SATURDAY, AUG

2022 DANA HILLS GAME PREVIEWS

BY ZACH CAVANAGH

GAME 1 AUGUST 19

VS. UNIVERSITY

7 P.M. AT DANA HILLS HS 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 winning record three games into the season. The bad news was the ensuing 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.

GAME 6 SEPTEMBER 30

VS. BECKMAN

7 P.M. AT DANA HILLS HS 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 return their top rusher. It’s a long way to contending for the Patriots.

GAME 2 AUGUST 26

VS. LAGUNA BEACH

7 P.M. AT LAGUNA BEACH HS 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 neighbors, Dana Hills and Laguna Beach haven’t played frequently. The two played for the first time this millennium in 2018, when Laguna Beach won, 34-8. Dana Hills won, 10-7, in 2019 and again last season.

GAME 7 OCTOBER 7

VS. PORTOLA

7 P.M. AT DANA HILLS HS 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.

GAME 3 SEPTEMBER 9

VS. ALISO NIGUEL

7 P.M. AT DANA HILLS HS 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.

GAME 8 OCTOBER 14

VS. IRVINE

7 P.M. AT IRVINE HS 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 Vaqueros’ 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 quarterback Joseph Tierney returns. The Vaqueros also return their sack leader on defense in senior defensive tackle Harry Soltes. Irvine has won three of the past four against Dana Hills.

GAME 4 SEPTEMBER 16

VS. WOODBRIDGE

7 P.M. AT DANA HILLS HS 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.

GAME 9 OCTOBER 21

VS. LAGUNA HILLS

7 P.M. AT LAGUNA HILLS HS 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 improvement 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. Laguna 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.

GAME 5 SEPTEMBER 23

VS. EISENHOWER

7 P.M. AT EISENHOWER HS 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.

GAME 10 OCTOBER 28

VS. NORTHWOOD

7 P.M. AT IRVINE HS 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 championship. 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 Northwood’s biggest offensive threat, and he’s joined by returning senior quarterback Eugene Miyata and senior receiver Andrew Penrod.

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH OFFENSE

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ZACH CAVANAGH

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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.

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. Garcia will be a big piece for the future of the Dolphins offense.

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.

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.

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 DEFENSE

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ZACH CAVANAGH

1 2 3 4 5

BLAIZE BOLTER

S, Sr. Bolter moves back from the linebacker spot to the safety position. Like many impact players for the Dolphins, Bolter will play two ways, with time as a wide receiver on offense. Bolter said he plays fast and physical and will try to hit anyone. Bolter made 31 tackles last season.

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.

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.

DEACON HILL

LB, Jr. Hill is another who moves from the defensive line back to the linebacker 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.

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 tackles, including four tackles for loss.