DOLPHINS DETERMINED TO CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY After winning the school’s first league title, Dana Hills returns a veteran group hungry for the playoffs
DOLPHINS
IN A NUTSHELL
By Steve Breazeale The coin flip is as pure an example of luck as there is. Half of the time it is going to fall your way and other times, it’s not. That is the reality the Dana Hills football team had to face in 2012, as they claimed a share of the Sea View League title for the first time in school history. They were eying the CIF-SS playoffs but first, they had to win a coin toss. Because of the three-way tie with cochamps Laguna Hills and Capistrano Valley, a coin flip scenario was held and after losing it, the Dolphins were left as the odd man out and watched as two other teams with identical in-league records entered the playoffs. There was hope that the Dolphins would earn an at-large bid, awarded to two teams in the conference who suffered fates similar to Dana Hills, but because of an 0-5 preseason record, the Dolphins were snubbed again. Senior quarterback Mac Vail thinks about the end to last season, in particular a loss to Laguna Hills on October 26 that ensured the three-way tie, every day. One play here or, in this case, one flip of the coin there, and the Dolphins could have extended their season. Last season may have ended with a league title, but the veteran group that returns to take the field in 2013 has Dana Hills thinking they have what it takes to make sure their fate will not be determined by anyone else. “That’s something I still think about every day. We’re definitely not going to let that happen again,” Vail said. “It was a coin flip and yes we got screwed but at the same time we shouldn’t have been in that position. If we would’ve won more games in the preseason we would’ve been in. So that’s on us this year. We’re not going to sit around and talk about it, we are going to go out and get it.” This year the Dolphins return 14 starters from last year’s campaign. Several impact seniors have departed but the Dolphins have a solid core to build around. They are sticking with the same West Coast offensive scheme that they employed 2013 Dolphin Football Preview
Dolphins junior running back Brian Scott is set to have a big year in the Dolphins offense. Photo by Steve Breazeale
last year, which will allow Vail to work the short passing game and give way to standout running back Brian Scott, when need be. Controlling the tempo of the offense will be the big men up front on the offensive line, which fields three veteran players. Seniors Blaine Wagstaff (left tackle), Kyle Strickland (left guard) and Jacob Harbin (right guard) all saw time last year and have made big gains in the weight room and on the field, according to head coach Todd Rusinkovich. All three players stand at 6 feet 2 inches tall and Harbin and Strickland are members of the 1,000-pound weight lifting club. Junior center Chris McDermott and senior right tackle Jake Hannah round out the group. Scott, who had a breakout year in 2012 after rushing for 442 yards in six games, has been witnessing the line’s offseason efforts first-hand. “I feel extremely comfortable behind the line. Even in these drills I see them destroying our own players,” Scott said. “You see them in every hit, all their energy and focus, their group mentality is all there.” Rusinkovich also likes the versatility of his line, which he says has the strength and quickness to get out in front to block for Scott. The Dolphins receiving corps took a hit to graduation and will field a relatively untested group. They had a strong passing league season, with players like Sean Schulte, Ted Fitzgerald, Reid Lundeen and Drew Falk all proving they can make plays. Rusinkovich said they have all made a good transition to pads and even though they have limited varsity experience, they are an athletic bunch. When the Dolphins started out with several losses in a row in 2012, they made
a defensive scheme switch that ignited their league title run. After starting in a 3-4 formation, with three down linemen and four linebackers, the Dolphins shifted to a 4-3, which put some of those big backers on the line. Graduated seniors Devon Vise, who won the Sea View League MVP, and Cody Betzler wreaked havoc against in-league opponents and fueled the newly invigorated Dolphins defense. In their final five games the Dolphins held their opponents to an average of 14 points per game. They will be sticking with that same scheme for 2013. Seniors Ivan Saguilan, Justin Stafford and junior Adam Page were all a part of last year’s defensive line in some capacity and will make up the line this year, along with left tackle Scott Aiello. First-year defensive coordinator Joe Morris will employ Connor Shirvan, who is 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 330 pounds, at the nose tackle spot in one of the tweaks made to this year’s defense. Shirvan played left guard last year. Protecting the middle of the field will be first-team All Sea View League defensive selection and outside linebacker Justin Scott, one of the team captains. Scott had 83 total tackles, one sack and one interception in 2012. Patrolling the middle will be junior middle linebacker Brett Bill. Team captain Hank White will start at the other outside linebacker spot. Michael Vogeler’s experience in the secondary at the strong safety spot will be crucial to the Dolphins’ defensive efforts. Vogeler, along with cornerback Brandon Torres, are the only defensive backs on the depth chart with varsity experience. Vogeler is among the fastest players on the team and ran a 4.59 40-yard dash in the offseason.
