Daily Pilot Football Dream Team: Garbers makes his mark
When Corona del Mar High broke training camp in August, there was no question who would lead the football team as the starting quarterback. Chase Garbers won the job in the off-season.
The year before, Garbers backed up Peter Bush through the first five games, until Bush suffered an ankle injury, sidelining him for the next two games. When Bush returned, he wasn’t the same. The situation at quarterback wasn’t the same. Garbers went on to start CdM’s final three games of the 2014 season, but there was no guarantee he would be the signal caller the following season.
Garbers and Bush both went out for quarterback prior to this season. From the spring to the summer, Garbers beat out Bush.
Before the Sea Kings kicked off the year, someone asked offensive coordinator Kevin Hettig what the team would do if Garbers got off to a slow start. Would CdM turn to Bush, who moved to wide receiver as a senior?
“Chase is not going to struggle early on,” Hettig said.
Hettig was right, Garbers was CdM’s quarterback. The ones who struggled were on the other side of the ball against Garbers.
As a junior, Garbers picked defenses apart, and Bush helped him as a receiver. The Garbers-to-Bush connection proved to be unstoppable for most of the year. The ball started in Garbers’ grip and it usually ended up in Bush’s hands.
Garbers is the Daily Pilot Newport-Mesa Football Dream Team Player of Year for statistically delivering the best season of any quarterback to play the position at CdM. His go-to guy made it possible, Bush hauled in whatever came his way.
Garbers passed a lot, and with a lot of success.
He threw for 2,715 yards and 33 touchdowns, both CdM single-season records, while only throwing three interceptions.
He threw six touchdowns in a game, a CdM record.
He completed 33 consecutive passes during a three-game stretch, and the streak, according to CalHiSports.com, is a state record.
He completed 23 of 23 passes in a game, tying a state record. The perfect performance clinched the Sea Kings’ fourth straight undefeated Pacific Coast League title.
What wasn’t perfect to Garbers was how the season ended for CdM (9-3, 5-0 in league).
“I would not say it was a successful year because at Corona del Mar winning a CIF championship is a successful year,” Garbers said. “We fell short of that.”
The No. 3-seeded Sea Kings bowed out in the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Southwest Division playoffs, losing at Buena Park, 35-17. The quarterfinal exit was CdM’s second in a row, and each time Garbers was the team’s quarterback.
Garbers would trade in all of his passing records for a shot to play for a section title. There was a time from 2011-13 that CdM finished on top. During the three-year run, quarterbacks Brent Lawson, Cayman Carter and Luke Napolitano each lifted the program to CIF Southern Section Southern Division crowns.
Napolitano used to own the CdM single-season records for passing yards and completions, and the school career marks for passing yards and completions, until Garbers broke them this year. Garbers completed 226 passes, giving him 335 for a career, and he has thrown for 4,075 yards during his three years, he threw one pass for four yards as a freshman. Garbers also surpassed Lawson’s single-game passing touchdown record and his career passing touchdown record. Garbers has passed for 44 touchdowns.
The numbers don’t matter as much to Garbers. What does is what Napolitano and Lawson pulled off as seniors. He wants to join their company and be the quarterback to guide the Sea Kings to a section championship.
Garbers, a two-time Dream Team selection, has one year left, and he’s looking to leave his mark at CdM before his career ends. Garbers, a 6-foot-3, 210-pounder, plans to play football on the next level. Garbers, the Pacific Coast League MVP, said Stanford, UC Berkeley, USC, Washington, Colorado, UCLA, Boise State, Duke Northwestern, Tennessee and Notre Dame have shown interest in him, as have the Ivy League schools.
“The maturation of Chase [becoming] a top [Orange] County quarterback was the key to making our offense be so diverse,” said Sea Kings Coach Dan O’Shea, who saw Garbers complete 68.7% of his passes in the up-tempo, spread offense. “His strongest attributes [are] phenomenal intelligence in understanding schemes, his precise decision making, his savviness to extend plays with his feet, and he never blinks under pressure, which is why guys are eager to play under his leadership.”
Below are the rest of the players on the Dream Team:
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Offensive Player of the Year
Peter Bush
WR | Corona del Mar
The senior unselfishly moved from quarterback to wide receiver in training camp and immediately turned into the Sea Kings’ biggest offensive threat. Bush, who started his junior season as CdM’s quarterback before moving to tight end late that season, was a record-breaking catching machine in his final year. He set CdM single-season records for receptions (62) and receiving touchdowns (15), and finished with 915 receiving yards, not bad for someone who only had four receptions for 47 yards the previous year. He also shares the top spot at CdM when it comes to single-game touchdown catches (five) and single-game catches (11). The change in positions didn’t deter a couple of the best college football programs in the nation to pursue Bush, who earned All-CIF Southern Section Southwest Division and first-team All-Pacific Coast League accolades. Bush has preferred walk-on offers from Michigan and Notre Dame.
