High School Football Dream Team: Lawson credits line for success
Brent Lawson’s favorite trips came on game days with his offensive line during lunchtime at Corona del Mar High.
Up to five linemen piled into Lawson’s SUV before they piled food on their plates. Somehow, they fit inside every time before Lawson drove off to a nearby food joint.
“There was a lot of beef in the car,” said Lawson, the quarterback.
Beef was what the linemen usually ordered to chow down hours before a football game.
Lawson took care of his linemen and in return they protected him on the field for 14 weeks.
It has been a couple of weeks since Lawson said he last lunched with his linemen. They last gathered to eat before CdM played in the CIF Southern Section Southern Division title game on Dec. 9.
It is a date he and his line will never forget. Whatever they ordered for lunch that day might as well be called the “Lunch of Champions” because the Sea Kings went on to win their first section title in 22 years.
Lawson delivered the crown with his right arm and legs in a 14-13 victory against Beckman at Orange Coast College. In his final game, the senior threw for 119 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 67 yards on 13 carries.
Lawson closed out a record-breaking season in which he earned the Daily Pilot Newport-Mesa Dream Team Player of the Year on top.
When it was over, a horde of people stormed the field. Fans celebrated with players, coaches with fans, players with teachers, parents with fans, and coaches with players.
Finding someone in the huge crowd wasn’t easy, but if you needed Lawson the best place to find him was with the biggest players on the field, his line.
“Those guys played unbelievable,” said Lawson, referring to left tackle Nick Storm, left guard Hunter Molnar, center Caden Stark, right guard Giovanni Gentosi, right tackle Liam Duddy and tight end Matt English.
Those same players said the same thing about Lawson because their signal caller turned in unbelievable year.
The smartest player of the field usually made the right decisions. Those moves led to Lawson throwing for 2,519 yards and 27 touchdowns — both numbers are CdM single-season school records — with only 11 interceptions. He completed 153 passes, another CdM single-season school record.
When Lawson didn’t hurt defenses throwing, he did so running. He rushed for 446 yards and five touchdowns on 109 carries.
The Offensive MVP award from both the CIF Southern Section Southern Division and Pacific Coast League went to Lawson. Not bad for someone who plans to play baseball at Yale after he graduates from CdM.
In his first year as the starting quarterback, Lawson picked up the Sea Kings’ no-huddle spread offense quickly.
“He had the intelligence and work ethic,” said Scott Meyer, who in his first season as the coach led the Sea Kings to a 12-2 record, the program’s second 12-win season in the school history. “He was a leader and he never quit. We’re going to miss him.”
Lawson is going to miss CdM and grabbing lunch with his linemen before games.
The rest of the players on this year’s Dream Team feature:
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Offensive Player of the Year
Robert Murtha
Estancia
RB
The junior running back set out to lead the Eagles to their best season in school history and he pulled it off with a tenacious running style. Estancia reached the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoffs after claiming its second straight undefeated Orange Coast League title. Murtha rushed for an Estancia single-season school record 2,216 yards and 20 touchdowns, garnering the Orange Coast League Offensive Player of the Year award. The rushing yards led the area. He has rushed for 3,895 yards and 39 touchdowns the past two seasons, closing in on Newport-Mesa career records for yards and touchdowns. Murtha made the All-CIF Southern Section Southern Division team and the All-Orange County second-team offense. Murtha is a two-time Dream Team pick.
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Defensive Player of the Year
Aaron White
Corona del Mar
OLB
The senior outside linebacker predicted a CdM victory against rival Beckman in the CIF Southern Section Southern Division championship and he backed it up with stellar play. White stuffed a potential game-winning two-point conversion run by Beckman with seven seconds left to play, allowing CdM to win, 14-13, and claim the school’s first section crown in 22 years. In the finale, he finished with 10 tackles, including a sack and he recovered an onside kick. White led the area with 17 sacks to go with 98 tackles. He registered four sacks in CdM’s 17-10 win against Northwood. White earned the All-CIF Southern Section Southern Division Defensive MVP award and he made the All-Orange County second-team defense and first-team All-Pacific Coast League.
