch
	Kelly McMinn: He will start at RB and LB.
	Sam Inman: He will be the team's starting QB.

LAST SEASON: 1-8, 0-5

POSTSEASON: Never made the playoffs

COACH: Jim Hartigan (First year)

OUTLOOK: The Lions are looking to gain experience and learn how to compete in the loaded Trinity League. Hartigan has experience building a program under fire as he did as Santa Margarita's first coach, but this is a much tougher task. Hartigan said it will take experience and time, but he believes the Lions will eventually develop into a strong program.

HOME STADIUM: Saddleback College

FACTOID: Hartigan went 41-9-1 in four seasons at Clovis West, winning three league titles and leading his team to the CIF-Central Section finals three times

FASTEST: Ryan Willis ran 4.6 in the 40-yard dash

STRONGEST:Evan Mulder has a 300-pound power clean, 300-pound bench and 400-pound squat

SCHOOL RECORD: 2-21

TO SEE THE TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE

 

 

 

Mater Dei Monarchs

Players to watch
	Khaled Holmes: He is one of the top-rated offensive linemen in the nation.
	Cameron Meredith: He is one of the top-rated defensive linemen in the nation.

LAST SEASON: 8-3, 3-2

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to Long Beach Poly, 10-0, in Pac-5 first round

COACH: Bruce Rollinson (19th year, 183-48-2)

OUTLOOK: The Monarchs look like the top contenders in the Trinity League and in the Pac-5 Division. Matt Barkley is in his third year as the Monarchs' starting quarterback and he should be one of the nation's best. Mater Dei has a massive offensive line led by Khaled Holmes. The defense is built around defensive end Cameron Meredith and the Monarchs have a lot of depth at linebacker.

HOME STADIUM: Santa Ana Stadium

FACTOID: The Monarchs have seven starters returning on offense and seven on defense

SCHOOL RECORD: 435-154-15

TO SEE THE TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE

 

 

 

Orange Lutheran Lancers

Players to watch
	Blake Ayles: One of the top receiving tight ends and he can deliver key blocks.
	Ricky Pemasa: He rushed for 746 yards and 13 TDs before injury in Week 9.

LAST SEASON: 14-1, 4-1

POSTSEASON: 2006, beat Edison, 30-20, in the Pac-5 final and beat Palo Alto, 42-28, in Division II state final

COACH: Jim Kunau (15th year, 145-33-3)

OUTLOOK: The defending Division II state champions lost star players Aaron Corp, Michael Reardon and Austin Pettis to graduation, but they still have eight starters back on defense and six on offense to make a run at another league title. Kunau said the team has good chemistry and unity and had one of its best offseason strength and speed development sessions. Blake Hyepock and Bobby Wheatley are battling for the starting quarterback job.

HOME STADIUM: Brea Olinda High

FACTOID: The Pemasa brothers, Jeremiah, Ricky and Alex, will be the Lancers starting linebackers

FASTEST: Kyle Dravis runs a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash

SCHOOL RECORD: 237-124-5

TO SEE THE TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE

 

 

 

Santa Margarita Eagles 

Players to watch
	John Michael Davis: He is one of the better pass rushers in the county.
	Logan Harrell: He made second team all-league last season.

LAST SEASON: 10-3, 3-2

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to Edison, 14-3, in Pac-5 semifinals

COACH: Michael Jacot (Fifth year, 27-19)

OUTLOOK: Santa Margarita remains a threat against any team in the league. The Eagles have great size, solid senior leadership and are very fast and athletic, especially in the defensive front seven. Santa Margarita only has eight returning starters, three players vying for the starting quarterback job and limited depth.

HOME STADIUM: Saddleback College

FACTOID: The Eagles have been to the playoffs the past 12 seasons

FASTEST: Carlo Audagnotti and John Michael Davis run a 4.50 in the 40-yard dash

STRONGEST: Declean Escobar and Logan Harrell bench press in the 300-plus range

SCHOOL RECORD: 149-63-3

TO SEE THE TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE

 

 

 

Servite Friars

Players to watch
	Austin Niklas: He leads an experienced linebacking corps.
	D.J. Shoemate: Has committed to USC.

LAST SEASON: 8-4, 4-1

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to Edison, 28-21, in Pac-5 quarterfinals

COACH: Troy Thomas (Third year, 18-7)

OUTLOOK: Thomas likes his team's senior leadership and he said he has a tight-knit group of smart football players that know their roles. D.J. Shoemate is back after missing all but one game last season, which gives the Friars one of the most special players in the county. With Shoemate, three offensive linemen and running back Greg Portis back, it should help break in new quarterback Johnny McEntee. Servite has a lot of talented juniors, including seven that will rotate at wide receiver. Servite is very strong at linebacker, which will be the anchor of the defense.

HOME STADIUMS: Glover Stadium, Cal State Fullerton, Orange Coast College

FACTOID: Linebacker Austin Niklas, who was the league's co-defensive player of the year last season, will miss the first two games of the season with a thumb injury

FASTEST: Greg Portis ran a 4.51 in the 40-yard dash

STRONGEST: D.J. Shoemate has a 300-pound power clean, a 335-pound bench press and a 500-pound squat

SCHOOL RECORD: 329-165-11

TO SEE THE TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE

Contact the writer: carias@ocvarsity.com