Elite programs will rely on new QBs

Servite has graduated its share of standout football players in recent years.

Chris Galippo left for USC in 2007, and D.J. Shoemate and Matt Kalil followed the next year.

The Friars continued their winning ways after each departure, but none of those headliners played quarterback.

Entering the 2010 season, Servite faces the challenge of replacing a marquee signal caller for the first time under sixth-year coach Troy Thomas. And the Friars, the reigning Pac-5 Division and CIF State Division 2 champions, aren't alone. Other heavyweight programs such as Mission Viejo, Edison, San Clemente and Orange Lutheran also will be dealing with change at quarterback this season.

Click here for a slide show of the OCVarsity preseason top 10 quarterbacks for 2010.

Cody Fajardo, The Register's 2009 offensive player of the year at Servite, is now a quarterback at Nevada. Talented juniors Cody Pittman and Butch Pauu are the newcomers for a Friars team that could open the season ranked No. 1 in the county.

"It's obviously an advantage having a veteran quarterback coming back, especially in our league and our (playoff) division," Thomas said. "(But) losing a high-profile player ... we've had to deal with that before."

Mission Viejo, which lost to Servite by one point in Pac-5 semifinals last season, has a first-year starter in junior Alex Bridgford (6-foot-3, 185 pounds).

Edison, the Pac-5 runner up in 2009, has a fresh face in Mater Dei transfer Chase Favreau (6-0, 180). The junior takes the spot of Matt Viles, last season's second-team All-County quarterback.

San Clemente has replaced Chase Rettig, now at Boston College, with a giant-sized junior: 6-foot-6, 210-pound Travis Wilson.

The list goes on.

Orange Lutheran entered August with a quarterback competition between returning starter Mike Markovsky (5-11, 175) and Clark Livingston (5-11, 180), a junior.

Dana Hills, a Pac-5 quarterfinalist last season, has a new starter. Senior Trent Mason (6-3, 205) takes over for Orange County all-star Josh Dean.

El Toro and Tesoro also have new quarterbacks. The Chargers could star Mack Spees, a 6-4, 200-pound senior who transferred from Virginia.

Tesoro has handed the reins to highly regarded sophomore Matt Adam (6-1, 195).

All the new quarterbacks created a buzz of excitement during summer passing competitions, which certainly says something about the talent levels in Orange County.

When it comes to replacing quarterbacks, the county's top teams simply reload.

"A lot of those guys are intriguing prospects," said Greg Biggins, director of recruiting for ESPN RISE. "I'm excited (for the season)."

Thomas has been pleased with Pittman (5-10, 180) and Pauu (6-0, 207). The duo split time during the summer. Thomas plans to continue to play both in the fall.

"They're both doing really well," he said.

Pittman was the backup to Fajardo last season. If there is a leader in the competition, it's likely him.

Thomas hopes Pittman develops into a dangerous dual-threat quarterback. "I think he's faster than (Fajardo)," Thomas said.

Pauu emerged as a physical inside linebacker last season. But as a ninth-grader, he was the starting quarterback on Servite's freshman team.

Thomas hopes Pauu can offer a change of pace at quarterback similar to the one linebacker Tre Madden gave Mission Viejo last season. Madden ran the Diablos' version of the Wildcat, mostly running the ball but also throwing some passes.

As for Bridgford, the quarterback position runs in his blood. His brother, Allan, is Mission Viejo's all-time leading passer with 7,208 yards and 77 touchdowns. Allan is battling injuries at Cal, but the left-handed Alex – whom some refer to as "Little Bridgford" – has kept the family going at Mission Viejo.

"I lot of people think he has more upside than Allan did," Biggins said.

The prospect generating the most discussion might be Wilson. Coaches rave about his arm strength and athleticism. He also plays volleyball.

"He has all the physical tools," Biggins said of Wilson.

But for all their summer accolades, the quarterbacks will encounter a new game once the pads go on. The new group has much to learn and prove against more experienced competition.

Orange County already features two senior, established quarterbacks headed to the Pac-10: Max Wittek of Mater Dei (USC) and Cody Clements of La Habra (Washington State).

So who will emerge as the county's best quarterback?

"The All-County quarterback (is) yet to be seen," Mission Viejo coach Bob Johnson said.