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All-Purpose Player of the Year
Titus Hasson
Newport Harbor
DB-RB-KR
The senior is the most dynamic player in the area with his ability to produce in all facets of the game. Hasson has the athleticism, speed and smarts, and he isn’t afraid to hit. He covered a lot of ground as a safety, making 78 tackles and intercepting two passes. In his first year playing running back, he rushed for 1,023 yards and 11 touchdowns. He gained 266 yards rushing against Los Alamitos and 195 against CdM, both times the Sailors won. He averaged 32.3 yard per kickoff return and returned one 90 yards for a touchdown. Hasson made the All-Orange County third-team defense and received the All-Sunset League Defensive Back of the Year award. Hasson is a two-time Dream Team pick.
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Cole Blower
Newport Harbor
QB
The senior quarterback faced one of the most daunting schedules in the state and played well against a schedule that saw seven teams advance to the playoffs, including two CIF Southern Section finalists, San Clemente (Pac-5 Division) and CdM (Southern Division). Blower helped the Sailors finish third in the Sunset League for the second straight year and qualify for the CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division playoffs for the third straight year. In a run-first offense, he threw for 1,212 yards and 14 touchdowns, with five interceptions. He completed 99 of 164 passes (60.3%). Blower earned first-team All-Sunset League honors.
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Mario Smith
Costa Mesa
RB
The senior running back transferred from Silverado of Victorville and hit the ground running. Smith posted video-game type statistics, earning him the nickname Super Mario. In an Orange Coast League game at Laguna Beach, he rushed for 356 yards and seven touchdowns, a Costa Mesa single-game school record, and kept the Mustangs in contention for a league title. Smith compiled four 200-yard performances in league and finished with 2,155 yards and 28 touchdowns on 197 carries, earning him the Orange Coast League MVP award. Smith totaled an area-best 30 touchdowns, setting a Costa Mesa single-season school record. Smith made the All-Orange County third-team offense.
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Erik Fisher
Corona del Mar
RB
The senior running back thrived in the Sea Kings’ no-huddle, spread offense, giving CdM a threat on the ground. Fisher rushed for 1,697 yards and 18 touchdowns, numbers that would been higher if he wasn’t pulled at the end of the third quarter in six games. He saved his best performance in the CIF Southern Section Southern Division semifinals, the round in which CdM lost in two of the previous three years. Fisher amassed 304 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries, helping CdM rout Laguna Beach, 41-14. Fisher made the All-CIF Southern Section Southern Division team and first-team All-Pacific Coast League.
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Landon Gyulay
Newport Harbor
WR
The junior wide receiver made the spectacular catch look routine, grabbing balls in the air and coming down with balls while diving. Gyulay stepped in and filled the Sailors’ No. 1 receiver position quite admirably after Parker Norton, last season’s Dream Team Player of the Year, graduated. Gyulay produced his best outing in a nonleague game at San Clemente, a CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division finalist. He recorded five catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Gyulay led the Sailors with 40 catches for 574 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 14.3 yards per catch. Gyulay earned first-team All-Sunset League honors.
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Josh Giger
Corona del Mar
WR
The senior wide receiver was the smallest target in the Sea Kings’ aerial attack, but the 5-foot-8, 160-pounder played bigger than his size. Giger lined up in the slot and led CdM with an area-best 56 receptions for 946 yards and 10 touchdowns, and he averaged 16.8 yards per catch. He was a big-play receiver, hauling in 72- , 61- and 51-yard touchdown passes. During CdM’s CIF Southern Section Southern Division title run, he had 14 catches for 276 yards and four touchdowns, including the go-ahead score in the championship game. Giger made the All-CIF Southern Section Southern Division team and first-team All-Pacific Coast League.
