All charged up

The cupboard never seems to be bare over at Edison High.

Last year, the Chargers were stocked with more than their share of talent at the skill positions. That 2005 team set high standards for itself, won the Sunset League title and was ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern Section Division I for a majority of the regular season.

After the season, however, the Chargers were forced to forfeit eight wins due to the use of an ineligible player.

A lot of that talent was lost to graduation last June, leaving Coach Dave White with the off-season task of finding able replacements.

According to White, a few playmakers and a bevy of other players waiting to take the spotlight have the Chargers not looking to reload, but load up again.

“We have good, returning skilled players,” said White, entering his 21st year as head coach of his alma mater. “It’s hard to replace the back and lineman of the year, be we have some quality kids to take over.”

Edison went 2-10 last year, including the forfeits.

The Chargers lost their season opener to Kamehameha of Hawaii and fell in the quarterfinals of the CIF Division I playoffs to eventual champion Loyola.

The big losses from last year include record-setting quarterback Brian Shrock and lineman Romney Fuga. Both were All-CIF at their respective positions, and both graduated.

Shrock threw for 2,564 yards and 23 touchdowns and ran for 665 more and another 15 touchdowns. He was named MVP of the Sunset League.

Junior Nick Crissman will step in to replace Shrock at quarterback. Last year, Crissman threw for 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Fuga, meanwhile, recorded 10 1/2 sacks and shared the league’s Most Valuable Offensive Lineman award with Esperanza senior Joe Hawley. White called Fuga “the best two-way lineman I’ve coached.”

Other losses include All-CIF honorees Jimmy Flanagan (receiver) and Davey Baldwin (linebacker), as well as 10 additional all-league picks.

Back to lead the Chargers is a player who earned All-CIF recognition and five other players who were named all-league.

Senior Dominique Vinson (receiver/free safety) was the Sunset League Defensive Back of the Year in 2005 and was named All-CIF Division I.

Vinson had three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

He also was a key receiver. He averaged 19 yards on 22 receptions and scored five touchdowns as a junior.

Another boost the Chargers get is the return of Hunter White (receiver/linebacker), son of the coach. The senior was the Sunset League Defensive Player of the Year last season, when he was also All-Orange County and all-state.

He had 60 tackles, recovered two fumbles and blocked a pair of field-goal attempts. Also a receiver, he had 26 receptions for 400 yards.

“Hunter White and Dominique Vinson had great summers in leading our team to three championship games in three summer leagues [including one title],” Dave White said. “They are real playmakers.”

Players who also will provide leadership on the field include first-team all-leaguer Earnie Sagiao, a senior receiver and free safety, Mike Bogard, a junior defensive back, junior running back Ceasare Nieto, senior running back Devon Bahrami, and senior two-way lineman Martin Coleman.

Coleman, Dave White said, has received a scholarship from USC.

White said the keys to Edison’s success this fall will be the weekly improvement of the offensive line and quarterback, as well as the ability of his team to stay healthy.

“We are athletic, quick and have playmakers, are 50-50 between the pass and run and we have a quick, aggressive defense,” Dave White said.

The Chargers will need all those attributes if they are to contend with another brutal schedule.

Edison opens and ends the season on the road, beginning Friday with a nonleague game against Diamond Ranch at Ganesha High in Pomona.

Other nonleague games against San Clemente, Los Angeles Jordan, Servite and Mater Dei figure to severely test the Chargers before the rigors of the Sunset League.

Also in the Sunset League this year is reigning Division VI champion Newport Harbor.

“Our nonleague schedule is very tough, but we love to play good teams,” White said. “That is the only way to get better. Servite and Mater Dei will be real tests.

“Our league is the best public league in the county and Newport makes it that much better. I believe five teams have a chance of winning the league.”

The Chargers open Sunset League play Oct. 13 against Marina, then meet Esperanza, Newport Harbor, Fountain Valley and Los Alamitos.

THE CHARGERS

Colors: Green, gold and white

League: Sunset

2005 record: 2-10 overall, 5-0 league

Type of offense: Multiple/West Coast

Type of defense: Four-three

Head coach: Dave White (21st year, 145-73-3)

Staff: Dave White (offensive coordinator, quarterbacks); Rick Justice (defensive coordinator, defensive backs); Harry Schmidt (offensive line); Kyle Murphy (offensive line); Jason Peter (defensive line); Joe Loomis (linebackers, running backs); David Grace (quarterbacks); Matt White (receivers); John Boyer (defensive ends, tight ends); Fred Marquez (defensive backs).

Returning starters offense: Four

Returning starters defense: Six

Returning lettermen: 50

Returning with honors: WR Hunter White; WR-FS Dominique Vinson; LB Earnie Sagiao; OL-DL Martin Coleman; RB Ceasare Nieto; DB Mike Bogard.

2005 ResultsOpponentScoreKamehameha (Hawaii) 21-13 LSan Clemente 2-0{circ} LCapistrano Valley 2-0{circ} LServite 2-0{circ} LMater Dei 2-0{circ} LEsperanza * 2-0{circ} LHuntington Beach* 2-0{circ} LLos Alamitos* 2-0{circ} LFountain Valley* 34-0 W Marina* 31-7 WRedlands** 2-0{circ} LLoyola** 26-22 L

2006 ScheduleDateOpponentSiteTimeFridayDiamond RanchGanesha7 p.m.Sept. 8San ClementeAway7:30 p.m.Sept. 15L.A. JordanHunt. Beach7 p.m.Sept. 23ServiteLa Palma Park7:30 p.m.Sept. 29Mater DeiOCC7 p.m.Oct. 13Marina*Hunt. Beach7 p.m.Oct. 20Esperanza*OCC7 p.m.Oct. 27Newport Har.*Hunt. Beach7 p.m.Nov. 3Fountain Valley*Cerritos Coll.7 p.m.Nov. 9Los Alamitos*Veterans Stad.7 p.m.

* denotes league game; ** denotes playoff game; {circ} denotes forfeit.