conditioning. You need to focus on what you’re doing,” Scott said. “Simplicity has been a factor. You need to simplify things both ways.”

Senior transfer and Northern Arizona Uni-versity commit Cole Wilber will start for the Dolphins at quarterback. Wilber transferred from Mission Viejo High School midseason last year and spent the offseason learning the Dolphins playbook and getting com-fortable with their receiving corps, which features returning all-league selection Drew Falk and senior Ray Moslehi.

Wilber, who is accustomed to South Coast League play, has a big frame and a strong arm and fi gures to fi t in well with the balanced Dana Hills offensive attack that has been a trademark in years past.

Senior center Chris McDermott is the lone returner on the offensive line, which features big, strong players who are mostly untested. Senior Jonathan Fer, Alec Brady, Kyle Wilemon and Jakub Podgorski round out the group.

On defense, the Dolphins strength lies in their linebackers. All three of Dana Hills projected starters at the position have start-ing varsity experience, especially senior middle linebacker Brett Bill, who led the team in total tackles in 2013.

The Dolphins will also employ rising junior Corey Selenski, a hybrid linebacker who switched to defensive end halfway through last season. Selenski, who had 57 tackles and a team-high four sacks last year, will be used on the line and can also drop back into coverage at any given moment. He will also be used as a fullback on offense.

“Our linebackers could all be safeties,” said senior safety Jay Schuyler. “We’ll chase you down. They’re fast.”

Schuyler will lead the Dolphins second-

ary for a second consecutive year. The all-league selection had 74 tackles and one interception as a junior.

McDermott, Fer and Podgorski will pull double time and start on the defensive line alongside senior Kyle Smith. Fer and Pod-gorski are two physically impressive players who should be able to cause havoc, accord-ing to Rusinkovich. Rusinkovich said that the 6-feet-2-inch 320-pound Podgorski has one of the biggest lower bodies he’s seen on a high school player. The junior can squat in the 500-pound range and, along with Fer, will provide a physical presence up front.

The Dolphins are tak-ing no chances when it comes to their prepara-tion for South Coast League play, which fea-tures top-tier programs in Mission Viejo and Tesoro. They will play a tough preseason slate, starting with a season-opening game against Tustin at home on Friday, Aug. 29, in hopes they will be ready for the competition when league starts.

Dana Hills has had a tough time fi nding early wins. The Dolphins are a combined 3-12 in pre-season games over the past two years, mainly due to the level of oppo-sition they have chosen to play against.

But those tests early in the schedule have served them well. The Dolphins won league

two years ago and missed out on a repeat by one game last season.

This year they will head into a much more diffi cult league, which is a task the players are ready to accept.

“It’s going to be diffi cult and we need to put in our time and effort and study these teams. We know what they’re going to bring so we just need to step up,” Scott said. “It’s the same number of people on the other side. They have 11 guys, we have 11 guys.”DP

BY STEVE BREAZEALE When Dana Hills High School head

football coach Todd Rusinkovich arrived on campus in 2011, he made it his mission to revamp the Dolphins program.

In Rusinkovich’s fi rst year as head coach, Dana Hills, playing in the South Coast League, failed to win a league game. One year later, after moving to the Sea View League, they were crowned co-league champions, touting a 3-1 record and four wins overall. Last season, while playing one of the tougher preseason schedules in the area, the Dolphins fi nished second in league and went 5-6 overall.

The Dolphins upward trend has resulted in them being moved from the Sea View League to the more formidable South Coast League, which features El Toro, Tesoro and Mission Viejo high schools.

But the Dolphins have been waiting for this moment. Getting back into the South

Coast League has been the goal all along. “Moving up to the South Coast League

was the move that was appropriate for us,” Rusinkovich said. “The kids have experi-enced great success the past two years in the Sea View League … We know it’s going to be tough but we’re ready to embrace that challenge and get after it.”

