Thursday, September 30, 2010

Can anyone stop a Lakers three-peat?

Kevin Ding and I answer the burning Lakers questions as the team prepares for their European trip.

With the acquisitions of Barnes, Blake, and Ratliff, is this the most talented Lakers team ever? What threats remain in the West? Who will come out of the East?


Wednesday, September 29, 2010

What's Bruin: UCLA stuns #7 Texas

UCLA beat writer Scott M. Reid and I break down the Bruins latest shocking win over Texas. Is UCLA back or was Texas looking ahead to Oklahoma?

What about the pistol offense. Are the Bruins going to try to throw more in Pac-10 play? The defense looked great, what did Chuck Bullough do differently? I think Akeem Ayers knows. We also answer questions from Jones and bruwin5931.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Trojan Talk Episode 5: USC out for revenge

USC finished off Washington St. 50-16, but are they ready to avenge their upset loss over Washington?

Michael Lev and I make our predictions, and review the Trojans' latest win over the Cougars. We also answer some interesting Dillon Baxter and wildcat questions from our readers OOSK and Mase.

Check out the video below:

Monday, September 27, 2010

OCVarsity Top 10 (9/27): Team celebrates after game-winning field goal

Highlights include a player tipping a pass to himself for a touchdown, a championship volleyball win, an opening kickoff return, a monster block that leads to a touchdown, and a game-winning field goal.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Lakers media day madness

I take you through a media day tour of the Lakers practice facility in El Segundo. It was up to me to ask all the hard-hitting relevant questions like...

Who does Ron Artest think is the better rapper: Tupac, Biggie, or himself? Who would win in a tennis match: Sasha or Maria Sharapova? And I get to the bottom of the whole Trevor Ariza/Devin Ebanks controversy. Are they the same person?

Check out the shenanigans below.

Servite's swarms Edison

Servite defeated Edison 16-9, but don't let the final score fool you. Servite dominated this game.

Matt Inman, Jherremya Leuta-Douyere, Karlton Dennis, and Butch Pauu unplugged the Chargers.

They held one of the best offenses in the county to only nine points, and held them scoreless in two quarters. The Chargers only touchdown came on a freak play, as Edison's Kyle Finney picked up a fumble in the end zone.

We all know that defense wins championships, so I'm just going to go ahead and say it.

No one in the county will beat Servite this year. The only team that has a chance to penetrate the black fortress is Mission Viejo.

I don't see anybody exterminating this Servite swarm.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

All-Access: Servite prepares for Edison

An All-Access look at Servite's final practice before they take on Edison. Friars' head coach Troy Thomas is mic'd for sound, and he doesn't hold anything back.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

What's Bruin: Can UCLA pull off upset?

The Bruins are half-way through the dreaded Texas two-step, and so far, so good.

Scott Reid and I break down the Bruins 31-13 victory over Houston, and assess their chances against Texas. Also, is Kevin Prince’s best asset his legs? And should Johnathan Franklin supplant Derrick Coleman as the number one back?

We also take questions readers Mike and Jimbo.

Check out the show below:

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Trojan Talk: Best all-around game of season

Is there a tailback controversy after Allen Bradford rushed for 131 yards? Does Matt Barkley need to tone it down? When will USC unleash Stanley Havil?

Michael Lev & Jonathan Khamis answer all your USC related questions, provide a Washington State preview, and more!

Thanks to Wade for the Stanley Havili question, and check out the latest Trojan Talk episode below:

Monday, September 20, 2010

OCVarsity Top 10 (9/20): Player trucks over team

Highlights include a four touchdown game, a freak completion over the middle, a blocked punt returned for a touchdown, and a player running over a defender on the way to the endzone.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Servite defeats La Habra in chippy, personal game

I had hopes for this game.

I hoped La Habra QB Cody Clements could suit up and go, but his knee wouldn't allow it. I hoped the game would be close, but Servite's defense wouldn't allow it. I hoped that both La Habra and Servite would represent the best of O.C. football.

My hopes were drowned in a sea of yellow.

Both teams took cheap shot after cheap shot. When it was all said and done, both teams combined for 22 penalties and 240 penalty yards. I expect better out of two teams that are coached by some of the best in the business.

The amount of fouls turned this game into an endless game of faux machismo. Both sides even openly questioned if there were going to conduct post-game handshakes.

I hoped for a good football game. I hoped to see some class.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Edison holds off Dana Hills' late comeback

If you're a fan of the 'ol running quarterback, then this game was for you.

Dana Hills QB Trent Mason ran for 139 yards, while his counterpart Chase Favreau combined for 77. Now, if I do my math correctly, math was my worst subject (stay in school kids!), that amounts to 216 combined yards of quarterbacks getting their Michael Vick on.

What surprised me the most was Favreau's rocket arm. If you cut out the last two letters of his name, you get Favre, and I'm telling you the kid has some zip that would make the Wrangler jeans wearing son of a gun proud.

OCVarsity Heisman nominee Chris Kearney was as good as advertised, punching in two scores. But I also liked the fight I saw out of Nicholas Masaniai. With Davion Orphey out of the picture, Masaniai stepped up with 115 yards in a big game.