2012 Record: 4-6, 3-1 Sea View League Returning Starters: Offense 6; Defense 8 Offensive Set: West Coast Defensive Set: 4-3 Head Coach: Todd Rusinkovich (7-13 overall record) Assistant Coaches: Phil Skinner (assistant head coach/offensive line/strength and conditioning), Jake Rusinkovich (offensive coordinator/wide receivers), Chad Rusinkovich (wide receivers/speed), Joe Morris (defensive coordinator/defensive backs), Ryan Smith (special teams), Santino Simone (offensive assistant), Bob Cunningham (linebackers), Stephen McCullough (running backs/technology coordinator), Trent Henson (defensive line), Tom Knudson (offensive line), John Rusinkovich (football operations)
“Vogeler is the catalyst of the defense right now. He is going to be a big-time playmaker for us,” Rusinkovich said. It will be interesting to see if the Dolphins pick up where they left off when they open their season at home against Trabuco Hills on August 30. It will be the first of five games against tough opponents. San Clemente, JSerra and Villa Park, the reigning Century League champs, are all slated to face the Dolphins in the first five weeks of the season. It’s fitting that the preseason schedule be a daunting one for this particular Dolphins team. The veteran-heavy roster who experienced last year’s slow start have said that this year’s schedule should not be taken for granted. They know, after all, that a coin flip could be waiting for them in the end. “Rolling ahead … to know what it feels like to win, that’s big. Especially for the varsity guys who went through that … for them to experience starting out 0-5 and overcoming that adversity … that in itself says a lot about their characters,” Rusinkovich said. “They’re going to be able to apply it so we can get a faster start this year. They know their main focus is to get a Sea View League championship and win every game that they play.” www.danapointtimes.com
OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
Tackle
Guard
Center
Wagstaff (54)
Strickland (65)
McDermott (62)
Wide Reciever
Wide Reciever
Shulte (6)
Fitzgerald (7)
Guard Harbin (72)
Tackle Hannah (77)
Wide Reciever
Quarterback
Lundeen (15) Vail (12)
West Coast Offense
Dunn (32)
Kicker Villacreses (13)
Scott (26)
FIVE TO WATCH
Falk (19)
Fullback
Tailback
(Players subject to rotation.)
Wide Reciever
OFFENSE
Mac Vail QB (No. 12), Sr. Vail returns to lead the Dolphins offense this season after guiding them to their first league title in 2012. Vail threw for 1,428 yards as a junior with a touchdown to interception ratio of 13:8. Vail isn’t afraid to stand tall in the pocket or toss a long ball downfield and has put on 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason.
Brian Scott RB (No. 26), Jr. Brian Scott is a powerful and quick running back who had a breakout sophomore season. Scott proved last year that he is tough to bring down and has the footwork and football IQ to make the correct cuts on the field. Coach Todd Rusinkovich has said that Scott is among the smartest players he’s coached.
DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
End Sheuilan (11)
Andrew Dunn FB (No. 32), Sr. Leading the way for Brian Scott will be fullback Andrew Dunn. The Dolphins coaching staff has adjusted some running schemes to better suit Scott’s game and Dunn’s blocking will be crucial to the ground game’s success. Dunn will provide strength and size as he checks in at 6 feet tall and 200 pounds his senior year.
