The Acorn’s 2008 Marmonte League Preview




 

 

 

Agoura Chargers

Last season’s results: (Tied for 3rd in Marmonte, 6-4 overall) Agoura defended its home turf well, going 4-1 at AHS. The Chargers picked up victories against Ventura and Rio Mesa in non-league action, and Marmonte wins against Simi Valley, Moorpark, Royal and Calabasas. Agoura didn’t lose when it scored 27 or more points in a game.

Notable returnees: Kevin Graf, sr., OL/DL; Kevin Hansen, sr., WR/DB (27 receptions, 246 yards, 2 TDs); Sam Bradley, jr., RB/DB (49 tackles, 1 INT); Bryce Majdick, sr., WR/DB (10 catches, 145 yards, 2 TDs); Jake Minster, sr., LB/OL (66 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT); David Claxton, sr., LB/ OL (2 INTs, 36 tackles) Impact newcomer: Justin Cudworth, sr., LB/RB Who they play: The Chargers play the same opponents they faced last year, starting with Ventura (Sept. 12) on the road. They play their next four at home against Camarillo, Rio Mesa, Westlake and Thousand Oaks. After the extended home stay, the Chargers will toll the road against Simi Valley (Oct. 17), Newbury Park (Oct. 24) and Moorpark (Oct. 31).

Overview: A quarterback has led the Chargers in rushing in two of the past four years, and they will rely heavily on a ground attack again this season. Senior quarterback Justin Arias takes the reins from graduated two-year starter Doug Shumway. Charlie Wegher, entering his 15th season as head coach with Agoura, thinks Arias is as good or better than Shumway.

Graf, who will play for USC next fall, is the only returning starter on an offensive line that’s still a work in progress. Wegher has asked Graf, normally a left tackle, to play center in order to shore up the rushing attack. Graf will also play nose tackle and defensive end.

The Chargers are changing their defensive scheme from a standard 4-3 alignment to a linebackerfriendly 353 system. Minster, Agoura’s secondleading tackler last year, will likely start at middle linebacker. Majdick, Claxton, Kyle Dugandzic, Lars Dion-Kindem and Cudworth are also expected to contribute at linebacker. Cudworth is a senior transfer from Calabasas.

Mike Neighbors, Tyler Coons, D.J. Bancroft and Chad Jennings are expected to contribute on the offensive or defensive lines.

Eric Kagen, Stephan Yang, Hansen and Majdick will play receiver. Bradley and Cudworth will see their share of carries.

In a nutshell: The key to Agoura’s season will be keeping Arias healthy, forcing more turnovers and protecting the ball. The Chargers didn’t lose a fumble on offense in ’07, and that eye-opening trend must continue if AHS is to return to the postseason for the first time since 2005.

 

Moorpark Musketeers

Last season’s results: (Tied for 3rd in Marmonte, 6-5 overall) Following a tumultuous offseason that saw the transfer of star running back Darrell Scott to St. Bonaventure, the Musketeers still made a run at the league title until a late-season loss to Westlake derailed their championship chances.

Notable returnees: Austin Edmonson, jr., RB (1,063 rushing yards, 22 receptions, 12 TDs); Jeff Barker, jr., WR (20 receptions, 256 yards); Tim Vizzi, sr., WR/S (19 receptions, 430 yards, 4 TDs); Corey Sandoval, sr., DT; Cameron Phillips, sr., DE; Marc Palacios, jr., ILB; Greg Morrissey, sr., DB/WR; Max Dyce, sr., CB; Joey Eckert, jr., S; A.J. Dettorre, jr., DB/WR; Nathaniel Mallory, sr., OT; Cesar Ponce, sr., OG
Impact newcomer:
Brian Blechen, jr., QB
Who they play: The Musketeers’ non-league schedule is road-heavy with games at Mayfair (Sept. 5), Notre Dame Sherman Oaks (Sept. 12) and Ventura (Sept. 19). MHS doesn’t play its first home game until Oct. 3 when they host Newbury Park. Circle the game at Thousand Oaks (Oct. 24) as a premier defensive matchup. Moorpark has hammered TOHS the past few seasons.

