2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW DOLPHINS danapointtimes.comDana Point Times August 12-18, 2022 Page 9 YOUR GUIDE TO THE SEASON: GAME PREVIEWS, KEYANDPLAYERSMORE!
danapointtimes.comDana Point Times August 12-18, 2022 Page 10 Dana Hills’ program numbers expanded exponentially, but the Dolphins need new faces to step up after historic season BY ZACH CAVANAGH Dana Hills dramatically increased the number of players in the program. After having just 55 total players last season, the Dolphins added 55 freshmen alone for a total of 120 players program-wide. Photo: Keaton Larson GROWTHREGROWTHAND
Last season, Dana Hills’ hits came in from theAssecondary.withtheaforementioned physicality issue, it was up to the safeties, corners and outside linebackers to come up and finish off running plays, as well as to defend the pass. The Dolphins graduated their top four tacklers from a year ago, and all of them came from that back half of the defense.
“I think we have a chance to be better than we were a year ago, even though we have a
For all the highs that Year 1 brought for Henney and the Dolphins, Year 2 is where the real work begins. It started in the weight room, but the biggest fights are ahead. Dana Hills lost nearly all of its dynamic offensive contributors to gradua tion, and the Dolphins graduated their entire secondary. There are a handful of senior leaders who remain, but new contributors mustAdditionally,emerge. Dana Hills isn’t sneaking up on anybody anymore, and the schedule ahead in the Pacific Coast Conference is tougher, as the teams come closer together. There is work to do for Dana Hills, but the Dolphins are ready to throw their punches.
Another growth that Henney is happy with in his second season at the helm is the size of the program. Last season, Henney said his biggest goal program-wide was first to build num bers, either by getting current students to join up or to have incoming freshmen be excited to join a rising program. The Dolphins got both in spades. Dana Hills had 16 freshmen and 55 players total at this time last year. In this year’s camp, the Dolphins had 55 fresh men come out for football, with a total of 120 players across the entire program. “I didn’t think we’d pull off 55 freshmen after one year. That’s surprising,” Henney said. “It’s a good feeling to see the football community here buy into something new. It’s refreshing to have people saying, ‘What else can we do?’ Sometimes, you take over a program and people say, ‘Well, we’ve never done it like that before.’ It’s been good.” Almost everything about this start to a new era of Dana Hills football has been good for Henney. While Henney conceded that nobody thought they’d have such a strong start last season, it’s clear by the program numbers that nothing could have been a better billboard for Henney’s longterm project at Dana Hills. Henney has settled in for Year 2, and the program overall has embraced the“Well,change.for one, and I really mean this, I really like it here,” Henney said. “The people—not just the boosters, the fans, the parents—were really receptive in trying to build something. I’m thrilled with the effort of the people involved in the program. Everybody coming together and saying, let’s make this a real thing. The past doesn’t have to repeat itself. Let’s be the best program we can possibly be.”
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DEFENSIVE STRENGTH SHIFTS
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CHANGING OFFENSIVE FOCUS
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Vernon is developing a passing attack with players such as senior Blaize Bolter and junior Noah Brown. Dana Hills will get a big jolt for its passing game if or when junior San Juan Hills transfers Chase Berry and Noah Kucera become eligible. Dana Hills may not get their services until after a transfer sit-out period, but their speed will bring a much-needed, over-the-top dynamic for the Dolphins.
—Head Coach Tony Henney
The Dana Hills High School football team was a lot of things last year. It was record-breaking, as the Dolphins saw numerous offensive passing marks fall, including single-game, single-season and career passing-yard performances by then-senior quarterback Bo Kelly. Kelly signed with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. It was historic, as Dana Hills returned to the playoffs for the first time in eight years with their best regular-season record since 2009. The Dolphins battled to overtime against El Modena, but their playoff run ended in the Division 5 first round. hat the Dolphins weren’t was particularly physical. Head coach Tony Henney said as much last season, when Dana Hills’ defense was bowled over by a 300-yard rushing performance by Trabuco Hills. “I told our kids the only thing that could fix their 28 points and their sacks against us is a full year in the weight room for us,” Henney told the Dana Point Times that night. So, Henney and the Dana Hills program committed to fixing that. Improvements were made to the weight room facility, and the Dolphins took advantage of the first full, regular offseason schedule since 2019.