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Defensive Player of the Year
Sutty Barbato
DB | Corona del Mar
The senior safety became the Sea Kings’ most dynamic player on defense, a year after it appeared he wouldn’t play another down. Barbato missed most of his junior season because he suffered his third concussion in a year. He returned to the sport he loved playing since he was 7 years old, knowing he had to change the way he tackled. Barbato, known as a hard hitter, employed a safer approach, no longer leading with his head down, and he still led CdM with 78 tackles. He also finished with one sack, one interception, one blocked field goal and nine passes defensed. Barbato, a member of the All-CIF Southern Section Southwest Division and All-Pacific Coast League first team, also returned a fumble 30 yards for a touchdown. Barbato is the second member in his family to make the Dream Team, his brother, Barrett, was on the 2014 team as a safety.
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All-Purpose Player of the Year
Cameron Curet
WR-RB-LB-K-P-KR-PR | Costa Mesa
The senior performed in all facets of the game for the Mustangs, catching the ball as a wide receiver, running with the ball as a running back, tackling whoever had the ball as a linebacker, kicking the ball as a kicker and punter, returning the ball on kickoffs and punts, and even throwing the ball as a quarterback. Curet, who made the All-Orange Coast League first team, put on a one-man show almost every night, helping Costa Mesa to a 5-1 start, its best in four years. On offense, he finished with 30 receptions for 405 yards and five touchdowns, and rushed 65 times for 385 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, he recorded 76 tackles, 6.5 sacks and four interceptions. On special teams, he averaged 46.6 yards per punt and 92% of his kickoffs went for touchbacks. Curet is a two-time Dream Team selection.
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Michael Bonds
QB | Newport Harbor
The junior quarterback played well in his first year as the Sailors’ starter. Bonds, a second-team All-Sunset League pick, completed 132 of 243 passes for 1,495 yards and 13 touchdowns, while throwing nine interceptions. Bonds has an offer from the University of Cincinnati.
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Cole Kinder
RB | Newport Harbor
The junior running back carried the load for the Sailors, rushing 223 times for an area-best 1,317 yards and nine touchdowns. Kinder, a first-team All-Sunset League pick, rushed for 304 yards at Pico Rivera El Rancho, the single-game total ranks No. 3 at Newport Harbor. Kinder is a two-time Dream Team selection.
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Jaydin Moses
RB | Corona del Mar
The junior running back came on strong in the second half of the season, averaging 121.8 yards and almost a touchdown per game on the ground. Moses, who made the All-Pacific Coast League first team, rushed 127 times for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns, the last stat tied him for the area best.
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Reed Rutter
WR | Newport Harbor
The senior receiver emerged as the Sailors’ No. 1 target after a foot injury sidelined standout Jack Rapillo early in the season. Rutter, a first-team All-Sunset League member, hauled in 40 passes for 567 yards and five touchdowns. Rutter also started at strong safety.
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Reece Perez
WR | Corona del Mar
The junior wide receiver was small, but the 5-foot-9, 160-pounder was a reliable underneath option for the Sea Kings. Perez finished with 54 receptions for 446 yards and three touchdowns. Twice he produced 10-catch games. Perez made the All-Pacific Coast League second team.
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Jack Blower
WR | Corona del Mar
The senior proved to be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses because of his ability to lineup at wide receiver, tight end and H-back. Blower, a second-team All-Pacific Coast League member, was a dominant blocker, and he finished with 31 catches for 453 yards and four touchdowns.
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Konrad O’Daly
TE | Estancia
The senior gave the Eagles their best tight-end catching weapon during Coach Mike Bargas’ nine seasons at the helm of Estancia. O’Daly finished with 26 receptions for 511 yards and seven touchdowns, garnering first-team All-Orange Coast League laurels. O’Daly also started at safety.
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Arwin Rahmatpanah
OL | Corona del Mar
The junior transitioned to center with ease for the Sea Kings. Rahmatpanah, a 5-foot-11, 245-pounder, was the brains of an offensive line that cleared the way for CdM to average 35.1 points per game. Rahmatpanah received All-CIF Southern Section Southwest Division and first-team All-Pacific Coast League recognition.
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Bryan Samudro
OL | Corona del Mar
The junior right guard was the Sea Kings’ strongest player. The 5-foot-11, 265-pound Samudro paved the way for CdM’s no-huddle balanced attack, which averaged 232.7 yards through the air and 172.6 on the ground. Samudro is a first-team All-Pacific Coast League member.
