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Kickoff '11: Orange Coast League preview
OCVarsity continues its league-by-league previews for high school football with the Orange Coast League.
Find the coaches' poll, individual team previews, players and teams to watch and much more.
COACHES POLL:
1. Estancia, 6-4 overall, 5-0 in league in 2010 (35 poll points)
5. Calvary Chapel 7-4, 3-2 (15)
IN THE SPOTLIGHT:
Estancia. The Eagles have the league's top offensive weapon, running back Robert Murtha. He was the league's offensive player of the year as a sophomore in 2010. Estancia has qualified for a playoff berth in four of the league's five years of existence.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION:
Saddleback. The Roadrunners have a new coach, Rob Thompson, who takes over a program that is 3-37 over the past four seasons, including records of 1-9 overall and 0-5 in league last year. Saddleback has only two returning starters.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Robert Murtha, Estancia. He rushed last season for 1,679 yards, the third most for an Orange County non-senior and the most for a sophomore in 2010. Murtha, a 5-foot-10, 185 pound junior running back, ran for 19 touchdowns and averaged 6 yards a carry and 153 yards a game. His 302 carries was the second-highest total in the county.
Robert Clemons, Laguna Beach. This receiver had 36 receptions for 650 yards and five touchdowns last season as a sophomore and was named All-Orange Coast League first team. Good totals for a guy who was the No. 2 receiver on a team that had All-CIF receiver Chris Paul. Clemons, 5-11 and 175, also plays safety.
OTHER TOP PLAYERS:
Calvary Chapel: Kurtis Davey, OL, Sr.; J.T. McLuckey, QB, Sr.
Costa Mesa: Nate Avis, QB, Sr.; Charles Mankin, TE, Sr.
Estancia: Zach Bateman, OL, Sr.; Alipa Peters, DL, Sr.
Godinez: Alex Hernandez, DB/K, Sr.; David Rivera, RB, Sr.
Laguna Beach: Drake Martinez, RB/DB, Jr.; Ricky Delatorre, OL/DL, Sr.
Saddleback: Eddie Arvezu, RB/LB, Jr.; Greg Gonzales, RB/DB, So.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
Costa Mesa at Estancia, Oct. 16. Estancia is the defending league champion and has won six league games in a row. The Eagles play their neighborhood rival Mustangs, under new coach Wally Grant, in the season opener for both teams.
TOUGHEST SCHEDULE:
Saddleback. Of the Roadrunners' five nonleague games, four are against 2010 playoff teams.