However, Dah Chahgers accumulated over 150 yards in penalties. I asked Chase Favreau if the way they played tonight was good enough to beat Servite, and he told me "absolutely not."

All in all, Edison has defeated Dana Hills three times within the last year. That's some ownage people.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

What's Bruin? UCLA season hopeless?

Scott M. Reid & Jonathan Khamis break down the latest in UCLA.

Topics discussed include a need to pass more in the pistol, Derrick Coleman's concussion, and Houston's high-powered offense.

We also answer a question from one of our readers.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Trojan Talk Episode 3: Another disappointing win

Michael Lev grows tired of USC's mounting penalties and decides to flag his partner Jonathan Khamis for unspecified reasons.

They recap another “disappointing” win over Virginia. Which player had a breakout performance? Why are penalties still a problem?

'Trojan Talk' also previews the upcoming game vs. Minnesota, and answers questions by "22 blast," and "Golden Helmets R4 Sissies."

Monday, September 13, 2010

OCVarsity Top 10 (9/13): Must-see volleyball play & touching ceremony

This week's Top 10 chronicles the best of Week 0 and Week 1. Highlights include:

* One of the weirdest volleyball rallies you'll ever see
* Servite's London Lewis stealing a ball away
* An emotional jersey retirment
* A trick play that actually worked
* A fumble resulting in positive yards
* And more!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Tesoro wins wild 'Rumble at the Ranch'

I thought the only rumble worth waiting for every year, was WWE's Royal Rumble PPV event, but oh how I was wrong. This was a rumble to remember.

The game had a little bit of everything. From dueling chants of "god's on our side," and "public school." To a couple of SM supporters who decided to blanket the giant Tesoro 'T' with an Eagles flag. And the rumble even had a Cracraft brother rivalry that would make the Manning brothers jealous.

The "Rumble at the Ranch" definitely lived up to the hype, so let's hope this becomes an annual right of passage, because there was nothing but pure hate involved, and that's always a good thing!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Newport wins smash mouth game over Trabuco

This wasn't a game that Newport Harbor head coach Jeff Brinkley will be showing off at the end of the year football banquet. Third down conversions were at a premium.

Never fear, because special teams saved the day. Asa Lohr picked up a blocked punt by JB Salem, and took it back for a touchdown.

Meanwhile, the Sailors' defense was outstanding, stuffing all attempts of a running attack by Trabuco.

It also needs to be mentioned that my new favorite player name in the county is officially Buzzy Yokoyama. Kid had a game too (126 yards rushing).

And it finally happened. After two straight years of covering football, with no scratches to show for it, I finally got clobbered...by an official.

The sideline official trucked me over as I was trying to capture a reception.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Trojan Talk: "Disappointing" win & Reggie's Heisman

Another edition of "Trojan Talk" (formerly "Trojan Tuesday," but the NCAA took our name away) hits the hot topic issues of the week:

* Does USC need to have full contact practices?
* Was Michael Morgan's hit on Hawaii QB Bryant Moniz dirty?
* Who should the Trojans look out for on Virginia?
* Is the Heisman Trust right in stripping Reggie Bush's Heisman?

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Upset! Carson shocks #4 Mater Dei

Wow, that wasn't expected. The No.4 team in the county, and No.2 ranked in the Pac-5, Mater Dei goes down to Carson.

No one here on the OCVarsity staff saw this one coming, as evidenced here.

The air went out of the Mater Dei balloon after Victor Blackwell suffered a shoulder injury. He told me it popped in and out, and he doesn't know how long he'll be out.

Mater Dei couldn't weather the storm. Talented receivers Sedric Hill and Glen Raphael (who returned an interception for a touchdown) were blanketed by the Colts young secondary.

And to make things worse, Mater Dei's O-line gave up four sacks. I don't think we'll see another game again with a donut next to Wittek's touchdown total, but that line needs to improve.

Most of the Carson players acted like they won CIF, but good for them, they weren't expected to win. The cartwheel and backflips one player pulled off though, a little much...

Saturday, September 4, 2010

La Habra loses to Orange Lutheran in more ways than one

Orange Lutheran and La Habra lived up to the hype for 3 1/2 quarters. The stage was set for Washington St. commit Cody Clements to lead his Highlanders to a come-from-behind victory.

But after falling on a previous play, Clements awkwardly tried to spin past the pressure of Matt Truckey. He ended up injuring himself.

Clements was helped off the field, as he favored the same knee he tore when he was a sophomore.

It was like someone poked a hole through the Highlanders' bagpipes. Many fans stayed well after the game to wish Cody their best. Let's hope his injury isn't serious. The MRI results will be released soon.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Servite ends Oceanside's 39-game unbeaten streak

The Friars picked up right where they left off. The No. 1 ranked team in the county laid the smack down on San Diego's Oceanside and ended their unbeaten streak in the process.

It was a battle of last year's state champions, but the Pirates never put up much of a fight, as they fell to Servite 31-7.

Check out the video below to witness Jody Thomas's defensive brilliance, and Butch Pauu's relentless offense.