OC Sports Zone Kickoff 2019: Capo Valley Christian aiming to repeat as league champions

Quarterback Tyler Henry returns to lead the Capo Valley Christian offense. (Photo courtesy Harrison Zhang, For OC Sports Zone)

Capistrano Valley Christian’s football team is looking for another successful season under Coach Rick Curtis, who is going into his fourth year as head coach.

To see the slow show, please click on the first photo

The Eagles were 9-2 overall and took first place in the Academy League with a 4-0 record last season.

Capo Valley Christian opens the season on Friday, Aug. 23, vs. St. Monica at Santa Monica College.

The team’s first home game is Thursday, Sept. 5, against Calvary Chapel at Laguna Hills.

Seven players on offense and four on defense return for Capo Valley Christian.

“Our goal is always to win the league,” Curtis said. “With us jumping up to a league (San Joaquin League) that includes Division VI power St. Margaret’s it is going to be a big challenge.  

“We are embracing that challenge, so our overall team development in the pre-season is critical to our success down the road in league play. Staying clear of injury will be one key to our success as we have most of our kids playing three ways (offense, defense and special teams).”

Projected starters on offense

Simeon Marton, WR, senior, 52 receptions, 891 yards, 12 touchdowns 1^st team all-league); Peter Kelso, WR, junior, one reception, 16 yards (hurt in first game); Dylen Roberts, TE, senior, did not play, out from basketball team; Kaden Manrique, HB, sophomore; Rome Demongin, senior, six rushes for 36 yards, defensive player last year; Tyler Henry, QB, senior, 77 of 134 passes for 1,314 yards, 16 TD passes, 312 rushing yards, all-league; Stefan Purgason, RT, senior; Michael Longfellow LG, senior; Joshua Sears, C, senior, all-league; Cole Flynn RG, senior; Noah Olson, LT, junior.

Tentative defensive starters

Cole Flynn MLB, senior; Dylen Roberts OLB, senior; Noah Richie, OLB, junior; Rome Demongin, SS, senior; Kaden Manrique, S, sophomore; Peter Kelso, C, 11; Pablo Moser, C, senior; Josh Sears, NG, senior; Noah Olson, DE, junior; Stefan Purgason, DT, senior; Michael Longfellow, DE, senior;

Special teams

Kick-off returners will be Rome Demongin and Simeon Marton. Punt returners will be Marton and Kaden Manrique, the punter will be Demongin and the kickers will be Pablo Moser and Kaden Manrique.

A closer look at the Eagle standouts

“Our offensive line (Purgason, Flynn, Sears, Longfellow, and Olson) is critical to the success of the team and their development has helped us establish a running game,” Curtis said.

“Returning quarterback Tyler Henry and wide receiver Simeon Marton were an excellent passing combination last year and we look for that to continue this year as well. Rome Demongin moves into the running back position and he has looked good in pre-season drills, so we expect him to have a big year. Defensively, we are inexperienced for the most part, so the development of our linebacking corps and defensive secondary is critical.”

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