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Kickoff 2012: La Habra preview
Last season record: 9-4, 5-0 (first)
Postseason: Beat Kennedy, 47-14, in the first round of the CIF-SS Southwest Division; Beat Brea Olinda, 28-21, in the second round; lost to El Toro, 47-41 in the semifinals.
Coach: Frank Mazzotta (136-43-1, 15th season)
Home stadium: La Habra High School
Outlook: The traditional Freeway League power enters the season with some questions, especially on offense as Mazzotta still doesn’t know who will be rushing the ball for the Highlanders. Only three of the six starters at the skill positions are set right now – Sean Sparling (QB) and Christian Casas (WR). Brady Abbott and Alex Bush will share time at tight end. Sparling put up some impressive numbers last season as a junior, finishing second in the Freeway League in passing behind Buena Park’s J.J. Christy. Sparling appeared in 13 games, completing 125 of 191 passes for 1,526 yards and 17 TDs. The Highlanders are a young team that lacks varsity experience, but a strong defense line and a talented returing quarterback should put La Habra the among the preseason championship favorites.
Factoid: Last fall, the Highlanders outscored their five Freeway League opponents, 208-54, posting their fifth consecutive undefeated season in league.
School record: 319-266-18
| Scroll down to see the starting lineup and players to watch at La Habra High School. See the Freeway League preview. See all Kickoff 2012 football preview coverage. |
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PLAYERS TO WATCH |
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QB Sean Sparling: He’s one of just six returning starters this season, and the Highlanders will need him to step up if they are going to have a chance to make the playoffs. He is coming off a solid junior season, one in which he posted a 65.4 completion percentage and averaged 117.4 yards per game |
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DT Greg Gaines: The defensive line is likely to keep the Highlanders in many games, and this 273-poun junior will anchor the front four. He’s the strongest player on the team, benching 345 pounds, and he’s the only player in the starting lineup on either offense or defense that Mazzotta classifies as a legitimate top college prospect. |
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STARTING LINEUP |
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Offense Pos. |
Player name |
Height |
Weight |
Year |
|
QB |
Sean Sparling |
6-0 |
165 |
Sr. |
|
RB |
TBD |
|
|
|
|
RB |
TBD |
|
|
|
|
WR |
Christian Casas |
5-10 |
165 |
Jr. |
|
TE |
Brady Abbott |
6-0 |
200 |
Jr. |
|
TE |
Alex Bush |
6-2 |
205 |
Jr. |
|
T |
Paul Soto |
6-1 |
225 |
Jr. |
|
G |
Andrew Sagiao |
6-1 |
305 |
Sr. |
|
C |
Jake Tourville |
6-1 |
255 |
Jr. |
|
G |
Casey Martin |
6-1 |
255 |
Jr. |
|
T |
Jared Smith |
6-4 |
235 |
Sr. |
|
K |
Jackson Williard |
5-10 |
180 |
Jr. |
|
Defense Pos. |
Players name |
Height |
Weight |
Year |
|
DE |
Tristian DeLaRosa |
6-1 |
240 |
Jr. |
|
DT |
Greg Gaines |
6-1 |
273 |
Jr. |
|
DT |
Mike DeArmond |
6-1 |
310 |
Sr. |
|
DE |
Adrian Lomeli |
6-1 |
230 |
Jr. |
|
OLB |
Zach Bretoi |
6-1 |
209 |
Jr. |
|
MLB |
Mike Ellis |
5-11 |
200 |
Sr. |
|
OLB |
Alex Bush |
6-2 |
205 |
Jr. |
|
CB |
Mikah Mazzotta |
5-10 |
165 |
Sr. |
|
SS |
Julian Melendrez |
5-11 |
185 |
Sr. |
|
SS |
Hector Islas |
5-10 |
165 |
Sr. |
|
SS |
Mike Martinez |
6-2 |
180 |
Sr. |
|
CB |
Chris Pena |
5-9 |
155 |
Jr. |
|
CB |
Devon Drake |
5-9 |
155 |
Jr. |
|
P |
TBD |
|
|
|
|
KR |
TBD |
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|
|
PR |
TBD |
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