2019 Dolphins Football Preview

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ana Hills football’s mantra for the 2019 season is keep everything “above the line.”

It’s a phrase assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Curtis R. Madden II adopted and presented to the team from former Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer’s book, Above the Line: Lessons in Leadership and Life from a Championship Season.

The phrase applies two-fold to the Dolphins.

On the scoreboard, Dana Hills is looking to stay above the .500 line. The Dolphins pushed above .500 for the first time at any point in a season since 2013 by winning two of their first three games last season.

However, Dana Hills’ shutout win over Saddleback for its second win of the season was the high point of 2018, as the team lost its final seven games.

The 2013 Dolphins were the last Dana Hills team to finish the regular season at .500 (5-5) and the last to make the playoffs.

The Dolphins have won just seven games in the past five seasons. Their last winning season came in 2009.

In a push to change those fortunes and the culture that has beset Dana Hills football, the coaching staff and players are applying the phrase as Meyer put it in his book.

2019 DOLPHINS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

the right staff, you can do that,” Skinner said.

“Things get a little heated, feelings may get hurt, but that doesn’t matter. We put things aside, and say this is what we need to do to better ourselves.”

Above the Line Dana Hills High School football works to change program culture and push toward the playoffs

BY ZACH CAVANAGH

“You look at chipping on another guy,” Dana Hills coach Phil Skinner said, “blaming this, blaming that, losing team continuity; that’s below-the-line behavior. We talk about above-the-line behavior—what would be the right thing to do and raise your teammate up?”

Skinner said he and his staff have taken that to heart in the way they approach games and practice. The staff has some new additions, but it also has some much-needed consistency at the top with assistants and coordinators.

“We did a lot of self-examination. With

Culture Shift It’s a cultural battle at Dana Hills, Skinner said. He knows the program can succeed.

Skinner saw it first-hand after he joined the school as an offensive line coach in 2007.

Dana Hills went from a 1-8-1 season in 2007 to a 5-5 year in 2008 and then to a 9-3 season in 2009.

“We’ve had good times way back when,” Skinner said. “We’ve had a rough stretch.

Before the good times, they had a long rough go, too. There’s always that community mentality saying that ‘Dana Hills, they’re not going to be very good.’ There would always be influences as to why they can’t. We’re trying to get them to believe why they can.

That’s the cultural shift.”

The cultural shift is beginning to take shape.

It’s starting with consistency among the coaches, specifically coordinators, and some success in summer 7-on-7 passing leagues.

The coaches are strong on schemes and earnest in their belief of the players, and that has filtered down to the players.

(Continued)

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(Continued) “There’s confidence in the players and coaching staff,” senior defensive end Liam Boersma said. “Last year, we had a lot of instability. This year, we seem to be a lot more connected and locked in. There’s a lot more brotherhood. We trust each other more than ever.”

The brotherhood is echoed by Boersma’s teammates and manifested by a noticeable energy in practices.

“I think we are coming together as a whole,” senior quarterback Zackary Saavedra said. “Last year, we were kind of playing individually. We had those skilled players, but we weren’t playing as a whole team.

We’re only as strong as our weakest link.”

Skill on Offense The team’s skill players built their brotherhood and gained more belief through a bevy of seven-on-seven competitions over the offseason.

Seven-on-seven is essentially two-hand touch football without any of the linemen.

It can be a tricky way to judge a team, because the games lack the sport’s trademark physicality, and any coach will tell you how important linemen are to a team’s success.

However, it was essential in building confidence of a team with plenty to offer in the outside positions.

“Sure, its 7-on-7,” Skinner said. “It’s not really football; it’s not Friday night games. At the same time, they are fully competitive against

other great high schools. They beat Servite.

They beat Villa Park. They’ve beat pretty good football teams in 7-on-7. Our skill kids have had that taste that they can (succeed).”

Skinner said of the 63 seven-on-seven games the Dolphins played over the offseason, they won 56 of them.

That is a tribute to the growth of Saavedra at quarterback, as well as the stable of weapons at his disposal.

“He’s taken a huge step forward as a leader,” Madden said of Saavedra. “We did seven-on-seven quite a lot this year and did quite a lot of classroom work teaching them better tools with how to read the defenses pre-snap and post-snap, giving them concepts that are very easy to fit their skill set.

He’s really taken charge.”

Dana Hills has plenty of speed on the outside in players such as juniors Noah Simpson, Kellen McGrath and Seth Lyon and senior Trevor Gartlan. Skinner said Simpson will get the ball in a variety of ways, and Gartlan is a speedster at running back.

The receivers also add sophomore James Allemann, who has the height at 6-foot-4 to be a potential impact player now and in the future.

