Kickoff '08: Esperanza Aztecs

September 01, 2008 1:44 PM

By DAN ALBANO

OCVarsity.com

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

Esperanza

Last season: 10-2, 4-1 (tied for first)

Postseason: Lost to Servite, 10-7, in Pac-5 Division quarterfinals

Coach: Bill Pendleton (fifth year, 45-16)

Outlook: The Aztecs return five starters on offense, including running back Jared Moore, who rushed for1,074 yards last season. Esperanza's running game will feature more of Sean McDonald. Last season, he started at quarterback but has been moved to running back. He rushed for 652 yards last season.Esperanza doesn't have a big-name offensive lineman as of yet but Pendleton calls the group the strongest inschool history. The Aztecs' challenge appears to be on defense. They return only two starters.

Home stadium: Valencia High

Factoid: The Aztecs have claimed a share of the past three league titles.

Strongest: Mike Rocha

Fastest: Hayden Pierce

School record: 297-115-10

Players to watch
	Jared Moore Rushed for 1,074 yards and 12 TDs last season		Sean Avila Could be the best defensive lineman in league

Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
QB	Drew Huusfeldt	6-1	170	Jr.
RB	Sean McDonald	5-11	175	Sr.
RB	Jared Moore	6-0	195	Sr.
FB	Dustin Derieg	6-0	210	Jr.
WR	Hayden Pierce	6-1	175	Jr.
TE	Jake Pendleton	6-1	205	Sr.
*T	Brad Knutsen	6-3	260	Jr.
*T	Clay Shepard	5-11	220	Sr.
G	Mike Rocha	6-0	250	Sr.
C	Geoff Hyde	6-2	250	Sr.
*G	Todd McDonald	5-11	215	Jr.
*G	Garrett Dembek	5-10	230	Sr.
T	Cory Hobbs	5-11	230	Sr.
K	Aria Nabipur	6-2	220	Sr.
Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
DE	Christian Martinez	6-2	220	Sr.
NT	Sean Avila	6-2	245	Sr.
DE	Lukas Lopez	6-0	230	Jr.
ILB	Matt Hunsaker	5-11	205	Sr.
ILB	Francisco Vargas	5-11	190	Jr.
MLB	John Werner	5-10	195	Sr.
*OLB	Drew Amos	6-2	200	Sr.
*OLB	Andy Shell	5-11	190	Sr.
CB	Hayden Pierce	6-1	175	Jr.
SS	Dane Poole	6-1	200	Sr.
FS	Sean McDonald	5-11	175	Sr.
CB	Grant Stubblefield	5-9	155	Jr.
P	Tyler Drees	5-10	210	Jr.