Going into last season, it was easy to see the offense forming around Kelly. Chemistry had built up with receiver Omar Black, and receiver Owen Chambers came in to give Kelly one more weapon to send the Dolphins’ passing attack truly over the top. However, all of those players are gone, and Dana Hills has to form something new. There is only one returning offensive player with a varsity touchdown to his name: senior running back Christian Guarascio. Guarascio led Dana Hills in rushing with 612 yards and four touchdowns on 100 carries. He also caught 14 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown. Guarascio had two 100-yard rushing performances against Woodbridge and Laguna Hills. The rest of the returners for Dana Hills come on the line, with senior center Johnny Owen, senior all-league left tackle Ethan Torbert and junior right tackle Kevin Garcia. Their improve ments in size and strength have been noted, but they’ll be the most important players on the field for the Dolphins to succeed. “I think if we’re going to have a good season, we’re going to have to be physical,” Henney said. “We’re going to have to be a (Continued)
The Dana Hills offense will replace its quarterback and all of its receivers from a record-setting passing attack last season. Photo: Keaton Larson real physical football team. If we can’t be that, we’re not going to be the video-game show we were from a points perspective. We better stand up and punch.” Stepping into the shoes of Kelly at quar terback is senior Connor Vernon. Vernon saw only three games of action as a linebacker last season before tearing his ACL against Aliso Niguel. Vernon takes the keys to an offense that will have to be multifaceted. “I tell people our offense is like McDon ald’s,” Henney said. “One day, you’re going to order Big Macs. Some days, you’re going to order chicken nuggets. We’re just going to use parts of the menu that benefit our team. Obviously, Christian is going to be a big part of that, but you can’t just run the ball these days. You have to be able to throw the ball, too, and we’re working on it. It’s going really well.”
Now, Dana Hills has built a sturdy offensive front that will be integral, as the Dolphins will have to grind out tighter games without the same explosive air attack. Dana Hills’ defense will lean forward with its front seven, as all of the Dolphins’ linemen understood their offseason assignments. “All those guys had incredible offseasons,” Henney said. “They hadn’t gotten a lot of lifting in with the way COVID had been. They really transformed their bodies and got a lot stronger. We’re pretty happy with them as a group.”
CHANGES TO LEAGUE MAKEUP, NAME Every year, the Pacific Coast Conference will swap the last-place team from its upper league and the first-place team from its lower league. This year, that means Portola goes down and Northwood comes up. This season, those leagues also see chang es with their actual names. When the Pacific Coast League expanded to become the Pacific Coast Conference with the additions of Dana Hills and Laguna Hills, it created two new four-team leagues: the Pacif ic Hills League and the Pacific Valley League. Dana Hills and Laguna Hills were, appropri ately, in the Pacific Hills League, along with Portola and, later, Irvine. This season, the Pacific Hills League is now back to the old Pacific Coast League moniker, and the Pacific Valley League is now the Pacif ic Hills League. Following along? Dana Hills is in the Pacific Coast League with Laguna Hills, reigning league champi on Irvine and Northwood, the Pacific Valley League and CIF-SS Division 11 champion. The Pacific Hills League is made up of Beckman, Portola, University and Woodbridge. Last season, the upper league eviscerated the lower league with an unbeaten record and a litany of lopsided scores. This season, Henney doesn’t think that will be the case. “I think there’s going to be some real dog fight games,” Henney said. “Even the other league will be better. I think it’s going to be interesting. There’s going to be more mix and match. “I think it’s going to be a very competitive football season.”
Dana Hills made the playoffs for the first time in eight years last season, and the Dolphins now look toward trying to win their first playoff game since 2009. Photo: Keaton Larson
ASSESSING THE CIF-SS PLAYOFF SYSTEM
The CIF-SS enters the second season of its in-season, power-ranking-determined playoff format. Playoff divisions will again be decided after the season by the algorithm of calpreps.com, which is updated each week with the latest results. For the most part, Dana Hills had no qualms about the new system. Despite the first-round loss, the Dolphins were in no way outclassed being in Division 5. However, Hen ney wonders if Dana Hills shouldn’t have been a bit lower, and who knows how that Dolphins offense plays in a lower division. “You look at it two ways,” Henney said. “We played a really competitive game that went to overtime against a team that was very good and had a chance to win it. So, I don’t know how much you can gripe. I will say, the only thing I did think: our best win was against a team that was ranked in Division 8, and how does that equal Division 5 (for us)? I don’t know. That didn’t seem correct. However, if it was the old system, we would’ve been in Divi sion 12 and probably won the whole thing.”
