COACHES POLL

1. Laguna Hills, 9-2-1 in 2006, 18 points

2. Corona del Mar, 7-5, 14

2. (tie) University, 5-5-1, 14

4. Irvine, 6-5, 10

5. Beckman, 6-4, 4

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Laguna Hills
(Click here to watch the ocvarsity.com video)

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Beckman
The Patriots program was rocked by the death of Kenny Wilson, a junior who collapsed after a morning practice Aug. 17 and died on the way to the hospital. The Beckman players are dedicating their season to Wilson.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Ryan Wertenberger
Laguna Hills QB
(Click here to watch the ocvarsity.com video)

The QB threw for 596 yards and four TDs in the 2006 playoffs to lead the Hawks to the Southern Division semifinals. Wertenberger passed for 1,928 yards and 22 TDs with seven interceptions as a junior

OTHER TOP PLAYERS

Beckman- RB/OLB D’Amato Tyson; WR/FS Mathew Cortez; OT/DE Rick Fenton; C Kenny Masuda; DT Christian Mejia; Corona del Mar- ILB Erik Rask; Irvine - ILB Jake Alleman; QB D.J. Crumlich; OT/DE Ethan Weisrock; Laguna Hills- MLB Reece Ludwig; University- P Harris Aslami; RB/SS JoJo Galvez; QB Parker Thompson

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Laguna Hills vs. Corona del Mar
Oct. 19 at Newport Harbor High

This will be the Sea Kings’ second league game and the Hawks’ league opener. Both teams are considered among the leading contenders for the league title. Laguna Hills withstood a fourth-quarter surge by Corona del Mar last year to pull out a 26-20 victory.

TOUGHEST SCHEDULE

Corona del Mar

The Sea Kings have Laguna Beach, El Toro, Troy, Newport Harbor, South El Monte and Villa Park on their nonleague schedule. Troy has star RB Derrick Coleman, El Toro has a tough RB in Jai Morris and Newport Habor is a cross-town rival.

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BECKMAN| CORONA DEL MAR| IRVINE| LAGUNA HILLS| UNIVERSITY

Beckman Patriots

Players to watch
	D’Amato Tyson: He was a second-team all-league selection who rushed for 849 yards and scored 16 TDs last season.
	Chris Rodriguez: He is one of the leaders of the Patriots defensive line.

LAST SEASON:  6-4, 1-3

POSTSEASON: Never qualified for the playoffs

COACH: Brian Mustain (3rd year, 8-12)

OUTLOOK: The Patriots have nine starters back on offense and nine starters back on defense, including RB/OLB D’Amato Tyson who is one of the most explosive playmakers in the league. This could be the season Beckman earns its first playoff berth

HOME STADIUM: Tustin High

FACTOID: Beckman had six players earn all-league honors last season

FASTEST: D’Amato Tyson, 4.55 40-yard dash

STRONGEST: Chris Rodriguez, 505-pound squat, 345-pound power clean and 315-pound bench

SCHOOL RECORD: 8-12

TO SEE THE TEAM'S SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE.

Offense					Defense
Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year	Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
QB	Sebastion Vollaerts	6-1	150	Sr.	DE	Christian Mejia	6-1	255	Jr.
RB	D'Amato Tyson	6-0	203	Sr.	DT	Chris Rodriguez	6-0	255	Jr.
WR	Luis Martinez	5-11	188	Sr.	DT	Chris Tulio	5-7	170	Sr.
WR	Park Allenbach	6-3	170	Sr.	DE	Rick Fenton	6-3	255	Sr.
WR	Brian Yim	6-0	182	Jr.	OLB	D'Amato Tyson	6-0	203	Sr.
WR	Mathew Cortez	5-10	155	Sr.	MLB	Brian Yim	6-0	182	Jr.
OT	Rick Fenton	6-3	255	Sr.	MLB	Nima Daryaei	5-10	186	Jr.
OG	Chris Tulio	5-7	170	Sr.	CB	Blake Miller	5-7	144	Sr.
C	Kenny Masuda	6-1	230	Sr.	FS	Mathew Cortez	5-10	155	Sr.
OG	Tim Hopkins	5-7	190	Sr.	OLB	Daniel Gwon	5-7	170	Sr.
OT	Ryan Bernal	6-2	190	Sr.	CB	Aaron Messmer	5-9	150	Sr.
OT	Brendon Birdsell	6-3	215	Jr.	CB	Mark Strohbach	5-9	150	Jr.
K	Cameron Casty	6-1	183	Jr.	P	Cameron Casty	6-1	183	Jr.
KR	D'Amato Tyson	6-0	203	Sr.	PR	D'Amato Tyson	6-0	203	Sr.

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BECKMAN| CORONA DEL MAR| IRVINE| LAGUNA HILLS| UNIVERSITY

 

 

Corona del Mar Sea Kings

Players to watch
	Kevin Rask: He is one of three linebackers the Sea Kings have back to anchor the defense.
	Hunter Adler: He is battling Mitch Sands for the starting quarterback spot.