Overview: Eight key members of last year’s defense return for Moorpark, including Sandoval, the team’s standout defensive tackle. A three-year starter, Sandoval provides football savvy, playmaking ability and leadership. Phillips deals with the pass rush. With Dyce, Eckert, Morrissey, Dettorre and Vizzi returning, MHS may have the league’s premier secondary. Watch Dyce, a raw talent on the gridiron who’s one of the county’s elite track and field athletes.

Adam Barry has moved on to the University of Wyoming, leaving the Musketeers in search of a starting quarterback for the first time in years. Blechen, a transfer from Royal, looks like he may get the job but is facing stiff competition from junior Brody Rohach. Senior Cameron Lombardo is also in the mix.

Aside from running back Chris Brown at Newbury Park, Edmonson may be the league’s most explosive offensive threat. He’s a joy to watch. Sophomore Tyler Peterson is another young, talented tailback.

The wide receiving corps is deep with Barker, Dettorre, Morrissey and Vizzi contributing. Junior Tanner Moe and senior Andrew Domanski are the tight ends. According to offensive coordinator John Kidder, with some seasoning, the offensive line can be a very solid group.

In a nutshell: You can never count Moorpark out because the coaching staff is so good. The defense is legit and the running game will produce. If the quarterback steps up, watch out.

 

Calabasas Coyotes

Last season’s results: (8th in Marmonte, 19 overall) The Coyotes ended a 44-game losing streak by upending Channel Islands, 28-14. Calabasas’ offense struggled last year by getting shut out three times and scoring only a single field goal on three other occasions

Notable returnees: Alain Dalencourt, sr., TE/DE (13 tackles, 2 sacks, 8 catches, 129 yards, 2 TDs); Shyan Ardalan, sr., WR/DB (18 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 forced fumble); Shane Wilson, sr., S/WR (39 tackles, 3 INTs); Daniel Wallengren, sr., WR/DE (2 catches, 21 yards)
Impact newcomers: Kyle Zion, soph., QB; Alex Hanover, jr., WR/S
Who they play:
Calabasas has a chance to win its first home game since 2002 when it plays host to Channel Islands (Sept. 26). Channel Islands went 0-10 in ’07. The Coyotes open their non-league slate at El Camino Real (Sept 12). The schedule is also highlighted by Marmonte home games against Westlake (Oct. 10), Thousand Oaks (Oct. 17), Moorpark (Nov. 7) and Agoura (Nov. 14) in the season finale. Other than Channel Islands, the Coyotes’ best opportunities to win could be against El Camino or Hueneme (Sept. 19).

Overview: The consecutive game losing streak finally ended, and now the Coyotes can turn their attention toward winning their first home game since Sept. 27, 2002, a 26-7 victory against Nordhoff, a former Frontier League nemesis.

Entering this season, secondyear head coach Lance Martin had three quarterbacks—and lost them all. One quarterback got hurt, another transferred and the third decided to concentrate on basketball. Now the Coyotes will hope Zion, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound sophomore, can play like a veteran. Kicker David Sandler is the backup.

Martin is pleased with Dalencourt’s commitment to the program. Dalencourt is a physical, consistent presence on both sides of the ball.

Ardalan and Wilson, who was fourth in tackles last year, are both fiery competitors as well.

Wide receiver Josh Baynard, a transfer from Royal, has great speed and strong hands. Baynard’s younger brother, Matt, is a freshman running back and defensive back. Linemen Ari BenNaim and Alex Melancon, and linebackers David Handler and Taylor Reed, are also expected to contribute.

In a nutshell: CHS has lost 40 of 42 Marmonte League games all time, and has never won a league game at home since joining the field in 2002. Calabasas will try to improve on last year’s mark and stay healthy—the Coyotes only have 20 players on their varsity roster, by far the fewest in the league. Bottom line, a home win would be huge, but expectations are tempered.

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Newbury Park Panthers

Last season’s results: (Tied for 1st in Marmonte, 11-2 overall) So many things went well in George Hurley’s final season coaching the Panthers. The team won its first eight games and split the league title with Westlake. It was the program’s first Marmonte championship since 1998. NPHS also made the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section Northern Division playoffs.

