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Kickoff '09: Trinity League
See what's in store for the season.
COACHES POLL
Servite, 7-4 in 2008, 34 points
Orange Lutheran, 10-3, 30
Mater Dei, 8-4, 27
St. John Bosco of Bellflower, 7-3, 15
Santa Margarita, 3-7, 13
JSerra, 5-5, 8
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Servite. The Friars come into 2009 as the county’s top-ranked team – but what a schedule they face. Nonleague opens with the No. 1 team in the Pac-5 preseason poll, Long Beach Poly, and it doesn’t get easier with the likes of Crespi of Encino and Edison before taking on the tough Trinity League. They have plenty of top returnees, including quarterback Cody Fajardo, receiver Chris Nicholls, and linemen Matt Jakubiec (who will miss some games because of a dislocated kneecap) and Kirifi Taula.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Mater Dei. Yes, it is weird to see the Monarchs in this department, but they do have a lot of good people to replace. This is going to be one of the younger lineups in Coach Bruce Rollinson’s 21-year tenure at MD. So it’s a rebuilding year of sorts, sure, but Mater Dei will still win plenty of games.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Cody Fajardo. Servite’s quarterback was first-team all-league as a junior last year. He has the arm strength and running ability to have a big season.
Chris Ward. Preseason All-America lineman was injured for much of last year, but should make an impact for the Monarchs if he stays healthy in ’09.
OTHER TOP PLAYERS:
JSerra: RB Joey Kimpler, DB Otto Behrle.
Mater Dei: RB/LB Jordan Allen, WR Victor Blackwell, OL/DL Conrad Tavarez, OL Chris Ward.
Orange Lutheran: OL/DL Preston Pemasa, WR Brandon Rohr, WR Brandon Turner QB Bobby Wheatley.
St. John Bosco: WR Jerrel Brown, DB Roth Mendoza.
Santa Margarita: OL/DL Alex Anderson, OL/DL Tom Chiarello, WR/DB/K John Reisinger, DE Andrew Spangenberg.
Servite: OL Nico Espinoza, OL Matt Jakubiec, WR Chris Nicholls, OL/DL Kirifi Taula.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Mater Dei-Servite at Angel Stadium, Oct. 23. Servite has not beaten Mater Dei since 1988. Is this the year? Finally?
TOUGHEST SCHEDULE
Servite. The Friars, ranked No. 2 in the CIF-Southern Section Pac-5 Division, plays the division’s No. 1 team, defending division champion Long Beach Poly, in the opener. Then it’s Clovis West of Fresno (10-3 in ’08), Crespi (6-4), Edison (7-3) and Chaparral of Temecula (12-2 and Inland Division finalist). Oh, and then the Trinity League.
OTHER LEAGUE PREVIEWS:
Garden Grove, Golden West leagues
Orange, Orange Coast leagues
Pacific Coast, Sea View leagues
South Coast and Sunset leagues
Trinity league, small schools