LAST SEASON: 7-5, 2-2

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to Cypress, 24-20, in Southern Division quarterfinals

COACH: Dick Freeman (12th year, 58-60-2)

OUTLOOK: The Sea Kings have six starters back on defense, four starters back on offense and they should be in the thick of the league-title hunt. Said Freeman: “Beckman should have a lot of people back. University had some good young guys. Irvine is always tough. I still think Laguna Hills is the team to beat.”

HOME STADIUM: Newport Harbor High

FACTOID: Erik and Kevin Rask, who are two of the team’s top linebackers, both got injured in the second league game last season. Erik ended up missing the remainder of the season. Both are healthy and ready to go this season.

FASTEST: Tyler Harmon, 4.58 in 40-yard dash

STRONGEST: Max Prescott, 320-pound bench press

SCHOOL RECORD: 229-223-12

TO SEE THE TEAM'S SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE.

Offense					Defense
Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year	Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
QB	Hunter Adler	6-0	205	Sr.	DE	David Dalton	6-3	225	Sr.
RB	Rikky Townsend	5-8	180	Sr.	NG	Dan DiChiro	5-8	190	Jr.
RB	Kevin Rask	6-1	205	Sr.	DE	Max Prescott	6-4	240	Sr.
WR	Tyler Harmon	6-1	185	Sr.	ILB	Dutch Lamons	6-0	180	Jr.
WR	Max Haase	6-2	195	Jr.	ILB	Erik Rask	6-1	205	Sr.
TE	Ali Meshkin	6-4	215	Sr.	MLB	Kevin Rask	6-1	205	Sr.
OT	Max Prescott	6-4	240	Sr.	FS	Mitch Sands	6-1	175	Jr.
OG	James McKennon	6-2	210	Sr.	CB	Tyler Harmon	6-0	185	Sr.
C	Brad Noe	6-1	220	Jr.	OLB	Max Haase	6-1	195	Jr.
OG	Stephan Devariun	5-10	205	Sr.	OLB	Noah Molnar	6-0	195	Jr.
OT	David Dalton	6-3	225	Sr.	CB	Ricky Townsend	5-9	180	Sr.
K	Hunter Lewis	6-0	170	So.

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BECKMAN| CORONA DEL MAR| IRVINE| LAGUNA HILLS| UNIVERSITY

Irvine Vaqueros

Players to watch
	Ethan Weisrock:He will be a two-way starter on the offensive and defensive lines.
	D.J. Crumlich:He was a first-team all-league selection.

LAST SEASON:  6-5, 2-2

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to Savanna, 27-20, in Southern Division first round

COACH: Terry Henigan (28th year, 163-122-6)

OUTLOOK: Quarterback D.J. Crumlich is the only starter back on offense, but the Vaqueros have seven starters back on defense, which should be the team’s strength. Henigan said Justin Reihanifam and Andrew Payne have shown a lot of potential at running back

HOME STADIUM: Irvine High

FACTOID: Crumlich, who has been the team’s MVP the past two seasons, started at wide receiver as a sophomore and started the last eight games at quarterback last season. This will be his first season as the team’s full-time starter at quarterback

FASTEST: Shane Whippo

STRONGEST: Elliot Dole has a 300-pound power clean

SCHOOL RECORD: 163-122-6

TO SEE THE TEAM'S SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE.

Offense					Defense
Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year	Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
OT	Ethan Weisrock	6-1	230	Sr.	DT	Elliot Dole	6-0	215	Sr.
OG	Brandon Crawford	5-11	260	Sr.	DT	Jaime Maximiliano	5-7	220	Jr.
C	Elliot Dole	6-0	215	Sr.	DE	Ethan Weisrock	6-1	230	Sr.
OG	Erik Blyar	5-10	245	Jr.	DE	Nik Abele	6-6	225	Jr.
OT	Nik Abele	6-6	225	Jr.	ILB	Bobby Gomez	5-10	200	Sr.
TE	Cheyne McNab	6-1	185	Sr.	ILB	Jake Alleman	5-11	175	Sr.
WR	Nate Jeffries	6-1	180	Sr.	OLB	David Berry	6-0	180	Jr.
WR	Michael Ernst	5-7	140	Jr.	OLB	Shane Whippo	5-9	160	Jr.
RB	Justin Reinhanifam	5-9	195	Jr.	S	Nate Jeffries	6-1	180	Sr.
RB	Andrew Payne	5-8	145	Sr.	CB	Dylen Suite	5-9	165	Sr.
QB	D.J. Crumlich	5-11	175	Sr.	CB	Andrew Payne	5-8	145	Sr.
K	Joe Howard	5-10	180	Sr.	P	Joe Howard	5-10	180	Sr.

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BECKMAN| CORONA DEL MAR| IRVINE| LAGUNA HILLS| UNIVERSITY

Laguna Hills Hawks

Players to watch
	Reece Ludwig: He is a three-year starter at MLB and a first team all-league selection last season.
	Shawn Tucker: He will start at cornerback and handle the kick returns.