Notable returnees: Chris Brown, sr., RB/CB (1,904 rushing yards, 33 receptions, 361 yards, 24 TDs); Phillip Muscarella, jr., WR/DB, (38 receptions, 628 yards, 9 TDs); Jackson Powell, sr., DE/OT; Brandon Born, sr., MLB/OG; Connor Saucier, sr., DE; Ashton Wood, sr., OT
Impact newcomer: Cameron Roberson, jr., RB/LB
Who they play: The teams on NPHS’ non-league slate remain unchanged. The Panthers play at Camarillo (Sept. 12) and Rio Mesa (Sept. 19) before hosting Oak Park (Sept. 26) in a rematch of one of the county’s finest games of ’07. Key contests include road games at Moorpark (Oct. 3) and Westlake (Oct. 17), and home matchups against Royal (Oct. 10) and Thousand Oaks (Nov. 14).

Overview: No team in the league can match Newbury Park’s star power. Brown is the Marmonte’s most unstoppable offensive force, while Roberson is right on par in terms of skill level. On offense, the dynamic duo will rotate between tailback and slot receiver. Both play defense as well.

Muscarella is super talented, too. He had a pair of three-touchdown games last year. At 6foot5 and 235 pounds, Powell may be the league’s premier passrushing defensive end. He’s also expected see playing time at offensive tackle.

There are questions, though. On the offensive line, only Wood, a left tackle, returns as a starter. Seniors Anthony Coccia and Kyle Valentine, as well as juniors Patrick Smith, Ryan Gabby, Tommy Diefenthaler and Drake Exstrom, along with Born and Powell, are all being counted on to chip in on the o-line.

According to head coach Gary Fabricius, the team’s quarterback battle remains a four-man race with sophomore Jake Geringer, junior Jordan Brower, and seniors Jeff Meinecke and Matt Juels still competing for the starting gig.

Defensively, NPHS should play well in the secondary, but the linebacking corps, featuring Born, Roberson and juniors Frederick Grady, Christian Hutchins and Josh Sackheim, is somewhat untested. Junior Nathaniel Roman is a potential breakout player at nose tackle.

In a nutshell: The Panthers’ stars will shine, but the team’s questionable quarterback and offensive line situations raise concerns. Don’t be surprised if NPHS improves as the season progresses, as is often the case with teams in transition.

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Royal Highlanders

Last season’s results: (Tied for 6th in Marmonte, 3-7 overall) After winning only one of their first eight games a year ago, the Highlanders finished with a pair of league victories over Calabasas and Simi Valley. The program’s last Marmonte title came in 2004. Notable returnees: Trevor Shubert, sr., QB (completed 125-of-224 passes for 1,361 yards with 7 TDs, 4 INTs); Sean Miller, sr., WR/CB (20 receptions, 208 yards); Michael Cooper, sr., TE/DE (15 receptions, 143 yards, 2 TDs); Scott Holty, sr., OT; Tyler Decker, jr., OG; Eric Morris, sr., C; Tyler Genovese, sr., DT; Nick Zortea, sr., DE; Michael Leipzig, sr., LB; Jake Rollins, sr., LB; Connor Wolcott, jr., CB; Ryan Su’a, sr., CB
Impact newcomer: Thomas Garner, jr., RB/FS
Who they play: Head coach Gene Uebelhardt isn’t one to make excuses, but truth be told, the Highlanders’ schedule is probably the Marmonte’s toughest. RHS only plays three league games at home—against Calabasas (Oct. 3), Moorpark (Oct. 17) and Simi Valley (Nov. 14), which is technically a road game. In the span of five weeks, Royal travels to Newbury Park (Oct. 10), Westlake (Oct. 24), Thousand Oaks (Oct. 31) and Agoura (Nov. 7). Ouch.

Overview: The Highlanders’ strength is at offensive line and quarterback, two critical positions in the world of high school football, or any level of football, for that matter. Bolstering the offensive line is the return of Holty, a left tackle, Decker, the left guard, and Morris, who plays center. Don’t be surprised if RHS heavily favors running toward the left side of its line.

Shubert, who beat out Brian Blechen for the starting quarterback job last season—Blechen has since transferred to Moorpark—is the league’s most proven returning starting signal-caller. Shubert completed 55.8 percent of his pass attempts as a junior.

