Irvine High football team, led by key returning players, out to stay atop PCL

Irvine coaches, including head coach Tom Ricci, talk to the Vaqueros after a scrimmage. (Photo courtesy Marsha Teaford).

Irvine High School’s football team is out to capture its third consecutive league title.

The Vaqueros won the Pacific Hills League crown last year after finishing 3-0. The team went 10-0 before losing St. Francis 47-20 in the opening round of the CIF Division 4 playoffs.

Irvine will be in the Pacific Coast League (formerly named the Pacific Hills League), the toughest of two leagues within the Pacific Coast Conference. Irvine opens with a nonleague game against Portola on Friday, Aug. 19 at Irvine Stadium.

It will be the first of three straight home games for the Vaqueros.

“We know that a league title repeat is going to take some work,” Irvine Coach Tom Ricci said.  “Northwood, Dana Hills and Laguna Hills are all stacked and will be tough competitions.”

To see additional photos, click on the first picture:

Quarterback Joe Tierney and lineman Joey Ricci are among Irvine's returning players.
Photo courtesy Jim Tomlin/For OC Sports Zone

Nathan Sasaki, making a tackle in a game last year, returns as a defensive leader.
Photo courtesy Jim Tomlin/For OC Sports Zone

Ian Hew returns to play wide receiver and cornerback for Irvine.
Photo courtesy Jim Tomlin/For OC Sports Zone

Irvine loses its outstanding running back Cameron Goods, who dominated the league during his senior year. But the Vaqueros have some talented players returning including junior quarterback Joe Tierney who “had a great showing in summer passing league,” Ricci said.

“Almost all our O-line is returning and being led by our first team all league center Joey Ricci (Ricci’s son) and anchored by our two 6-3 bookends Kalil Dakak and first team all leaguer Ethan Wheeler,” Ricci said. Defensively, Harry Soltes has really stepped up after being moved from defensive line, where he was first team all league to linebacker. Hayden Kim, Nathan Sasaki and Ian Hew will all be returning to the defensive backfield where they continue to lead our defense.” 

Ricci said he’s been impressed with his squad.

“The team is really progressing well,” Ricci said. “We’ve had a few injuries that created a bump in the road for a few athletes, but nothing we can’t overcome.

“We are going to have to stay injury free and play some of our best ball to repeat.  But like my dad always used to say, ‘the most dangerous team is the team you play next.’  We can’t wait to get the season under way and take it one game at a time.”

Irvine will also be out to bring home the Dennis Toohey Fence Post Trophy again.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com