(Continued)
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Pacific Coast Conference members Northwood and Woodbridge benefited from the format. Northwood was 5-5 in the regular season, but the Timberwolves won their first-ever CIF-SS title in Division 11. Woodbridge was 3-7 in the regular season and advanced to the semifinals in Division 12. Dana Hills beat Northwood, 56-30, and Woodbridge, 34-6. Dana Hills doesn’t belong all the way down in those divisions, as they demonstrated with those big wins over Northwood and Wood bridge. However, it does point to the idea that teams can benefit by slipping to divisions below their station. Examples of this played out last season with Orange Lutheran winning Division 2 as the only Trinity League playoff team not in Division 1, as well as perennial powerhouse Long Beach Poly tearing through the Division 4 playoffs. On the other hand, it does give other teams, like Northwood, Woodbridge or even Orange Lutheran, opportunities to win CIF-SS championships that they otherwise would never have had a shot of capturing. Ultimately, the first year of this playoff system showed teams can’t control where they land, but they can control whether they qualify or not. To get back to the playoffs and try to get their first playoff win since 2009, the Dolphins have a lot of building to do.
However, as it did for the offensive line, the offseason was good to the defensive line in the weight room. Dana Hills will have plenty of guys going both ways up front, but the line will be where the Dolphins’ defensive effort emanates.“We’repretty multiple on defense,” Henney said. “I think we have a chance to be better than we were a year ago, even though we have a brand-new secondary. We’re just going to be much more physical up front as a group.” Torbert will come over from the offensive side and again lead that Dana Hills front. Young players including juniors Mitch Hill and Nate DePierro will help bolster the run-stop ping and pass-rushing on the line. Backing up the line is a solid lineback ing corps led by senior Ethan Brougham. Brougham is the leading returning tackler for Dana Hills, with 62 total tackles last season, including 38 solo tackles and 24 assisted tackles.Senior Deacon Hill will also make an impact at linebacker. Guarascio will also be in the mix for the linebackers.
Coach: Tom Ricci 2021 Record: 10-1 (3-0 Pacific Hills League) 2021 vs. DH: Irvine win, 47-28 Season Outlook: Irvine posted its first unbeaten regular season since 2000 and won its second straight league title last season. The Vaque ros’ unfortunate reward in the new CIF-SS playoff system was a jump up to Division 4 and a road game against eventual CIF-SS finalist St. Francis of La Cañada. Irvine lost its league MVP running back and its top receivers, but junior quarter back Joseph Tierney returns. The Vaqueros also return their sack leader on defense in senior defen sive tackle Harry Soltes. Irvine has won three of the past four against Dana Hills.
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Coach: JC Clarke 2021 Record: 9-6 (3-0 Pacific Valley League) 2021 vs. DH: DH win, 56-30 Season Outlook: Northwood caught fire at the end of last season. Once the Timberwolves hit league play, Northwood dominated its league opponents and rolled through the Division 11 playoffs for the program’s first CIF-SS champi onship. Northwood now moves up into the Pacific Coast League, and while the challenge will be tougher, the Timberwolves will be better off for their playoff experience and a host of returners. Senior running back Adam Harper was North wood’s biggest offensive threat, and he’s joined by returning senior quarterback Eugene Miyata and senior receiver Andrew Penrod.
Coach: Marcello Giuliano 2021 Record: 2-8 (1-2 Pacific Valley League) 2021 vs. DH: DH win, 42-0 Season Outlook: Last season was more than a struggle for Beckman, as the Patriots found themselves on the wrong side of a lot of big scores. Beckman’s only two wins came against a 2-7 Bellflower team in the season opener and a 2-8 University team. Beckman had five different players attempt a pass last season, with three earning significant time. Two of those main quarterbacks were a freshman and a sophomore. The Patriots also re turn their top rusher. It’s a long way to contending for the Patriots.
Coach: Aaron Craver 2021 Record: 5-8 (2-1 Pacific Valley League) 2021 vs. DH: DH win, 34-6 Season Outlook: Last season was a strange one for Woodbridge. The Warriors were handled fairly easily in their nonleague slate, rebounded for a couple league wins and then put together their most successful playoff run in years with a trip to the CIF-SS Division 12 semifinals. The good thing for Woodbridge is that all its main contributors from that run return. It was the youth that took over late in the season. Junior Edward Ma returns at quarterback, senior Feiamma Armstrong returns at running back and senior Daniel Goodrich returns at receiver.
