Football: Sea View League Preview

By Martin Henderson

Taking a look at the Sea View League heading into the 2013 season.

SEA VIEW LEAGUE

Coaches’ Predicted Order of Finish (two guaranteed playoff berths)

1. Dana Hills 4-6 overall in 2012, 3-1 in league)

2. Capistrano Valley (8-3, 3-1)

3. Laguna Hills (6-4, 3-1)

4. San Juan Hills (7-3, 1-3)

5. Aliso Niguel (5-5, 0-4)

HOW IT SHAKES OUT: Only two playoff berths are available to the league, and that can be brutally tough; after a three-way tie for the league title last season, Dana Hills lost out on a playoff berth. With 14 starters back, the Dolphins are the favorite. Still, Laguna Hills beat Dana Hills a year ago, and the Hawks usually have a pretty good defense. You know what they say about defenses and championships? Capistrano Valley hopes to build on last season but will do so under new coach Ernie Bucher and a team rife with inexperience. Those three seem to be the class of the field, but San Juan Hills will be an interesting team to watch: Will the Stallions break through and beat a team they’re not supposed to beat? Maybe. Aliso is in the same boat as SJH, but without the experience.

Aliso Niguel Wolverines

Home site: Aliso Niguel High

Coach: Kurt Westling (fourth year, 16-15)

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

Last season: 5-5 overall, 0-4 in league (fifth)

8/30 at Bellflower

9/6 at Long Beach Millikan

9/13 at Los Angeles Diego Rivera Learning Complex

9/20 vs. Long Beach Jordan

9/27 vs. Mission Viejo

10/4 vs. Saddleback Valley Christian

10/11 at Dana Hills*

10/18 at Laguna Hills*

10/25 vs. San Juan Hills*

11/8 vs. Capistrano Valley*

Notable: Though winless in league last year, the Wolverines lost two games by a combined nine points.

Capistrano Valley Cougars

Home site: Capistrano Valley High

Coach: Ernie Bucher (first year)

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

Last season: 8-3 overall, 3-1 in league (tied for first)

8/30 vs. Beckman

9/6 vs. El Toro

9/13 vs. Esperanza

9/19 vs. Woodbridge at University

9/27 vs. Corona del Mar at Newport Harbor

10/4 vs. Marina at Westminster

10/18 vs. Dana Hills*

10/25 vs. Laguna Hills*

11/1 at San Juan Hills*

11/8 at Aliso Niguel*

Notable: The next victory by Capistrano Valley will be its 200th; it also has 164 losses and five ties.

Dana Hills Dolphins

Home site: Dana Hills High

Coach: Todd Rusinkovich (third year, 7-13)

All games at 7 p.m.  unless noted

Last season: 4-6 overall, 3-1 in league (tied for first)

8/30 vs. Trabuco Hills

9/6 vs. Fountain Valley at Huntington Beach

9/12 vs. San Clemente

9/20 vs. Villa Park

9/27 vs. JSerra at Saddleback College

10/4 vs. Irvine

10/11 vs. Aliso Niguel*

10/18 at Capistrano Valley*

11/1 vs. Laguna Hills*

11/8 at San Juan Hills*

Notable: The Dolphins are coming off their first league title in school history.

Laguna Hills Hawks

Home site: Laguna Hills High

Coach: Bruce Ingalls (16th year, 96-65-1)

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

Last season: 6-4 overall, 3-1 in league (tied for first)

9/6 vs. Corona del Mar

9/13 vs. Northwood

9/19 vs. Foothill at Tustin

9/27 at Irvine

10/4 vs. El Segundo

10/11 vs. San Juan Hills*

10/18 vs. Aliso Niguel*

10/25 at Capistrano Valley*

11/1 at Dana Hills*

Notable: Hawks have won a share of the championship two of the last three years.

San Juan Hills Stallions

Home site: San Juan Hills High

Coach: Aaron Flowers (third year, 7-13)

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

Last season: 7-3 overall, 1-3 in league (fourth)

8/30 vs. Thousand Oaks

9/5 vs. Canyon at El Modena

9/12 vs. Lakewood Artesia

9/20 vs. Marina at Westminster

9/27 vs. Fullerton

10/4 at Goleta Dos Pueblos

10/11 at Laguna Hills*

10/25 at Aliso Niguel*

11/1 vs. Capistrano Valley*

11/8 vs. Dana Hills*

Notable: Stallions have 14 players returning from last season, which was the school’s best.