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Kickoff '08: Mission Viejo Diablos
Comments 0 | Recommend 0Kickoff '08: Mission Viejo Diablos
Mission Viejo
Last season: Tied for Second 4-6-1; 3-1-1
Postseason: 2007, lost to Orange Lutheran, 28-7, in the first round of the Pac 5 Division I playoffs
Coach: Bob Johnson (10th year, 93-20-1)
Outlook: The Diablos suffered one of their worst seasons in recent memory in 2007, culminating with an early playoff defeat at the hands of Orange Lutheran. Coach Bob Johnson's squad possesses some of the county's premier athletes and will enter the 2008 season as a strong favorite to win the league title and regain its status as one of the county's elite teams. QB Allan Bridgford will guide a potent offensive attack, which features two of the county's top athletes in Kevin Chandler and Alex Mascarenas, who combined for 90 catches, 1,362 yards and 10 touchdowns a season ago. Junior Jake Marshall, who started last season as a safety before enjoying success as a running back, returns in the backfield, along with bruising senior fullback John Akiba. The Diablos figure to be just as tough on defense, as senior defensive tackle Josh Steinhart and senior linebacker Kris Mueller return to anchor an impressive front seven. Mascarenas and senior safety Colton Fitch - both all-league selections - will patrol the secondary.
Home stadium: Mission Viejo
Factoid: The Diablos were the league's highest scoring team in 2007 at 34.6 points per game.
Strongest: Josh Steinhart
Fastest: Dallas Kessman, Kevin Chandler, Justin Aguayo, Jake Marshall, Joey Branker
School record: 296-171-9
| Players to watch | |||
 | Allan Bridgford Second in the league with 22 touchdown passes in 2007. |  | Kevin Chandler Caught 63 passes for 935 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2007 |
| Offense Pos. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Allan Bridgford | 6-4 | 215 | Sr. |
| RB | Jake Marshall | 6-0 | 208 | Jr. |
| FB | John Akiba | 5-9 | 225 | Sr. |
| WR | Kevin Chandler | 6-0 | 188 | Sr. |
| WR | Alex Mascarena | 5-11 | 185 | Sr. |
| WR | Justin Aguayo | 6-2 | 180 | Sr. |
| TE | Tommy Evans | 6-3 | 230 | Sr. |
| T | Mike Criste | 6-5 | 285 | Jr. |
| G | Alejandro Samaniego | 6-0 | 255 | Jr. |
| C | Blake Badraun | 5-10 | 235 | Sr. |
| G | Matt Lunker | 6-2 | 240 | Sr. |
| T | Richard Sandoval | 6-2 | 300 | Sr. |
| K | Kassius Boswell | 5-11 | 170 | Sr. |
| KR | Dallas Kessman | 5-9 | 180 | So. |
| Defense Pos. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Year |
| DE | Josh Steinhart | 6-3 | 265 | Sr. |
| DT | Erek Antis | 6-2 | 235 | Sr. |
| DT | Jacob Allen | 6-1 | 260 | Sr. |
| DE | Alex Stamos | 6-0 | 220 | Jr. |
| OLB | Zach Hoffman | 5-11 | 205 | Jr. |
| MLB | Cole Wendell | 6-2 | 218 | Jr. |
| OLB | Kris Mueller | 6-2 | 210 | Sr. |
| CB | Alex Mascarena | 5-11 | 185 | Sr. |
| SS | Colton Fitch | 5-10 | 205 | Sr. |
| SS | Brandon Morris | 5-11 | 170 | Sr. |
| CB | Donnie Ruggles | 5-10 | 165 | Jr. |
| P | Kassius Boswell | 5-11 | 170 | Sr. |
| PR | Alex Mascarenas | 5-11 | 185 | Sr. |
Click here for full team roster
Related:
• South Coast League schools: Aliso Niguel | Capistrano Valley | Dana Hills | Mission Viejo | San Clemente | Tesoro
Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com
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