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Jordan Walden
Costa Mesa
WR
The senior wide receiver showed some of the best hands in the area, even making remarkable one-handed grabs, and blocked well down field when the Mustangs ran. The Mustangs ran more often than they passed, but when they aired it out, almost half of quarterback Nathan Alvis’ completions went to Walden. He led Costa Mesa with 44 catches for 708 yards and eight touchdowns. Walden’s best performance was a six-catch, 127-yard and one-touchdown effort in a 49-14 win against Calvary Chapel in which Costa Mesa clinched a CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoff berth. Walden earned first-team All-Orange Coast League honors.
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Caden Stark
Corona del Mar
OL
The senior center anchored the Sea Kings’ offense, which was constantly in shotgun and in a hurry. Stark, a 6-foot, 260-pounder, helped CdM’s balanced offense average 34 points and 362.9 yards per game. Stark made the All-CIF Southern Section Southern Division team and second-team All-Pacific Coast League.
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Zach Bateman
Estancia
OL
The senior left tackle paved the way for running back Robert Murtha’s record-breaking year. Bateman, a 6-foot-6, 310-pounder, also protected the quarterback as the Eagles passed more this season than in previous years. He earned first-team All-Orange Coast League honors. Bateman is a two-time Dream Team pick.
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Sam Bush
Newport Harbor
OL
The sophomore left tackle emerged as one of the top young linemen in Orange County. Bush, a 6-foot-5, 290-pounder, became one of two sophomore tackles Coach Jeff Brinkley started for the first time at the position in his 26 years at Newport Harbor. Bush earned second-team All-Sunset League honors.
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Givraan Gutierrez
Estancia
OL
The senior left guard helped the Eagles average 251.2 yards rushing per game. Gutierrez, a 6-foot-2, 235-pounder, made the left side of Estancia’s offensive line the best in the area, opening huge holes for the Eagles’ ground game to collect 3,266 yards and 33 touchdowns.
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Ted Barry
Newport Harbor
OL
The senior right guard is one of the toughest linemen in Orange County. Barry, a 6-foot-1, 286-pounder, played with a broken fibula early in the season, believing it was just a sprained ankle. He missed three games with the injury and returned in time for Sunset League play.
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Steve Michaelsen
Newport Harbor
DL
The senior defensive end was the most imposing pass rusher because of his 6-foot-5, 240-pound size and abilities. Michaelsen earned a share of the Sunset League Defensive Lineman of the Year after producing 46 tackles, eight sacks and six blocked passes. The biggest performances by Michaelsen came in the Sailors’ upset victories against CdM in the Battle of the Bay rivalry game and against Los Alamitos in Sunset League play. He combined for three sacks in the games, including the game-winning touchdown against CdM. Michaelsen is a two-time Dream Team pick.
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Alipa Peters
Estancia
DL
The senior defensive tackle clogged up the middle with his 6-foot-3, 275-pound frame. Peters earned a share of the Orange Coast League Defensive Player of the Year award. He totaled 104 tackles, four sacks, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. Peters led an Estancia defense, which allowed an area-low 14.5 points per game and shut out opponents three times. Peters helped the Eagles finish undefeated in league play for the second straight year after beating Costa Mesa, 28-14, for the outright title. Peters made the All-CIF Southern Section Southern Division team.
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Andy Ugalde
Estancia
DL
The senior defensive end was relentless as a pass rusher, never quitting in his pursuit of the quarterback. Ugalde kept trying to get to the quarterback in the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoffs. He finally did, recording back-to-back sacks late to secure Estancia’s 10-7 win against Woodbridge and the school’s first trip to the semifinals. Ugalde helped Estancia win two playoff games for the first time. He finished with 13 sacks, 105 tackles, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. Ugalde earned the Orange Coast League Lineman of the Year award.
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Tim Reinhardt
Corona del Mar
DL
The junior defensive end turned in his best outing in the opening round of the CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoffs with a three-sack effort in a the Sea Kings’ 43-7 victory against Westminster. Reinhardt played a vital role on a CdM defense, which held six opponents below 10 points. He finished with 46 tackles, 10 sacks and two fumble recoveries. Reinhardt is the second Reinhardt family member to earn Dream Team honors as Clay Reinhardt did last year. Reinhardt made the All-CIF Southern Section Southern Division team and second-team All-Pacific Coast League.
