Kickoff '08: Canyon Comanches

September 01, 2008 1:48 PM

By DAMIAN CALHOUN

OCVarsity.com

:
OCVarsity previews football teams for the 2008 season.

Canyon

Last season: 8-3, 3-2

Postseason: 2007, lost to West Covina, 28-21, first round of Southwest Division playoffs

Coach: Brent McKee (8th year, 44-39-1)

Outlook: The Comanches lost three integral parts (Sean Kurtz, Christian Daniel and Jordan Thomas) to graduation but welcome back three all-league performers (Tubotein Taylor, Colton Grandbouche and Jay Kirshner). Nick Mercurio steps in at quarterback. If Canyon can stay healthy, then it could compete for a league title.

Home stadium: El Modena High

Factoid: Running back Tubotein Taylor broke the county record in the 400 meters in track and field.

Strongest: Cory Thomas

Fastest: Tubotein Taylor

School record: 162-191-2

Players to watch
	Colton Grandbouche Had 36 receptions for 591 yards last season and earned first-team all-league honors		Jay Kirshner Returning first-team all-league linebacker had 76 tackles last season

Offense Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
QB	Nick Mercurio	5-11	185	Sr.
RB	Jared Gobert	5-8	170	Sr.
RB	Tubotein Taylor	5-11	170	Sr.
WR	Colton Grandbouche	6-2	175	Sr.
WR	Garrett Baxter	6-5	200	Sr.
TE	Paul Loeffler	6-2	210	Sr.
OT	Jacob Broaddus	6-5	210	Jr.
OG	Scott Grosser	6-3	270	Jr.
C	Pat McGraw	5-10	230	Sr.
OT	Manny Juarez	6-1	220	Jr.
OG	Sina Amini	6-3	280	Jr.
K	Colton Grandbouche	6-2	175	Sr.
KOR	Tubotein Taylor	5-11	170	Sr.
PR	Tubotein Taylor	5-11	170	Sr.
Defense Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
DE	Cory Thomas	6-1	225	Sr.
DT	Tyler Bogosian	6-0	225	Sr.
DT	Carter Calhoun	5-11	230	Sr.
DE	Josh Seiler	6-0	180	Soph.
OLB	Tyler Lusk	5-10	180	Jr.
ILB	Jay Kirshner	6-1	210	Sr.
OLB	Jared Weir	6-0	210	Jr.
CB	Marcio Marchena	5-9	180	Sr.
CB	Craig Garbedian	5-9	180	Sr.
SS	Kyle Rodriguez	5-9	185	Jr.
FS	Steve Lang	6-0	185	Sr.
P	Colton Grandbouche	6-2	175	Sr.