Kickoff '07: Sea View League

COACHES POLL*
(Click link to see team's schedule and roster)

1. Foothill, 9-3 in 2006, 35 points

2. Trabuco Hills, 8-5, 27

3. El Toro, 5-6, 25

4. Huntington Beach, 6-4, 18

5. Northwood, 2-8, 13

6. Woodbridge, 4-6, 8

* Team-by-team previews below

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Foothill

Quarterback Chad Miller, running back Mike Camacho and lineman Ruurd Amelita give the Knights an edge in the league. But their schedule is going to be a challenge.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Woodbridge

The Warriors went 0-5 in league last season, but don't expect another winless run in league. Woodbridge hung in there against Trabuco Hills, Huntington Beach and Northwood, so expect the Warriors to make progress this season.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Chad Miller

The Foothill quarterback helped lead the Knights to the Sea View League title and the Southwest Division quarterfinals last year. Miller's versatility made him a threat to opposing defenses. He passed for 1,178 yards and 14 TDs and rushed for 627 yards and nine TDs last season.

OTHER TOP PLAYERS

El Toro -RB Jai Morris; K Vince D'Amato; RB Aaron Grey; OL Sparrell Honaker; OLB Tim Raby; Foothill -OL/DL Ruurd Amelita; RB Mike Camacho; LB James Song; LB Jordan Winger; Huntington Beach - DT Justin Niuapuai; MLB Johnny Olive; TE Keith Roberts; Northwood -Sean Karol; Stanton Sharpe; Trabuco Hills -Jon Han; Christian Lepore; Mickey Miela; Mike Zupancic; Woodbridge -QB David Ingram; TE Kyle O'Mara; OL Sammy Shekarchi; DL Raymond Song; RB Anthony Wimbley; SS Kyle Merritt.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Trabuco Hills vs. Foothill

Oct. 19 at Tustin High

Foothill won a 35-24 shootout against Trabuco Hills last season. This should be another very good matchup this season, and expect the league title to be on the line.

TOUGHEST SCHEDULE

Foothill

The Knights play Tustin in their season opener in one of the better crosstown rivalries in the county. They close out their nonleague schedule against Santa Margarita from the Trinity League. They have games against Villa Park, Buena Park and El Modena in between.

 

 

 

El Toro Chargers

Players to watch
	Sean Kelly: He takes over as the starting quarterback this season.
	Tim Raby: He made second team all-league last season.

LAST SEASON: 5-6, 3-2

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to El Dorado, 31-7, in Southwest first round

COACH: Jake Haley (Third year, 10-12)

OUTLOOK: This is the third year for the players in Haley's system. They are coming off a strong offseason and there are seven returning starters to provide leadership. Jai Morris could be one of the better running backs in the county. Inexperience on the offensive and defensive lines is something the Chargers have to work on.

HOME STADIUM: Trabuco Hills High

FACTOID: Haley has gotten the Chargers to the playoffs in his first two seasons, but he has yet to advance past the first round

FASTEST: Tim Raby, Aaron Grey and Ian Dickerson each ran a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash

STRONGEST: Aaron Grey had a 310-pound bench press, a 250-pound power clean and a 415-pound squat

SCHOOL RECORD: 212-164-4

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

Foothill Knights

Players to watch
	Mike Camacho: He has the potential to put up a lot of yards at running back.
	James Song: He is among a strong group of linebackers for the Knights.

LAST SEASON: 9-3, 4-1

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to Los Altos, 37-21, in Southwest quarterfinals

COACH: Doug Case (Eighth year, 52-28-1)

OUTLOOK: Foothill remains the favorite to take the league title. The Knights have Chad Miller back at quarterback, Mike Camacho at running back and an experienced, big offensive line. The Knights are young at wide receiver and defensive back.

HOME STADIUM: Tustin High

FACTOID: Case said Ruurd Amelita might be the best two-way lineman in the county.