Coach: Michael Callahan 2021 Record: 4-6 (0-3 Sea View League) 2021 vs. DH: DH win, 29-28 Season Outlook: Aliso Niguel has been Dana Hills’ most fierce local rival on the football field, but the series has gone in streaks. Dana Hills won eight straight from 2005-2013, and Aliso Niguel won the next five. The Dolphins broke the Wolverines’ streak last year with a last-minute touchdown in an absolute thriller. This season, Aliso Niguel’s offense is in the hands of junior quarterback Hunter Najm, who started the last three games for the Wolverines. Najm threw for 605 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions in those games.
Coach: Vince Mesa 2021 Record: 2-8 (0-3 Pacific Valley League) 2021 vs. DH: DH win, 43-0 Season Outlook: Last season was a little bit of good news and a lot of bad news for University. The good news was the Trojans won their first game since 2018, and even won back-to-back games to post a win ning record three games into the season. The bad news was the en suing four consecutive shutouts, as University was absolutely rolled by the Pacific Coast Conference. The Trojans lost their final seven games of the season by a combined score of 308-27. University will need a lot to change to be successful this season.
Coach: Al Brown 2021 Record: 6-4 (2-1 San Andreas League) 2021 vs. DH: N/A, first meeting Season Outlook: Dana Hills welcomes a new face to its schedule, as the Dolphins travel to Eisenhower in Rialto. Last season, Eisenhower took its first steps on the football field since 2019, as the Eagles did not have a 2020 season at all due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Eisenhower was basically a two-man show, with a running quarterback and a top receiver who both graduated. This is only Eisenhower’s second game against an Orange County team in recent years. The Eagles traveled to Newport Harbor in 2015.
Coach: John Lester 2021 Record: 7-4 (1-2 Pacific Hills League) 2021 vs. DH: DH win, 55-23 Season Outlook: Laguna Hills is a prime candidate for major im provement this season. The Hawks had a strong string of results last season, with wins in tight games and a playoff appearance in John Lester’s first season at the helm. La guna Hills also returns its starting quarterback, top two rushers, top four receivers, top tacklers, sack leaders and turnover leaders. Laguna Hills was good last season, and with most of its team intact, it should be even better. Senior Kaden Austin is the quarterback, and seniors Nick Ferlauto and Troy Leigber are the returning running backs.
2022 DANA HILLS GAME PREVIEWS VS. UNIVERSITY 7 P.M. AT DANA HILLS HS VS. BECKMAN 7 P.M. AT DANA HILLS HS VS. LAGUNA BEACH 7 P.M. AT LAGUNA BEACH HS VS. PORTOLA 7 P.M. AT DANA HILLS HS VS. ALISO NIGUEL 7 P.M. AT DANA HILLS HS VS. IRVINE 7 P.M. AT IRVINE HS VS. WOODBRIDGE 7 P.M. AT DANA HILLS HS VS. LAGUNA HILLS 7 P.M. AT LAGUNA HILLS HS VS. EISENHOWER 7 P.M. AT EISENHOWER HS VS. NORTHWOOD 7 P.M. AT IRVINE HS GAME 1 GAME 6 GAME 2 GAME 7 GAME 3 GAME 8 GAME 4 GAME 9 GAME 5 GAME 10 AUGUST SEPTEMBER1930 AUGUST OCTOBER267 SEPTEMBER 9 OCTOBER 14 SEPTEMBER 16 OCTOBER 21 SEPTEMBER 23 OCTOBER 28 BY ZACH CAVANAGH
Coach: Peter Abe 2021 Record: 7-3 (0-3 Pacific Hills League) 2021 vs. DH: DH won, 35-28 Season Outlook: Despite a winless league record, Portola was a formidable team last season. The Bulldogs committed to the ground game and were competitive in every league game. Portola still qualified for the playoffs in Division 9 but lost in the first round to the eventual champion, Colony of Ontario. Portola graduated its star running back and its quarterback, but the Bulldogs have proven to be a well-coached and disciplined group under Peter Abe. They’ll be no slouch this season. Portola has put up a 21-8 record over the past three seasons.