The Dolphins only have three returning starters on defense and three on offense, which means a lot of those talented return-ing players will be playing both sides of the ball in 2014.

One of those players is returning senior running back and offensive catalyst Brian Scott. Scott averaged just over 81 yards per game and scored eight touchdowns as a junior, missing out on playing time due to injury. Scott, a co-captain, will also play on defense at safety, a position he played full-time as a sophomore.

“Playing both ways just means more

2014 DOLPHIN FOOTBALL PREVIEW

2013 Record: 5-6, 3-1 Sea View League

Returning Starters: Offense 3; Defense 3

Offensive Set: Multiple

Defense Set: Multiple

Head Coach: Todd Rusinkovich (12-19 overall record)

Assistant Coaches: John Rusinkovich (football

operations), Jake Rusinkovich (offensive coordinator/quar-terbacks), Chad Rusinkovich

(wide receivers/speed & condi-tioning), Phil Skinner (assistant

head coach/offensive line/strength), Joe Morris (defensive coordinator/defensive backs), Trent Henson (defensive line),

Stephen McCullough (tech-nology coordinator/running backs), Mike Eaton (quality

control coach), Max Nikolenko (athletic trainer).

DOLPHINS ENTERING NEW WATERSPast success has put the Dana Hills football team in position to face new challenges

Senior quarterback Cole Wilber will step into the role of starter for the Dana Hills football team in 2014. Photo: Steve Breazeale

Cole Wilber QB (No. 3) Sr.Wilber, a co-captain, will take over at quarterback after transfer-

ring from Mission Viejo last year mid-season. The Northern Arizona University commit has a large frame (6-4, 205) and a strong arm. He has grown comfortable working in the Dolphins’ offensive system.

Brian Scott RB (No. 26) Sr.Scott has been the foundation of the Dolphins run game two

years straight and returns to help lead the Dolphins offense in 2014. Scott is a powerful run-ner who ran for 895 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior. Scott will double as a strong safety on defense.

Ray Moslehi WR (No. 10) Sr.Moslehi broke out during the Dolphins 7-on-7 pass-ing league

season, highlighted by his performance in the Oceanside Passing Tournament. Head coach Todd Rusinkovich said that Moslehi has stepped up as a senior and will be among the Dolphins go-to receivers in 2014.

Jonathan Fer OL (No. 52) Sr. Fer will be a physical force for the Dol-phins on the offensive line

at left tackle. The co-captain is among the strongest players on the team but also has the ability to run conditioning drills with the skill players, according to Rusinkovich.

Chris McDermott OL (No. 62) Sr.McDermott will provide much needed experience

on the Dolphins offensive line. The co-captain was the team’s starting center last year and, as the lone returning player on the line, will be counted on to provide precision and skill at his important position.

Jay Schuyler FS (No. 2) Sr.Schuyler is a returning starter at free safety, where he locked up

All-Sea View League honors as a junior. Schuyler is a standout athlete. He was an all-league fi rst baseman on the Dolphins baseball team and has proven he is capable of controlling the defense.

Carter Hadley LB (No. 11) Sr.Hadley got a decent amount of playing time in 2013 as a

backup linebacker and will be one of the new faces in the start-ing lineup. Rusinkovich said that Hadley has put in a lot of time in the weight room over the sum-mer and has gotten considerably bigger and stronger.

Brett Bill LB (No. 44) Sr.Bill, the Dol-phins leading tackler in 2013, returns to play the

middle linebacker position in the Dolphins defensive front seven. Bill racked up 155 total tackles last season, includ-ing nine for loss. He will be in charge of organizing the Dol-phins multiple defensive looks.

Pierce Costello LB (No. 4) Sr. Costello had a good amount of playing time

last season and is part of a linebacker trio that has played alongside each other for con-secutive years. Costello, who had 34 total tackles last year, brings speed to the Dolphins linebacker group.

