Breakers’ spirit will never quit

It’s a new season, but the same old story for the Laguna Beach High

football program.

A school with an enrollment of 840 a year ago, Laguna Beach

typically goes up against schools that have two, three, even four

times as many students.

Yet despite being undersized and undermanned most games, the

Breakers have always carried a “never quit” mentality.

It has gained them respectability the past couple of years, even

garnered them a CIF Southern Section playoff berth two years ago.

But after this year, their “David vs. Goliath” tag will change.

As the new school year begins, Laguna Beach will play in the

Pacific Coast League one last time.

Say goodbye to games against current league members Corona del

Mar, Tesoro, Northwood and University, and say hello to future league

rivals Costa Mesa, Estancia and Godinez

Calvary Chapel of Santa Ana will make the jump with Laguna Beach

from the Pacific Coast League to the new, yet-to-be-named league.

“We are a school of 800 playing against schools in our league with

near 4,000 enrolled,” said Breakers Coach Jimmy Nolan, entering his

second season.

Laguna Beach went 5-5 during Nolan’s first season. Beset by

big-time by injuries, the Breakers finished fifth in the Pacific

Coast League.

“Last year, we could hang with these teams for about one half,”

Nolan said. “Then the boys would get worn down and bad things started

to happen, like injuries, turnovers and such.

“I am not making excuses for our team. Rather, I am educating

everyone about how tough this team is and the situation they are put

in each week. They’ll learn far more from this adversity than

anything lese, win, lose or draw. I’ll put these boys against anyone.

The team is fun to watch. You won’t see a team with more fight, heart

or endurance than this group of boys.”

Nolan welcomes back just one starter on defense and two on

offense.

Eleven lettermen return, but not one player has all-league status.

The Breakers will average, Nolan said, nearly 160-pounds on both

sides of the ball, and have very little experience.

Depth is a glaring problem. Nolan said that 20-25 players

consistently attended summer workouts and this year’s team lacks

size, speed and experience.

“We will not beat anyone with our size, speed or strength,” Nolan

said. “So, we realize our only chance is to out-work our opponents

and beat them with our toughness, brotherhood unity and ability to

become overachievers every Friday night.

“Expect to see a Laguna Beach team that is ready, quietly focused,

intense and with a mind-set ready for war.”

The future does look bright, though. Nearly 30 players came out

for freshman ball -- the largest number at the school in recent

memory.

The Breakers do have a big-time playmaker in Garrett Preston.

Preston, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior who plays several positions,

is a strong, athletic player with a great arm at quarterback and

impressive hands as a tight end.

Senior Matt Renault (5-11, 170,) who will play strong safety,

linebacker and wide receiver, worked hard in the off-season. Nolan

calls him a team leader and tough, physical player with experience.

Jody Stevens, a 5-10, 180 senior running back and middle

linebacker, is ready to suit up again.

Stevens suffered a torn hamstring last year and after months of

intense rehabilitation, is back in the lineup. He’s a strong, solid

hitter on defense and has shown speed on offense. He displayed that

speed during a breakout sophomore year.

Two key cogs along the offensive line are seniors Spencer Harrell

(6-2, 315) and Dylan Sachse (6-0, 315).

“Both Spencer and Dylan should pave the way for our offense,”

Nolan said. “They both bring experience and could overpower their

opponent.”

If Harrell and Sachse are called on to plug the offensive line,

then senior Ben Olson (5-10, 210) will be playing at two of the

team’s key positions -- center and noseguard -- this fall.

Nolan said Olson is the team’s best hitter.

The team’s top speedster is senior defensive back and receiver

George Chheng(5-9, 160). Expect Chheng to be involved with much of

the offense and among the team’s top tacklers.

A utility player on both sides of the ball will be senior Jonathan

Begay (5-11, 175), a versatile athlete.

New to the program is sophomore quarterback Charlie Bowman (5-11,

160), a transfer from Montana.

Colors: Maroon and white.

League: Pacific Coast.

2004 record: 5-5, 1-4 league.

Type of offense: Shotgun spread.

Type of defense: Three-three-five.

Head coach: Jimmy Nolan (second year, 5-5)

Staff: Jimmy Nolan (quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, def.

coordinator, secondary, special teams); John Hall (def. coordinator);

Eddie Irwin (def. line, tight ends); Bobby Chavez (offensive line,

linebackers).

Returning starters: Two offense; one defense.

Returning lettermen: 11.

Returning with honors: None.

2004 results

*--*

7 Palos Verdes 14

38 La Quinta 12

48 Ocean View 13

10 Costa Mesa 9

21 Magnolia 0

0 Northwood* 35

0 Tesoro* 41

21 University* 20

6 Calvary Chapel* 27

8 Corona del Mar* 35

*--*

2005 schedule

Friday, Sept. 2 -- Centennial of Compton (home), 7

Friday, Sept. 9 -- La Quinta (at Bolsa Grande), 7

Friday, Sept. 16 -- at Ocean View, 7

Friday, Sept. 23 -- Costa Mesa (home), 7

Friday, Sept. 30 -- Northwood*(home), 7

Friday, Oct. 7 -- at Tesoro*, 7

Thursday, Oct. 20 -- Corona del Mar* (at Newport Harbor), 7

Thursday, Oct. 27 -- Beckman* (at Tustin), 7

Friday, Nov. 4 -- University* (home), 7

Friday, Nov. 11 -- Calvary Chapel* (home), 7

*denotes league game