Coach: John Shanahan 2021 Record: 10-2 (3-0 Pac-4 League) 2021 vs. DH: DH won, 35-7 Season Outlook: Laguna Beach was a potent offensive team, particularly in the air with 3,356 passing yards and 45 passing touchdowns. The Breakers’ only regular-season blemish came against Dana Hills. However, like the Dolphins, Laguna Beach will need to do some rebuilding of that explosive offense, as the Breakers graduated their quarterback and top receivers. Despite being neigh bors, Dana Hills and Laguna Beach haven’t played frequently. The two played for the first time this millen nium in 2018, when Laguna Beach won, 34-8. Dana Hills won, 10-7, in 2019 and again last season.
JOHNNY OWEN C, Sr. Owen is the lead returner on the Dana Hills offensive line as the big senior up front. Owen is listed at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds and will move the interior of the running attack. Owen said that this year’s Dolphins are mean and nasty on the offensive line.
FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH OFFENSE
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NOAH KUCERA WR, Jr. Kucera is another transfer from San Juan Hills who will be a big weapon for Dana Hills on the outside when he becomes eligible. Kucera is a good, all-around athlete who’s gotten after it in the weight room. Coach Tony Henney said Kucera has adapted well to the Dolphins system.
CHRISTIAN GUARASCIO RB, Sr. Guarascio has embraced his role as a senior leader of the Dana Hills offense. Guarascio carried the ball 100 times for 612 yards and four touchdowns last season. He also caught 14 passes for 160 yards. He will also help the defense with reps as a linebacker. KEVIN GARCIA RT, Jr. Garcia is a key returner on a Dolphins offensive line that has improved its size and strength. Garcia comes in at 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds to lock down the front side of the Dana Hills offense. Gar cia will be a big piece for the future of the Dolphins offense.
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ZACH CAVANAGH DANA HILLS 1 2 3 4 5
CHASE BERRY WR, Jr. Berry will help replace some of the top speed lost on the outside of the Dana Hills offense. Berry ran a time of 11.24 seconds in the 100-meter sprint in the spring at San Juan Hills. When eligible, Berry will take the top off opposing defenses.
NATE DEPIERRO DL, Jr. DePierro brings more size up front on the defensive line. DePierro is listed at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds. The Dana Hills defense will lean forward with its strong defensive front. DePierro will also go both ways for the Dolphins, with reps as a tight end on offense.
BLAIZE BOLTER S, Sr. Bolter moves back from the line backer spot to the safety position. Like many impact players for the Dolphins, Bolter will play two ways, with time as a wide receiver on of fense. Bolter said he plays fast and physical and will try to hit anyone. Bolter made 31 tackles last season.
FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH DEFENSE TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ZACH CAVANAGH DANA HILLS 1 2 3 4 5
ETHAN BROUGHAM LB, Sr. Brougham moves back from the defensive line to the linebacking corps after a big season for the Dana Hills defense last season. Brougham is the leading returning tackler for the Dolphins, with 62 total tackles last season, including 38 solo tackles, 24 assisted tackles and nine tackles for loss.
DEACON HILL LB, Jr. Hill is another who moves from the defensive line back to the lineback er spot. Hill is 6-foot, 205 pounds and made nine tackles last season as a sophomore. Hill said he is still learning and trying to be fast and explosive. Hill will also play a bit as a running back.
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ETHAN TORBERT DE, Sr. Torbert was an all-league selection as an offensive lineman last season, but he’ll also make a huge impact on the defensive line. Torbert is 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, and he was one of the better tacklers up front last season. Torbert made 27 tack les, including four tackles for loss.
- Head Coach Tony Henney
“My favorite part about this Dolphins team is our grit and our want to play football. No matter what people think of us, we’re going to go out and make plays and do our best.”
DOLPHIN TRAINING CAMP
“THIS YEAR, WE’RE GOING TO HIT YOU IN THE MOUTH, AND YOU’RE GOING TO ACCEPT IT, BECAUSE WE ARE THOSE GUYS. WE’RE MEAN AND WE’RE NASTY.”
- Junior Tackle Kevin Garcia TALK
- Senior Center Johnny Owen “IF WE’RE GOING TO HAVE A GOOD SEASON, WE’RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE PHYSICAL. … WE BETTER STAND UP AND PUNCH.”
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- Senior Running Back Christian Guarascio
“I like the energy. We constantly work hard. We keep on pushing. We keep on going no matter how hard it gets. No matter how difficult it gets.”
