Dana Hills FOOTBALL PREVIEW
All photos by Alan Gibby/Zone57
A CHANCE FOR DOLPHINS TO PROVE THEMSELVES
BY DYLAN LOTTS
The summer is nearly over, and Friday night lights are arriving soon. League realignment focused on a competitive-ranking scale rather than a geographic-based system finds the Dana Hills High Dolphins in a brand-new league, the Foxtrot League.
With a lot of turnover from last season due to graduating seniors, especially on de-
fense, the Dolphins may have to face some adversity. Coach Tony Henney is ready to see how the team handles it.
“I really want to see—being in my fourth year in the program—how our program reacts to constant adversity in our schedule,” he said.
That was Henney’s philosophy behind building the schedule. With so many new
faces on both sides of the ball, he wanted to test his team. He said facing unfamiliar opponents such as the Sports & Leadership Management Bulls out of Henderson, Nevada will tell a lot about the team’s makeup.
“I think it’s going to help prepare us regardless of how the game goes from a winloss thing. We’re going to learn a lot about ourselves on that night and learn where we
need to get better,” Henney said.
The success the Dolphins had last season with winning the Pacific Coast League artificially helped them with building a tougher schedule.
The new competitive-ranking-based league alignment puts Dana Hills up against
some tough competition including Orange High and Laguna Beach High.
Henney said the system is forcing the Dolphins to grow as a program and find ways to improve, and he is looking forward to the challenge.
“You know that old saying is, ‘You’re either getting better or you’re getting worse.’ Under this system, you don’t really have a choice,” he said. “You’ve got to figure out a way to get better, because they’re going to put you where you’re ranked. And we’ve had success and we’re not being punished for that success … and now it’s time to take another step up in the program.”
The Return of Some Familiar Faces
The Dolphins offense returns many key producers from last season, including both leading rushers, Radley Geiss and Owen Walz.
Geiss and Walz combined for 928 yards last season, and that was with Walz playing in only five games.
Henney is expecting big things out of Dana Hills’ backfield duo this season.
help him improve upon his already impressive numbers from last season.
“Radley Geiss really had to carry us last year in the run games at times. He was kind of an undersized sophomore. He’s not undersized anymore. He’s put on 15 good pounds of muscle,” Henney said.
The offensive line is going to be young. Henney said there isn’t much varsity experience at those positions, so he is eager for his players to put on the pads and see how they look.
“We’re really young on the offensive line. And even the older kids don’t have a lot of varsity experience, at least starting experience. So that’s going to be tough to see how that falls. Once we get the pads and (see) what our physicality’s like, are we able to impose our will on a defense?” he said.
Last season’s starting quarterback, Jace Lowe, a junior, is returning, but a recent transfer, Vanden Dugger out of Arizona, may take the role this season.
Henney said Dugger, a senior who threw for 1,856 yards last season at Sunrise Mountain in Arizona, would be the starter at the current moment, but not to count Lowe out of the competition.
Lowe threw for 1,840 yards and 20 touchdowns last season.
“I don’t think you can count out Jace, being an All-League quarterback, even though right now, if we had to play tomorrow, he’d be the backup. But he is a very capable player,” Henney said.
James Leicester will help lead the wide receivers. Last season, Leicester was a sophomore and had to take some time to adapt to the varsity level.
Henney said Leicester has looked good during spring and summer practices heading into his junior year.
Cameron Weaver will join Leicester at receiver. Weaver transferred from JSerra Catholic High School for his senior season.
Chuck Eckl and Grant Peters will be the tight ends for the Dolphins.
Both had limited experience in the role, but Henney expects they will have good seasons.
“We like what we have at tight end with Chuck Eckl and Grant Peters. Both those guys played that spot last year and should be bigger, better, faster, stronger,” he said.
Henney said the strength of their schedule will require the less-experienced players to be “dialed in” when practices begin for the fall. He understands players make mistakes, but they will have to mitigate those to find success.
A Whole New Look on Defense
The Dolphins have many holes to fill on the defense heading into the season.
Henney said the Dolphins are replacing nine starters from last season, including three of their top tacklers. Henney said there is a lot of competition at all 11 positions, which may allow for some strategic advantages.
