Senior center Colin Lippincott prepares for a play during training camp. Photo: Steve Breazeale

From L to R: Senior guard Austin Volling, senior quarterback Sam Darnold and senior linebacker Riley Whimpey will be key to the Tritons success in 2014. Photo: Steve Breazeale

LOOKING FOR REDEMPTION

www.sanclementetimes.com2014 Triton Football Preview

San Clemente High School football team prepares to get back on the winning track

Ortiz likens the offense to a car and the keys to that car are being handed over to Darnold, who had a very busy offseason.

Darnold’s stock as a collegiate prospect rose exponentially over the summer. His athleticism and arm strength were on display at high-profile events like the Elite 11 quarterback competition and the Open-ing, where he played alongside other top recruits. Last month, he committed to play football at USC.

For Darnold, this season is very much a shot at redemption. He has started under center only five times in his high school career. Now that he is healthy and back to working with his teammates, Darnold is look-ing to reassert the program’s authority in southern Orange County.

“I think getting back on the map is the biggest thing for us. Winning games is all we need to do,” Darnold said. “I was more disappointed with us not winning (last year) more than my injury. I just have to stay healthy this year and we just have to win some games.”

Joining Darnold in the backfield will be the speedy tandem of junior running backs Vlad Dzhabiyev and sophomore Brandon Reaves. Dzhabiyev had a solid sophomore year, rushing for 500 yards and three touch-downs. Reaves will get his first look at real playing time this season and will add to the Tritons up-tempo offense. Ortiz says both Dzhabiyev and Reaves have the ability to run and catch out of the backfield and can be deployed as receivers in certain formations.

The Tritons will run a spread offense,

which will allow Darnold to make a lot of in-game decisions when he sees fit.

“When you work with kids like Sam (Dar-nold) you have to give them a little discre-tion and let them make some decisions. I think Sam has that ability to make the right decision and read the defense and create plays,” Ortiz said. “We’re going to move all our playmakers around the field and keep defenses guessing.”

Senior receiver Jake Russell has big-play capability and has built a strong bond on the field with Darnold, according to Ortiz.

Russell will also start at cornerback on defense. Senior tight end Cole Harlow will provide a big, 6-foot-5-inch target.

The Tritons are less experienced on defense, having taken a heavy hit from graduation. They aren’t very big on the defensive side of the ball, either. What they have is speed and chemistry, ac-cording to Ortiz.

“We’re not huge on defense. We don’t have a 6-4, 250-pound defensive end,” Ortiz said. “We have a bunch of guys that play well together and we have to fly

around and make plays and swarm the ball.” The Tritons depth at linebacker got a

boost in the form of senior transfer Riley Whimpey, who Ortiz feels has the potential to be an all-league type of player.

In the secondary, the Tritons will rely on the experience of Russell at cornerback and junior safety Tanner Wright.

Time will tell if the Tritons, playing in a new league, will return to form. Their shot at redemption begins at home on Friday, Aug. 29. SC

BY STEVE BREAZEALE The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines redemption as: The act of making something

better or more acceptable. This year, the San Clemente High School football team has taken that word, and its

definition, to heart, building their 2014-2015 campaign around the slogan “Operation Redemption.” After a year that saw more downs than ups, the Tritons are looking to redeem themselves in a big way heading into the new season.

San Clemente started last season with consecutive wins over Jordan of Long Beach and Cabrillo, but following several injuries to key players, their season went off the rails. They lost the next eight games and went winless in league.

The struggles of last season can be directly linked to the injury of standout quarterback Sam Darnold. Darnold earned the starting job as a junior, flashing his skill and promise as a dual-threat quarterback in the Tritons first three games. He passed for 337 yards and four touchdowns, completing 63 percent of his throws. He ran the ball 35 times, averaging 9.2 yards per carry, and rushed for five scores. The Tritons, with Darnold fueling the offense, were on a roll.