LAST SEASON:  9-2-1, 3-0-1

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to Kennedy, 22-9, in Southern Division semifinals

COACH: Bruce Ingalls (10th year, 44-52-2)

OUTLOOK: The Hawks have an experienced quarterback, a quick defense and a veteran group of linebackers to help them make a run at another league title. Laguna Hills has a young offensive line and some inexperience at wide receivers and defensive back, but Ingalls and his staff always have their players ready to go

HOME STADIUM: Laguna Hills High

FACTOID: After playing their home games at Mission Viejo High for years, the Hawks move in to their new on-campus stadium, which has Field Turf

FASTEST: Shawn Tucker/Drew Endly ran a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash

STRONGEST: Reece Ludwig has a 320-pound bench press

SCHOOL RECORD: 159-158-3

TO SEE THE TEAM'S SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE.

Offense					Defense
Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year	Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
QB	Ryan Wertenberger	6-2	180	Sr.	DE	Amir Saghafi	5-10	178	Sr.
RB	Derek Browning	5-10	185	Jr.	DT	D.J. LaVerta	5-11	252	Jr.
RB	Matt Giovinazzo	6-0	195	Jr.	DT	Kamen Tagalicod	5-9	190	Sr.
WR	Robert Refsnyder	6-0	182	Jr.	DE	Sean Gordon	6-3	230	Sr.
WR	Drew Endly	6-1	178	Sr.	OLB	Robert Refsnyder	6-0	182	Jr.
TE	Sean Gordan	6-3	230	Sr.	MLB	Reece Ludwig	6-1	220	Sr.
OT	Matt Degrassi	6-2	236	Jr.	OLB	Matt Giovinazzo	6-0	195	Jr.
OG	Khang Cao	5-10	227	Sr.	CB	Shawn Tucker	5-10	170	Jr.
C	Joe Franco	6-0	241	Jr.	SS	Garrett Denham	5-11	185	Sr.
OG	Jeff Quigley	6-3	253	Jr.	FS	Tima Roper	5-10	181	Sr.
OT	Drew Conley	6-4	226	So.	CB	Jared Smith	5-9	172	Sr.
K	Eric Frankman			Jr.	P	Robert Refsnyder	6-0	182	Jr.
KOR	Shawn Tucker	5-10	170	Jr.	PR	Robert Refsnyder	6-0	182	Jr.

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BECKMAN| CORONA DEL MAR| IRVINE| LAGUNA HILLS| UNIVERSITY

University Trojans

Players to watch
	JoJo Galvez: He is a tough runner who can make catches out of the backfield.
	Harris Aslami: He made first team all-league as a punter last season.

LAST SEASON:  5-5-1, 1-2-1

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to Pacifica, 28-2, in Southern Division first round

COACH: Mark Cunningham (22nd year, 101-118-5)

OUTLOOK: The Trojans tied Laguna Hills, 17-17, and beat Corona del Mar, 13-12, last season and they return eight starters on offense and eight starters on defense. University should battle Laguna Hills and Corona del Mar for the league title.

HOME STADIUM: Irvine High

FACTOID: Louis Feinstein is ranked No. 19 in the nation among kickers

FASTEST: Parker Thompson runs a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash

STRONGEST: Brett Lancaster can do 19 reps of 185-pound bench press

SCHOOL RECORD: 156-212-8

TO SEE THE TEAM'S SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE.

Offense					Defense
Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year	Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
QB	Parker Thompson	5-10	180	Sr.	DE	Cyrus Faghani	5-10	185	Sr.
RB	JoJo Galvez	5-8	170	Sr.	DT	Bryan Wolfe	6-3	210	Sr.
RB	Robert Hair	5-7	180	Sr.	DT	Drew Robertson	6-0	250	So.
RB	Tim Smith	6-0	185	Sr.
WR	Louis Feinstein	5-8	185	Sr.	DE	Trumaine Smith	6-3	205	Jr.
WR	Bronson Taylor	5-11	165	Jr.	OLB	Harris Aslami	5-9	175	Sr.
TE	Bryan Wolfe	6-3	210	Sr.	MLB	Tyler Fletcher	5-9	185	Jr.
OT	Kevin Yen	6-3	225	Sr.	OLB	Yetly Guerrero	5-11	175	Sr.
OG	Jon Ledezma	5-10	215	Sr.	CB	Bronson Taylor	5-11	165	Jr.
C	Andrew Swaim	6-0	230	Sr.	SS	Brett Lancaster	6-2	190	Sr.
OG	Sam Son	6-0	210	Sr.	SS	JoJo Galvez	5-8	170	Sr.
OT	Dan Park	6-3	240	Jr.	CB	Matt Pearce	6-1	190	Sr.
K	Louis Feinstein	5-8	185	Sr.	P	Aaron Nelson	6, 0	205	Sr.
KOR	Tim Smith	6-0	185	Sr.	PR	Tim Smith	6-0	185	Sr.

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BECKMAN| CORONA DEL MAR| IRVINE| LAGUNA HILLS| UNIVERSITY

Contact the writer: carias@ocregister.com