While they don’t get to play in the sevenon-seven with the rest, the Dolphins have two anchors on either side of the offensive line in seniors Tanner Vallejo and Aidan Pierce. Vallejo is a returning leader up front, and Pierce is a transfer from San Juan Hills

FIVE TO WATCH: OFFENSE

James Allemann

Trevor Gartlan

Seth Lyon

Aidan Pierce

WR • SO. • NO. 84

RB • SR. • NO. 13

WR • JR. • NO. 7

OT • SR. • NO. 72

Allemann has stood out early in camp for Dana Hills, and it’s easy to see why.

As a 6-foot-4 sophomore, Allemann knows how to use his height and length to get the ball at its highest point.

Allemann will be a go-to receiver for the Dolphins and an impact player.

Gartlan is one of the fastest Dolphins on the field.

Gartlan will factor as the primary running back for Dana Hills after being the No. 2 rusher for the Dolphins last season. Another Dana Hills player going both ways, Gartlan will take snaps at outside linebacker on defense.

Lyon is an all-around player for the Dolphins. He will line up part-time on defense, and his arm may even get some use in a quarterback package. Lyon will also see time on special teams. Lyon will primarily line up as a receiver. One way or another, Lyon will get involved.

Pierce is a valuable addition to the Dana Hills offensive line. He is a transfer from San Juan Hills and brings size at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, skills already honed and a ready knowledge of the Sea View League. Pierce has already taken on a leadership role early on.

2019 DOLPHINS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

BY ZACH CAVANAGH

Tanner Vallejo OT • SR. • NO. 70 Vallejo is a two-way lineman for Dana Hills, but he will primarily get his reps at offensive tackle. Vallejo and new transfer tackle Aidan Pierce solidify the ends of the Dolphin line. Vallejo will be a leader for the group up front, as Dana Hills looks to get its offense going.

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who has come in to take on a leadership role, as well.

Skinner believes his group will be able to spread the ball around with the passing game, and the line will be relied on to protect the quarterback and take advantage of a light front with the running game.

Disruptive Defense The Dana Hills defense will benefit from a second year of defensive coordinator Brad Carter.

“We will have a lot of movement on the front,” Skinner said. “Coach Carter has really stepped up his game, especially with his stunts up front. You’ve got a player like Liam (Boersma) and a lot of the linemen and

linebackers—you have to create chaos on the offensive line, cause disruption.”

The focal point on the defensive front will be Boersma. The defensive end was a bright spot for Dana Hills as a junior as he set the team records in tackles for loss, blocked kicks, blocked passes and sacks. With 25 pounds of muscle added to his 6-foot-4 frame, Boersma will be vital to the Dolphins’ efforts.

Skinner described his defense as full of speed and “pretty good hitters.”

Senior linebacker Sam Shultz may be the biggest hitter of the bunch. Shultz led Dana Hills in tackles last season.

Players including Zackary Saavedra at safety, Lukas Saavedra at defensive back and Simpson at safety will play both ways for

the Dolphins, again showcasing a stable of athleticism.

“We like to be platooned as much as possible,” Skinner said, “but the bottom line is, I learned a long time ago if you see some of your best players standing on the sideline next to you, you’re a terrible coach.”

Pushing Forward Dana Hills has the athleticism, has embraced the new approach and gained the belief. With the schedule ahead of them, the Dolphins have set their goals, and they’re aiming for the playoffs.

“We want to take this season deeper than the 10 games as we have them,” Skinner said. “It’s because the kids finally understand

and believe that they can do it.”

There are three teams with new coaches in Dana Hills’ nonleague schedule and plenty of teams dealing with the same roster numbers as the Dolphins. The top teams of the Sea View League—Aliso Niguel and San Juan Hills—may be out of reach, but Dana Hills is in the same boat with Laguna Hills and Trabuco Hills.

For Skinner, it’s all about mentality. The Dolphins have a manageable schedule, but in a building process, adversity is still going to arrive.

“There’s going to be hard times,” Skinner said, “but we cannot have below-the-line thinking. We have to have above-the line thinking, rise above and prevail.”

FIVE TO WATCH: DEFENSE

Liam Boersma

Lukas Saavedra

Zackary Saavedra

Sam Shultz

BY ZACH CAVANAGH

Noah Simpson

DE • SR. • NO. 27

DB • JR. • NO. 10

S • SR. • NO. 2

LB • SR. • NO. 33

S • JR. • NO. 6

Boersma was a force last season on the edge. Boersma set the team records in tackles for loss, blocked kicks, blocked passes and sacks. He should be even more of a threat with 25 pounds of muscle added to his 6-foot-4 frame. Boersma will also catch passes on offense.

Saavedra was described as a “light-’em-up type of kid” on defense by Coach Phil Skinner. Saavedra is a strong athlete that grew in height and weight over the offseason and will play both ways for the Dolphins. Saavedra will show off a strong receiverpasser connection with his brother Zackary.

