El Toro Searches for a Plan to Ground Air Capistrano

Bill Whipple, El Toro High School defensive coach, and his players have a formidable task tonight when they attempt to stop Capistrano Valley’s potent passing game.

After all, Cougar quarterback Scott Stark has thrown for 864 yards and 9 touchdowns in 3 games going into the South Coast League opener. Receiver Nathan Call has caught 26 passes for 380 yards, and Todd Beightol has 18 receptions for 278 yards.

“Their passing attack reminds me of a pro team,” said Chad Fouts, an El Toro outside linebacker. “I think they’re deserving of being the No. 1 team in Orange County.”

Fouts is one of four returning starters in El Toro’s secondary whose assignment will be to try to contain Capistrano Valley. The others are outside linebacker Mike Gonzales, right cornerback Jim Hargy and free safety Eric Brass.

Hargy leads the team with two interceptions.

Dick Enright, Capistrano Valley coach, compares Stark’s release to San Diego Charger quarterback Dan Fouts, who Enright coached at Oregon State. Stark is a strong, accurate passer with a quick release.

“He also reads defensive coverages and adapts accordingly,” said Bob Johnson, Charger coach. “I don’t think they throw a lot of timing passes. Stark will move around in the backfield a little, wait for a receiver to get open and then throw the ball.”

Johnson plans to mix his coverages in an effort to confuse Stark.

“There is a lot of disguise involved,” he said. “We basically have five or six coverages.”

Though Johnson won’t reveal what type of coverages he has planned, he said that man-to-man coverage against Beightol and Call is unlikely.

“If you’re going man-to-man against those two with nobody behind you, you’re going to be in for a long night,” Johnson said.

Brass will call the defensive signals after receiving a signal from Whipple. The free safety will call the checks and make any necessary adjustments.

“We’ve had more to study this week preparing for Capo Valley than we usually do,” Brass said. “We basically don’t want to get burned long. They didn’t throw long last year with Nathan at quarterback, but we expect them to throw long a couple times to test us this year.”

Under the Chargers’ new 4-4 defensive alignment, Fouts and Gonzales will be strong safeties involved in the pass-defense scheme.

“They show the pass most of the time,” Gonzales said. “Their play-action isn’t too convincing, and they’ve been throwing about 30 times a game, so I know I’ll be backpedaling a lot.”

Said Johnson: “They have the ability to strike quickly. I’m still wondering whether to drop back eight defenders and rush three or drop back three and rush eight. I think I’ll go scout Irvine and let somebody else coach this game.”

The Big Game

El Toro vs. Capistrano Valley

The records--El Toro (1-2), Capistrano Valley (3-0)

The site--Capistrano Valley Stadium

Key to the game--El Toro needs to establish a consistent running game if it hopes to repeat last season’s 20-15 victory over the Cougars. “Ideally, we’d like to play possession football, but we haven’t been able to do that this season,” Charger Coach Bob Johnson said. Look for Cougar quarterback Scott Stark & Co. to have another big game if the Chargers’ offense sputters. Almost overlooked has been the Cougars’ fine defense, which has allowed an average of only eight points per game with three-year starting tackle Dave Berkeley anchoring the line. Cougar placekicker Eric Hannah missed last year’s game and could be a factor.

Consensus--Capistrano Valley has too many weapons and should win handily.