Oilers bidding Sunset adieu

This is the year the Huntington Beach High football program will ride

off into the Sunset.

During an upcoming school year in which the school is recognizing

a Centennial Celebration of athletics, it is all but certain that

this year will be the last time that the Oilers will call the Sunset

League home.

That’s because, beginning with the 2006-07 school year, Huntington

Beach is set to become a member of the Sea View League.

The Oilers would join Foothill, Northwood, Trabuco Hills, El Toro

and Woodbridge in the Sea View League.

The new alignment begins a four-year cycle in the fall of 2006. It

also ends the Oilers’ long-standing affiliation with the Sunset

League.

“This is our last year in the Sunset League and we want to leave

on top,” said Coach Mike Groscost, entering his third season.

With 10 returning starters -- five on either side of the ball --

the Oilers could make some noise in their final year in the league.

But to do that, they’ll have to replace 10 players who graduated

after receiving all-league recognition.

“We believe we will be improved this year,” Groscost said. “We

have had a great off-season. The players have worked very hard on

their speed, strength and conditioning. We have returning starters in

key positions.”

Huntington Beach has two All-Sunset League performers returning in

seniors Mitch Roemer, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound running back and

defensive back, and lineman Jordan Marquette (6-1, 250).

The Oilers, who run a multiple offense and three-four defense,

have a seasoned offensive line that is key to the offense’s success.

“We have speed and size,” Groscost said. “Our offensive line

averages 250-275 pounds and it is mobile.

“Skyler Fancher, Marquette, Adam Pierce, Jeremy Thuve and Finau

Fiaseu all had a great off-season.”

The Oiler offense will be powered by senior quarterback Curtis

Crandell (6-0, 175).

The backfield will see junior Stephen Gabbard (6-0, 210) and

senior Huey Tran (6-0, 205) carry the ball.

Senior Eric Jaso (6-1, 175) is expected to be top contributor at

receiver.

All four players also will see ample playing time on defense: Jaso

at cornerback, Gabbard at linebacker, Crandell at safety and Tran as

a defensive back.

“We have depth at running back,” Groscost said. “Our offense will

be much more dynamic. Jaso, Roemer, Crandell, Gabbard, and Tran are

all a threat with the ball.

“The defense is quick and aggressive, too.” But we are

inexperienced at some positions.”

The Oilers lost four all-league offensive linemen and three

defensive linemen to graduation in June.

Groscost said he has some “great younger players” who are going to

have to step up this year. Among those are juniors Fancher, Fiasu and

Tyler Haunreiter as well as sophomores Justin Niutapuai, Johnny

Olive, Shane Landry, Josh Smith, Keith Roberts, Jason Spangler and

Nick Gordon.

Huntington Beach launches its season Sept. 9 against Los Amigos at

Garden Grove High.

The nonleague schedule also includes Costa Mesa, Century, Laguna

Hills and Trabuco Hills.

Last year, the Oilers went 4-0-1 against those same schools, the

tie, a 21-21 deadlock, coming in the opener against Los Amigos.

Then, the Sunset League race set in, which led to a frustrating

finish to a season that began with so much promise.

This year, Groscost thinks his Oilers will be in the hunt for one

of the league’s three guaranteed CIF Southern Section playoff berths.

They’ll be tested right off the bat when Los Alamitos pays a visit

to Sheue Field on Oct. 13.

Los Alamitos, under Coach John Barnes, the winningest high school

coach in Orange County history, has won or shared the last four

Sunset League titles.

“It is hard to pick a clear-cut favorite,” Groscost said of the

league race. “All of the teams in Sunset League are strong.

“I believe the teams will be surprised at the improvements we have

made at Huntington Beach High. It is our intention to be in the CIF

playoffs this year.”

Colors: Black, orange and white.

League: Sunset.

2004 record: 4-5-1, 0-5 league.

Type of offense: Multiple.

Type of defense: Three-four.

Head coach: Mike Groscost (fourth year, 9-20-1).

Staff: Dan Brummett (defensive coordinator), Eric Lo (linemen,

special teams, strength); Ben Medure (running backs); Dushone Ross

(receivers); Jared DeLaChica (secondary), Kurt Clemmens

(linebackers).

Returning starters: Five offense, five defense.

Returning lettermen: 30.

Returning with honors: RR/DB Mitch Roemer; OL Jordan Marquette.

2004 results

*--*

21 Los Amigos 21

42 Costa Mesa 28

24 Laguna Hills 14

52 Century 14

42 Trabuco Hills 37

10 Edison* 49

6 Fountain Valley* 28

0 Esperanza* 41

14 Marina* 24

0 Los Alamitos* 42

*--*

2005 schedule

Friday, Sept. 9 -- Los Amigos (at G. Grove), 7

Thursday, Sept. 15 -- Costa Mesa (home), 7

Friday, Sept. 23 -- Laguna Hills (at Mission Viejo), 7

Thursday, Sept. 29 -- Century (at SA Bowl), 7

Thursday, Oct. 6 -- Trabuco Hills (home), 7

Thursday, Oct. 13 -- Los Alamitos* (home), 7:30

Friday, Oct. 21 -- Edison* (home), 7

Friday, Oct. 28 -- Fountain* Valley (home), 7

Friday, Nov. 4 -- Marina* (at Westminster), 7

Friday, Nov. 11 -- Esperanza* (at Valencia), 7

*denotes league game