Locals set for tough battles

The opening weekend of the 2002 prep football season contained

mixed results for the four local schools, who posted a combined

record of 2-2.

Week No. 2 finds the locals involved in some key nonleague clashes

with schools taking on traditionally-strong programs the likes of

Newport Harbor, Charter Oak and Capistrano Valley, plus the new kid

on the block, Tesoro.

Here’s a look at the matchups:

Friday’s Games

Charter Oak (0-1) vs. Huntington Beach (1-0)

(at Sheue Field, 7 p.m.)

Huntington Beach ushered in the Mike Groscost era on a winning

note last week by beating Los Amigos, 35-29. They did so behind a

powerful rushing attack that featured 268 yards and five touchdowns

by senior back Patrick Harrigan.

The Oilers will be looking to improve to 2-0 against a strong

Charter Oak team.

The Chargers were 12-2 last year and won the 2001 CIF Southern

Section Division VII championship. The 2002 season opener wasn’t so

kind, however, as Charter Oak was upset last weekend by Alta Loma,

35-31.

Last year’s score: Teams did not meet.

Marina (1-0) vs. Newport Harbor (0-1)

(at Davidson Field, 7 p.m.)

This matchup between the Vikings and Sailors has turned into an

intriguing and lively rivalry the past few years.

Marina kick-started its season with a resounding, 48-14 win over

Paramount in a triumph that saw Joe Vargas score one of his game-high

three touchdowns on a 77-yard kickoff return, Danny Falkenstein

rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown and quarterback Matt Brennan

throw for two scores.

The Vikings will be facing a hungry Newport Harbor bunch that was

dealt a stunning, 16-8 loss by Trabuco Hills. That setback was not

something to which the Sailors program is accustomed: it was the

first season opening loss for Newport in 14 years.

Quarterback Michael McDonald threw for 172 yards and a touchdown

in defeat.

Newport got the best of Marina in 2001, but the Vikings won at

Newport in 2000.

Last year’s score: Newport 28, Marina 0

Edison (0-2) vs. Capistrano Valley (0-1)

(at Capistrano Valley High, 7:30 p.m.)

It seems odd that both Edison and Capistrano Valley come into one

of Orange County’s top nonleague rivalries with each searching for

that first win of the season, but such is the case as the Chargers

and Cougars meet for the 14th time in the past 15 years.

The series was interrupted last fall by the events of Sept. 11.

Edison, a preseason top 10 pick across the board, has dropped

games to Iolani and San Clemente to start the season. Capistrano

Valley, meanwhile, dropped its opener last Friday to Aliso Viejo.

The Chargers are attempting to avoid their first 0-3 start since

1987.

Edison’s passing attack, led by Tommy Grady, could be the

difference in this game. The key to the Chargers’ success could be

the play of its offensive line and the protection it gives Grady.

Grady threw for 276 yards in last Friday’s 13-10 loss to San

Clemente.

Capistrano Valley could not get untracked against visiting Aliso

Viejo. The Cougars led just once, fell behind, 26-7, and were dealt a

26-15 setback.

Senior quarterback Ryan Dunn mustered just four yards on one of

two passing. Senior Shea Handa, who also plays at defensive back, was

Capo’s top rusher with 65 yards on seven carries. He scored the

Cougars’ lone offensive touchdown on a one-yard plunge late in the

fourth quarter.

Chargers-Cougars Series

’87 Cougars 29, Chargers 27

’88 Chargers 21, Cougars 14

’89 Cougars 27, Chargers 10

’90 Cougars 15, Chargers 14

’91 Cougars 20, Chargers 14

’92 Cougars 31, Chargers 19

’93 Cougars 17, Chargers 13

’94 Chargers 21, Cougars 17

’95 Cougars 13, Chargers 7

’96 Cougars 34, Chargers 0

’97 Chargers 30, Cougars 30

’98 Chargers 42, Cougars 27

’99 Chargers 42, Cougars 27

’00 Chargers 30, Cougars 7

’01 game canceled

(Cougars lead, 8-5-1)

Ocean View (0-1) vs. Tesoro (0-1)

(at Aliso Niguel High, 7 p.m.)

Debuts -- one of which was historic -- highlighted the opening of

the 2002 prep football season for Ocean View and Tesoro.

Harold Eggers’ return as head coach at Ocean View was ruined by

Downey, which posted a 40-6 nonleague victory last Saturday.

The Seahawks’ defense turned in a solid first half performance and

was the key reason Downey only managed a 7-0 halftime cushion. But

the Vikings ran wild in the second half and wore down Ocean View,

outscoring the Seahawks, 33-6. Ocean View’s lone touchdown came on a

10-yard pass from Alex Hickerson to Shawn Kim in the third quarter.

Tesoro, a new school located in Las Flores -- a city adjacent to

Rancho Santa Margarita -- and situated within the Capistrano Valley

Unified School District, made its varsity football debut last

Saturday. The Titans, under coach Jim O’Connell, pushed Saddleback to

the end in an eventual 10-3 loss.