Kickoff 2012: Pacific Coast League preview

COACHES POLL:

(Click on the links below for the previews for the individual schools.)

1. Woodbridge, 6-6 in 2011, 35 poll points.

2. Corona del Mar, 12-2, 31

3. Beckman, 11-3, 20

4. Irvine, 4-6, 16

5. Northwood, 3-7, 13

6. University, 3-7, 9

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

Woodbridge is the pre-season pick to win the league title. The Warriors have one of the most experienced teams around with eight starters on offense back and six on defense. Woodbridge does lose some talented players, including defensive end and tight end Kyle Kelley, who earned a scholarship to the University of Arizona. Woodbridge also lost defensive back Nick Greenberg, a first team All-PCL player who suffered a torn ACL and is lost for the season, according to Coach Rick Gibson. But there are plenty of other talented players, including senior quarterback Matt Callahan, wide receiver/strong safety David McCutchan, offensive tackle David Patterson and junior running back/linebacker Tyler Branin. “This league is so close, we’re all within a touchdown of each other,” Gibson said. “It’s a crapshoot who is going to win. I don’t know that there is someone who is going to run away with this. I think everybody has a shot. Last I checked, Beckman and Corona del Mar were in the finals. You’ve got to knock those guys off first.”

UNDER CONSTRUCTION:

Beckman. Second year coach Ken Mushinskie has some challenges ahead. The Patriots went to the CIF Southern Division finals the last two years, falling to league rival Corona del Mar, 14-13, in the finals last year. Beckman loses some talented players off the team last year and has a number of question marks going into the season. The coaches in the league still believe the Patriots have enough talent to finish third in the PCL.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

David Patterson, Woodbridge, OT: The 6-foot-4, 285-pound Patterson was first team All-PCL last year and returns to anchor the line.

Tim Reinhardt, Corona del Mar, DE: The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Reinhardt was a force on defense last year, recording 10 sacks. He returns to anchor the Sea Kings defense.

Jeremiah Carter, Irvine, K: Carter figures to be an offensive weapon for the Vaqueros. Last year he made 19 of 20 extra points and 6 of 12 on field goals with a long of 42 yards.

Addison Damasco, Northwood, RB/DB: Damasco had 74 total tackles with one interception last year.

Kosta Fujita, Beckman, MLB: Fujita will anchor the middle of the Patriots’ defense.

Keyvan Aminzadeh, University, RB/DB: Last year, he rushed for 302 yards on 54 carries and three touchdowns. He also caught seven passes for 61 yards. Defensively, he had 32 tackles, two sacks and a pass interception.

OTHER TOP PLAYERS:

Woodbridge: WR/SS David McCutchan, MLB Philip Hong, TE Zach Rusick, QB Matt Callahan, G Jae Enyart

Corona del Mar: QB Cayman Carter, WR Chris Johnstone, WR Troy Reese, RB Kai Wilson

Beckman: G-DT Jacob Lehner, CB Justin Humphrey, T-DE Chase Ferguson.

Irvine: QB Ryan Goodman, RB Tanner Moore, RB Gary Renteria, DT Ryan Chomyn, DT Evan Dossett, MLB David Cota, CB Alexander Cliatt; WR-P Adam Searl

Northwood: DB-WR Joe Dunleavy, QB Kevin Norman, K Nathan Nellessen, TE-OLB Jonathan Albright, OT-NG Michael Sleiman

University: RB Jassiem Jenkins, DT Kevin Brown, FB/LB Chase Alibrando. QB Connor Martin, G Wayne Lu

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

University vs. Estancia at Irvine, Sept. 20; University vs. Corona del Mar at Newport Harbor, Oct. 5; Woodbridge vs. Northwood at Irvine, Oct. 5; Woodbridge vs. Beckman, Oct. 12 at Tustin; Woodbridge vs. Corona del Mar at Newport Harbor, Oct. 26; Northwood vs. Irvine at Irvine, Oct. 26; Corona del Mar vs. Beckman at Tustin, Nov. 2; Irvine vs. Woodbridge at Irvine, Nov. 2.

TOUGHEST SCHEDULE

Corona del Mar. The Sea Kings have nonleague games against a number of the county’s top 25 teams, including No. 19 Laguna Hills, No. 18 Capistrano Valley and No. 25 Cypress.

SEE PREVIEWS FOR OTHER LEAGUES AND OTHER FOOTBALL PREVIEW COVERAGE.