Warriors will have a different look

When the Brethren Christian football team steps onto the field Thursday to open its 2011 season, it’ll do so under the guidance of a new head coach.

Pat McInally is the program’s leader but no stranger to Warriors football. For the past three years, he served as the team’s receivers coach under head coach Bruce Eien. McInally’s first squad includes 14 returners from 2010 and will don a new look.

The Warriors, who relied mostly on their running game last year, will feature more of a balance between the run and pass. Defensively, McInally said the plan is to “go on the attack more than in previous years.”

“Summer ball was all about implementation of completely new offensive and defensive schemes,” he said. “With limited passing league games, we focused on alignment, assignment and finishing plays. A pleasant surprise was how willing the players were to embrace our philosophies and their rapid absorption of these schemes.”

Quarterback junior Sam Franklin enters his senior year coming off a season that included 980 rushing years. Senior running back Brandon White was right behind Franklin last year at 960 yards. A receivers corps stocked with talent and a defense led by several key players has McInally anticipating his first season.

Below is a capsule look at the 2011 Warriors.

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League: Academy

Head coach: Pat McInally (first year)

Coaching staff: Ryan O’Hara (offensive coordinator/QBs); Leon Green (defensive coordinator/linebackers); Jim Pederson (defensive line); Russ Duren (offensive line); Roger Ollano (secondary); Tom Riggs (defensive line); Dave Oakley (running backs); Ken Diebold (special teams).

2010 record: 4-6

2010 league record: 1-2

2010 CIF playoffs: Did not qualify

Type of offense: Spread

Type of defense: Attacking scheme

Returning starters: McInally said the Warriors return 14 players from 2010.

Key losses: Bobby Frisch (OL, all-league)

Coach’s outlook: “We will be an exciting team to watch this season,” McInally said. “Coach (Ryan) O’Hara’s offense has been well-implemented and we have the players to make it go.

Season’s greetings: “If we play well and execute our game plans, we feel we will be successful in the pre-season,” McInally said of the nonleague schedule. “Our opener against Pasadena Poly will be quite a challenge as they crushed us last year and have been a playoff team in recent years. This game could set the tone for our season.”

Home digs: “We’re excited about playing our home games at Ocean View,” McInally said. “The quality of the facilities and proximity to our school make it a great fit.”

Season opener: 7 p.m. Thursday against Pasadena Poly at Ocean View High

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2011 Schedule

Thursday: Pasadena Poly, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9: at Arrowhead Christian, 7 p.m.

Sept. 15: vs. Century, 7 p.m.

(at Santa Ana Bowl)

Sept. 23: vs. Saddleback Valley Christian, 7:30 p.m.

(at JSerra High)

Sept. 30: St. Anthony, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8: at L.A. Baptist, 1 p.m.

Oct. 22: Xavier Prep, 7 p.m.

Oct. 27: *St. Margaret’s, 7 p.m.

Nov. 5: *Crean Lutheran, 7 p.m.

(homecoming)

Nov. 11: at *Sage Hill, 7 p.m.

(home games played at Ocean View High)

* denotes Academy League game