FASTEST: Ben Douglas ran a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash

STRONGEST: Ruurd Amelita has a 385-pound bench press

SCHOOL RECORD: 282-172-15

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

Huntington Beach Oilers

Players to watch
	Logan Emery: He takes over for Stephen Gabbard at running back.
	Derrick Romo: He should be one of the team's top receivers.

LAST SEASON: 6-4, 2-3

POSTSEASON: 2005, lost to Long Beach Poly, 55-7, in Division I first round

COACH: Eric Lo (First year)

OUTLOOK: The Oilers have 10 returning starters and a lot of senior leadership. Lo said his players are very strong and more athletic than Huntington Beach teams from the recent past. Depth could be a problem for the Oilers.

HOME STADIUM: Huntington Beach High

FACTOID: Logan Emery rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season on junior varsity.

FASTEST: Nick Gordon ran a 4.45 in the 40-yard dash.

STRONGEST: Jason Spangler bench presses 375 pounds.

SCHOOL RECORD: 254-380-24

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

Northwood Timberwolves

Players to watch
	Sean Karol: He was a second team all-league selection.
	Stanton Sharpe: He is expected to be one of the leaders on defense.

LAST SEASON: 2-8, 1-4

POSTSEASON: 2005, lost to Tesoro, 27-6, in Division IX finals

COACH: Rick Curtis (Seventh year, 52-26-2)

OUTLOOK: This is the second year in the Sea View League for the Timberwolves, who believe they can contend for one of the top three spots. Northwood has an experienced offensive line and linebackers and depth at running back. The Timberwolves lack experience at wide receiver and defensive back.

HOME STADIUM: Irvine High

FACTOID: The team captured the Irvine Unified School District weightlifting competition in May for the first time.

SCHOOL RECORD: 52-26-2

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

Trabuco Hills Mustangs

Players to watch
	Jon Han: He made first team all-league last season.
	Tyler Karp: He will be one of the leaders on defense.

LAST SEASON: 8-5, 4-1

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to Charter Oak, 23-14, in the Southwest semifinals

COACH: Jason Negro (Fifth year, 20-24)

OUTLOOK: The Mustangs will battle Foothill for the league title once again. Trabuco Hills' strength is its big, athletic offensive and defensive lines. The Mustangs also are strong at linebacker. Cory Brandt and Steven Keener are battling for the starting quarterback job. Depth at defensive back could pose a problem and force some players to play both ways.

HOME STADIUM: Trabuco Hills High

FACTOID: Christian Lepore was a second team All-County kicker last year, making 30 of 31 extra-point attempts and 11 of 16 field-goal attempts.

FASTEST: Evan Pesonen ran a 4.53 in the 40-yard dash.

STRONGEST: Cody Eyres has a 375-pound bench press.

SCHOOL RECORD: 140-105-4

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

Woodbridge Warriors

Players to watch
	David Ingram: He is in his third year as the Warriors' starting quarterback.
	Raymond Song: He will be instrumental to the team's success on defense.

LAST SEASON: 4-6, 0-5

POSTSEASON: 2001, lost to Foothill, 48-21, in Division VI first round

COACH: Rick Gibson (19th year, 88-97-9)

OUTLOOK: Woodbridge is looking to contend for a playoff berth. Quarterback David Ingram is in his third year as the starter and should show a lot of progress this year. Sophomore running back Anthony Wimbley and senior running back Theo Perez are both quick with good vision. Gibson said Sammy Shekarchi is one of the best offensive linemen Woodbridge has had.

HOME STADIUM: Irvine High

FACTOID: Woodbridge beat crosstown rivals Irvine, 20-10, and University, 27-14, and lost to Northwood, 24-23, in the battle for Irvine.

FASTEST: David Ingram ran a 4.55 in the 40-yard dash

STRONGEST: Raymond Song has a 510-pound squat, a 295-pound power clean and a 325-pound bench press

SCHOOL RECORD: 120-138-8

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

Contact the writer: carias@ocregister.com