Corey SelenskiLB (No. 28) Jr. The Dolphins coaching staff had a lot to say about

Selenski, the rising junior, during training camp. One word that kept coming up when describing him was “physical.” Selenski will serve as a versatile linebacker who can also play on the defen-sive line.

OFFENSE DEFENSEFIVE TO WATCH FIVE TO WATCH

Cornerback Cornerback

Tackle EndTACKLE

SafetySafety

LinebackerLinebacker Linebacker

Schuyler (2)Costello (4)/

Scott (26)

Bill (44)Hadley (11) Selenski (28)

Moslehi (10)McCloud (5)

End

Smith (16) McDermott (62) Fur (52)Podgorski (68)

MULTIPLEDEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

Wide Reciever

Wide Reciever

Tackle TackleGuard GuardCenter

Running Back

Scott (26)

Rogers (12)

Moslehi (10)

Fer (52) Brady (61)Podgorski (68) McDermott (62) Wilemon (77)

Kicker

Grigoriou (9)

Punter

Villacreses (6)

Long Snapper

Simmons (55)

Quarterback

Wilber (3)

Wide RecieverWide Reciever

Schuyler (2)Falk (19)

MULTIPLE

FULLBack

Selenski (28)

No.

2345678910111213161719212224262728293133

Position

WR / DBQB / DBWR / LBRB / DBP / LBQB / DBWR / DBP / KWR / DBWR / LBQB / WRRB / DBRB / DLWR / DBWR / DBRB / LBWR / DBWR / DBRB / LBWR / DBRB / LBRB / DBWR / DBRB / DL

Height

6’2”6’4”5’10”5’6”5’10”5’10”5’10”6’2”5’10”6’2”6’2”5’8”6’0”5’8”6’0”6’2”5’11”5’9”6’0”5’9”6’3”5’11”5’9”5’7”

Weight

180205195160175160145180170200175155235170190195155165190145225160135200

Grade

121212111210111112121110121112111011121011101011

Name

Schuyler, JayWilber, ColeCostello, Pierce McCloud, ConnorVillacreses, Brendan Bortnick, CharlieLutton, GlennGrigoriou, AntonMoslehi, RayHadley, CarterRogers, BrandonRice, JoeSmith, KyleHershman, EvanFalk, Drew Wood, EdwardHanes, JakeGoode, DakotaScott, Brian Schuman, ZackSelenski, CoreyLynch, RyderPhillips, JacobSolakian, Harry

No.

354445475152545557585961626566676872767781859596

Position

RB / LBRB / LBRB / LBRB / LBOL / DLOL / DLOL / DLLS / SSOL / DLOL / LBOL / DLOL / DLOL / DLOL / DLOL / DLOL / DLOL / DLOL / DLOL / DLOL / DLWR / DLWR / DLOL / DLOL / DL

Height

6’1”6’0”6’2”5’10”6’4”6’2”6’0”6’0”5’9”5’9”6’0”6’0”5’10”6’2”5’5”5’11”6’2”6’5”6’4”6’4”6’1”6’2”6’0”6’0”

Weight

170200200190250250205205165205225240280180190230320235225285195185180180

Grade

101210121212111210101012121011111111101211101212

Name

Kotnik, Patrick Bill, Brett Kahal, NolanNamath, Chandler Justesen, FrankyFer, Jonathan Boyack, MasonSimmons, RyanBridgeman, MichaelPoching, JarodRager, JackBrady, Alec McDermott, ChrisJustesen, JakeAvila, DiegoGault, JamesPodgorski, JakubPatton, DylanFurgeson, HaydenWilemon, Kyle Cortez, ChristianCharles, TrevorLawless, Sean Lawless, Zachary

2014 DANA HILLS FOOTBALL VARSITY ROSTER

www.danapointtimes.com2014 Dolphin Football Preview

2014 DOLPHIN FOOTBALL PREVIEW

www.danapointtimes.com2014 Dolphin Football Preview

2014 DOLPHIN FOOTBALL PREVIEW

SEASON SCHEDULE AND GAME PREVIEWS By Steve Breazeale

TUSTINLocation: Dana Hills HighTime: 7 p.m.Coach: Winter WelzLeague: Empire2013-2014 record: 1-9 (1-5 league)2013-2014 vs. DH: DNPSeason Outlook: Last year the Tillers season took a couple of crazy turns after head coach Greg Gano resigned four games into the season. New head coach Winter Welz was brought on mid-season, but Tustin failed to score points and continued to lose games.

