Kickoff '07: South Coast League

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

1. Mission Viejo, 9-3 in 2006, 36 points

2. San Clemente, 8-3, 29

3. Dana Hills, 5-6, 20

4. Tesoro, 1-9, 16

5. Aliso Niguel, 6-4, 14

6. Capistrano Valley, 5-5, 11

* Team-by-team previews below

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Mission Viejo
(Click here to watch the ocvarsity.com video)

The Diablos are again the league's heavy favorite but they are coming off their first three-loss season since 2000, Coach Bob Johnson's second season.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Tesoro

The Titans were winless in league last season but hope to be improved with seven returning starters on offense and five on defense. Tesoro doesn't have outstanding size on defense but hopes to use its quickness.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Jeff Baca
Mission Viejo offensive lineman
(Click here to watch the ocvarsity.com video)

Committed to UCLA

OTHER TOP PLAYERS

Allan Bridgford, Mission Viejo, QB; Mike Bowlin, Aliso Niguel, K; Brad Curtis, San Clemente, QB; Andrew Douglass, San Clemente, LB; Brett Giesen, Dana Hills, RB; Tim Hodgdon, Tesoro, OL; Anthony Kaspar, Dana Hills, DE; Alex Mascarenas, Mission Viejo, CB; Matt McCloskey, Dana Hills, DB; Austin Messick, Capo Valley, RB; Joey Mouleart, Aliso Niguel, RB; Kevin Murphy, San Clemente, OL; Taylor Patton, San Clemente, RB/LB; Andrew Powitzky, Aliso Niguel, LB; Warren Reuland, Mission Viejo, WR; Eric Richter, Capo Valley, OL; Sean Schroeder, Dana Hills, QB; Bryce Souve, Aliso Niguel, LB; Connor St. Clair, Dana Hills, WR/FS/P-K; Harold Williams, Tesoro, RB/CB; Ross Williams, Mission Viejo, DE; Craig Woods, Mission Viejo, RB

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Mission Viejo at San Clemente

Oct. 19

The most recent time the Diablos played at San Clemente, they escaped with a 7-6 victory.

TOUGHEST SCHEDULE

Dana Hills

The Dolphins not only have the toughest schedule in the league but they might have bragging rights in the county, too. Defending CIF champions Orange Lutheran (state Division II bowl champ) and El Dorado are part of a nonleague list of foes that combined for a 44-16 record in 2006.

 

 

 

Aliso Niguel Wolverines

Players to watch
	Bryce Souve: Was team's second-leading tackler in 2006.
	Andrew Powitzky: Played JV last season but expected to surprise in 2007.

LAST SEASON: Fourth place, 6-4, 2-3

POSTSEASON: 2005, lost to Tustin, 28-10, in Division VI quarterfinals

COACH: Jeff Veeder (Third year, 15-7)

OUTLOOK: With only three starters back on offense and four on defense, some look at the Wolverines as a mystery. This is certain: They have speed in the backfield with Nick Swan and Joey Mouleart and a pair of terrific linebackers in Andrew Powitzky and Bryce Souve. A competitive nonleague schedule, including an opener at Newport Harbor, will shed more light on a squad with some inexperience. First-year starting QB Casey Pray is going to run a one-back offense.

HOME STADIUM: Aliso Niguel

FACTOID: The Wolverines open league play at Mission Viejo on Oct. 12.

FASTEST: Bryce Souve 4.53 (40)

STRONGEST: Souve 325 (bench)

SCHOOL RECORD: 91-63-1

TO SEE TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE

 

 

 

Capistrano Valley Cougars

Players to watch
	Austin Messick: Clocked a 10.83 in the 100-meters in the spring.
	Eric Richter: Selected first-team all-league as a junior.

LAST SEASON: Fifth place, 5-5, 1-4

POSTSEASON: 2004, lost to Upland, 47-28, in first round of Division II playoffs

COACH: Chi Chi Biehn (Fifth year, 18-24)

OUTLOOK: The Cougars return four of their starting offensive linemen, including standout Eric Richter. They also have an experienced running back in the speedy Austin Messick. Capo returns only three starters on defense, though they have two good linemen in Ryan Shott and Kevin Anderson. Quarterback and linebacker are two sports where the Cougars will need to make strides.

HOME STADIUM: Capistrano Valley

FACTOID: Brennan and Matzek are pitchers in baseball.

FASTEST: Austin Messick 4.4 (40)

STRONGEST: Eric Richter 385 (bench)

SCHOOL RECORD: 173-129-6

TO SEE TEAM ROSTER AND SCHEDULE, CLICK HERE

 

 

 

Dana Hills Dolphins

Players to watch
	Sean Schroeder: Became starter in third game last season.
	Matt McCloskey: Considered team's best all-around athlete.