Kyle Strickland OL (No. 65), Sr. Kyle Strickland will look to lead a veteran offensive line at left guard in the upcoming season. Strickland is the only member of the Dolphins 1,100 pound weight lifting club and is as big and strong as they come. Strickland likes what he sees from the line in the early going. “It’s a brotherhood. We got some big boys with experience,” he said.
Tackle
Nose Tackle
Tackle
Aiello (50)
Shirvan (78)
Page (70)
Jacob Harbin OL (No. 72), Sr. The offensive line will be a strength this season and with Strickland on the left side, Jacob Harbin will look to sure up the right guard position. Rusinkovich considers the one-two guard combo of Harbin and Strickland as one of the best in the county. Harbin had the second highest bench press, power clean and squat lifts on the team this offseason.
End Stafford (84)
Cornerback
Cornerback Williams (1)
4-3 Defense
Torres (24)
Strong Safety
Linebacker
Linebacker
Linebacker
White (4)
Bill (44)
Scott (22)
Free Safety
(Players subject to rotation.)
Vogeler (5)
FIVE TO WATCH
Punter Villacreses (13)
DEFENSE
Justin Scott LB (No. 22), Sr. Justin Scott helped anchor the Dana Hills defense in 2012, earning first team All Sea View League honors, and will be crucial to their success again as an outside linebacker and team captain. Scott’s 83 total tackles in 2012 lead all returning players. At 6 feet tall and 185 pounds, Scott has the ability to cover a lot of ground quickly and still hit hard. 2013 Dolphin Football Preview
Schuyler (2)
Hank White LB (No. 4), Sr. Hank White is one of three Dana Hills captains and will play outside linebacker in the Dolphins 4-3 defensive look. White saw a considerable amount of time on the field last year and was able to rack up 41 total tackles in nine games. Aside from his physical abilities Rusinkovich likes White’s football IQ and ability to read offenses.
Ivan Saguilan DE (No. 11), Sr. After switching to a 4-3 defense and putting Ivan Saguilan at the defensive end position, the Dolphins defense thrived. Saguilan moved to the spot along with several other impact players and Dana Hills rode their defense to the title. Saguilan will now have a full season at the spot and will help anchor a big defensive front.
Justin Stafford DE (No. 84), Sr. Justin Stafford played in only five games last year but will be another big body for the Dolphins defense at defensive end. When trying to sum up Stafford, Rusinkovich says it best. “He’s a monster-sized kid. Stafford is 6-6, 225 so it’s good to have those big tall guys up front,” he said.
Michael Vogeler SS (No. 5), Sr. The Dolphins defense is experienced up front but not so much in the secondary, which makes Michael Vogeler’s presence at strong safety huge. Rusinkovich pegged Vogeler as the catalyst for the defense, based on his ability and experience. Vogeler ran a team-best 4.59 40-yard dash in the offseason.
