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Mike Sciacca

As Mike Groscost begins his third year as football coach at

Huntington Beach High, his alma mater, he will do so with an

experienced roster.

Following a maiden 2002 season and follow-up in 2003, Groscost is

beginning to put his stamp on the program.

The Oilers come into 2004 a seasoned bunch, and Groscost is hoping

that experience will translate to success on the field.

“We have a lot of experienced players returning,” he said. “This

team has paid its dues over the last few years. We (coaches) believe

they will find success. We had an exceptional off-season and summer.”

With summer preparation winding down for the fall season, which

begins with a Sept. 10 home game against Los Amigos, Huntington will

enter the season with 15 returning starters -- including nine on

defense.

The offensive line features three returning All-Sunset League

seniors in Scott Duffy (6-foot-4, 225 pounds), Sam Olive (6-1, 235)

and Kyle Ennis (6-0, 210).

Groscost calls Olive the anchor of an offensive line that also

figures to include contributions from senior Alex Folsom (5-11, 230),

junior Jordan Marquette (6-3, 240), junior Adam Pierce (6-1, 240),

senior Dave Nguyen (5-9, 190), sophomore prospects Skyler Fancher

(6-5, 245), Finau Fiasu (6-2, 250) and Doug Johnson (6-1, 205), as

well as junior Jeremy Thuve (6-1, 290).

Their job is to protect an Oiler quarterbacks, who include senior

Nick Howe (6-1, 195) and junior Curtis Crandell (6-1, 175).

“Both of these guys are going to play,” Groscost said. “They both

had strong off-seasons and the coaching staff feels confident with

both players.”

Another quarterback prospect is sophomore Troy Bailey (6-2, 185).

Leading a strong contingent at running back is returning

all-leaguer Justin Montes (5-6, 160), a senior who rushed for more

than 1,000 yards in 2003.

Adding punch to the power wing will be junior Hieu Tran-Ran, who

rushed for more than 1,500 yards on last year’s junior varsity squad.

Junior Mitchell Roemer (6-3, 187) and sophomore Stephen Gabbard

(6-0, 165) also will be in the hunt for playing time at tailback.

Seniors Rosney Daniel (5-9, 200) and Steven Sileski (6-1, 210),

each with varsity experience, will compete at fullback

At receiver, Huntington has experience in Roemer, junior Eric Jaso

and senior Matt Castillo. Adding depth here will be senior Ryan

Lopez, senior Nick Lauer and junior Ryan Bautista.

“Eric had a great off-season and was impressive in passing league,

Mitchell is very versatile and can play both running back and

receiver, and Matt is a great competitor and leader with solid

varsity experience,” Groscost said.

Senior Charlie Vallas (6-2, 210) is returning at tight end and

will be joined there by senior Michael Steebder (6-1, 200).

The defensive line will include offensive linemen Duffy, Olive,

Ennis and Marquette, in addition to Callas.

Cipriano, a three-year starter and all-league pick in 2003, leads

the linebacking corps. Daniel, team and defensive captain whom

Groscost says is the “rock of the team and leads by example,” will be

another key in the secondary, as will returners Steebder and Sileski.

Nguyen and senior Austin Fullmer (6-0, 210) will also play

linebacker, where Groscost says other prospects include Gabbard,

junior Stephen Galli (5-11, 195), junior Rohan Powar (6-0, 175),

junior Andrew Schneider (6-2, 185) and sophomore Tyler Haunreiter

(6-1, 185).

Castillo, Howe, Roemer, Lopez, Montes and Crandell should see

playing time in the secondary.

“Castillo is a great hitter, Howe is one of the team’s hardest

workers and Lopez plays with heart,” Groscost said.

The kicking game has Daniel handling kickoffs and Howe doing the

punting, with sophomore Travis Geery also handling some of the

kicking chores.