Saavedra will be in the middle of things on both sides of the ball. Saavedra is a key component of the secondary and the returning starting quarterback. Coach Skinner said Zackary “plays quarterback from a hitting standpoint.” Saavedra said he embraced his role as a leader this offseason.

Shultz led the Dana Hills defense in tackles last season with 67 solo tackles and 90 total. Shultz isn’t the biggest linebacker at 5-foot-10, 155 pounds, but Coach Skinner called him the biggest hitter on the team. Shultz fills in on run defense with a forward and hard style.

Simpson will be all over the field for Dana Hills this season. Coach Skinner called him the team’s best allaround athlete. Simpson will use his speed in the secondary, and he’ll also be used in a variety of ways on offense.

Simpson takes on the role as a possession receiver.

2019 DOLPHINS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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Training Camp

DOLPHIN TALK “The mentality is to win. Right now, we definitely want to make the playoffs. We want to prove to everyone that Dana Hills is a football squad now.”

– Senior defensive end Liam Boersma

“We are coming together as a whole. Last year, we were kind of playing individually. We had those skilled players, but we weren’t playing as a whole team. We’re only as strong as our weakest link.”

– Senior quarterback Zackary Saavedra

“We talk about above-the-line behavior; what would be the right thing to do and raise your teammate up? Above-the-line behavior, approach and attitude is what we’re all about.”

– Head coach Phil Skinner

“I feel like we’ve got a critical mass approaching to really do something transformational here.

We’ve got to continue to stay focused and guide these young men to our ultimate goal.”

– Assistant head coach, offensive coordinator Curtis R. Madden II

2019 DOLPHINS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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GAME PREVIEWS

ALL GAMES BEGIN AT 7 P.M.

BY ZACH CAVANAGH

GAME ONE // FRIDAY, AUG. 23

LOS AMIGOS

GAME TWO // FRIDAY, AUG. 30

NORTHWOOD

GAME THREE // THURS., SEPT. 5 GAME FOUR // FRIDAY, SEPT. 13

SADDLEBACK

LAGUNA BEACH

GAME FIVE // FRIDAY, SEPT. 20

IRVINE

Location: Garden Grove HS Coach: Maopu Tuato 2018 Record: 3-7 (0-5 Garden Grove League) 2018 vs. DH: LA win, 19-17

Location: Dana Hills HS Coach: Paige Nobles 2018 Record: 8-4 (3-2 Pacific Coast League) 2018 vs. DH: Did not play

Location: Segerstrom HS Coach: Nick Diulio 2018 Record: 3-7 (2-3 Orange Coast League) 2018 vs. DH: DH win, 46-0

Location: Dana Hills HS Coach: John Shanahan 2018 Record: 10-3 (2-1 Pac 4 League) 2018 vs. DH: LB win, 24-8

Location: Irvine HS Coach: Tom Ricci 2018 Record: 5-7 (3-2 Pacific Coast League) 2018 vs. DH: Irvine win, 22-9

Season Outlook: Dana Hills and Los Amigos will come into this season opener with plenty of motivation.

Both teams will be looking to bounce back after disappointing 2018 campaigns. Dana Hills also will look to avenge a tight loss last year, but the Lobos will have a more emotional push.

Los Amigos’ previous head coach of 11 seasons, Carl Agnew, resigned at the end of last season. Defensive coordinator Harold McDowell was hired to take over in February, but then in April, McDowell suddenly passed away.

Former Lobo quarterback Maopu Tuato is now coach and has installed a spread offense.

Season Outlook: After posting its best record since 2010 and recording its best playoff performance since 2012, Northwood is now on its third coach since 2014.

Paige Nobles takes over after two seasons as special teams coordinator, defensive line coach and running backs coach under former coach Pete Mitchell.

Northwood could be poised to repeat or further its success from last season with major returners in place.

Senior quarterback Jaden Piazza returns after throwing for 1,341 yards and 14 touchdowns and leading the team in rushing with 316 yards. Top receiver Travis Arena returns, as well as top tackler Xavier Cousar.

Season Outlook: To say that Saddleback struggled to open last season may even be underselling it.

The Roadrunners, then in their first season under Coach Nick Diulio, were shut out in six of the team’s first eight games and overall were outscored by a combined total of 341-14 in those eight games, including a 46-0 win by Dana Hills.

Last season’s game unfortunately marked a high point for Dana Hills, as the Dolphins lost their remaining seven games.

Saddleback ended last season on a high note with back-to-back wins and hopes to ride that momentum and coaching consistency into this season.

Season Outlook: Laguna Beach is looking to build off one of the better seasons in school history.

The Breakers won 10 games for just the fifth time in the school’s 85-year history and for the first time since 2012. Laguna Beach also made its deepest playoff run since 2011, with a push to the Division 12 semifinals.

