Kickoff '08: St. Margaret's Tartans

September 01, 2008 1:45 PM

By DAN ALBANO

OCVarsity.com

:
OCVarsity previews football teams for the 2008-09 season.

St. Margaret's

Last season: 14-0, 3-0 (first)

Postseason: 2007, defeated Brentwood, 37-6, in Northeast Division final

Coach: Harry Welch (2nd year, 14-0)

Outlook: Bright. The Tartans have accomplished much the past two seasons but have an intriguing mix of experience and newcomers that will keep the expectations high. The two-time CIF champions return four starting offensive linemen and three starting defensive linemen. Sure, the Tartans graduated standouts such as Hunter Steffien and Cameron Hiller, but they are high on first-year starting QB David Mothander and running back John Murayama. If the newcomers come along and the back-seven on the defense develops, the Tartans could make a run at Mission Viejo's 41-game county-record winning streak. Welch is high on sophomore linebacker Michael Schmall, a transfer from JSerra. St. Margaret's starts the season as the team to beat in the East Valley Division and the front-runner to represent the South in the inaugural small schools state final.

Home stadium: St. Margaret's

Factoid: In his 20th season overall as a high school coach, Welch is six victories shy of 200.

Strongest: Travis Anderson

Fastest: Colfax Selby

Players to watch
	Chase Smith The offensive lineman could project as a DE in college		Alex Brolick A receiver to watch, especially if the Tartans pass more

Offense Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
QB	David Mothander	6-2	172	Sr.
RB	John Murayama	5-3	135	Jr.
WR	Davis Edwards	5-11	158	So.
WR	Alex Brolick	5-10	162	Sr.
WR	Travis Anderson	5-11	150	Sr.
WR	James Murayama	5-6	124	So.
T	Colfax Selby	6-1	202	Sr.
G	Jeff Askin	5-10	215	Jr.
C	Mack Santora	6-0	206	Sr.
G	Connor McClure	6-0	218	Jr.
T	Chase Smith	6-3	220	Sr.
K	David Mothander	6-2	172	Sr.
KOR	John Murayama	5-3	135	Jr.
Defense Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
DE	William Findiesen	6-1	205	Jr.
DT	Austin Holden	5-10	156	Sr.
DT	Jeremy Baileys	5-9	178	Sr.
DE	Freddy Valencia	5-10	175	Jr.
OLB	JT Carpenter	6-0	155	Jr.
MLB	Leo Garcia	6-0	186	Jr.
OLB	Michael Schmall	5-11	175	So.
CB	Alex Brolick	5-10	162	Sr.
SS	Conner Edgcomb	5-10	170	Sr.
SS	Christopher Adams	6-0	175	Jr.
CB	Matthew Duenes	5-11	165	Fr.
P	David Mothander	6-2	172	Sr.
PR	John Murayama	5-3	135	Jr.