Dream Team for O.C. fall sports

Slide show: What O.C. fall sports athletes would the OCVarsity.com staff pick if they could choose their Dream Team? Click through the slide show for their choices.

Note: These aren't necessarily the top overall athletes in their sports (though some might be). Instead, some might be great leaders, exemplary teammates or excellent clutch players.

Travis Wilson, San Clemente football, QB: Sure, he has a heck of an arm. But Wilson will also tuck the ball and run, making him even more of a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. (Text by Steve Fryer)

Ricky Bautista, Northwood football, QB: Bautista was the offensive MVP of the Pacific Coast League last season. In his second game this year in a 30-29 loss to Laguna Hills Friday night, Bautista set a school record for yards (358), completions (26) and attempts (48). Coach Rick Curtis is expecting a big year from Bautista (Text by Tim Burt).

Ryan Wolpin, Santa Margarita football, RB: He has been an outstanding running back, with 322 yards and seven touchdowns. But Wolpin also is a fine kick returner, too. (Text by Steve Fryer)

Mitchell Simonsen, Trabuco Hills football, RB: He rushed for more than 100 yards against Santa Margarita. Simonsen has decent speed, but it is his ability to drag tacklers with him for extra yardage that is most impressive about him. (Text by Steve Fryer)

Kyle Murphy, San Clemente football, OL: Ranked as the No. 1 offensive lineman prospect in the nation, Murphy has lived up to the hype so far. When you see how Murphy is so determined to finish every block, you know you are watching a guy who is not resting upon his reputation. (Text by Steve Fryer)

Lopeti Tuipuloto, Tustin football, OL/DL: He is quick, and plays with a nasty streak on both sides of the ball. He is only 6-foot tall, so some of the bigger colleges might not be excited about him. Whatever school gets "Tui" will get a true gamer. (Text by Steve Fryer)

Khodadad Kia, Beckman football, OL/DL: Kia was an all-league player for the Patriots last year and first-year Coach Ken Mushinskie is expecting him to anchor the offensive and defensive lines again this season. (Text by Tim Burt)

Brett Bartolone, La Habra football, WR: He is the Highlanders' leading rusher, receiver and scorer. La Habra got him the ball every way possible against Servite and was La Habra's top offensive weapon in that game. (Text by Steve Fryer)

Tyler Zorn, Northwood football, WR: Zorn had a big year last season with 47 receptions and he's off to a solid start this season. In Friday night's game against Laguna Hills, Zorn hauled in a 12 catches, tying a school record. He had 216 yards in that game for a school record and had two touchdowns against the Hawks. (Text by Tim Burt)

Tyler Stanek, University football, WR: Stanek had a big year last year with 29 catches for 344 yards and five touchdowns despite playing half the season because of an injury. This year, he's healthy and Coach Mark Cunningham is expecting a big year from him.

Chris Frost, Santa Margarita football, DL: If am the quarterback of a team playing against Santa Margarita, I make sure that every huddle concludes with, " ... and somebody block 54!" Frost, No. 54, is 6-foot-4 and 258 pounds, and plays like he believes he has to be in on every tackle. (Text by Steve Fryer)

Kyle Kelley, Woodbridge football, DL: Kelley is expected to lead the Warrior defense this year. The defensive end has already committed to University of Arizona. Kelley also plays tight end and had a touchdown pass in the Warriors' upset victory over defending Southern Division champion Garden Grove Friday night (Text by Tim Burt).

Aaron Porter, La Habra football, LB: It is easy to see what colleges like about Porter, He was the one guy Servite could not block when the Friars played La Habra. Servite quarterback Cody Pittman might be having nightmares about Aaron Porter. Porter was a second team All-County selection, the Freeway League defensive player of the year and the CIF-SS Southwest Division player of the year in 2010. Porter, a 6-1, 235-pounder, has committed to UCLA. (Text by Steve Fryer and Carlos Arias)

Ryan Harris, Mission Viejo football, LB: When asked about his most consistent players, Mission Viejo coach Bob Johnson quickly mentions this senior. Harris had an outstanding game in the Diablos' loss to Don Bosco Prep of New Jersey. (Text by Steve Fryer)

Alex King, Northwood football, LB/TE: King had 50 assisted tackles and 50 unassisted tackles last year and is expected to be one of the stars of the Northwood defense this year. King had two interceptions in an opening week loss to Gahr. He also plays tight end for the Timberwolves and has hauled in two touchdowns in the first two weeks of the season. (Text by Tim Burt).

