Kickoff '08: Troy Warriors

September 01, 2008 1:48 PM

By JONATHAN KAY

OCVarsity.com

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

Troy

Last season: 1-8, 1-3 (tied for fourth)

Postseason: 2006, lost to Santa Fe, 33-28 in semifinals of Southeast Division playoffs

Coach: Jim Burton (fourth year, 31-19)

Outlook: Troy hopes talent and solid defense can make up for a lack of experience on offense, where only one starter returns. Junior Kyle Smith steps in at quarterback, while De Angelo Bonner and Justin Austin will combine to replace star fullback Derrick Coleman.

Home stadium: Fullerton District Stadium

Strongest: Schaad Gibbons, Jeff Son

Fastest: Jon Thiranop

School record: 250-182-13

Players to watch
	Chris Chung, DB Will anchor the secondary after grabbing two interceptions in 2007		Ryan Hagen, DE With 27 tackles and a sack last year, should be a defensive stalwart in '08

Offense Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
QB	Kyle Smith	Jr.	5-11	175
RB	Chaz Wendt	Sr.	5-9	150
RB	Justin Austin	Jr.	5-7	185
WR	De Angelo Bonner	Jr.	6-0	160
WR	Manuel Carrillo	Jr.	6-2	180
TE	Ryan Hagen	Sr.	6-2	230
T	Schaad Gibbons	Sr.	6-3	240
G	Steve Yniquez	Jr.	5-9	190
C	Brian Bartter	Soph.	6-0	235
G	Ed Nguyen	Sr.	5-5	170
T	Jon Moraza	Jr.	6-0	225
Defense Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
DE	Jeremy Artasere	Jr.	6-3	170
DT	Jeff Son	Jr.	6-0	230
DT	AJ Jimenez	Sr.	6-0	240
DE	Casey Ling	Jr.	6-0	185
OLB	Rich Macharia	Jr.	5-8	185
MLB	Joe Walker	Jr.	5-9	185
OLB	Doug Beard	Jr.	5-11	185
CB	Tom Mavritsakis	Jr.	5-11	170
SS	Chris Chung	Sr.	5-10	155
SS	Jose Espitin	Jr.	5-8	140
CB	Jon Thiranop	Sr.	5-11	150