The Capistrano Dispatch’s annual high school football preview is out now. To read more San Juan Capistrano prep season previews, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com.
By Connor Schmitt
After undergoing many vital changes, it seems Capistrano Valley Christian will no longer tolerate the “little brother” role in 2015.
The small school’s transitioning process began in 2012, when the Eagles’ football program switched from playing 8-man football in the Express League to 11-man football in the San Joaquin League. Since the switch, the Eagles have tallied an overall record of 24-9, accompanied by an impressive 11-3 performance in league play.
However, the team has yet to claim a San Joaquin League championship. Each year they have found themselves with a sole disappointing loss in league play against crosstown rival Saddleback Valley Christian.
Fortunately for this year’s Eagles squad, they welcome both skill and experience back into the starting lineup.
Returning to the wide receiver position is Arkansas State commit Ben Sukut. Last year, he was the go-to receiver and led the team in all-purpose yards, piling up 52 receptions, 12 touchdowns and 791 receiving yards.
The team also returns running back Kci Thompson, who will be called on to run the ball more this year following a pass-happy campaign in 2014. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry last year, rumbling for 850 yards and nine rushing touchdowns along the way.
Sukut and Thompson are known commodities. The biggest question mark, however, lies in Dawson Piper, who begins his junior year as the team’s starting quarterback.
“This time last year, I didn’t know if I was going to be the starter,” Piper said. “I just worked every day as if I was going to end up playing.”
Piper will need to step into the role quickly, given the past performance of the player he is replacing.
Former Eagles standout quarterback Riley Babbit graduated in 2014 after putting together an impressive passing season. Babbit led the team to a 7-4 overall record with over 2,100 passing yards and 26 touchdowns.
Despite his inexperience as a starter, this Eagles squad seems fully confident in Piper’s work ethic and ability to fill in at the position.
“We’re not worried about (Piper) anymore,” Thompson said. “He really proved himself this offseason and during passing league.”
Last offseason the Eagles had more to worry about aside from any roster changes. In March of 2014, Capistrano Valley Christian replaced head coach Dan Dodd with assistant coach Eric Preszler.
Dodd had an impressive three-year tenure as head coach for the Eagles, leading the team through three consecutive winning seasons from 2011 to 2013. Preszler followed in his mentor’s footsteps, leading Capistrano Valley Christian to the CIF playoffs with a 7-4 overall record in 2014.
This year, Preszler has coached his first full offseason with the team and is among those excited for the school’s week six rivalry matchup against Saddleback Valley Christian.
“They’re the league champions now and they have been for years, and ultimately that’s our goal—to win league,” Preszler said.
The Eagles head in to what is expected to be a highly competitive football schedule. Their regular season opener will take place against Tri-City Christian on Aug. 29 at Capistrano Valley High School.
Schedule
Date Opponent Location, Time
8/29 Tri-City Christian Capistrano Valley High, 7 p.m.
9/4 St. Margaret’s SMES, 7 p.m.
9/11 Mary Star of the Sea CVHS, 7 p.m.
9/19 Brethren Christian Oceanview High, 7 p.m.
10/1 Crean Lutheran CVHS, 7 p.m.
10/10* Saddleback Valley Christian CVHS, 7 p.m.
10/15* Fairmont Prep CVHS, 7 p.m.
10/24* Santa Clarita Christian Canyon High, 7 p.m.
10/30* The Webb Schools Damien High, 7 p.m.
11/6* Southlands Christian Damien High, 7 p.m.
*–denotes league game
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