Seahawks eye playoffs

On the road again. That’s where you will find Ocean View High throughout the majority of the 2010 prep football season.

The reason? The Seahawks have been displaced due to the installment of an all-weather track at the school’s stadium this fall, Coach Harold Eggers said, adding that tear-up is expected to begin in late-September.

At least Ocean View is scheduled to get in one true home game, a Sept. 17 nonleague matchup with Laguna Beach. The Seahawks will use the stadiums at Westminster and Huntington Beach highs for other “home” game.

“We’ll be all over the place this year,” Eggers said Tuesday, three days before his Seahawks begin their season in Anaheim against Western. “It’s going to be tough but we’ll manage.”

The program might not feel the effects of road travel, not with an experienced bunch coming back from 4-6 season that saw the Seahawks just miss qualifying for the CIF playoffs.

They welcome back 16 starters, several of whom are two-way players.

Nine of those returners play on offense.

The team is looking to earn its first postseason trip since 2007.

“Our skill kids are pretty much back and that’s a big help,” Eggers said. “The key to this team, however, will be the development of some new players. We lost Charlie Webb and Kody Afusia, two tough linemen and all-league players, to graduation. They will be tough to replace. It’s time for some other players to step up to try to fill that void.”

The single-back spread offense is in good hands with third-year starting quarterback Nolan Tippy (5-10, 170). The senior improved upon his passing game last year, which concluded with the him earning second-team all-Golden West League honors.

“Has developed into a great leader and can get the job done,” Eggers said of his starting quarterback.

Another player to watch is running back Timmy Robinson (5-11, 210), who last year rushed for more than 200 yards six times. Robinson also is a starter at linebacker.

Eggers said the key to the offense’s success lies in the trenches. Despite the loss of Webb and Afusia, the Seahawks have a major upfront cog in third-year starter Michael Congeliere (5-11, 215)

“He will be the leader on the defensive side of the ball, as well as the offensive line,” Eggers said of the senior, who also will start at middle linebacker.

Junior Tyren Hudson (6-2, 220) will start for the second year at offensive tackle and will play defensive end. Eggers said important pieces to the offensive and defensive backfield will be senior Blake Walker (5-8, 155) and junior Colton Johnson 5-7, 150). Both players start at wide receiver and cornerback and return punts and kickoffs.

Also back on offense are senior wide receiver Josh Clay (5-9, 150) and junior tackle Ben Sumner. Back on defense are junior strong safety Travis Sparks-Jackson (5-10, 180) and senior free safety Andrew Medrano (5-7, 165).

The Golden West League has a new look in 2010. Gone is Saddleback. Taking the place of the Roadrunners is Loara of Anaheim, which was a longtime member of the Empire League. Ocean View opens league play Oct. 14 at Orange, than plays Loara the following week.

Ocean View Seahawks

Colors: Cardinal/Gold/White

League: Golden West

Head Coach: Harold Eggers (fourth year)

Coaching Staff: Eli Atol (offensive coordinator); Luc Alexander (defensive coordinator); Luis Nunez (offensive/defensive lines); Jordan Miller (defensive line); Thomas Tippy (backs); Steve Barrett (defensive backs)’ Tony Bryant (weight room conditioning); Josh Schlicter (graduate assistant).

2009 record: 4-6

Type of offense: Single back spread

Type of defense: 3-5

2010 Schedule

Friday: at Western, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11: at Calvary Chapel (at Estancia High), 7 p.m.:

Sept. 17: vs. Laguna Beach, 7 p.m.

Sept. 24: at Costa Mesa (at Estancia High), 7 p.m.

Oct. 1: vs. Saddleback (at Westminster High), 7 p.m.

Oct. 14: at *Orange, 7 p.m.

Oct. 22: at *Loara, 7 p.m.

Oct. 29: vs. *Westminster (at Westminster High), 7 p.m.

Nov. 5: vs. *Segerstrom (at Huntington Beach High), 7 p.m.

Nov. 11: at *Santa Ana (at Santa Ana Bowl), 7 p.m.

* denotes Golden West League game