www.danapointtimes.com
2013 VARSITY ROSTER # 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 35 39 42 43 44 45 47 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 61 62 65 66 67 68 69 70 72 73 75 76 77 78 80 83 84 87 90 95 96
NAME Luke Williams Jay Schuyler Hank White Michael Vogeler Sean Schulte Ted Fitzgerald Mark Sangalang Ethan Parker Ray Moslehi Ivan Saguilan Mac Vail Brendan Villacreses Gavin Mahony Reid Lundeen Brandon Rogers Carter Hadley Parker Romo Drew Falk Connor McCloud Chris Aguarin Justin Scott Gabe Wahl Brandon Torres Tyler Dickenson Brian Scott Anthony Coppi Corey Selenski Thomas Waldenberger Brenden Schooler Andrew Dunn Brody Boyack Jonathan Fer Evan Hershman Connor Rodman Pierce Costello Nathan Hernandez Brett Bill Cade Norland Chandler Namath Scott Aiello Luke Gallardo Elias Hassankhil Kyle Smith Blaine Wagstaff Ryan Simmons Christian Clemente Ameen Monjezi Jordan Swindell Kevin Suarez Alec Brady Chris McDermott Kyle Strickland Jake Harris James Gault Jakub Podgorski Franky Justesen Adam Page Jacob Harbin Juan Moreira Kyle Wilemon Thomas Columbus Jake Hannah Connor Shirvan Jacob Molga Jake Morales Justin Stafford Quinn Trotman Josh Montgomery Sean Lawless Zack Lawless
2013 Dolphin Football Preview
GRADE 11 11 12 12 12 11 12 11 11 12 12 11 11 11 10 11 10 11 10 12 12 11 12 12 11 12 10 11 10 12 12 11 10 12 11 10 11 10 11 12 12 12 11 12 11 11 11 12 11 11 11 12 11 10 10 11 11 12 10 11 11 12 12 12 10 12 10 11 11 11
POSITION WR / DB WR / DB FB / LB WR / DB WR / DB QB / WR / DB WR / DB WR / DB WR / DB TE / DL / K / P QB / DB RB / LB / K / P WR / DB WR / DB QB / DB TE / DL QB / DB WR / DB RB / DB RB / DB RB / LB RB / DB RB / DB RB / LB RB / LB WR / DB RB / LB WR / DB WR / DB FB / LB FB / DL OL / DL WR / DB FB / LB FB / LB WR / DB FB / LB FB / LB FB / LB OL / DL OL / DL FB / LB OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL / S FB / LB OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / LB OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL WR / DB / K / P WR / DB TE / DL TE / DL OL / DL OL / DL OL / DL
HEIGHT 6’2” 6’2” 6’0” 5’11” 6’0” 5’11” 5’8” 5’11” 5’9” 6’4” 6’0” 5’10” 6’0” 6’3” 6’0” 6’2” 6’0” 6’0” 5’4” 5’3” 6’0” 5’9” 5’9” 6’1” 6’0” 5’11” 6’3” 5’11” 6’2” 6’0” 6’1” 6’1” 5’8” 6’1” 5’11” 5’9” 6’0” 6’1” 5’10” 5’10” 6’2” 5’7” 5’11” 6’2” 6’1” 6’0” 5’11” 6’3” 5’8” 6’0” 5’10” 6’2” 6’1” 6’0” 6’1” 6’4” 6’0” 6’2” 6’0” 6’3” 6’0” 6’3” 6’6” 6’5” 6’0” 6’6” 6’6” 6’1” 6’0” 6’0”
WEIGHT 170 180 200 180 175 165 180 170 170 240 180 185 150 180 160 195 165 175 140 150 185 150 155 200 180 155 200 150 160 200 185 215 160 210 180 155 200 190 190 250 270 185 240 220 240 210 220 200 185 220 255 275 250 220 260 235 230 265 175 260 200 280 330 180 140 225 215 190 165 165
GAME ONE
SEASON SCHEDULE & GAME PREVIEWS AUGUST 30
TRABUCO HILLS Location: Dana Hills High Time: 7 p.m. Coach: Scott Orloff League: South Coast 2012-2013 record: 5-5 (1-3 league) 2012 vs. DH: Win, 17-14 Season Outlook: The Mustangs had a bit of turnover on their depth chart but have solid returning players to build around that could bring them out of the bottom of the South Coast League. Junior wide receiver Jacob Breeland and senior running back Jordan Hettinger should shore up some of the skill positions. Returning defensive end Nick Leduc had a nice junior season, racking up 75 total tackles while leading the team with five sacks. If Trabuco Hills can find the pieces to fill in the gaps, they could have a solid season.
GAME SIX
OCTOBER 4
IRVINE Location: Dana Hills High Time: 7 p.m. Coach: Eric Terry League: Pacific Coast 2012-2013 record: 5-5 (2-3 league) 2012 vs. DH: Loss, 22-7 Season Outlook: It’s impossible to see Irvine on Dana Hills’ schedule as the last preseason game and not think back to what happened between these two teams in 2012. The Dolphins were 0-5 heading into Week 6 against Irvine but rattled off a 22-7 win which kick started a three-game win streak that bled into their Sea View League schedule. It looks like the Dolphins will face a lot of those same Irvine players this season as their quarterback, leading rusher and a good portion of their defense returns.