Meki Tafuna, Villa Park football, RB/LB: His brother, David Tafuna, was Century League player of the year. Like David, Meki also is an outstanding two-way player. Meki plays like he wants that league POY award to stay within the family. (Text by Steve Fryer)

Jeff Kim, Beckman football, RB: Kim was a force on offense last year for the Patriots, rushing for 1,715 yards and he's off to a great start this year, rushing for 165 yards on 15 carries in a 41-10 victory over Hawthorne Saturday night. Kim scored four touchdowns, including one on a 94-yard kickoff return. (Text by Tim Burt)

Richard Caceres, Irvine football, WR/DB/ST: Caceres is expected to be one of the Vaqueros' top threats on offense as a wide receiver. But he has already proved adept in special teams. Last week against Santa Ana Valley, Caceres had a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 33-yard punt return which led to an Irvine touchdown. Caceres also plays defensive back.(Text by Tim Burt)

Miles Williams, Servite football, OL/DL: Williams is a two-way starter for the Friars who would help any Dream Team. His speed makes special at defensive tackle but he also is an excellent offensive tackle. (Text by Dan Albano)

Dylan Lagarde, Los Alamitos football, QB: Lagarde has shown the ability this season to burn defenses with the deep ball. He's just the type of passer this Dream Team needs. (Text by Dan Albano)

Mike Elespuru, San Clemente football, RB: Even the Dream Team might need to move the chains and this 190-pounder bruiser is the just the pick. He has rushed for almost 400 yards in three games this season. (Text by Dan Albano)

Deion Williams, Orange Lutheran football, DE: Lancers coach Jim Kunau raves about Williams for a reason. He shows a great motor and outstanding leadership. He's also a great get for the Dream Team. (Text by Dan Albano)

Max Tuerk, Santa Margarita football, OL/DL: The USC-commit could anchor either line for this Dream Team. He's that good. Tuerk is a force at either right or left tackle for the Eagles but also valuable on defense. (Text by Dan Albano)

Butch Pauu, Servite football, LB: "The Butcher" has been an All-Trinity League pick since his sophomore year and first team All-County linebacker last season. The 5-11, 220-pounder has committed to BYU and he's a top contender to be county defensive player of the year. (Text by Carlos Arias)

Chris Frost, Santa Margarita football, DE: The 6-4, 238-pound senior is the engine behind the Eagles powerful defense. Frost is a ferocious pass rusher, who has already recorded six sacks and 25 total tackles in three games. (Text by Carlos Arias)

Blake Rodgers, Tesoro football, LB: Rodgers' physical style of defense is a major reason the Titans are expected to be contenders in the South Coast League. The 6-3, 222-pounder has committed to Washington. (Text by Carlos Arias)

Jherremya Leuta-Douyere, Servite football, DL: Leuta-Douyere had his 2010 season cut short by a knee injury, but he has been unleashed on opposing teams in 2011 now that he's a full strength. The 6-1, 225-pounder who has committed to BYU, is one of four returning starters on defense for the Friars. (Text by Carlos Arias)

Kaitlin Park, Beckman girls golf: She has medaled in every match that the Patriots have played this season, helping them get off to an 8-0 start. Recently she ended a week at 8-under par, and that included a 4-under 32 at Tustin Ranch. She's also in 20th place in the Golfweek Sagarin rankings with a 72.4 rating. She has also been invited to play in the PING Invitational in November. (Text by Damian Dottore)

Esther Lee, Los Alamitos girls golf: She has become one of the top juniors in the nation, and has been invited to play in the upcoming junnior Solheim Cup. Lee is in 16th place in the Golfweek rankings with a 71.4 rating. In August, she won the AJGA Junior Challenge after shooting rounds of 74, 67 and 67 on thepar-72 Oak Valley Golf Club in Beaumont . That was one of her three top-five finsihes in a span of four events. (Text by Damian Dottore)

Amy Lee, Brea Olinda girls golf: She's a freshman in name only as she has become the Wildcart's leader in the first three weeks of the season. She has medaled in five of the six dual matched the Wildcats have played, and she also shared medalist honors at the West Covina Invitational after shooting a 1-under 71 at Sierra Laverne Country Club. (Text by Damian Dottore)

Elisabeth Bernabe, Canyon girls golf: She's the defending CIF-SS Individual champion, and she was the co-medalist for the Comanches at the Rosary Royal Shotgun, shooting a 1-under 34 at Western Hills Country Club in Chino Hills. It's a course on which she obviously feels comfortable. She carded a 64 there last season during the CIF-SS Team Championship tournament. (Text by Damian Dottore)

Raegan Bremer, Canyon girls golf: She's one of the reasons why Canyon is still the No. 1 ranked team in the county. She has lowered her stroke average this season, and recently shared medalist honors with her Canyon teammate, Elisabeth Bernabe, at the Rosary Royal Shotgun, posting a 1-under 34. She also led the Comanches at San Clemente Golf Course when they were playing in the Lady Tritron Invitational, firing a 3-over-par 76. (Text by Damian Dottore)