But in San Clemente’s third game against rival Dana Hills, Darnold fractured his foot, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. Other injuries up and down the roster fol-lowed, which left the Tritons in a state of flux.

The changes allowed the Tritons, who were young to begin with in 2013, to put a good amount of sophomores and juniors into the mix to gain experience and learn on the fly. When the team opens their 2014 season against Garfield at home on Aug. 29, they will field 12 returning starters, two more than they had last year.

With the confidence placed in their returning depth the Tritons are more determined than ever to right the ship.

“We had a tough year on and off the field last year. We had a lot of injuries and we had a hard time finishing games,” head coach Jaime Ortiz said. “Playing so many kids last year as a young group will help us this year. The kids have bought into the mindset that we have something to prove.”

The Tritons will head to the Sea View League this season, joined by former South Coast League member Trabuco Hills.

San Clemente will have plenty of returning depth on offense, starting with their offensive line. Junior Donté Harrington, a three-year starter, senior Austin Volling and junior Tucker Scott all return to help pave the way for the Tritons offense.

Tritons in a Nutshell2013 Record: 2-8, 0-4 South Coast League

Returning Starters:Offense 7; Defense 5

Offensive Set: Spread

Defensive Set: 4-3

Head Coach: Jaime Ortiz (7-13 overall record)

Assistant Coaches: Leo Barker (defensive coordinator/defensive backs), Troy Kopp (offensive coor-dinator/quarterbacks), Jon Hamro (offensive line), Oscar Montecinos (receivers), Byron Rex (receivers), Joe Wood (running backs/strength and conditioning), John Allred (tight ends), Brian Batson (linebackers), Chris Culbertson (linebackers/special teams), John Donnelly (defensive line), Pat Walker (defensive backs).

Sam Darnold QB (No. 18) Sr. All eyes will be on Darnold at the quarter-back position in 2014. The

USC commit had a big, productive offseason and was featured in high-profile camps. Darnold is a legitimate dual-threat quarter-back. He’s proven he can run the ball and has worked on his arm strength and accuracy over the offseason.

Riley Whimpey LB (No. 7) Sr. Whimpey, a transfer from Utah, may be a new face on the field, but

the senior middle linebacker has impressed the Tritons coaching staff with his physicality in camp. Ortiz says Whimpey has the po-tential to be a Division 1 collegiate talent. Look for Whimpey to also be featured as an occasional tight end on offense.

Vlad Dzhabiyev RB (No. 30) Jr. Dzhabiyev burst on to the scene as a sophomore, averaging 4.2

yards per carry. Head coach Jaime Ortiz described Dzhabiyev as the team’s most consistent player in 2013 and has added size and strength this offseason. Dzhabi-yev is the type of back who can gain the tough yards at the line of scrimmage.

Chicho Rodriguez DL (No. 56) Sr. Rodriguez returns to play on the defensive line in 2014.

Rodriguez got a good amount of playing time as a junior, where he recorded 16 total tackles and two sacks in nine games played. He will be a big physical presence on the line.

Austin Volling OL (No. 75) Sr.Volling will be one of the veteran players on offensive line for the Tritons and

will likely start at right guard. At 6-feet-3 inches and 260 pounds, Volling will be a big body making room for the Tritons potent run-ning attack. Volling has garnered the interest of collegiate programs like Air Force and Army.

Liam Mills LB (No. 44) Sr. Mills was a member of the varsity team as a sophomore but had to sit out last season

following shoulder surgery. Now he is back and healthy, joining the ranks of the Tritons linebackers. He can play inside and outside linebacker and will also play fullback on offense.

Donté Harrington OL (No. 79) Jr. Harrington is the most expe-rienced player on the Tritons offensive line,

touting three years of starting varsity experience. The offensive line assignments might still be in flux, but Harrington will no doubt be a fixture at guard.

Tanner Wright SS (No. 29) Jr. Wright will provide vet-eran leadership for a relatively inexperi-enced Tritons

defense. As the 2013 season progressed, Wright saw more playing time, racking up 45 total tackles as a sophomore. Ortiz says Wright will bring a physical presence to the secondary.

