Spring Football Preview: Aliso Niguel Looks to Bulk Up

If Aliso Niguel has a motto for the upcoming 2011 football season it might just be, “Bigger and Better.”

Following a 4-6 season and 1-3 finish in the Sea View League, Wolverines coach Kurt Westling realized that in order for his team to become competitive once again, the players had to get bigger and healthier. So he installed an intensive off-season weightlifting program for the 175 boys in the football program, as well as a weightlifting program for the eighth-graders who would be attending Aliso Niguel in the fall.

The results, so far, have been encouraging.

“Our players probably have added 20 pounds of muscle since the end of the [2010] season,” said Westling, the Wolverines athletic director who took over as the head coach last year. “We’re bigger and deeper now. Last year, we had a lot of injuries. We’re hoping that by getting bigger we can avoid those types of injuries.”

The Wolverines will be without a few of their star players from last season, including wide receiver Drew Dimond, who led Orange County in receiving yardage. But they also hope to get a few players back, such as Austin Robinson, who started the first half of the season at running back until suffering a season-ending knee injury.

Starting in Robinson’s place was freshman Ryan Walker, who ended the season against San Juan Hills with a 220-yard rushing and receiving performance.

“Ryan played really well as a freshman, so we’re expecting big things from him this year,” Westling said. “Last year, we ran 600 plays — 301 passing and 299 running. I think this year we might run the ball more.”

One reason for that may be at quarterback. Gone is Andrew Ossola and battling for his starting spot will be Nick Carducci and Nate Cole. Carducci is 5 feet 10, 185 pounds and started at linebacker last year. He’s quick and elusive. Cole is 6-3 and 210 pounds. He’s a pocket passer with a strong arm. Westling says it’s a toss-up now.

“We’ll settle on one quarterback,” Westling said. “If Nate’s better, then Nick will start at linebacker. If Nick is better, then we’ll go with Nick. But we’ll have just one guy who starts at quarterback. There won’t be any going back and forth.”

One of the strengths of the Wolverines this season will be their offensive line. Left tackle John Mitzel, guard Tyler Miller and center Rhett Mealin lead a solid group of players along with Ryan Wing at tight end. Westling says he will run a spread offense with multiple sets that will help the Wolverines take advantage of their experience on the line and the talents of their running backs.

Defensively, the Wolverines have six returning starters, primarily on the line and at cornerback. They play an attacking 3-3-5 defense, modeled after the defense used by the University of New Mexico, which many teams are using now.

“We used it last year because we had a lot of little guys and we needed to preserve them to get through the season,” Westling said. “It requires much less thinking and less reads and more attacking and just going strong. We can use a fourth player on the rush, but the offense never knows where it’s coming from.”

Back this season is defensive end Matt Molnar, lineman Caleb Fowler, linebackers Miller and Carducci, and cornerbacks Michael Weisen and J.T. Barron. Free safety Kyle Paris was named second-team all-league last season and Fowler was a third-team member. New this season is defensive coordinator Justin Brown.

Aliso Niguel also is solid on special teams. The Wolverines can use three punters, depending on the situation and two quality kickers in Austin Godfrey and Tyler Troup. Paris, who arguably is the team’s top athlete, will return punts and kickoffs.

Westling said he expects El Toro and Laguna Hills to be battling for the league title again this season, with Aliso Niguel finishing ahead of Capistrano Valley and San Juan Hills for a playoff spot. He said it depends on the Wolverines staying relatively healthy and incorporating the entire offense by the time league play begins.

“Honestly, I thought we got as many wins as we deserved last year,” Westling said. “New players have joined the team from other sports that are very athletic, and if they can contribute this year, we will be much better.”

Aliso Niguel's 2011 Varsity Football Schedule:
                      
Saturday, Aug. 27 at Eagle Rock (scrimmage), 4 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 2 at Woodbridge, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 9 at Long Beach Millikan, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 16 vs. University, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 23 vs. Huntington Beach, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 30 vs. Marina, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 14 vs. Capistrano Valley, 7 p.m.*

Friday, Oct. 21 vs. El Toro at Trabuco Hills High, 7 p.m.*

Friday, Oct. 28 at Laguna Hills, 7 p.m.*

Friday, Nov. 4 vs. San Juan Hills,  7 p.m.*

Thursday, Nov. 10 vs. Chula Vista

* Indicates Sea View League game