Prep football: Measure of respect

Barry Faulkner

NEWPORT BEACH - Depending on which huddle they’re standing in,

Newport Harbor High seniors Brian Gaeta and Jon Vandersloot are either

two of the biggest guys on the field, or just a couple of lightweights.

The first scenario would occur on defense, when the projected

secondary starters, both 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, look down upon their nine

teammates, only two of whom weigh more.

But when the Sailors have the ball, Gaeta and Vandersloot are dwarfed

by a five-man offensive line that averages 6-4 1/2 and 251 pounds.

The average weight of the other four projected starters also surpasses

that of the Gaeta-Vandersloot tag team.

That offensive line, which Coach Jeff Brinkley believes may become the

best blocking unit in his 16 years at the Sailors’ helm, will pave the

way for what could be an explosive offense, triggered by returning

All-Newport-Mesa District quarterback Morgan Craig.

Gaeta caught 62 passes last fall, the third-best single-season total

in school history, and junior tailback Dartagnan Johnson rushed for an

estimated 2,000 yards on the 10-0 junior varsity team.

The Sailors amassed 4,512 yards of total offense last fall and scored

403 points (28.8 points per game), third-most in school history. This

year, they have the personnel to threaten the single-season school record

of 493 points set by the 1996 CIF Division V runner-up.

On defense, however, the Sailors are downright puny compared to last

year’s 11-man mass of humanity. The linebackers alone come up an average

of two inches and 41 pounds shy -- per man -- of last year’s trio.

Experience is also a shortcoming on defense, where Gaeta is the lone

returning starter.

Here’s a position-by-position breakdown:

Quarterback: Morgan Craig opened last season as the backup to

incumbent Chris Manderino, but took over midway through the second game

and guided the ship the rest of the campaign.

He completed 111 of 184 passes (60%) for 1,308 yards and his nine

touchdown passes nearly doubled his interception total (five). In the

playoffs, however, his regular-season experience paid striking dividends.

In four postseason games, he completed 37 of 48 (77%) for 461 yards and

three TDs, with two interceptions. He also collected most of his 155

rushing yards during the playoffs, including 87 on 11 carries in a

semifinal upset of top-seeded and previously unbeaten La Mirada.

That experience, combined with a stable of talented receivers, the

aforementioned beefeaters up front, and the enhanced confidence of

Brinkley, who works with the signal callers and also calls the plays,

makes 2,000 passing yards a realistic possibility.

“When the dust settles, he’s going to be up there with the best

quarterbacks in Orange County,” Brinkley said. “His arm strength has

improved and he just has a much better idea of what we’re trying to

accomplish. When he makes a mistake, he usually tells me what he did,

before I can correct him. He’s also a pretty good leader and a tough kid.

He may become more of a running threat for us this year.”

Junior Mike McDonald, who guided the junior varsity last fall, has

also earned Brinkley’s full confidence as the backup. The son of former

USC and NFL quarterback Paul McDonald, his apprenticeship, however,

doesn’t figure to be spent on the sidelines, as he is expected to

contribute at receiver, as well as in the secondary.

He completed 5 of 8 for 70 yards, with no interceptions, last season.

Running backs: Dartagnan Johnson, known his first two years in the

program as Dede, has asked to be called by his real first name this fall.

And, after winning a three-man battle for the starting tailback job,

Brinkley may adhere to an “all-for-one” philosophy, when it comes to

distributing the rushing load.

“(Johnson) ran the heck out of the ball last year for the JVs and he

is faster than the guys we’ve had in the past,” Brinkley said. “He may

not be as quick the first 5 yards as some of those we’ve had, but he has

breakaway speed.”

Johnson carried 30 times for 135 yards and one TD last year, when he

also caught one pass for 6 yards.

Sophomore Matt Encinias, who became the first freshman during

Brinkley’s tenure to see varsity action when he returned kickoffs during

the playoffs last season, could be a valuable offensive weapon, as well.

His youth football seasoning helped him develop a collection of moves and

he unleashed some of that repertoire to avoid would-be tacklers in

Friday’s scrimmage against Mission Viejo.

Just 5-9, 165 pounds, he inherits Chris Manderino’s jersey number (1)

and potentially could surpass Manderino’s impressive career rushing

numbers (2,354 yards) by the time he’s done.

Junior Rhett Hartsfield, who attended eighth grade in the area, but

moved to Santa Cruz for his first two prep seasons, returns to provide

depth.

Senior Matt Casserly will also provide depth, while Dennis Thornton,

who rushed for 71 yards and one TD on 16 carries as a junior, is no

longer in the program.

Senior Joe Foley (6-0, 230), who started last season at tight end,

moves to fullback, where he will continue the strong tradition of

bulldozing blockers.

Brinkley seldom rewards his fullbacks with more than an occasional

rushing attempt, but Foley, with pass-catching experience (nine

receptions for 188 yards and one TD last fall), should be a weapon in the

aerial attack.

Hartsfield could also see time at fullback, while junior Rudy Leon is

another who could provide depth.

Receivers: Brian Gaeta produced 792 yards and scored seven touchdowns

in his second varsity season last year, en route to first-team All-Sea

View League and All-Newport-Mesa District laurels. Athletic, aggressive

and, now, experienced, he figures to receive some recruiting interest. He

has added 15 pounds since last season.

A lingering problem with tendinitis in his knees kept him out of

Friday’s scrimmage and Brinkley said they may cut down on his practice

regimen all season in order to keep his legs fresh for game competition.

Jon Vandersloot caught 13 passes for 155 yards last year and will be

counted upon for bigger production this fall. He strained a lower-leg

muscle in the scrimmage, but said he should be at full speed for

Thursday’s opener against Orange Lutheran.