“We feel like we’ve got legitimately 15 (or) 16 kids vying for the 11 spots, and some of them are different. Meaning that (if) we’re playing a passing team, it could be this lineup on the field. If we’re playing a heavy run team, it could be a different lineup,” he said.
Quinn Goodfield and Trevor Blackmore will be at the defensive ends. They have shown in practice that they may cause trouble for opposing offensive lines.
“They’ve caused a lot of problems in practice,” Henney said.
Michael Lang will help round out the defensive line.
The lack of experience on defense means there will be a need for leaders in the group.
Henney said he wants to see who steps up to take on that role.
“We feel like they’re both going to be really explosive,” he said.
“Once there is not a coach overseeing the play right behind the ball, it’s going to be inCHANCE from page 13
Henney said Geiss worked hard this offseason and gained some size, which should
Dugger has impressed since he arrived at Dana Hills, which creates a healthy competition between the two.
“They’re going to have to be dialed in during fall camp and be ready to play if we’re going to be successful,” Henney said.
See CHANCE on page 15
teresting to see who morphs into the leaders by example and who morphs into the vocal kind of guys,” he said.
Owen Walz and Cameron Weaver, both safeties, may be able to step into those leadership positions. Senior Rudy Pascarelli will also see time at safety for the Dolphins.
Henney said that what the secondary lacks in speed, it makes up for with technique.
Morgan Smith will return to cornerback, and Isaiah Vargas will join him after having a strong showing on the junior varsity team last season.
Chuck Eckl and Grant Peters will be the primary outside linebackers to help with the pass rush and run stoppage.
Eckl will only be a junior, so he will have the opportunity to develop as a full-time starter.
Thomson Foulger, last season’s JV MVP, will share a spot at inside linebacker with Brady Campbell. It hasn’t been determined who will start, but Henney said both players are vying for the position.
Henney said the lack of experience will bring some adversity and growing pains for the group.
He said time will tell how the defense settles in and performs.
“There’s a lot of guys who got a little bit of
time, but not a lot of guys who played a lot of time. So you’re going to have to see how that falls,” he said.
A Test for a Young Team
For the Dolphins to succeed this season, they will have to beat some tough opponents.
Henney said the team will have to win in matchups in which they are considered underdogs.
“I expect us to have to beat some people
that maybe other people don’t think we’re going to beat. I think we’re going to need a few of those this year,” he said.
“I think at some point in the season, we may get overwhelmed or whatever, and I want to see us respond to that positively and use it as a lesson rather than as a ranking mechanism.”
The Foxtrot League will provide some of those tests for Dana Hills.
Aliso Niguel High brings a strong
offensive and defensive line. Orange High is known for its athleticism, which could provide some challenges on both sides of the ball for this young Dolphins squad.
Fountain Valley High finds itself at a level of football more suited for its talent level after facing off against high-level opponents for years.
Dana Hills’ toughest test could come from Laguna Beach High and their star quarterback, Jackson Kollock. Their explosive passing attack could bring problems for the Dolphins’ secondary.
Time will tell if the Dolphins will be up for the challenge that the new league format brings.
As the Dolphins make their way through the year, they will have to possess a gritty mindset to find the success the program has grown accustomed to achieving.
“That will be a huge difference in Dana Hills football from the past. Can we really overcome somebody we’re not supposed to? And when things aren’t great, can we respond positively and move forward in a good way rather than feeling overwhelmed to the point that losses start piling up?” Henney said.
The Dolphins kick off the season against the Canyon High Comanches at El Modena High on August 23.
BY DYLAN LOTTS
VANDEN DUGGER
Dugger arrives at Dana Hills after moving from Arizona. With Sunrise Mountain in 2023, Dugger threw for 1,856 yards and 19 touchdowns. Head coach Tony Henney said he has looked good this summer and will be a key player to watch as the leader of the offense.
OWEN WALZ
Walz returns for his senior season and will take responsibility for the Dolphins on both sides of the ball. Walz will split time at running back with junior Radley Geiss. Walz played in only five games last season but ran for 320 yards and scored five rushing touchdowns. Walz also showed promise as a kick returner. Walz will also play safety and, as a senior, may play a leadership role on a relatively young defense.
