All-County offensive linemen: First team

All-County offensive linemen: First team

December 26, 2008 - 3:00 AM
OCVarsity.com

JOSH CABRAL
Tesoro High School
6'-3", 300 lbs., Senior
Offensive lineman
Highlights: The county's undisputed king of the pancake block, Cabral anchored the most dominant offensive line in the county. Tesoro quarterback Robbie Picazo enjoyed all the time he needed to make pass plays and running back Zach Mitchell was the beneficiary of gaping holes because of the blocking by the Titans line. The South Coast League doesn't vote on a lineman of the year, but if it did Cabral would be the hands-down choice.

NIK ABELE
Irvine High School
6'-6", 255 lbs., Senior
Offensive lineman

Highlights: Terry Henigan has coached the Vaqueros for 29 seasons and has had many great players go through his program during that span. Henigan said Abele is one of the best football players he has ever coached. He plays both ways and plays offense with a defensive mentality. He is very aggressive. Once the ball is snapped, get out of the way. This guy loves to hit.

RYAN DERRY
Los Alamitos
5'-10", 200 lbs., Senior
Offensive lineman

Highlights: This converted linebacker moved to the offensive line and had a huge year for Los Alamitos. Griffins coach John Barnes said Derry is “pound-for-pound as a tough a guy as you could ever want.” The Sunset League is loaded with large, physical offensive lineman, but the league's coaches thought so highly of him that they made him the Sunset League offensive lineman of the year.

EVAN FINKENBERG
Tesoro High School
6'-5", 240 lbs., Senior
Offensive lineman
Highlights:
Another member of the most dominant offensive line in the county. Finkenberg played left tackle and protected quarterback Robbie Picazo's blind side. He was one of the main reasons Picazo rarely got touched in the pocket. He played tight end last year, but moved to the line when the Titans suffered some injuries. He was first-team All-South Coast League.

ZACHARY BURGE
Servite High School
6'-4", 253 lbs., Senior
Offensive lineman
Highlights:
Friars coach Troy Thomas called Burge the “stabilizing force” on Servite's offensive line. He provided the stability, toughness and experience Servite's young line needed. Thomas said Burge is very athletic, tough, has great hips and plays real good at the pad level. He was the co-lineman of the year in the Trinity League. He is being recruited by Cal Poly SLO, Sacramento State and Montana State.

Contact the writer: carias@ocregister.com