Brandon Reaves RB (No. 2) Soph. Reaves will team up with Dzhabiyev in the Tritons

backfield as a part of a speedy running back corps. The sopho-more is one of the top candidates for a breakout season.

Max Lepley LB (No. 31) Sr. Lepley will play at the outside linebacker position in the Tritons 4-3 defensive

scheme. Ortiz says that Lepley, who also plays for the Tritons lacrosse team, has a good football IQ and couples that with speed.

OFFENSE DeFeNSEFIVE TO WATCH FIVE TO WATCH

Cornerback Cornerback

Tackle EndNose Guard

SafetySafety

LinebackerLinebacker Linebacker

Frohner (22)Eldridge (83)

Wright (29)

Whimpey (7)Mills (44) Lepley (31)

Kling (24)Russell (23)

End

Buhl (11) Gomez (52) Atkins (77)Rodriguez (56)

4-3 DefenseDEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

Wide Reciever

Wide Reciever

Tackle

Tight End

TackleGuard GuardCenter

Running Back

Dzhabiyev (30)

Harlow (82)Fotheringham (14)

Licht (4)

Mestaz (1)

Scott (53) Ritchie (72)Harrington (79) Lippincott (54) Volling (75)

Kicker Loy (19)

Quarterback

Darnold (18)

Wide Reciever

Russell (23)

Spread

Half Back

Reaves (2)

1 Charlie Mestaz WR 5’9 170 112 Brandon Reaves RB 5’9 170 103 Jake Feiner RB 5’8 165 124 Dean Licht WR 6’3 185 126 Trenton Baker LB 6’1 210 117 Riley Whimpey LB 6’2 210 108 Triston Morgan WR 5’11 175 1211 Liam Buhl DL 5’9 175 1114 Cole Fotheringham QB/TE 6’4 210 1115 Cullen Tayrien DE 6’4 205 1116 Jack Sears QB/WR 6’3 185 1017 Colby Williams WR 6’0 165 1218 Sam Darnold QB 6’4 215 1219 Sam Loy K 6’0 165 1120 Christian Brown DB 5’9 165 1121 Nate Runolfson DB 5’10 170 1122 Andrew Frohner DB 5’10 170 1123 Jake Russell WR/DB 6’0 170 1224 Kevin Kling DB 6’0 175 1127 Matt Leffler RB/LB 5’9 160 1228 Ryan Russell LB 5’11 175 1029 Tanner Wright DB 5’10 175 1130 Vlad Dzhabiyev RB 5’11 185 1131 Max Lepley LB 6’1 205 1233 Francisco Escobedo LB 5’9 165 11

34 Carlos Gamboa DB 5’10 170 1142 Jake Montgomery LB 6’0 200 1243 Chase Gutierrez LB 5’9 170 1144 Liam Mills LB 6’0 215 1246 Kiefer Matson LB 6’0 180 1150 Blaze Gonzalez DL 5’10 235 1251 Cody Burner DL 6’0 180 1152 Gerardo Gomez DL 6’1 225 1253 Tucker Scott OL 6’4 255 1154 Colin Lippincott OL 6’1 235 1255 Francisco Romero DL 5’10 225 1256 Chicho Rodriguez DL 6’0 235 1261 Jake Dobson OL 6’3 235 1070 Noah Valovich OL 6’0 245 1172 Shaughn Ritchie OL 6’4 265 1274 Connor Murphy OL 6’1 245 1175 Austin Volling OL 6’4 245 1277 Nate Atkins DL 6’0 210 1178 Kyle McCroskey OL 6’2 260 1179 Donté Harrington OL 6’3 255 1182 Cole Harlow TE 6’6 190 1283 Liam Eldridge WR/DB 6’2 185 1188 Marko Zlatic DL 6’1 180 1192 Miguel Lavin DL 6’1 265 12 Jack West Student Manager 11

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr. No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.