Cooper, a three-year starter at tight end, is a load at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds. Miller is the Highlanders’ top wideout. He’ll be complemented by senior wide receiver Matt Carlson. Senior Matt Rulon and Garner fuel the ground game.

Inside linebackers Leipzig and Rollins are tackling machines. Genovese, Zortea and senior Dillon Maxwell have added bulk to a large defensive line. Wolcott and Su’a are returning starters at cornerback, and according to Uebelhardt, they’re as good as he’s ever coached at the position.

In a nutshell: Despite the brutal schedule, Royal is poised for a bounce-back campaign. Having an experienced quarterback will help move the chains.

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Simi Valley Pioneers

Last season’s results: (Tied for 6th in Marmonte, 46 overall) Simi Valley once again showed promise in the first half of the season by winning four of six games. The Pioneers’ second half, however, was a disaster as the squad lost its final four contests.

Notable returnees: Tommy Dowling, sr., RB (66 rushes, 272 yards, 2 TDs); Keith Williams, sr., WR (23 receptions, 554 yards, 6 TDs); Tim Ferralli, sr., QB; Denny Vigo, jr., MLB (39 tackles); Tim McAnany, sr., LB/ TE (33 tackles); Kyle White, sr., C; Shawn Morrison, sr., OG
Impact newcomer:
Jens Jeeters, soph., LB/RB
Who they play: Simi Valley will have the luxury of playing more home games than away games this season, which is good as the Pioneers are 13-7 the last four years in front of their home fans. After a road game against Buena (Sept. 12), the Pioneers will play four of their next five games, including tough teams like Thousand Oaks and Agoura, at home.

Overview: Simi Valley has a history of talented running backs the last few years in Langston Jackson and Devin Kelley. Now it’s Dowling’s turn to shine. The Pioneers have an experienced offensive line with Morrison and White returning. The big guys should give Dowling room to run.

Most important, however, is the line giving Ferralli more time to throw. Ferralli is the starting signal-caller after last year’s starter, Jared Zahorik, suffered an injury that will keep him out the first few games. Ferralli’s favorite target could be Williams.

The Pioneers’ offense should be strong, but the team will get nowhere without great play from its defense. During the last two years, Simi Valley is 7-2 when holding opponents to 21 points or less.

"Our main goal is to allow one touchdown less in each game than we did last year," head coach Todd Borowski said. "If we can do that, we can win more of the close games we’ve been losing in the past."

To win the nail-bitters—10 of the team’s 18 losses the last three years have been by eight points or less—defensive standouts Vigo and McAnany must step up. Jeeters, the sophomore, could also make an immediate impact.

In a nutshell: The Pioneers must realize the race for a Marmonte League title is a marathon, not a sprint. The past three years, the Pioneers are 1-14 during the second half of the season, with their only lateseason win coming against Calabasas.

 

Thousand Oaks Lancers

Last season’s results: (Tied for 3rd in Marmonte, 5-6 overall) Half of the Lancers’ losses in ’07 came by seven points or less, including a three-point setback at rival Westlake. Although they made the playoffs, Thousand Oaks was blasted by Hart of Newhall 48-24 in the first round.

Notable returnees: Ian Shultis, sr., QB (1,694 passing yards, 11 TDs); John Lister, sr., RB (1,118 rushing yards, 14 TDs); Curtis Dempster, sr., WR/DB (21 receptions, 15.1 yards per catch); Dereck Jester, sr., DL; Josh Bounds, sr., DE; Tyler Williams, sr., DE; Mitchell Korey, sr., ILB; Ryan Thompson, sr., LB Impact newcomer: Robert Mullaney, jr., WR Who they play: Thousand Oaks’ non-league schedule has been completely revamped. Out are Loyola, Atascadero and Camarillo. Those matchups have been replaced by a season-opening road trip to Valencia (Sept. 12), followed by a pair of home games against Buena (Sept. 19) and Canyon (Sept. 26). After three straight road contests to open league play, TOHS hosts Moorpark (Oct. 24), Royal (Oct. 31) and Westlake (Nov. 7) in consecutive weeks.

