Seahawks hope to avert terrible twos

Dean Yoshiyama’s segue into the head coaching ranks of high school football last year had its ups and downs.

His Ocean View High Seahawks didn’t win a league championship, didn’t qualify for the CIF Southern Section playoffs, and victories — two, to be exact — were few.

But the big win came during a transition year in which Yoshiyama took over after serving as an assistant coach at Marina, his alma mater, since 1984.

“I’m really lucky that I have a great staff — coaches, support staff and boosters,” Yoshiyama said as practice for the 2006 season was about to begin in mid-August. “All of these people made the first year possible. Our kids now understand what the expectations are, and work hard everyday to live up to them.

“I’ve learned being a head football coach has much more to it than just football.”

Yoshiyama welcomes back 22 lettermen, six of whom started last year on offense and five more on defense.

The Seahawks finished 2-7-1 last season and have averaged just two wins the last five years. They have not managed at least three wins since a 3-7-1 campaign in 2001.

Offensively, the Seahawks return a pair of All-Golden West League performers to lead the way.

Senior lineman Kaj Pedersen (5-foot-11, 250 pounds) and senior running back Nhan Nguyen (5-7, 165) both were second-team all-league selections. They figure to be leaders on that side of the ball again, where Yoshiyama hopes to mix the run with the pass more effectively.

“We need to be more balanced on offense,” Yoshiyama said in reference to last year’s run-oriented team.

At quarterback will be junior Dana Maley (6-1, 185).

His main targets figure to be Chris Katsuki (5-10, 165), a senior receiver played quarterback last year, and junior receiver Matt Graham (6-2, 180), as well as sophomore tight end Kenny Tarpley (6-1, 205).

Helping pave the way with Pedersen up front will be senior lineman Jake Steele (5-10, 280).

“Maley has had a good summer and we hope he continues to improve,” Yoshiyama said.

“We think [Katsuki’s] athletic ability should make the transition [from quarterback to receiver] very easy for him.”

Katsuki will also play defensive back.

Nguyen had some huge games for the Seahawks last year, Yoshiyama said. “He is one of our hardest working kids.”

“Pedersen anchors our offensive line at center,” Yoshiyama said. “He’s a great technician and a better student with a 4.4 GPA.”

Senior Charlie Pickle (5-10, 185) is the big mainstay on defense, a unit that Yoshiyama says should be very solid. Pickle led the team with 98 tackles last season, on his way to all-league laurels.

In addition to Katsuki, seniors Danny Perez (5-10, 170) and Christian Nagel (5-8, 160) will contribute in the secondary.

“We have a great group of kids who work hard and have a great attitude,” Yoshiyama said. “We will give great effort every game.”

Ocean View opens its season Sept. 8 at home against Santiago of Garden Grove.

The nonleague portion of the schedule also includes games against University, Century, Bolsa Grande and former Golden West League rival Estancia.

From there, the Seahawks move into the revamped, six-team Golden West League.

Gone are Estancia and Costa Mesa and joining the fold, which again includes Orange, Saddleback, Santa Ana and Westminster, is Segerstrom.

Ocean View, which plays six home games, begins league play on Oct. 13 against Segerstrom.

“I’m glad we are in a six-team league and that there are no midseason bye weeks,” Yoshiyama said.

THE SEAHAWKS

Colors: Cardinal, gold and white

League: Golden West

2005 record: 2-7-1 overall; 1-5 league

Type of offense: West Coast

Type of defense: Three-four

Head coach: Dean Yoshiyama (second year, 2-7-1)

Staff: Jeff Anger (defensive coordinator, linebackers); Brett Brown (offensive coordinator, quarterbacks); Tom Harris (linemen); Diego Segura (secondary, receivers).

Returning starters offense: Five

Returning starters defense: Six

Returning lettermen: 22

Returning with honors: OL Kaj Pedersen; LB Charlie Pickle; RB Nhan Nguyen.

2005 ResultsOpponentScoreSantiago 19-12 LLaguna Beach 14-14 TCentury 7-0 LSanta Ana* 28-0 LMagnolia 31-24 WSaddleback* 21-14 LEstancia* 20-12 WCosta Mesa*24-0 LOrange* 49-6 LWestminster* 46-15 L

2006 ScheduleDateOpponentSiteTimeSept. 8SantiagoHome7 p.m.Sept. 15UniversityHome7 p.m.Sept. 21CenturySegerstrom7 p.m.Sept. 28Bolsa GrandeAway7 p.m.Oct. 6EstanciaHome7 p.m.Oct. 13Segerstrom*Home7 p.m.Oct. 20Saddleback*Home7 p.m.Oct. 27Westminster*Away7 p.m.Nov. 3Orange*El Modena7 p.m.Nov. 10Santa Ana*Home7 p.m.

* denotes league game