2014 SAN CLEMENTE FOOTBALL VARSITY ROSTER

www.sanclementetimes.com2014 Triton Football Preview

TESORO Location: San Clemente HighTime: 7 p.m.Coach: Matt Poston League: South Coast2013-2014 record: 9-3 (3-1 league)2013-2014 vs. SC: Win, 30-14Season Outlook: The Titans had another successful run last year and return 13 starters to the mix in 2014. Junior quarterback Devon Modster returns and will link up with favorite target, senior receiver Jake Smeltzer. Senior offensive lineman Zach Hickman returns.

Senior safety Tristan Kafentzis will anchor down the Tesoro defense.

The Titans have a tough pre-season schedule that will bolster their chances in the South Coast League, which looks like a two-horse race between them and Mission Viejo.

NEWPORT HARBORLocation: Newport Harbor HighTime: 7 p.m.Coach: Jeff BrinkleyLeague: Sunset2013-2014 record: 8-6 (3-2 league)2013-2014 vs. SC: Win, 34-13Season Outlook: One can always count on Newport Harbor fielding a competitive football team and this year is no exception. The Sailors return five starters who helped them advance to the CIF Southwest Division Championship game last season.

Quarterback Cole Norris and leading rusher Chance Siemons-ma return to lead the offense. Siemonsma rushed for 1,073 yards and eight touchdowns last year as a junior. The Sailors will miss the versatile two-way playmaker Quest Truxton, who graduated, but their returning depth should bolster their chances at another playoff run.

ATASCADEROLocation: San Clemente HighTime: 7 p.m.Coach: Vic CooperLeague: Pac-52013-2014 record: 8-3 (6-0 league)2013-2014 vs. SC: DNPSeason Outlook: The tandem of senior quarterback Tommy Carr and receiver Cooper Kuhnle will be the main focus of the Grey-hounds offense this season. While Carr got limited playing time last year, Kuhnle returns after a junior season that saw him lead the team in yards (512), receptions (20) and touchdowns (three). Both players attended the Manning Passing Academy in the offseason.

Atascadero also has a handful of running backs returning that saw time last season, including Marc Martin and Ethan Hicks.

DANA HILLSLocation: San Clemente HighTime: 7 p.m.Coach: Todd RusinkovichLeague: South Coast2013-2014 record: 5-6 (3-1 league)2013-2014 vs. SC: Win, 38-13Season Outlook: The Dolphins took a hit to graduation but return several standouts, especially on defense, that will carry them into the new-look South Coast League. The Dolphins secondary will likely be the deepest unit on the field, as seniors Luke Williams (cornerback) and Jay Schuyler (free safety) return. Senior middle linebacker Brett Bill had a breakout season as a junior, racking up 155 total tackles, and will return to lead the veteran defense along with Corey Selenski.

Senior running back Brian Scott will be crucial to the Dolphins success. Senior quarterback Cole Wilber will be the starter.

GARFIELDLocation: San Clemente High Time: 7 p.m.Coach: Lorenzo HernandezLeague: Eastern2013-2014 record: 8-4 (6-0 league)2013-2014 vs. SCHS: DNPSeason Outlook: When breaking down Garfield’s roster, the pieces from last year appear to be there, aside from the glaring hole left by graduated running back TyJon Delancy. The Bulldogs liked to run the ball last season and Delancy accounted for roughly 58 percent of their yards gained on the ground and 24 touchdowns. Filling in at running back will likely be senior Franklin Robles (70 carries, 410 yards). Returning junior quarter-back Ausencio Navarro and senior Stevie Williams return to battle for the starting job. On defense, the Bulldogs will be led by junior linebacker Joseph Silva, who led the team with 77 total tackles last year.