Molly Babcock, Woodbridge cross country: The Warriors senior was one of the county's top runners a season ago and has begun this season determined to be the unquestioned best. She has had the county's top individual times in both the Laguna Hills and Woodbridge Invitationals, placing in the top five overall in both meets. (Text by Jason Eichelberger)

Danica Wyson, Aliso Niguel cross country: Wyson was one of the top runners in the state in her first two seasons before injuries hampered her throughout last season. But Wyson's toughness to regain her elite status has helped her battle back and she began her season with an18-second victory in the Division 1 seniors race at the Laguna Hills Invitational. (Text by Jason Eichelberger)

Kellian Hunt, Whittier Christian cross country: One of the county's best and most consistent competitors, Hunt has blossomed into an elite level runner. She has finished in the top six at the CIF Division 4 state finals in each of the last two years and is a favorite to win the state title in that division this fall. (Text by Jason Eichelberger)

Ashlee Powers, Corona del Mar cross country: The leader of the Sea Kings has impressively evolved into one of the county's top runners and is considered one of Division 3's top state title hopefuls. Powers finished first in the Division 3 seniors race at the Laguna Hills Invitational and was second in the White Division 4 varsity race at the Woodbridge Invitational. (Text by Jason Eichelberger)

Melissa Eisele, San Clemente cross country: The Tritons sophomore made a name for herself with a strong finish to last season and has carried that momentum over to the start of the 2011 season. She won the Division 1 sophomore race at the Laguna Hills Invitational and finished third in the rated race at the Woodbridge Invitational. (Text by Jason Eichelberger)

Kevin Durham, El Toro cross country: Durham's late season heroics last fall announced his arrival as one of the state's elite distance runners. He is a favorite to bring home a state title this fall and started the season with the county's best overall time at the Laguna Hills Invitational. (Text by Jason Eichelberger)

Brandon Pugh, San Juan Hills cross country: A gritty and determined runner who battles in every race, Pugh has turned the promise of being an elite runner into a reality. He finished second in last season CIF-SS Division 3 finals and third at the Division 3 state meet and is a favorite to win both races this season. (Text by Jason Eichelberger)

Billy Gaudreau, St. Margaret's cross country: The defending Division 5 state champion has displayed an uncanny ability to be an elite runner and leader for the Tartans, who will look to repeat as Division 5 state champions this fall. In his first race of the season, Gaudreau finished with the fastest individual time among all county runners at the Woodbridge Invitational. (Text by Jason Eichelberger)

Richie Soto, Marina cross country: Soto was one of the county's top underclassman runners last season and has begun his junior season looking like one of the best upperclassmen. He won his first race of the season at the Don Bosco Tech Invitational and then was the only runner to finish sub-15 minutes to win the Red Division 3 senior boys race at the Woodbridge Invitational. (Text by Jason Eichelberger)

Kyler Fisk, Tesoro cross country: Toughness and a strong finishing kick have made Fisk one of the most impressive runners in the county to start the 2011 season. He out-sprinted a group of runners to win the Division 2 seniors race at the Laguna Hills Invitational, then used the same formula to win the Blue Division 2 senior race at the Woodbridge Invitational. (Text by Jason Eichelberger)

Cinnamon Sary, Newport Harbor girls volleyball: Perhaps the county's best all-around player. Sary (USC), a senior setter/outside hitter, earned first-team all-county honors last season for the Sailors. (Text by Damian Calhoun)

Cassie Strickland, Edison girls volleyball: Another returning first team all-county performer from last season. Strickland is heading to Washington to play libero. She's the Chargers top offensive threat. (Text by Damian Calhoun)

Tess Arthur, Beckman girls volleyball: The junior earned all-tournament honors at the University Tournament. She's the anchor of the Beckman defensive effort. (Text by Damian Calhoun)

Tatum Norton, Newport Harbor girls volleyball: Norton will be a key factor in Newport Harbor's run to the Sunset League and CIF-SS Division 1-AA playoffs. (Text by Damian Calhoun)

Blaire Pickens, Orange Lutheran girls volleyball: Pickens (TCU) was selected one of the top 250 players in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com. Pickens will have the Lancers in the hunt for the Trinity League title. (Text by Damian Calhoun)

Alijah Gunsaulus, Los Alamitos girls volleyball: Gunsaulus earned second-team all-county honors last season. She has already been selected all-tournament at the Gahr and Durango Fall Classic tournaments. (Text by Damian Calhoun)

