Kickoff '07: Century League

COACHES POLL
(Click on team link to reach schedule and roster)

1. El Dorado, 13-1 in 2006, 30 points

2. Villa Park, 3-7, 17

3. Canyon, 9-2, 16

(tie) Tustin, 7-4, 16

5. El Modena, 5-5, 13

6. Brea Olinda, 4-6, 12

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

El Dorado
(Watch ocvarsity.com video)

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Tustin
It will be a rebuilding season for the Tillers, who replace all but four starters from last year, including two 1,000-yard running backs. League coaches still expect they will contend for a playoff bid.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Canyon linebacker Sean Kurtz
(Watch ocvarsity.com video)

OTHER TOP PLAYERS

Brea Olinda - Linebacker Kory Johnson, defensive tackle Kyle Wall; Canyon - Wide receiver Christian Daniel, quarterback Jordan Thomas, linebacker John Boyd, defensive back Josh Hawkins; El Dorado- Defensive back Nathan Dighera, linebacker Scott Galvan, offensive lineman John Domen, defensive end Trace Wilson, running back Devin DeLeon; defensive lineman Anthony Laurenzi; El Modena - Running back Ray Holley, quarterback Lucas Farrell; Tustin - Safety Taylor Richardson, running back/cornerback DeAngelo Townsall; Villa Park - Defensive back Brian Klein, running back Anthony Privitelli

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Canyon vs. El Modena
Nov. 9 at El Modena High
If El Dorado has a slip-up, this regular-season finale might decide a league title. Otherwise, it likely will decide a playoff berth.

TOUGHEST SCHEDULE

El Dorado
The Golden Hawks open the season against two Pac-5 Division playoff teams, Esperanza and Dana Hills. And they play both on the road.

Brea Olinda Wildcats

LAST SEASON: 4-6, 1-4

Players to watch
	Kory Johnson: The returning starter had 73 tackles in 2006.
	Kyle Wall: He will start on both sides of the line.

POSTSEASON: 2004, lost to Orange Lutheran, 42-14, first round of Div. VI playoffs

COACH: Robb Perrance (6th year, 28-27)

OUTLOOK: What Brea Olinda lacks in experience it might be able to make up for in heart and leadership. Twenty seniors are projected to start for a team that is looking to make its first trip to the playoffs in three years.

HOME STADIUM: Brea Olinda High

FACTOID: Punter Logan Sewell had an 81-yard punt in 2006 and seven punts inside the 20.

STRONGEST: Kory Johnson

FASTEST: Caleb Rios, Jacob Rios

SCHOOL RECORD: 487-290-22

CLICK HERE FOR TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER 

Canyon Comanches

LAST SEASON: 9-2, 4-1

Players to watch
	Jordan Thomas: He passed for 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2006.
	Sean Kurtz: Last year's second leading tackler will also start at tight end.

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to South Hills, 21-14, first round of Southwest Division playoffs

COACH: Brent McKee (8th year, 36-36-1)

OUTLOOK: Only three starters return on offense for the Comanches. Quarterback Jordan Thomas and receiver Christian Daniel seem fit to carry that weight and McKee thinks he has another Division-I receiver in Colton Grandbuche. If so, Canyon could be competing for a league title.

HOME STADIUM: El Modena High

FACTOID: Christian Daniel, Jordan Thomas and Sean Kurtz are all three-year varsity starters

FASTEST: Brennan Ghassemieh

STRONGEST: Sean Kurtz

SCHOOL RECORD: 154-188-2

CLICK HERE FOR TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER

El Dorado Golden Hawks

Players to watch
	Nathan Dighera: The all-league defensive back will double as the team's starting running back.
	Scott Galvan: He was an all-league linebacker in 2006.

LAST SEASON: 13-1, 5-0

POSTSEASON: 2006, defeated Charter Oak, 17-6, in the Southwest Division championship

COACH: Jeff Bailey (4th year, 24-11-1)

OUTLOOK: The skill players are mostly new, but 10 starters return. Bailey said it is one of the faster teams he has coached. With so many seniors having graduated, the challenge will be finding leadership. El Dorado still is the consensus pick among coaches to win the Century League.

HOME STADIUM: Valencia High

FACTOID: El Dorado won 13 consecutive games, a year removed from a 6-5 season in 2005.

FASTEST: Devin DeLeon

STRONGEST: Devin DeLeon

SCHOOL RECORD: 233-199-7

CLICK HERE FOR TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER 

El Modena Vanguards

Players to watch
	Ray Holley: He rushed for 1,257 yards and eight touchdowns in 2006.
	Kevin Borton: The three-year starter had 48 tackles and five sacks last year.

LAST SEASON: 5-5, 1-4

POSTSEASON: 2002

COACH: Greg Olquin (4th year, 7-22-1)

OUTLOOK: Ray Holley might be the best running back in the league and one of the better ones in the county. He is one of several three-year starters, including three on the offensive line, as the Vanguards are likely to contend for their first playoff berth in five seasons.

HOME STADIUM: El Modena High

FACTOID: El Modena improved its victory total by four games in 2006

FASTEST: Denzel Adams, Ray Holley

STRONGEST: Brett Foley

SCHOOL RECORD: 219-210-1

CLICK HERE FOR TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER

 

 

Tustin Tillers

Players to watch
	Anthony Wilkerson: The sophomore starting running back is playing his first year of varsity.
	Taylor Richardson: He is one of four returning starters.

LAST SEASON: 7-4, 3-2

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to Trabuco Hills, 30-28, first round of Southwest Division playoffs

COACH: Myron Miller (13th year, 95-50-1)

OUTLOOK: Several players are projected to start on both sides of the ball, including new quarterback Antonio Mendoza. While the Tillers will be hard-pressed to duplicate the 3,000-plus yards they have rushed for in each of the past two seasons, a senior-laden defense might lead them back into the playoffs.

HOME STADIUM: Tustin High

FACTOID: Safety Taylor Richardson is the team's only returning all-league player

FASTEST: Anthony Wilkerson

STRONGEST: Roy Rojas

SCHOOL RECORD: 343-252-17

CLICK HERE FOR TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER

 

 

Villa Park Spartans

Players to watch
	Tyler Watkins: He returns as the team's starting quarterback.
	Adam Hernandez: The starting tackle can bench 320 pounds and squat 550.

LAST SEASON: 3-7, 1-4

POSTSEASON: 2004, lost to Orange Lutheran, 21-3, in Div. VI semifinals

COACH: Pat Mahoney (23rd year, 155-98-3)

OUTLOOK: The Spartans, who boast five seniors on the offensive line and 12 returning starters, were a trendy pick among league coaches to earn a playoff bid. Mahoney thinks his depth will be key in reversing last season's fortunes when a 2-1 start was followed by a seven-game losing streak.

HOME STADIUM: El Modena High

FACTOID: Villa Park defeated two playoff teams, Valencia and Trabuco Hills, in nonleague play

FASTEST: Anthony Privitelli

STRONGEST: Adam Hernandez, Brek Adams

SCHOOL RECORD: 270-175

CLICK HERE FOR TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER 

Contact the writer: amaya@ocregister.com