Senior Adam Kerns, who sat out last season, will provide another

target for Craig, with whom he formed a prolific aerial connection for

the 1998 freshman team.

“He can run and he’ll give us a vertical threat,” Brinkley said.

Kerns was MVP of that freshman squad and will also be utilized on

defense and in the kicking game.

Mike McDonald will also figure in the rotation. He caught five passes

for 82 yards and a TD in the scrimmage.

Matt Encinias could also see action here, while senior Bryce Sawyer

adds additional depth.

Tight end: Senior David Marshall (6-2, 190) is the starter and

Brinkley said his receiving ability compares well with all the tight ends

he’s had.

Exceptionally strong for his size, Marshall, who played running back

as a junior, has also worked hard to improve his blocking, He also

figures to make an impact on the defensive front.

Junior Fernando Castorena (5-10, 225) is the backup and could see some

action in double-tight sets.

Brinkley said Foley would also be utilized at tight end when the Tars

go to a one-back set.

Offensive line: Brinkley places emphasis on the word potential, but he

is among those who acknowledge this collection of size and talent could

land atop a long list of productive blocking crews at Harbor.

Senior All-CIF standout Robert Chai (6-4, 270), returns at left

tackle, after fielding strong recruiting interest from dozens of Division

I schools. Cal and Washington State have already offered scholarships and

Chai may wind up committing to his collegiate home before the season

ends.

“Hopefully, he’ll stay on the course he’s been on and continue to

improve,” Brinkley said. “If he plays with the same intensity he did last

year, he should have a great year.”

Senior center Jeff Marshall (6-5, 215) has accepted a scholarship to

Montana and Brinkley said he’s as good as any center he’s seen at Harbor.

“He works extremely hard and is very intense, on and off the field,”

Brinkley said.

Right guard Bryan Breland (6-3, 245), all-district and second-team

all-league as a junior, brings additional experience and toughness to the

group.

“He had a bit of a setback when he broke his wrist last year

(sidelining him for a handful of games), but he is looking good,”

Brinkley said. “He can really strike a blow.”

Senior Ben Prince (6-3, 245) has earned the edge at left guard, where

junior A.J. Slater (6-5, 270) is still expected to battle for playing

time when he recovers from a back problem.

Prince is a former tackle and Slater has potential to continue at the

collegiate level, Brinkley said.

Senior John Dobrott (6-7, 280) has earned the edge over junior Chris

Badorek (6-4, 270) at right tackle, but Brinkley believes Badorek, who

can play guard and tackle, will fill a valuable utility role.

Depth could be a problem here, so staying healthy will be a key to

success.

Defensive line: Joe Foley, who gained experience by spelling injured

starters last fall, is slated to start at noseguard. He was in on thee

sacks last season. He was projected to shift back to linebacker this

year, but his presence was required up front, where, as with the

offensive line, depth is a concern.

Senior Scott Kohen (6-2, 263) is the starter at tackle.

The starting ends at this point are undersized seniors Jim Rothwell

(5-10, 165) and David Marshall and both performed well in Friday’s

scrimmage.

Both have worked hard in the weight room and will use leverage and

quickness to combat bigger blockers. Rothwell, whom Brinkley considers

one of the hardest workers on a hard-working team, was in on three sacks

as a junior.

“If you have that desire and heart, you can get away with being

undersized,” Brinkley said.

Bryan Breland may also be utilized at end, though Brinkley prefers to

limit offensive linemen to one-way duty.

Senior Genaro Mota (5-6, 230) and junior Chase Brawner (6-2, 231) are

backups inside, while Bobby Berger and Shahan Mouradyan may see action at

end.

Linebackers: The overall downsizing of the defense is most stark at

the linebacker spots, as the Sailors go from their biggest trio during

Brinkley’s tenure, to one of their smallest.

Senior Cory Ray (6-1, 190) gets the unenviable task of replacing

two-time All-CIF performer Alan Saenz, who led the Tars in tackles the

last two seasons to earn Newport-Mesa District Defensive Player of the

Year honors. Saenz is now a defensive lineman at Montana.

Senior Tyler Miller (5-11, 190) and junior Dave Erickson (6-1, 180)

take over for departed Andy Rankin, now at Dartmouth, and Chris

Manderino, now at Cal.

“I liked the way they moved in the spring and they’ve had success on

the JVs,” Brinkley said.

Fernando Castorena will back up Ray, while Matt Casserly and Matt

Encinias supply depth outside.

Secondary: Brian Gaeta returns after having nabbed six interceptions

as a junior cornerback. Brinkley, however, said he may shift him to

strong safety against certain teams, where his strength will better help

the Sailors stop the run.

Jon Vandersloot is slated to start at the other safety, taking over

for David Sprenger, who started last year as a junior and had three

interceptions, but elected not to return.

Mike McDonald will likely start at safety when Gaeta stays on the

corner and Adam Kerns could play corner or safety, depending on the need.

Senior Nick Iverson, another Sailor who has waited his turn, has

earned the starting nod at the other cornerback spot.

Backups Bryce Sawyer, Lu Castillo, Ben Soza and Brian Campos also

showed during Friday’s scrimmage they can contribute.

Kicking game: Brian Gaeta made 44 conversion kicks last fall, but his

knee problems have prompted Brinkley to take kicking chores off his

already full plate.

Brian Campos is the front-runner at place-kicker, but Adam Kerns is

also capable. Kerns booted a 26-yard field goal in the scrimmage and is

also slated to punt and kick off. He kicked off as a sophomore.

Kerns will also be utilized as the primary punt returner, a job

Brinkley annually awards the player with the most-trusted hands.

Matt Encinias and Dartagnan Johnson could be used to return kickoffs

and Jim Rothwell is the long snapper.