Oilers have high hopes

By Mike Sciacca

Aug. 31, 2011 12 AM PT

The first month of the season will let Huntington Beach know what kind of football team it is.

So says Coach Eric Lo, who begins his fifth year at the school. The first three weeks of the season, in particular, could set the tone. That said, Lo does usher in a new season with a team he is very high on.

“This is the most talented team that I have coached at Huntington Beach High,” Lo said. “We have good speed and a lot of experience returning.”

Below is a capsule look at the 2011 Oilers:

League: Sunset

Head coach: Eric lo (fifth year; 23-20)

Coaching staff: Jeff Anger (free safeties); Kaz Bilinski (defensive line/ST); Brett Brown (quarterbacks); Kurt Clemens (offensive coordinator/running backs); Dean Eddy (cornerbacks); Jim Houston (wide receivers); Greg Olquin (offensive line); Diego Segura (defensive coordinators/strong safeties); Matt White (offensive line); Mark Ziegenhagen (linebackers).

2010 record: 6-4

2010 league results: 2-3 (fourth)

2010 CIF results: Did not qualify

Type of offense: Spread

Type of defense: 3-3-5

Returning starters: Lo said that 20 players return who have started a varsity game.

Returning with honors: Mike Chislock (CB, first-team all-league); Zach Hadlock (FS, first-team all-league); Chris Ogilvie (CB, second-team all-league); Cameron Trentini (LB, second-team all-league); Jack Rulon (lineman, honorable mention); Nolan Biegel (RB, 2009 first-team All-Sea View League).

Key losses: Luke Holler (DE, now at University of San Diego); Zane Hudak (OL, now at University of New Hampshire); Brett Hornstein (LB, now at Chapman).

Players to watch: Mike Chislock (QB, Sr.; 1,420 passing yards, 49 carries, 322 rushing yards., 18 total TDs in 2010); Fisher Chavira (RB, Sr.; 359 yards., two TDs in 2010); Austin Simpkins (WR, Sr.; 81 carries, 388 yards at running back in 2010); Ramon Vargas (WR/CB, Sr.; 81 receptions, 707 yards, eight TDs, 14 tackles, one INT in 2010); Chris Ogilvie (WR/CB/K, Sr; 44 tackles, four INTs, 16.9 return avg. in 2010); Wyatt Marlow (WR/K/P, Jr.; 21/21 PATs, 49-yard punt avg. in 2010); Beau Blackwell (OT, Jr.); Jake Dunneback (OG, Sr.); Grant Potter (C, Sr.); Jack Rulon (OG, Sr; 48 tackles, two sacks in 2010); Keane Urashima (OT, Sr.); Alex Alagata (DE, Sr.); Sebastian Demartini (NG, Jr.); Adam Khouri (DE, Jr.); Cameron Trentini (OLB, Sr.; 113 tackles, three receptions and 1 TD in 2010); Nolan Biegel (RB/MLB, Sr.; 38 carries, 297 yards, six TDs, 84 tackles in six games in 2010); Jeff Weiderker (OLB, Jr.; 45 tackles, one sack in 2010); Nick Barsam (SS, Sr.; 52 tackles in 2010); John Bridges (SS, Sr.); Zach Hadlock (FS, Sr.; 83 tackles, three INTs in 2010); Marco Valenzuela (PR, Jr.). Darren Romo (WR/FS, Sr.; 13 receptions, 141 yards in 2010); Evan Pratt (TE, Sr.); Kai Ross (QB/DB, Soph.); John Vis (DE/TE, Jr.); Brandon Wooten (LB, Sr; 32 tackles in 2010); Billy Cochlin (CB, Sr.; 28 tackles, one INT in 2010); Jacob Lainson (SS/WR, Sr.).

Upswing: “We are healthy,” Lo said of his team. “A pleasant surprise was how well Austin Simpkins (receiver) and John Bridges (strong safety) played during summer ball.”

Ready to roll: Senior two-way player Nolan Biegel is back in the saddle and looking to again make big contributions to the team. A 2009 All-Sea View League player in the Oilers’ final year in the league, Biegel played six games last year before a devastating arm injury that required surgery put him in a sling and on the sideline. Lo said that Biegel has received an offer from the University of Nevada.

Ivy interest: Lo said that senior wide receiver/cornerback/kicker Chris Ogilvie has drawn interest from a few Ivy League schools.

Fast track: Speedy receiver/cornerback Ramon Vargas is a dangerous threat for the Oilers. Last June, Vargas reached the CIF State Track and Field Championships by qualifying in both the 110- and 300-meter hurdles. Lo said the senior is the fastest Oiler on the team (4.41 40-yard dash). Vargas set a school single-game record for receiving yards (205) against Marina last year.

The slate: “The first three games of our season will let us know who we are,” Lo said. “El Toro, Foothill and Corona del Mar are tough teams. El Toro and Foothill were our rivals in the Sea View League and CdM beat us last year.”

Season opener: 7 p.m. Friday, home against El Toro

2011 Schedule

Friday: vs. El Toro, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9: vs Corona del Mar, 7 p.m.

Sept. 16: at Foothill, 7 p.m.

Sept. 23: at Aliso Viejo, 7 p.m.

Sept. 30: at Westminster, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14: vs *Marina, 7 p.m.

Oct. 21: vs. *Newport Harbor, 7 p.m.

Oct. 27: vs *Edison, 7 p.m.

Nov. 4: vs. *Los Alamitos, 7 p.m.

(at Veterans Stadium, Long Beach)