LAST SEASON: Third place, 5-6, 3-2

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, 45-10, in first round of Pac-5 Division playoffs

COACH: Armando Gonzalez (Fourth year, 14-18)

OUTLOOK: The Dolphins played a brutal nonleague schedule in 2006 but captured third in league. They will play the same nonleague group this season but hope to take another step forward because of their experience. They return four starters on offense, led by rising QB Sean Schroeder and RB Brett Giesen. Dana Hills has the most experience on defense with nine returning starters. The Dolphins will start the season without WRs Kellen Foley (ribs) and Dylan Denso (spleen) but Gonzalez likes his depth at WR.

HOME STADIUM: Dana Hills

FACTOID: The Dolphins are 2-1 against rival Aliso Niguel under Gonzalez.

FASTEST: Brett Giesen 4.61 (40)

STRONGEST: Christian Mayo, Devin McGrath 300 (bench)

SCHOOL RECORD: 113-217-9

TO SEE TEAM ROSTER AND SCHEDULE, CLICK HERE

 

 

 

Mission Viejo Diablos

Players to watch
	Allan Bridgford:One of the top QBs in Orange County.
	Warren Reuland:Returning from knee injury.

LAST SEASON: First place, 9-3, 5-0

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to Santa Margarita, 25-24, in Pac-5 Division quarterfinals

COACH: Bob Johnson (Ninth year, 89-14)

OUTLOOK: Mission Viejo has some new faces but the same high expectations. The Diablos return five starters on offense and five on defense. The offense should be loaded with Allan Bridgford, a healthy Warren Reuland (knee injury late in '06), a huge offensive line and an experienced Craig Woods. The defense will open without two key projected starters in tackle Erek Antis (knee) and the talented LB Kameron Krebs (knee). But the Diablos have depth and will again be a difficult foe. They could be a season away from being really special.

HOME STADIUM: Mission Viejo

FACTOID: The Diablos have won 35 consecutive league games and seven consecutive league crowns.

FASTEST: Alex Mascarenas, Ross Williams

STRONGEST: Team. Diablos won Saddleback College weight-lifting competition

SCHOOL RECORD: 292-165-8

TO SEE TEAM SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE

 

 

 

San Clemente Tritons

Players to watch
	Brad Curtis: Completed 61 percent of his passes last season.
	Kevin Murphy: The left tackle is a Division I-A prospect.

LAST SEASON: Second place, 8-3, 4-1

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to Orange Lutheran, 49-20, in first round of Pac-5 Division playoffs

COACH: Eric Patton (Ninth year, 68-30)

OUTLOOK: Look for the Tritons to air it out. They have a four-year varsity quarterback in the rising Brad Curtis and an all-senior line, led by Kevin Murphy. The Tritons return six starters on defense, including a pair of good linebackers in Taylor Patton (no relation to coach) and Andrew Douglass. With the recent injury to WR Matt Belardes (fingers), expect sophomore Aaron Jones to get key time. He is considered to be a big part of the future at San Clemente.

HOME STADIUM: San Clemente

FACTOID: The Tritons were the last league team to beat Mission Viejo. In 1999, they posted a 33-23 triumph.

FASTEST: Jade Micalef

STRONGEST: Alex Evers

SCHOOL RECORD: 214-214-1

TO SEE TEAM ROSTER AND SCHEDULE, CLICK HERE

 

 

 

Tesoro Titans

Players to watch
	Harold Williams: Rushed for 221 yards against Mission Viejo in '06.
	Tim Hodgdon: A Division I-A recruit at offensive line.

LAST SEASON: Sixth place, 1-9, 0-5

POSTSEASON: 2005, beat Northwood, 27-6, in Division IX title game

COACH: Brian Barnes (First year)

OUTLOOK: The Titans return plenty from a team that had a rough time in its first South Coast season. Tesoro has seven returning starters on offense, led by four linemen. The group also includes improved QB Robbie Picazo, who will run a spread offense that will remind fans of the style used by Barnes' father, John, at Los Alamitos. The Titans have five back on defense, led by Williams at corner. Like last season, the Titans' nonleague schedule is brutal with Orange Lutheran, Chino Hills and Esperanza back-to-back-to-back. If Tesoro can get to league healthy and with a win or two, they could contend for a playoff spot.

HOME STADIUM: Tesoro

FACTOID: Brett Weiner had seven receptions for 125 yards last season against Mission Viejo

FASTEST: Brett Weiner, Harold Williams 4.5 (40)

STRONGEST: Tim Hodgdon 340 (bench)

SCHOOL RECORD: 35-25

TO SEE TEAM ROSTER AND SCHEDULE, CLICK HERE

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com