OC Sports Zone Kickoff 2019: Top offensive players return to lead Beckman football team

Beckman Coach Marcello Giuliano looks to senior quarterback Jason Cheng for another big season. (File photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

With two talented returning players on offense, quarterback Jason Cheng and running back Jett Daviss, Beckman High’s football team is aiming for a big year.

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

Beckman has five starters back on offense and eight returning on defense, including free safety Josh Carter, a first team All-Pacific Coast League player.

The Patriots were 5-5 overall last year and finished fifth in the Pacific Coast League with a 2-3 record.

Coach Marcello Giuliano, entering his fifth year, believes this year’s team has the potential to do well with hard work.

The Patriots open the season on Thursday, Aug. 22, facing Troy at 7 p.m. at Tustin High.

The road to success is clear, the coach said.

“I read a really interesting book in the off season titled Burn Your Goals and it makes a great argument that goals are a lot less important than commitments,” Giuliano said.

“For us to be successful means that we’re reaching our potential, and we can’t do that unless we all – players and coaches – make the daily commitment to work hard, bring great energy and attitude, take care of the football, focus on the grind of developing fundamentals, having fun even in times of adversity, etc.

“If we can make good on those commitments, then I believe this team has a very high ceiling.”

Tentative offensive starters

QB: Jason Cheng, senior, 1,175 yards passing, 11 TDs; RB: Jett Daviss, junior, 565 yards rushing, 4 TDs; WR: Aiden Fordyce, sophomore; WR: Blake Parker, senior, WR: Jeffrey Graham, junior; TE: Jarel Coleman, SR; OL: Zach Matl, senior; OL: Jake Oswald, senior, second team all-league; OL: Bradley Fowler, senior; OL: Alex Ollmann, junior; OL: Parsa Panahi, senior.

Tentative defensive starters

DE: Parsa Panahi, senior, 17 tackles, three sacks, honorable mention all-league; DE: Luis Garay, senior; DT: Jose Herrera, senior, 46 tackles, two sacks, honorable mention all-league; DT: Jake Oswald, senior, second team all-league; OLB: Blake Parker, senior, 45 tackles, two sacks; ILB: Jarel Coleman, senior, 60 tackles; ILB: Keller Meyer, junior, 45 tackles, four tackles for loss C: Ryan Hallinan, junior; C: Justin Sevilla, sophomore; FS: Josh Carter, senior, 56 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions, first team all league; SS: Aiden Fordyce, sophomore, 27 tackles.

(Special teams players had not been determined at the time this article was written).

A closer look at the Patriot standouts

—Jason Cheng, quarterback: “Jason is a great leader and highly respected by his peers–and is the only player since we’ve been here that has been voted team captain as a junior,” Giuliano said. “He is one of our most talented athletes and we look for him to create explosive plays for the offense.

— Josh Carter, DB/RB: “Josh is definitely the central playmaker on our defense due to his experience, knowledge and aggressiveness on the field.  He will have a lot more freedom in our scheme this year to make plays at all three levels of the defense,” Giuliano said.

—Jake Oswald, OL/DL: “Jake is a rock on both the O and D-line,” Giuliano said. “He doesn’t say much, but he’s tough as nails and has a high motor.  He’s been on the field for us since he was a sophomore, but this is the first year he’s been able to really lift weights in the off-season, so we’re excited to see how much better he can be.”

—Parsa Panahi, OL/DL: “Parsa really developed as a defensive lineman over the course of last season, and this year we are going to rely on him on both sides of the ball,” Giuliano said. “He brings a lot of aggression on the field, but he’s always having a great time at football and the guys love his up-beat attitude.”

—Blake Parker, WR/LB: “Blake is a returning starter at outside linebacker, and this year is also starting at slot receiver,” Giuliano said. “He’s never played the position, but he’s got the skills and worked hard at it throughout our passing league season.”

—Zach Matl, OL/DL: “Zach has been starting at offensive tackle since his sophomore year,” Giuliano said. “He’s our most experienced offensive player, and a very athletic edge blocker. We are excited to see the next chapter in his growth and development.”

—Jett Daviss RB/LB: “Jett played some varsity football for us as a freshman, then started as a sophomore, and should now be our workhorse in the backfield,” Giuliano said.  “He’s always had natural vision at the position, and this off season he put in a lot of work into his strength and durability.

—Jarel Coleman: “(He) will be starting at linebacker and tight end,” Giuliano said. “He’s been a defensive player for us in the past but has really embraced the TE position this summer.  He’s one of our fastest players and we think he can create some explosive plays.”

—Aiden Fordyce: “(He) started both ways for us last year as a freshman, which is pretty remarkable,” Giuliano said.  “He is a terrific defensive player at the safety position and will have the opportunity to be a featured receiver this season.”

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