Kickoff '08: Capistrano Valley Cougars

September 01, 2008 1:45 PM

By JASON EICHELBERGER

OCVarsity.com

:
OCVarsity previews football teams for the 2008-09 season.

Capistrano Valley

Last season: 5-4-1, 1-3-1 (tied for fourth)

Postseason: 2004, lost to Upland, 47-28, first round of the Division II playoffs

Coach: Chi Chi Biehn (sixth year, 23-28-1)

Outlook: The Cougars began last season 4-1, but struggled throughout league play, allowing an average of 31.4 points per game. Junior Brandon Brennan, who played multiple positions last season, will start at quarterback this season. He will have the benefit of throwing to a trio of junior receivers, highlighted by 6-foot-5 Lee Casas, who led the team with five receiving touchdowns last season. Senior running back Bardia Rezaei (4.2 yards per carry in ’07) will look to help fill the void left by last season’s starter Michael Campana, who led the team with 12 touchdowns. A solid effort from a defense that will feature seven senior starters will be crucial if the Cougars are to make an impact in league this season.

Home stadium: Capistrano Valley

Factoid: Averaged 32.2 points per game in nonleague contests last season; 15.2 during league play.

School record: 178-133-7

Players to watch
	Brandon Brennan Played WR, QB, and LB last season		Lee Casas Averaged 12.5 yards per catch in 2007

Offense Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
QB	Brandon Brennan	6-4	205	Jr.
RB	Bardia Rezaei	5-11	180	Sr.
RB	Jono Mullins	5-10	210	Jr.
WR	Lee Casas	6-5	205	Jr.
WR	Dalton Slye	6-3	175	Jr.
TE	Jake Mathers	6-4	190	Jr.
T	Ryan Shott	6-6	260	Sr.
G	Carl Sutherland	6-1	270	Sr.
C	Cameron Briney	6-0	230	Sr.
G	Kevin Ludlum	6-1	265	Sr.
T	Jake Mannaert	6-4	260	Jr.
K	TBA*
KOR	TBA*
Defense Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
DE	D'Eric Skillern	6-3	190	Sr.
DT	Ryan Shott	6-6	260	Sr.
DT	Justin Bear	6-0	220	Sr.
DE	Dustin Alewine	6-3	208	Jr.
OLB	Chris Connolly	6-2	225	Sr.
MLB	Matt Hahn	6-2	200	Sr.
OLB	Zack Williamson	6-0	190	Sr.
LB	Josh Maierhofer	5-10	220	Jr.
CB	Josh Thomas	5-10	160	Sr.
FS	Dylan Johnson	6-3	170	Jr.
CB	Tyler Bednar	5-11	195	Jr.
P	TBA*
PR	TBA*