Standout senior wide receiver George Wilson will again be a focal point on offense. Wilson has offers from Utah, Massachusetts, Port-land State and San Jose State. Tustin had a good amount of seniors on last year’s team that are gone to graduation but will look to improve with a full year under Welz’s leadership.

GAME ONE AUGUST 29

CYPRESSLocation: Dana Hills HighTime: 7 p.m.Coach: Rick FeldmanLeague: Empire 2013-2014 record: 6-5 (3-3 league)2013-2014 vs. DH: Season Outlook: First-year head coach Rick Feldman will lead the Centurions in 2014, replacing Bob Burt. Feldman was the program’s offensive coordinator under then-head coach Mike Cobleigh three years ago.

The Centurions have a danger-ous playmaker in senior wide re-ceiver and defensive back Quinten Pounds. Pounds is also the team’s kick and punt returner. He has offers from Colorado, Utah, Boise State and Washington, among others.

GAME SIX OCTOBER 2

TESOROLocation: Tesoro HighTime: 7 p.m.Coach: Matt PostonLeague: South Coast2013-2014 record: 9-3 (3-1 league)2013-2014 vs. DH: DNPSeason Outlook: The Titans had another successful run last year and return 13 starters to the mix in 2014. Junior quarterback Devon Modster returns and will link up with favorite target, senior receiver Jake Smeltzer. Senior offensive line-man Zach Hickman returns.

Senior safety Tristan Kafentzis will anchor down the Tesoro defense.

The Titans have a tough pre-season schedule that will bolster their chances in the South Coast League, which looks like a two-horse race between them and Mission Viejo.

GAME THREE

GAME EIGHT

SEPTEMBER 12

OCTOBER 24

MISSION VIEJOLocation: Dana Hills HighTime: 7 p.m.Coach: Bob JohnsonLeague: South Coast 2013-2014 record: 11-1 (4-0 league)20134-2014 vs. DH: DNPSeason Outlook: Due to a realign-ing of the CIF-SS divisions, the South Coast League is no longer in the high-profi le Pac-5 Division. Instead, Mission Viejo, the peren-nial winner of league, will compete in the West Valley Division come playoff time, if they make it there.

As usual, Mission Viejo will fi eld a talented team that gives them a shot at making it to the postseason.

The offense will be led by junior quarterback Brock Johnson and his veteran offensive line, anchored by center Cole Smith. Receivers Connor Hill and Keyshawn Johnson Jr. will be potential breakout season candidates.

GAME TWO

GAME SEVEN

SEPTEMBER 4

OCTOBER 10

VILLA PARKLocation: El Modena HighTime: 7 p.m.Coach: Dusan AncichLeague: Crestview2013-2014 record: 9-3 (5-1 league)2013-2014 vs. DH: Win, 43-29Season Outlook: It was no secret Villa Park liked to throw the ball last season, utilizing their effi cient quarterback Dylan Osbourne throughout the Spartans’ solid season. Osbourne, who threw for 2,513 yards, has graduated and the experience behind him on the depth chart is limited.

Where the Spartans appear to be experienced is on defense, es-pecially at linebacker. Senior Xavier Hernandez (120 total tackles, six sacks) and junior Ramon Chaves (90 tackles, four sacks) will likely return to lead the aggressive unit.

Top receiver Kyle Harlin and top running back Michael Vega, return.