2013 Dolphin Football Preview
GAME TWO
SEPTEMBER 6
FOUNTAIN VALLEY Location: Fountain Valley High Time: 7 p.m. Coach: John Shipp League: Sunset 2012-2013 record: 4-7 (1-4 league) 2012 vs. DH: Win, 23-17 Season Outlook: Fountain Valley is a historic Southern California team that has struggled to find a foothold in the Sunset League in recent years. Playing against Edison, who won the CIF-SS Southwest title in 2012, has proven to be a difficult task to master for any team in the league. The Barons will be without their quarterback Chris D’entremont but will have one of his favorite targets, senior wide out Jacob Church, returning. Church proved he could make big plays last year and will be the core of Fountain Valley’s offense yet again.
GAME SEVEN
OCTOBER 11
ALISO NIGUEL Location: Dana Hills High Time: 7 p.m. Coach: Kurt Westling League: Sea View 2012-2013 record: 5-5 (0-4 league) 2012 vs. DH: Loss, 20-18 Season Outlook: For the past two seasons, Aliso Niguel built their offense around the prolific arm of standout quarterback Nathan Cole. Just how pass-oriented was the Wolverines no-huddle offense last year? Cole threw for 3,185 yards and 37 touchdowns while Ryan Walker, the team’s leading rusher, ran for 268 yards. The Wolverines allowed a lot of points to be scored against them last year, especially in league play, but seemed content with outgunning them with an offensive attack. With Cole gone, it will be worth keeping an eye on how the Wolverines shift their style, if they end up shifting at all.
GAME THREE SEPTEMBER 12
GAME FOUR SEPTEMBER 20
SAN CLEMENTE Location: Dana Hills High Time: 7 p.m. Coach: Jaime Ortiz League: South Coast 2012-2013 record: 5-5 (1-3 league) 2012 vs. DH: Win, 42-14 Season Outlook: Youth is the name of the game over at San Clemente, as head coach Jaime Ortiz is set to lead a young roster in his second year at the helm. The Tritons are now two years removed from appearing in the CIF-SS Pac-5 Championship game and with the loss of several key players from last year’s effort, they will be an interesting team to watch as they attempt to rebuild. Junior quarterback Sam Darnold turned a lot of heads last year, highlighted by a 22-point fourth quarter comeback, which he ignited, to beat rival Tesoro in a 29-21 win. Darnold is a versatile athlete that can throw and run and will be the focal point of the newlook Tritons offense.
VILLA PARK Location: Dana Hills High Time: 7 p.m. Coach: Dusan Ancich League: Century 2012-2013 record: 12-2 (6-0 league) 2012 vs. DH: DNP Season Outlook: Villa Park was dominant last season and seems to have a lot of the major pieces returning that will ensure another successful season. But one glaring hole that sticks out on the Spartans’ depth chart is the loss of running back Meki Tafuna, who ran for 1,374 yards and 27 touchdowns last year. The only player returning who had more than 10 carries last season will be junior Mike Vega, who ran the ball 14 times and scored twice in 2012. Villa Park’s quarterback situation is not an issue, as senior Dylan Osborne returns after throwing for 2,371 yards and 18 touchdowns last year.
GAME EIGHT
OCTOBER 18
CAPISTRANO VALLEY Location: Capistrano Valley High Time: 7 p.m. Coach: Ernst Bucher League: Sea View 2012-2013 record: 9-3 (3-1 league) 2012 vs. DH: Loss, 31-0 Season Outlook: The coaching situation at Capistrano Valley has been in flux for several years and the story is much of the same for this version of the Cougars football team. After guiding the program to their first league title since 1995, former head coach Matt Poston left to take the job at Tesoro. With standout quarterback Mason Dossey gone, senior Matt Gordon could be an option to take over. Gordon was an effective running back last year, where he rushed for 300 yards and scored four touchdowns, an indication of his dual-threat capabilities.