Overview: There have been several key changes in Lancer Land during the offseason, including a uniform switch that has the team sporting Michigan Wolverinelike helmets. In addition, head coach Mike Leibin has taken control of the offense. Coach Chris Casillas is now running a speed-orientated defense that returns eight starters.

Jester, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound tackle, is the heart and soul of the defensive line. He’s supported by a pair of solid defensive ends in Bounds and Williams. Korey, an inside linebacker, has a nose for the football. Thompson, who plays outside linebacker, led the team in tackles in ’07. Dempster, senior safety Matt McQuade and sophomore Avondre Bollar are key contributors in the secondary. Despite utilizing a 4-2-5 system that is essentially a nickel package on most plays, Leibin said the Lancers are well equipped to stop the run.

Offensively, Shultis has been extremely consistent during the summer. Dempster and Mullaney should be his top targets. Mullaney is a passcatching machine. At 6-foot-3, junior tight end/linebacker Garrett Malone is a big target in the middle of the field, as is 6-foot-1 senior tight end Nick Lambert.

Lister, who averaged 5.4 yards per carry as a junior, remains one of the top running backs in the county. Sophomore Ricky Minyard will work out of the backfield and in the slot. TOHS replaces its entire starting offensive line. That unit remains the team’s biggest question mark heading into the season.

In a nutshell: If they can win the close games—a problem last season—the Lancers will be in the thick of the league title chase. This definitely looks like a playoff team.

Westlake Warriors

Last season’s results: (Tied for 1st in Marmonte, 8-4 overall) The Warriors, co-league champions along with Newbury Park, won their first back-to-back Marmonte titles since the 200203 seasons. Head coach Jim Benkert, a member of the Ventura County Hall of Fame, improved his career record at Westlake to 157-67-5, a 68.5 winning percentage through 19 years at the helm.

Notable returnees: Ben Conlin, sr., QB (completed 16-of-38 passes for 171 yards, 1 TD, 4 INTs); Justin Lilley, sr., RB/OLB (17 carries, 167 yards, 2 TDs); Steve Hagy, sr., WR/DB (26 receptions, 223 yards, 1 TD); James DeLaCerna, sr., WR (34 receptions, 389 yards, 4 TDs); Spencer Christiansen, sr., C; Michael Lorenzo, jr., OT; Zach Dunaj, sr., ILB; Lukas Freeman, sr., ILB; Chris Cisi, sr., OLB; Beau Poliakin, sr., CB; Nick Occhipinti, sr., DE Impact newcomer: Tavior Mowry, soph., RB/DB Who they play: The Warriors’ final non-league game, Sept. 26 at home against Hart of Newhall, promises to be interesting. The biggest test, however, may be a week later when Westlake travels to Agoura (Oct. 3) in a can’t-miss matchup. When these teams play at Agoura, which has dropped 18 of 20 alltime games to its rivals from Westlake, something crazy always seems to happen. Later, the Warriors travel to Thousand Oaks (Nov. 7) for another crosstown grudge match.

Overview: Rebuild, reload or whatever you want to call it, Westlake is certainly capable of winning its third straight league championship.

The Warriors return Conlin, a true team leader at quarterback who possesses some varsity experience and a whole bunch of toughness, a pair of second-team All-League wideouts in Hagy and DeLaCerna, two studs on the offensive line in Christiansen and Lorenzo, all four of their linebackers, including Lilley, a premier player at his position in California, and both starting cornerbacks.

Mix in a pair of sophomores who are expected to contribute right away— wide receiver/free safety Nelson Spruce and Mowry, a talented, quickaslightning tailback—and the pieces are in place for Benkert to make a run at his eighth Marmonte title.

Depth is the main concern for Westlake. Benkert admits that the team is thin on both the offensive and defensive lines. Occhipinti, the senior, figures to play a major role on the d-line.

Replacing place kicker Jordan Mannisto, a money player in every sense of the word, won’t be easy, or possible, for that matter. Seniors Stephen Murphy and Cisi are first in line to give it a try.

In a nutshell: It’s tough to pick against Westlake. Every time it looks like they may be down a little, the Warriors find a way to pull out victories. We’re watching Conlin, an extremely competitive young man who battled a bad concussion and diabetes last year.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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