The Breakers lose some top skill players in their leading rushers and receivers, but the Laguna Beach offense will be anchored by senior quarterback AJ Johnson. Last season, Johnson threw often and completed 56% of his passes for 3,246 yards and 42 touchdowns.

Season Outlook: Irvine finished second in the Pacific Coast League last season and advanced to the second round of the Division 11 playoffs, but the Vaqueros find themselves under new leadership in 2019.

Tom Ricci, former Savanna head coach, signed on to coach his alma mater in February. Ricci had coached under previous Irvine coach Erik Terry, and Ricci played for the coach that preceded Terry’s nine-year tenure: Vaquero legend Terry Henigan, in 1988.

Irvine has holes to fill, as the Vaqueros’ starting quarterback, leading rushers, leading receiver and leading tacklers all graduated. No. 2 receiver Jacob Sears returns as a senior.

GAME SEVEN // FRIDAY, OCT. 4

GAME EIGHT // FRIDAY, OCT. 11

GAME NINE // FRIDAY, OCT. 18

GAME TEN // FRIDAY, OCT. 25

GAME SIX // FRIDAY, SEPT. 27

OCEAN VIEW

LAGUNA HILLS

TRABUCO HILLS

ALISO NIGUEL

SAN JUAN HILLS

Location: Ocean View HS Coach: Luis Nunez 2018 Record: 9-2 (2-1 Pac 4 League) 2018 vs. DH: OV win, 38-0

Location: Dana Hills HS Coach: Mike Maceranka 2018 Record: 3-7 (2-2 Sea View League) 2018 vs. DH: LH win, 39-8

Location: Trabuco Hills HS Coach: Mark Nolan 2018 Record: 2-8 (1-3 Sea View League) 2018 vs. DH: TH win, 31-14

Location: Dana Hills HS Coach: Kurt Westling 2018 Record: 10-2 (3-1 Sea View League) 2018 vs. DH: AN win, 13-3

Location: San Juan Hills HS Coach: Rob Frith 2018 Record: 8-4 (4-0 Sea View League) 2018 vs. DH: SJH win, 49-0

Season Outlook: When Ocean View won last year, it won big. The Seahawks won by no fewer than 28 points and won by an average of 31 points per game, including their lone shutout against Dana Hills. It was a high-water mark for the program.

Ocean View’s only losses came to Laguna Beach, which forced a threeway tie for the Pac 4 League title, and to Irvine in the first round of the Division 11 playoffs.

However, going into 2019, the Seahawks will be hard-pressed to replicate that success. Ocean View lost its starting quarterback, top four rushers and top receiver to graduation.

Season Outlook: Laguna Hills finished right in the middle of the Sea View League with big wins over the bottom two, Dana Hills and Trabuco Hills, and big losses to the top two, Aliso Niguel and San Juan Hills.

While overall their record wasn’t great, the Hawks can be optimistic with the league success achieved with eight sophomore starters, three of whom earned all-league honors.

One of those sophomores was leading rusher Mitch Leigber. Leigber ran for 616 yards and three touchdowns and had three 100-yard games, including 223 yards against Trabuco Hills.

Laguna Hills has already lost two starting linebackers to injury.

Season Outlook: Trabuco Hills is beginning a new era. Again.

Mark Nolan is the new coach of the Mustangs and is the fourth new coach at Trabuco Hills in six seasons.

Nolan replaces John Abdelnor, who posted three straight 3-8 seasons.

This is Nolan’s first California high school job after coaching in Arizona and Colorado.

Nolan will have a fresh team to work with after graduation of the starting quarterback and leading rusher. Top receiver Jake Naso and leading tackler Chris Crow return.

Naso had 21 receptions for 472 yards and five TDs, and Crow led with 41 total tackles.

Season Outlook: Aliso Niguel finished in second place in the Sea View League last season and advanced to the second round of the Division 9 playoffs.

Although the Wolverines lose their starting quarterback and leading tackler, Aliso Niguel still has major skill players returning for a run at the Division 8 playoffs.

Aliso Niguel’s top returning skill player is senior Eduardo Mayen.

Mayen led the Wolverines in rushing and all-purpose yards and was the Sea View League’s special teams player of the year.

Senior Caleb Peterson and junior Max Carvalho also return as top receivers. Kyle Thomas is the top returning tackler.

Season Outlook: Reigning Sea View League champion San Juan Hills is the early favorite to top the grouping once again.

The Stallions won all four league contests by an average margin of 40 points and posted back-to-back shutouts against Aliso Niguel and Dana Hills. San Juan Hills will be tested in nonleague and will use league play to gain momentum for a potential run in Division 3.

Joey Hobert is the all-everything player for the Stallions and is the reigning league MVP. Hobert runs, receives, kicks, plays defense and occasionally takes snaps at quarterback.

San Juan Hills also returns starting quarterback Hudson Jones.

2019 DOLPHINS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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