New look defense leads Seahawks

You can’t blame the Ocean View High football team if gets a little defensive this year.

That stance might be the ticket to a successful run in 2007.

The Seahawks will ride its defensive pride while the offense finds its own groove at the start of the season which begins Sept. 7 with a home game against Calvary Chapel.

What’s more, Ocean View will employ a new look on defense — a 3-5-3 scheme — a departure from the 3-4 used last year.

“We’re excited about our new defense,” said head coach Dean Yoshiyama, who enters his third year at the helm.

Ocean View will try to build on last year’s 3-7 record which included a fourth-place finish in the Golden West League, one win short of qualifying for the CIF playoffs.

Yoshiyama’s crew will do so with three returners on each side of the ball, a group that’s part of 18 returning lettermen.

Ocean View is looking to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2001.

“Our kids have a great attitude and they work very hard,” Yoshiyama said. “Everyday brings its new challenges. Dealing positively with those challenges on a day to day basis we believe help make us better people.”

For the first time in some time, Yoshiyama said that there won’t be a lot of two-way players come game time, something the Seahawks have had to deal with in recent years.

But among the six returners, only one of them, defensive end Kenny Tarpley (6-2, 225, Jr.), was an all-league selection last year.

Tarpley also will see time at tight end and wide receiver.

“Kenny’s a really talented player and he will be a definite key for us on both offense and defense,” Yoshiyama said. “He was first-team all-league a year ago. He has good size and speed, very strong hands and is tough.”

The Ocean View offense, which will sport a multiple or option look, will be under the direction of another junior, Dana Maley (6-2, 225). Maley was the Seahawks starting quarterback a year ago and was steady throughout the season.

“He’s got a strong arm and good mobility,” Yoshiyama said. “Dana can throw the ball as well as anybody in our league.”

Maley won’t have the luxury this year of protection from all-league offensive lineman Kaj Pedersen, or the explosiveness of receiver Chris Katsuki, both of whom graduated in June.

“We lost Kaj, who anchored our line and Chris who made some huge plays at wide receiver,” Yoshiyama said. “We are very young on the offensive line. We’ll need some guys to step up on offense to make some plays for us.

“The great thing about this group is that they are hard workers and have a lot of desire.”

The only returner along the line is Jordan Miller (5-9, 215, Jr.). The line also will get contributions from Kody Afusia (6-1, 255, Soph.) at center, Manny Urieta (5-11, 215, Jr.) at left guard, Charles Webb (6-0, 250, Soph.) at left tackle and the right tackle spot is “up in the air,” Yoshiyama said.

Miguel Candelario (5-9, 275, Sr.) and Robbie Benavidez (6-1, 230, Jr.) will share the nose guard slot.

Running the ball will be Tarpley at fullback, Ryan Buckles (5-5, 145, Jr.) at running back and Ryan Windrath (5-7, 165, Sr.) and Kyle Walker (5-7, 160, Jr.) will split time at tailback.

“They don’t come much tougher than him,” Yoshiyama said of Walker, who got some playing time last year.

With Katsuki gone, Maley will be looking to throw to a group of young receivers that includes the only returning skill player from last year, Richard Lam (5-8, 150, Jr.).

Lam caught one touchdown pass a year ago but saw significant playing time.

When not on offense, Miller, Afusia, Urieta and Webb also will see time on the defensive end of the field.

That defense will be looking to improve upon a 23-points-per-game average that it gave up last year. With Tarpley a prime figure at end, other players who will make an immediate impact are linebacker Eric Morejon (5-10, 185, Jr.) and outside linebacker/strong safety David Cardoso (5-9, 175, Jr.).

“Eric plays with a lot of emotion and is a great tackler and David has great speed and toughness,” Yoshiyama said.

Also playing at outside linebacker is Austin Miller (5-9, 175, Jr.) and three Seahawks, Morejon — the most experienced of the trio — Robert Garay (5-10, 180, Jr.) and Matt Taylor (5-10, 185, Sr.), will fill in at inside linebacker.

“We feel really good about this group of linebackers,” Yoshiyama said. “There’s a lot of talent there.”

In the secondary, Phillip Rodriguez (5-9, 160, Sr.) and Johnson Anwell (5-7, 160, Soph.) will play the corners and Danny Guillen (5-9, 165, Sr.) at free safety.

Guillen also returns to handle the kicking game.

“We have a great group of kids that come everyday with great attitude and an eagerness to learn and get better,” Yoshiyama said. “Our defense will be a big part of how successful we will be this year. Our offense is very young and hopefully will come together by the time we get to league.

“If we can stay healthy, I like our chances to get a CIF playoff berth.”

In addition to Calvary Chapel, the nonleague portion of Ocean View’s schedule includes games against University, Century, Bolsa Grande and Estancia.

Golden West League play begins Oct. 12 at Santa Ana.

Yoshiyama said that defending champion Westminster is still the team to beat.

“Since we are so young, our nonleague schedule will be challenging,” Yoshiyama said. “Hopefully, we can build on the experience to get us ready for league.”