Kickoff '08: Irvine Vaqueros

September 10, 2008 12:09 PM

By CARLOS ARIAS

OCVarsity.com

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

Irvine

Last season: 8-3, 1-2 (tie-third place)

Postseason: 2007, lost to Valencia, 38-14, in Southern Division quarterfinals

Coach: Terry Henigan (29th year, 171-125-6)

Outlook: The Vaqueros lost some key seniors that will be hard to replace, so they will be inexperienced and have a lot of players playing both ways. It might take Irvine a little time to get there, but they should be in the thick of things by the time league play rolls around.

Home stadium: Irvine High

Factoid: Irvine's staring quarterback Brandon Allen went out with a knee injury in the first quarter of Irvine's 14-13 loss to University in Zero Week. It remains to be seen how serious the injury as and when he will be able to return.

Strongest: Nik Abele

Fastest: Shane Whippo

School record: 171-125-6

Players to watch
	Michael Ernst Two-way star and punt returner		Nik Abele Made first team all-league

Offense Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
QB	Alan Merritt	6-0	175	Jr.
QB	Brennan Leitao	5-11	160	So.
RB	Trashon Young	5-9	170	Jr.
RB	Shane Whippo	5-8	170	Sr.
RB	Justin Reihanifan	5-11	205	Sr.
WR	Michael Ernst	5-6	135	Sr.
WR	Chris DelCarlo	6-1	190	Jr.
WR	Jake Day	5-11	170	So.
WR	David Andrade	6-2	170	Sr.
LT	Tim Crouch	6-0	195	Sr.
LG	Irving Martin del Campo	6-1	245	Sr.
C	Brian Tew	5-11	230	Sr.
RG	Erik Blyar	5-10	250	Sr.
RT	Nik Abele	6-7	255	Sr.
K	Edgar Santana	5-9	195	Sr.
Defense Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
DE	Clay Owen	6-0	170	Sr.
DE	Nik Abele	6-7	255	Sr.
DE	Justin Herndon	6-3	220	Sr.
DT	Brian Caceres	5-8	210	Sr.
DT	Jaime Maximilliano	5-9	220	Sr.
ILB	Ian Thomason	6-2	190	Sr.
ILB	Justin Reihanifan	5-11	205	Sr.
MLB	Edgar Santana	5-9	195	Sr.
OLB	Shane Whippo	5-8	170	Sr.
OLB	Andrew Hills	5-10	170	Jr.
OLB	Lange Pierce	6-1	185	Sr.
CB	Michael Ernst	5-6	135	Sr.
CB	Ryan Payne	5-9	165	Jr.
S	Chris DelCarlo	6-1	190	Jr.
S	Jake Day	5-11	170	So.
P	Edgar Santana	5-9	195	Sr.