GAME NINE
NOVEMBER 1
LAGUNA HILLS Location: Dana Hills High Time: 7 p.m. Coach: Bruce Ingalls League: Sea View 2012-2013 record: 6-4 (3-1 league) 2012 vs. DH: Win, 31-27 Season Outlook: Laguna Hills saw their grip on the Sea View League slip just a bit last year, as they were finally challenged by Dana Hills and Capistrano Valley for the league title. All three teams ended up with a share of first-place. Laguna Hills was a big, physical team last year and relied on their senior-heavy roster and their defense’s ability to keep them in games. Six of their games last year were decided by 10 points or fewer, with the Hawks coming out on top in four of them. Depth could be an issue for the Hawks as they were loaded with 20 seniors in 2012, many of whom were starters.
By Steve Breazeale
GAME FIVE
SEPTEMBER 27
JSERRA Location: Saddleback College Time: 7 p.m. Coach: Jim Hartigan League: Trinity 2012-2013 record: 6-4 (1-4 league) 2012 vs. DH: Win, 21-6 Season Outlook: The recurring storyline following JSerra football has been their Trinity League results and the struggle with competing against some of the top teams in the state on a week-to-week basis. The Lions managed to pull off a convincing win over Orange Lutheran last year and nearly beat St. John Bosco in overtime, but were outgunned by Mater Dei, Servite and Santa Margartia. The Lions had a young team last year and will return solid numbers for the 2013 season. Look for senior running back Casey Eugenio to have another big year. He burst onto the scene as a junior, running for 773 yards and 11 touchdowns.
GAME TEN
NOVEMBER 8
SAN JUAN HILLS Location: San Juan Hills High Time: 7 p.m. Coach: Aaron Flowers League: Sea View 2012-2013 record: 7-3 (2-3 league) 2012 vs. DH: Loss, 28-14 Season Outlook: There wasn’t a lot of turnover over at San Juan Hills this offseason but there will be plenty of changes on display when they start their season. The major change is the implementation of a no-huddle offense. After watching teams use it against them, the Stallions have adopted the approach and plan to have it fully implemented in the offense for the start of the season. The Stallions quarterback Jacob Gibson, leading rusher Brad Kremer and several veteran lineman return for their senior campaigns. Their defense also returns several impact players, including linebacker Brennan Walsh. www.danapointtimes.com
TOP OFFSEASON TRAINING MARKS Compiled by Steve Breazeale The Dolphins have been working all offseason with strength and conditioning coach Phil Skinner. Senior quarterback Mac Vail said that this offseason training regimen was the hardest he had ever been put through. Here are some of the top marks in the weight room and out on the training field posted by Dolphins players this summer. Bench Press Kyle Strickland—315 pounds Jacob Harbin—305 Scott Aiello—305 Hank White—305 Connor Shirvan—305 Blaine Wagstaff—305 Justin Stafford—305 Power Clean Kyle Strickland—320 Jacob Harbin—275 Mac Vail—265
Squat Kyle Strickland—550 Jacob Harbin—450 Scott Aiello—445 1,100 Pound Club Kyle Strickland—1,185 lbs 1,000 Pound Club Jacob Harbin—1,030 Scott Aiello—1,000 40-yard Dash
Bench Reps (185 pounds) Kyle Strickland—29 reps Scott Aiello—20 Hank White—19
Michael Vogeler—4.59 seconds Luke Williams—4.59 Thomas Waldenberger—4.62
Pro Shuttle Justin Scott—4.19 seconds Michael Vogeler—4.22 Luke Williams—4.22 3 Cone Drill Justin Scott—6.53 seconds Sea Schulte—6.59 Thomas Waldenberger—6.81 Broad Jump (Inches) Thomas Waldenberger—115 Mac Vail—111.5 Justin Scott—111 Quinn Trotman—111
Dolphins players taking part in offseason drills. Photo by Steve Breazeale