Allison Palmer, Laguna Beach girls volleyball: Palmer (Arizona St.) played libero for the U.S. youth team, is one of the top setters around. With Palmer running the offense, the Breakers will be a factor in the CIF-SS Division 1-A playoffs. (Text by Damian Calhoun)

Alexa Strange, San Clemente girls volleyball: Strange (Colorado) earned second-team all-county honors last season for the Tritons. She's one of the top players in the nation. (Text by Damian Calhoun)

Sierra Wilson, Troy girls volleyball: Wilson is headed to Alabama. The setter helped lead the Warriors to a successful 2010 and will be looking to repeat that success this season. (Text by Damian Calhoun)

Katie Klein, Rosary girls volleyball: The senior earned all-county honorable mentions last season. She was recently selected one of the top 250 players in the nation according to PrepVolleyball.com. (Text by Damian Calhoun)

Jaylen Villanueva, Los Alamitos girls volleyball: Los Alamitos coach Dave Huber said Villanueva does a lot. Villanueva earned honorable mention all-county honors last season. She's committed to UC Santa Barbara. (Text by Damian Calhoun)

Kelsie Groot, Northwood girls volleyball: Groot was a third-team All-County performer last season for the Timberwolves. She's headed to The U. University of Miami. (Text by Damian Calhoun)

Britton Taylor, Corona del Mar girls volleyball: Senior middle earned third-team all-county honors last season for the Sea Kings. So far, CdM is ranked second in the county and in the CIF-SS Division 1-A rankings. (Text by Damian Calhoun)

Bret Bonanni, Mater Dei boys water polo: The reigning co-county player of the year would likely be the top-shooting attacker on any high school Dream Team. Bonanni's job would be to score, and score often. (Text by Dan Albano)

Joey Fuentes, El Toro boys water polo: Since this is the Dream Team, we're going to load up on lefties and start the left-handed Fuentes along with Nolan McConnell. Fuentes is the type of passer who can help balance but he is also a dangerous scoring threat. (Text by Dan Albano)

Garrett Danner, El Toro boys water polo: The ultra-quick Danner gets the start as the goalie on this Dream Team. Not only can he anchor the defense, his passing down pool sparks the counterattack. (Text by Dan Albano)

Nolan McConnell, Laguna Beach boys water polo: The high-scoring left-hander would naturally play the left-hander's side on the wing. Can you image McConnell and Mater Dei's Bret Bonanni throwing cross-pool passes to each other on the power play? That's Dream Team stuff. (Text by Dan Albano)

Farrel South, Newport Harbor boys water polo: Since this is a Dream Team, the hard-throwing South is the pick at attacker and sets up on the same right hander's side of the pool at Mater Dei's Bret Bonanni. That gives the team two outstanding shooters/drivers on the same side of the pool to draw the defense or play a two-man isolation game. Did we mention that Laguna Beach's Nolan McConnell is on the left-hander's side. (Text by Dan Albano)

Dan Stevens, Newport Harbor boys water polo: Even this Dream Team needs someone to do the tough job of guarding 2 meters. The rugged and fundamentally sound Stevens has the ability to guard without much help. (Text by Dan Albano)

Jon Walters, Mater Dei boys water polo: Walters wasn't the primary center for the U.S. junior national team at the recent FINA junior World Championships but on this Dream Team, he is setting 2 meters. Walters knows how to establish deep position at center and is becoming better and better at finishing. Walters also is a good utility player, so he could emerge as the secondary 2-meter defender. (Text by Dan Albano)

BJ Churnside, Villa Park boys water polo: Churnside is the Dream Team's first man off the bench/occasional starter. He is utility player who can give the team plenty of defense and speed. (Text by Dan Albano)

Alyssa Smith, Dana Hills girls tennis: One of the most dominant players in Orange County last season, Smith, a junior, will be one of the big keys if the Dolphins can get a CIF-SS title.

Mazy Watrous, El Toro girls tennis: Watrous is simply one of the best singles players in Orange County. The senior, who enrolled at El Toro before the school year, should make a big impact on the singles' scene in the county.

Kyra Scott, University girls tennis: The Trojans have a very young, deep team, and Scott, an all-county performer last season, provides plenty of senior leadership to go along with her skills on the court.

Margo Pletcher and Cassidy Spearman, Dana Hills girls tennis: If Dana Hills just had a bunch of talented singles players, the team, as a whole, wouldn't be able to compete for titles. Luckily for the Dolphins, Dana has talented players who can also play doubles, and Pletcher (a sophomore) and Spearman (a junior) are two of the best.

Katie Bick and Rian Billingsley, Sage Hill girls tennis: Sage Hill is off to an undefeated start, thanks largely to its No. 1 doubles team. Sage has been winning matches because of their balance, and Bick (a senior) and Billingsley (a junior) give them a power duo on the doubles' side of things.