HUNTINGTON BEACHLocation: Huntington Beach High Time: 7 p.m.Coach: Eric LoLeague: Sunset 2013-2014 record: 9-5 (2-3 league)2013-2014 vs. San Clemente: DNPSeason Outlook: The big question for Huntington Beach this year will be: Can they maintain momentum?The Oilers are coming off a Cinder-ella run in 2013 that saw them earn an at-large playoff berth, then run all the way to the CIF-SS South-west Division title. With the loss of standout quarterback Kai Ross, the Oilers will have to regroup for another deep run. Their defense will look new, due to a heavy loss of graduating senior starters.

Senior receiver Nolan Thompson (50 receptions, 551 yards), junior running back Hunter Simmons and senior running back Travis Heer (923 yards, 11 touchdowns) will lead the offense.

ALISO NIGUELLocation: Aliso Niguel HighTime: 7 p.m.Coach: Kurt WestlingLeague: Sea View2013-2014 record: 3-7 (1-3 league)2013-2014 vs. SC: DNPSeason Outlook: Aliso Niguel struggled to get in a rhythm last season with a young roster, failing to score points against higher-level opponents. That young roster, with another year of experience under their belts, will lead them into the new season. The Wolverines had a balanced offensive attack last sea-son and featured Nick Chapman at quarterback and a solid running game. Chapman, now a junior, will look to build on his 1,173-yard performance from 2013. Junior receiver Alec Stewart will likely return. Stewart caught a team-high five touchdowns last season.

Senior Remy Wasserbach figures to be the featured running back.

TRABUCO HILLSLocation: Trabuco HillsTime: 7 p.m.Coach: Tony Henney League: Sea View2013-2014 record: 6-4 (2-2 league)2013-2014 vs. SC: Win, 21-17Season Outlook: The offseason was a tumultuous one for Trabcuo Hills. Longtime head coach Scott Orloff was fired and the program has to deal with a shift to the Sea View League. New head coach Tony Henney now steps in to lead what looks like a talented Mustang squad. Trabuco Hills will be deep with returning starters at several positions, especially at the offensive line. Four starters from last year’s unit return. Senior wide receiver Jacob Breeland caught 11 touch-downs last year and will return. The Mustangs preseason schedule is strong, which should prime them for a run through league and pos-sibly into the playoffs.

LAGUNA HILLSLocation: Laguna HillsTime: 7 p.m.Coach: Bruce IngallsLeague: Sea View2013-2014 record: 3-6 (1-3 league)2013-2014 vs. SC: DNPSeason Outlook: Last year was a down year for the Laguna Hills football team, which has grown ac-customed to winning the Sea View League title in recent years. Their roster was full of sophomores and juniors, who will be called upon to turn things around this season. Junior quarterback Matt Lucero will likely be the man under center for the Hawks, having received extensive playing time as a sopho-more. After a rough preseason schedule last year, the Hawks have made life a little easier with their opening stretch in 2014.

CAPISTRANO VALLEYLocation: San Clemente HighTime: 7 p.m. Coach: Ernst Bucher League: Sea View2013-2014 record: 5-5 (1-3 league)2013-2014 vs. SC: DNPSeason Outlook: Last season was a step in the right direction for the Cougars under then first-year head coach Ernst Bucher, as they improved to a .500 program. This year, they improved their pre-season schedule, with games set against El Toro and rival San Juan Hills. Senior running back William Biehn lost much of last season due to injury, but should return to form a formidable backfield alongside fellow senior Jordon Bocko, who ran for 485 yards and seven touch-downs last year. Senior linebacker Jim Grasso returns to anchor the Cougars defense, which was prone to giving up a lot of points in 2013, especially in league play.

GAME ONE AUGUST 29 SEPT. 5 SEPT. 12 SEPT. 19 SEPT. 26

SEASON SCHEDULE AND GAME PREVIEWS By Steve Breazeale

www.sanclementetimes.com2014 Triton Football Preview

GAME TWO GAME THREE GAME FOUR GAME FIVE

GAME SIX OCT. 2 OCT. 10 NOV. 7GAME SEVEN GAME EIGHT GAME NINE GAME TENOCT. 24 OCT. 30