Breakers battling weighty issues

The 2006 season will amount to a game of skill for the Laguna Beach football team.

Not possessing advantageous height or bulk on any of its opponents, the Breakers still are the small fish in the pond or, as they good-naturedly refer to themselves, “just a bunch of surfers trying to play football.” They’ll have to rely on their ample skills, Coach Jimmy Nolan said, in order to break down the opposition.

Yet for its lack of size, the water that Laguna has tried to tread for the past 20 years, seems to have become more manageable.

Beginning this fall and through the 2009 season, Laguna Beach will compete in the newly formed Orange Coast League.

Gone are the days of playing schools twice their size — Tesoro, Northwood and University — in the Pacific Coast League, where they have resided since 1986 and won only one league championship in 1987.

Welcome to the Orange Coast League, where the Breakers will go up against Calvary Chapel (a former Pacific Coast League rival), Costa Mesa and Estancia, schools with similar enrollments. Santa Ana-based Godinez is also in the league, but will not play varsity football this season.

“I am excited about this new league,” Nolan said.

“In the past two years, we’ve won the majority of games vs. the schools with similar attendance size. If we can stay healthy, and if the boys live right on and off the field, I think it’s possible to win this league.”

But, first things first.

Nolan readily acknowledges his team’s lack of size. But, true to his prior three teams, the Breakers will be well prepared for upcoming battles.

One thing they’ll need to avoid — and it’s an area that hasn’t been kind to a squad that has several two-way players — is the injury bug.

“Expect a team that is quick at every position,” he said.

“The 11 players on the field will average fewer than 170 pounds, on both sides of the ball. So, we are not blessed with size. Even if we spent every second in the weight room and drank protein shakes all day, we’d still be the smallest team in Orange County.

“So, we can’t control our size, but we can control our speed, quickness, toughness, endurance and stamina. Expect to see 11 little guys flying around every play of every game. We’ll see what happens.”

Leading the Breakers on offense will be junior quarterback Charley Bowman (5-foot-9, 148 pounds), a first-team All-Pacific Coast League pick last season.

Also in the backfield will be sophomore Zach Smith (5-5, 170), junior Devin Hands (5-11, 175) and sophomore Jeremy Kaplan (5-6, 160).

Bowman’s key receivers will be seniors Marshall Thomas (6-1, 165) and Max Hilburn (5-5, 142).

“Bowman will run the show at quarterback. He can pass and run,” Nolan said.

“Smith will carry the ball for us and look for Hands to provide some hard running, as well.

“Hilburn is a tricky little slot receiver who can catch and run.

“Thomas is a great leader in this group and we expect him to lead this team in catches.

“Kaplan can mix it up from the running back spot, too.”

Leading the charge up front will be junior Danny Panduro (5-7, 182) and senior Jose Ronses (5-7, 173).

“Panduro will be the guy at center,” Nolan said. “We like the way he has worked all year.

“Ronses will anchor the small O-line. We have a couple young pups who need to step it up. We’ll see about this O-line come September. They’re the big question mark right now.”

In fact, Nolan said that in order for the Breakers to be successful, the line on both sides of the ball will need to come through.

“We need to find a way to block guys twice our size,” he said.

Those expected to lead the defense include: Thomas and Hilburn in the secondary; Smith and Kaplan at linebacker; and Hands at nose guard.

As for special teams, Bowman will handle punting chores and senior Alex Smith (5-6, 135) is the kicker.

Nolan both are capable of being great this year.

“Thomas and Hilburn will anchor the secondary at the safety spots, Smith will run the show as a linebacker, Kaplan should provide a lot of toughness at the other inside spot and Hands should be a solid nose guard for us,” Nolan said.

“We expect a lot of fight from this guy.”

A solid performance during the summer could translate to good things this fall for the Breakers.

“Our strength is our skills,” Nolan said. “We played well all summer against top programs throughout Orange County and Los Angeles. Our question mark is our O- and D-lines. We are no bigger there than at our skill positions. If we can find a way to block opponents much bigger and stronger than us, then we can be successful.

“I am excited to see what this team can make of itself.”

Although Laguna ventures into a new league this year, the season kicks off with a battle against a familiar foe — old Pacific Coast League nemesis Corona del Mar.

The Breakers and Sea Kings launch their respective seasons against each other Friday at Newport Harbor High.

“That will be a very difficult game,” Nolan said.

As for the remainder of the nonleague schedule, Laguna takes on La Quinta, Santiago of Garden Grove, Segerstrom, former Pacific Coast League rival University, Capistrano Valley, and Notre Dame of Riverside.

The Breakers enjoy a bye week before opening up their initial year in the Orange Coast League on Oct. 26 against Calvary Chapel.

THE BREAKERS

Colors: Maroon and white

League: Orange Coast

2005 record: 5-4-1 overall; 2-4 league

Type of offense: Wing T

Type of defense: Six-One

Head coach: Jimmy Nolan (third year, 10-9-1)

Staff: Jimmy Nolan (offensive coordinator, special teams); Jonathan Hall (defensive coordinator, offensive and defensive line, linebackers); Bobby Chavez (offensive and defensive line, inside linebackers); Chuck Tegantvoort (running backs, safeties, outside linebackers); Tom Bowman (quarterbacks); Manual Diaz (game-day coach, receivers); Billy Ray (game-day coach, defense).

Returning starters on offense: Four

Returning starters on defense: Three

Returning lettermen: 10

Returning with honors: QB Charley Bowman.

2005 ResultsOpponentScoreCentennial (Compton) 40-19 WLa Quinta 34-13 WOcean View14-14 TCosta Mesa31-9 WNorthwood*38-6 LTesoro* 52-7 LCorona del Mar* 27-0 LBeckman* 28-10 WUniversity* 16-14 LCalvary Chapel* 24-7 W

2006 ScheduleDateOpponentSiteTimeFridayCorona del MarNewport Har.7 p.m.Sept. 8La QuintaHome7 p.m.Sept. 15SantiagoHome7 p.m.Sept. 22SegerstromAway7 p.m.Sept. 29UniversityHome7 p.m.Oct. 6Capo. ValleyHome7 p.m.Oct. 13Notre Dame (Riv.)Away7 p.m.Oct. 26Calvary Chapel*OCC7:30 p.m.Nov. 3Estancia*Home7 p.m.Nov. 10Costa Mesa*Newport Har.7 p.m.

* denotes league game