Players to Watch
RADLEY GEISS
Geiss will return as running back and will be one of the more established playmakers on offense. He tallied 628 rushing yards and seven touchdowns last season. He was slightly undersized last season, but he bulked up in the summer and should be able to handle a heavy workload. Geiss will be a junior this season and with varsity experience under his belt, he will be looking to have an explosive season for the Dolphins.
JAMES LEICESTER
Leicester is one of the few returning starters at wide receiver for the Dolphins this year. As a sophomore last season, Leicester had to adapt to the varsity level of football. With a season under his belt, he should be poised to build upon last season and help lead the wide receiver group.
CAMERON WEAVER
Weaver transferred to Dana Hills from JSerra Catholic High School during the offseason. He adds some experience to a wide receiver group that will need it. Weaver will also play at safety, splitting time with Owen Walz.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
BY DY LAN LOTTS
QUINN GOODFIELD
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound defensive end had a great summer, coach Tony Henney said. Goodfield has been wreaking havoc during team practices. He will be key to the defensive line, and with his experience, he may be able to help lead a young defensive unit.
TREVOR BLACKMORE
Blackmore returns for his second varsity season. Coach Tony Henney said Blackmore has had a good summer alongside Goodfield on the defensive line, and he expects them to be a disruptive force to opposing teams. Blackmore is only a junior and will have a chance to prove himself with more playing time.
Players to Watch
CHARLIE “CHUCK” ECKL
Eckl has gotten stronger and faster this offseason, which will be helpful, because he will be key on both sides of the ball for the Dolphins. Coach Tony Henney said Eckl, alongside tight end and linebacker Grant Peters, has looked good at both the linebacker and tight end spots and will be a positive contributor to both units. Eckl is only a junior, so he has some room for growth, but this year will allow him to establish a presence at both positions.
MORGAN SMITH
Smith will return to play cornerback for the Dolphins. He started 10 games last season and returns to a secondary that graduated a couple of key players. Last season, he finished with two interceptions and 31 tackles. The cornerback will have the opportunity to continue displaying his playmaking ability in the secondary this season.
GRANT PETERS
Peters showed promise at linebacker and tight end this offseason. Coach Tony Henney said Peters will get more playing time at tight end this year. Despite being slightly undersized for the position at 6-foot2, 165 pounds, Peters showed that he can handle both positions last season as a junior. Peters will be one of the more experienced players on the defensive side of the ball for the Dolphins.
GAME PREVIEWS 2024 DANA HILLS
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Coach: Phil Hughes
2023 Record: 1-9 (0-3 North Hills League)
2023 vs. DHHS: DHHS win, 47-14 Season Outlook:
After going 9-3 in 2022, Canyon struggled on both sides of the ball last year. The turnover from the previous year had many inexperienced players learning on the job last season. The departure of quarterback Corin Rynders opens the door for junior quarterback Alex Lundsberg to take over the play-calling duties for the Comanches. Both leading tacklers from last season departed, so younger talent including junior linebacker Landon Wade will be relied on for defensive production.
Coach: Mike Cofer
2023 Record: 10-2 (7-0 3A Southern)
2023 vs. DHHS: Did Not Play Season Outlook:
The Bulls had a strong 2023 campaign, going 10-2 but falling in the final of the 2023 NIAA Football Playoffs. Leading rusher Damien Nevil will be the workhorse for this offense, as he was last season with 1,820 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. Though their stout defense from last season lost some key playmakers, it has young talent such as linebacker Dylan Tondreau to fill any holes.
Coach: John Lester
2023 Record: 9-2 (2-1 Pacific Coast League)
2023 vs. DHHS: DHHS win, 21-20 Season Outlook:
Last season’s matchup between these two teams was a nailbiter, ending with an exhilarating comeback in the fourth quarter, in which Dana Hills scored 14 unanswered points to win, 21-20. Laguna Hills has been run-heavy for the past few seasons, and with senior running back Ryan Mckevitt returning, people should expect to see a run-focused offense again. The defense lost some key leaders from last season. Linebacker Will Hoss and defensive tackle Lance Tayco will be two experienced starters the Hawks will rely on this season.