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Max Spruill
OL | Newport Harbor
The senior right tackle protected the Sailors’ first-year starting quarterback, Michael Bonds. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Spruill, who also started on the defensive line, earned first-team All-Sunset League honors for helping Newport Harbor average 26 points per game in league. Spruill is a two-time Dream Team selection.
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Elliott Frye
OL | Newport Harbor
The senior center anchored the Sailors’ offensive line. Frye, a 6-foot-2, 208-pounder, made the All-Sunset League first team. He created holes for Cole Kinder, whose 1,317 rushing yards were the best by a Newport Harbor running back in three years. Frye also started on the defensive line.
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Mitch Dean
OL | Corona del Mar
The senior left tackle overcame shoulder and knee surgery in the off-season and made it difficult for defenses to get to Sea Kings quarterback Chase Garbers. Dean, a 6-foot-5, 275-pounder, protected Garbers’ blindside, allowing him to put up record-breaking numbers. Dean is a two-time Dream Team selection.
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Teddy Barber
DL | Corona del Mar
The junior defensive tackle created havoc for the Sea Kings’ stingy defense, which allowed an area-low 17.4 points per game. Barber totaled 44 tackles, 10 for losses, and 5.5 sacks, earning him All-Pacific Coast League first team honors.
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Max Durante
DL | Newport Harbor
The senior defensive end was a force for the Sailors off the edge. Durante, who made the All-Sunset League second team, recorded 72 tackles and four sacks. Durante always seemed to pressure or knock down the quarterback on every pass rush.
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Joe Anderson
DL | Corona del Mar
The senior noseguard plugged up the middle for the Sea Kings, who only allowed four running backs to top 100 yards on the ground. Anderson, a second-team All-Pacific Coast League member, produced 21 tackles, three sacks and two fumble recoveries.
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Michael Mishow
DL | Corona del Mar
The senior defensive end registered seven tackles in the Pacific Coast League showdown at University, helping the Sea Kings win, 42-21, and claim their fourth consecutive league title. Mishow, who received second-team All-Pacific Coast League honors, finished with 46 tackles, five for losses.
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Karl Donovan
LB | Corona del Mar
The senior middle linebacker performed at his best in the CIF Southern Section Southwest Division playoffs. Donovan registered 12 tackles in the first round and 11 in the quarterfinals, finishing with 72 tackles for the year. Donovan is a first-team All-Pacific Coast League pick.
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Dalton Rosene
LB | Newport Harbor
The senior outside linebacker excelled at the position he last played for the Sailors as a sophomore. Rosene, a second-team All-Sunset League member, made 47 tackles, intercepted two passes and sacked the quarterback once. Rosene is a two-time Dream Team selection.
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Blake Kormos
LB | Corona del Mar
The senior outside linebacker’s best effort came against a then-undefeated University team, registering 11 tackles and returning an interception 30 yards for a touchdown. Kormos made the All-Pacific Coast League first team after finishing with 60 tackles, one sack, one interception and one forced fumble.
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Josh Snipes
DB | Costa Mesa
The senior cornerback was small, but the 5-foot-6, 148-pounder was the Mustangs’ top cover man. Snipes blanketed the opposing team’s No. 1 wideout every game. The first-team All-Orange Coast League pick intercepted an area-best seven passes and made 51 tackles. Snipes also started at wide receiver.
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Taylor Damron
DB | Corona del Mar
The senior safety, who missed four games because of a knee injury, returned in the CIF Southern Section Southwest Division playoffs and made an impact. Damron, a second-team all-league pick, totaled 64 tackles, two interceptions, five passes defensed, a sack and a fumble recovery.
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Tyler Ross
DB | Estancia
The junior free safety was the Eagles’ playmaker. Ross finished with 53 tackles and three interceptions. In the Battle for the Bell, he intercepted two second-half passes inside Estancia’s 10-yard line, ensuring the Eagles’ first shutout of Costa Mesa since 2006.
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Cameron Kormos
CB | Corona del Mar
The junior cornerback joins his older brother, Blake, on the Dream Team. Kormos returned an interception 46 yards for a touchdown in CdM’s 52-14 win against Dana Hills, and for the season, he had 35 tackles and eight passes defensed.
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Jason Neiger
K-P | Corona del Mar
The left-footed senior handled the kicking and punting duties for the Sea Kings. Neiger converted eight of 13 field-goal attempts, his longest successful kick was a 38-yarder, and he made 56 of 57 extra-point kicks. He averaged 33.8 yards per punt. Neiger received All-CIF Southern Section Southwest Division first-team All-Pacific Coast League honors.