SAN JUAN HILLS Location: Dana Hills HighTime: 7 p.m.Coach: Aaron FlowersLeague: South Coast 2013-2014 record: 10-2 (4-0 league)2013-2014 vs. DH: Win, 28-21Season Outlook: The Stallions may be the victims of their own success in 2014. Following the most suc-cessful season in school history, where they captured the program’s fi rst league title, San Juan Hills was shifted to the South Coast League. They will now face a level of com-petition they have not seen before.

The Stallions formula for success last season was the maturation of their inaugural football class coming together and peaking at the same moment. This year’s team will be missing a lot of those key pieces, but return several stand-outs, like senior running back and receiver Mike Miscione.

GAME FOUR

GAME NINE

SEPTEMBER 18

OCTOBER 30

GARDEN GROVE Location: Dana Hills HighTime: 7 p.m.Coach: Willy PugaLeague: Garden Grove2013-2014 record: 13-1 (5-0 league)2013-2014 vs. DH: DNPSeason Outlook: Garden Grove ran their way to the CIF-SS Southern Division Championship game last year, where they lost to Corona del Mar. Senior running back Sionne Masoe accounted for 29 touch-downs and 1,479 yards for the Ar-gonauts last season. With Masoe graduated, it will be interesting to see if Garden Grove continues to run the ball at the rate they did last year, when they averaged 223.5 yards per game on the ground.

The Argonauts will have an ef-fective returning receiver tandem in Allejandro Ceja and Austin Christian. The two combined for 21 touchdown catches last year.

EL TOROLocation: El Toro HighTime: 7 p.m.Coach: Robert FrithLeague: South Coast2013-2014 record: 4-6 (1-3 league)2013-2014 vs. DH: DNPSeason Outlook: El Toro will again feature a high-powered passing attack, as quarterback Trey Tinsley returns for his senior season. As a junior, Tinsley passed for 3,059 yards and 32 touchdowns with 16 interceptions. Defenses will have their hands full as El Toro will deploy senior receiver Taylor Dodds, who caught 11 touchdowns last year.

El Toro had a down year last year when compared to their lofty stan-dards. Now that the South Coast League has been realigned, they could be a dark horse candidate to fi nish in the top-2 of the standings and earn a playoff berth.

GAME FIVE

GAME TEN

SEPTEMBER 26

NOVEMBER 7

CORONA DEL MARLocation: Newport Harbor HighTime: 7 p.m.Coach: Scott MeyerLeague: Pacifi c Coast2013-2014 record: 16-0 (5-0 league)2013-2014 vs. DH: DNPSeason Outlook: Corona del Mar was a powerhouse last season, capping off an undefeated 16-win season with a State Division III championship.

Dual threat quarterback Luke Napolitano graduated, which means junior Peter Bush will likely be his successor.

Even with Napolitano gone, Corona del Mar will still fi eld a variety of weapons, including senior running back Cole Martin. The Sea Kings top two receivers, Bo St. Geme and Cole Collins, return.

On defense, senior linebacker Hoyt Crance, senior defensive back Barrett Barbato and senior defen-sive linemen Justin Hess return.

SAN CLEMENTELocation: San Clemente HighTime: 7 p.m.Coach: Jaime OrtizLeague: Sea View2013-2014 record: 2-8 (0-4 league)2013-2014 vs. DH: Loss, 38-13Season Outlook: One of the big-gest factors in the Tritons success this season will hinge on the health of senior quarterback Sam Darnold. Darnold, who is committed to USC, is a dual threat quarterback who has had a productive offseason rehabbing his injured foot and building arm strength.

If Darnold can stay healthy, and the 13 returning starters can mesh together, the Tritons should com-pete for the Sea View League title.

The Tritons backfi eld will be an athletic, quick bunch. Darnold will be fl anked by returning running back Vlad Dzhabiyev and newcom-er Brandon Reeves.