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Coach: Michael Calahan
2023 Record: 7-5 (1-2 Sea View League)
2023 vs. DHHS: Did Not Play Season Outlook:
An established rivalry between the Dolphins and Wolverines returns after a season in which they did not meet. Aliso Niguel plays a run-focused style of offense, and senior Jarrett Sabol is poised to take over as the leader of the offense. The offensive and defensive lines will be a strength for the Wolverines. Their defense got younger, but many of the returning players contributed on defense last season. Seniors Max Blasing and Cameron Levine combined for 83 tackles last season, and with bigger roles should see those numbers improve.
Coach: Robert Pedroza
2023 Record: 6-5 (4-1 Orange Coast League)
2023 vs. DHHS: Did Not Play Season Outlook:
The Panthers and head coach Robert Pedroza struggled early last season, but once they played their league opponents, they found their stride. Orange’s running game took a massive hit with the loss of Ardwon Morris, who is now playing for Sacramento State. The Panthers will have to find a way to replace Morris’ 2,486 yards and 27 rushing touchdowns from last season.
Coach: David Gutierrez
2023 Record: 3-8 (0-5 Sunset League)
2023 vs. DHHS: Did Not Play
Season Outlook:
Fountain Valley’s move into a different league may be good for their outlook this season, because last year they struggled against established programs such as Corona del Mar and Edison. The team’s biggest producers were juniors last season, which will allow them to build upon the experience they gained. Their leading receiver, Noah Olivares, returns for his senior campaign. That will help senior Lucas Alexander as he transitions into the starting quarterback role to replace last season’s starter, Noa Banua.
Coach: JP Presley 2023 Record: 5-6 (1-2 North Hills League)
2023 vs. DHHS: Esperanza win, 63-34 Season Outlook: Esperanza lost five of its last six games last season but managed to make the playoffs with a 5-5 regular-season record. The Aztecs will try to build upon that success, and the key will be their offense. To sustain that success, the Aztecs will have to replace since-graduated running back Aaron Forsgren’s 1,544 yards and 19 touchdowns. Junior Brody Snyder saw significant playing time as a sophomore and appears set to take over the role in the backfield.
Coach: John Shanahan
2023 Record: 9-2 (3-0 Pac 4 League)
2023 vs. DHHS: Laguna Beach win, 24-10
Season Outlook:
The Breakers head into the season with high hopes after a 9-2 season despite losing in the first round of the playoffs. Laguna Beach’s star quarterback, Jacson Kollock, returns for his senior season after posting monster numbers as a junior. The 4-star quarterback threw for 3,174 yards and 41 touchdowns last season. With returning starters including receiver Charlie Hunt and some young talent that gained experience last season, there’s no reason to think Kollock and the Breakers can’t put up another tremendous season on the offensive side of the ball.
2023 Record: 6-5 (5-1 Orange Coast League)
2023 vs. DHHS: Did Not Play Season Outlook:
The Tartans had a decent showing in head coach Dan O’Shea’s first season at the school, but they struggled outside of their league games. Now-graduated quarterback Max Ruff was a major contributor to the offense last season, leading the passing attack with 2,519 yards and 32 touchdowns. Sophomore Charlie Allen may be the one to fill his shoes. Their leading receiver, Will Viola, returns to help strengthen the passing game. The secondary will be St. Margaret’s strength, with Luke Newman being a key leader to that group.
Coach: JC Clarke
2023 Record: 4-6 (1-2 Pacific Coast League)
2023 vs. DHHS: DHHS win, 42-21
Season Outlook:
The Timberwolves missed the playoffs last season after making a run to the state championship game in 2022. A bulk of their offensive production will come from their receiving corps, which will return three key producers from last season. Northwood will have to decide on a new starting quarterback to utilize that corps, however. The leader of the team will be receiver and linebacker Joseph Harper. Harper was the Pacific Coast League Offensive MVP with 11 touchdowns and 609 receiving yards. He also finished with 17 sacks, good for the school record and most sacks in Orange County. Harper will provide a dominant presence on both sides of the ball for Northwood.
Coach: Dan O’Shea