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Ethan Cochran
Newport Harbor
LB
The senior outside linebacker performed at a high level in the seven games he played for the Sailors. Cochran suffered a season-ending concussion in Newport Harbor’s 35-21 upset of Los Alamitos, making it possible for the Sailors to move closer to clinching a CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division playoff berth for the third consecutive year. Cochran made 85 tackles, sacked the quarterback twice and intercepted one pass. In the Sailors’ season opener at Trabuco Hills, he finished with 15 solo tackles. He earned first-team All-Sunset League honors. Cochran is a two-time Dream Team pick.
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Frasier Anderson
Corona del Mar
LB
The senior outside linebacker led the Sea Kings’ talented linebacker group with 100 tackles. Anderson played the run very well and he was strong in pass coverage. He intercepted two passes, returning one 98 yards for a touchdown in a Pacific Coast League game against University and returning one 20 yards for a touchdown in the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoffs against Laguna Beach. He added two sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. Anderson earned first-team All-Pacific Coast League honors.
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Oronde Crenshaw
Costa Mesa
LB
The sophomore middle linebacker is the youngest and brightest talent out of all the defensive players on the Dream Team. Crenshaw was a tackling machine as he led the area with 130 tackles, to go with eight tackles for losses, five sacks and two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown. Crenshaw was one of biggest hitters and he might dole out more punishment as a running back next year with Mario Smith graduating. He will be a load on either side of the ball. Crenshaw earned first-team All-Orange Coast League honors.
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Kory Cablay
Newport Harbor
DB
The senior cornerback faced stiff competition on a weekly basis and held his own. Cablay intercepted two passes, none bigger than the one he picked off in a must-win situation at home against Los Alamitos. Midway through the fourth quarter, Cablay intercepted a deep pass to end Los Alamitos’ best shot to tie the game. The Sailors won, 35-21, helping them in their efforts to finish third in the Sunset League and qualify for the CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division playoffs. He made 36 tackles. Cablay earned first-team All-Sunset League honors.
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Levi Stillman
Estancia
DB
The junior cornerback played through adversity and delivered for the Eagles in crucial games. In the regular-season finale, with the Orange Coast League title at stake against Costa Mesa, Stillman dedicated the rivalry game to his uncle, Michael, who passed away. Stillman, the skinniest player on the field, went on to score two touchdowns, the difference in Estancia defeating the Mustangs, 28-14, and closing out league undefeated for the second straight year. Stillman finished with five interceptions, 12 pass break ups and 17 tackles. Stillman earned first-team All-Orange Coast League honors.
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Cole Cottrell
Corona del Mar
DB-KR-PR
The senior cornerback and return specialist made plays. Cottrell finished with one interception and 41 tackles, one on a critical defensive stand in the CIF Southern Section Southern Division final against Beckman. Midway through the fourth quarter, he stopped the tailback from getting a first down on fourth-and-six from CdM’s 10. Cottrell averaged 35.7 yards per kickoff return and 12.7 yards per punt return. He returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and two punts for touchdowns. Cottrell made the All-CIF Southern Section Southern Division team and first-team All-Pacific Coast League. Cottrell is a two-time Dream Team pick.
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Grant Garrett
Corona del Mar
K-P
The senior kicker and punter received the Pacific Coast League Kicker of the Year award after battling through an ankle injury. Garrett converted six field-goal attempts and 45 extra-point kicks. His longest successful field goal was from 43 yards out, coming in the Sea Kings’ 45-7 victory against Los Amigos in the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoffs. He made a 27-yard field goal in the playoff opener. Garrett averaged 36.1 yards per punt. Garrett also started at inside linebacker and finished with 89 tackles, four fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles.
Twitter: @DCPenaloza