DREAM TEAM

Football Dream Team storyNewport Harbor’s Rippon is 2005 Most Valuable Player; Tars’ Jackson, CdM’s Mohler also earn top honors.On just his second carry after an anticipated return from reconstructive knee surgery, Newport Harbor High senior tailback Ryan Rippon lifted his team and, seemingly, an entire community by bursting 50 yards through the Mira Costa defense Oct. 7.

But those who immediately gauged the catalytic effect the 6-foot, 200-pounder would have on the Sailors’ offense didn’t know the half of it.

Although Rippon went on to rush for 1,681 yards and 13 touchdowns in 10 games, his value to the CIF Southern Section Division VI football champions far transcended the stat sheet.

To a man, Sailors players praised the inspiration Rippon provided, not only on the field, but in the locker room. It was Rippon who typically addressed the team before games, eventually choosing a weekly quotation that he spun into a theme for achieving success that week.

And whenever fatigue or frustration began to creep into the Newport Harbor huddle, it was Rippon who shouted it down, exhorting his teammates with his passion and will.

“He’s a special and amazing person,” Newport Harbor senior James Coder said of Rippon. “To not want that kid on your team, you’d have to be crazy.”

For the entirety of his efforts, Rippon is the Most Valuable Player on the Daily Pilot All-Newport-Mesa Dream Team.

Newport Harbor senior quarterback Tom Jackson and Corona del Mar senior inside linebacker Shaun Mohler also earned individual distinction on the 29-member unit that includes four repeat honorees.

Jackson, who saved perhaps his best game for his last -- throwing for three touchdowns and running for another in the Tars’ 28-21 victory over Valencia in the CIF title game, is the Offensive Player of the Year.

Mohler, whose propensity for punishing ballcarriers led to handfuls of highlight-reel hits, is the Defensive Player of the Year.

Here’s a player-by-player look at this year’s Dream Team:

* Ryan Rippon: After missing most of his junior season with a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee, he tore his left ACL in a summer passing league scrimmage in July. He flew to Austria for surgery to implant a synthetic ligament 10 days later and, cutting the recovery time for typical ACL surgery from 10 to 12 months to 74 days, was back on the field for the Sailors’ final nonleague game against Mira Costa.

He came off the bench to collect 102 yards on 17 carries in his season debut and had seven additional games with at least 100 rushing yards.

He had 236 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a 33-13 win over Laguna Hills that helped the Sailors clinch a Sea View League tri-championship.

That began a four-game stretch in which he averaged nearly 230 rushing yards, capped by a 300-yard output on 30 carries in a CIF semifinal win over Tustin.

His two-point conversion run in overtime helped the Sailors defeat El Dorado, 32-31, in the first round of the playoffs.

Rippon’s 7.34 yards per carry are the most in a single season among Newport Harbor backs with at least 1,000 yards.

Despite missing all or most of 11 games the last two seasons, Rippon had 2,090 rushing yards on 294 carries.

Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley said Rippon did not approach the explosiveness he had before his torn ACL until late in the playoffs.

Rippon has said he wants to play at Saddleback College next season.

* Tom Jackson: He threw for 1,505 yards and 22 touchdowns, completing 112 of 219 passes with only six interceptions. But as important as the volume of plays he made was when he made them.

Jackson threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Jarrett Daniel with 12 seconds left to key a 21-17 nonleague win over Marina.

Three weeks later, his 36-yard touchdown pass to Daniel and subsequent two-point conversion pass to Daniel with 33 seconds left knotted the score and forced the Mira Costa game into overtime.

He threw an 8-yard touchdown pass in overtime to set the stage for a winning two-point conversion run against El Dorado.

And his third touchdown pass of the game, a 2-yard strike to Delano McKenzie with 5:39 left in the CIF championship game, proved to be the winning margin.

Three of Jackson’s four rushing touchdowns came in the final two games and Brinkley consistently praised his leadership.

“The guy is a winner,” Brinkley said. “He played within the system and did what we ask our quarterbacks to do. He stepped up and made plays and he’s definitely a gamer.”

He had at least one touchdown pass in 12 of the Sailors’ 14 games to help them finish 11-3.

Jackson was also one of only two returning starters on defense. He finished with 39 tackles from his safety position.

* Shaun Mohler: He led his team with 113 tackles, helping the Sea Kings finish 6-6 and earn their first CIF playoff victory since 1995.

He had 76 solo stops, five sacks and returned his only interception 27 yards for a touchdown.

CdM Coach Dick Freeman compared Mohler’s voracious appetite for collisions to that of a shark at feeding time.

More than one opponent this season was knocked from the game by the force of Mohler’s helmet.

Mohler also helped out on offense for the Sea Kings, playing quarterback and receiver. He threw for 418 yards and six touchdowns and rushed 43 times for 193 yards and two touchdowns.

* Ryan Watson: The Estancia senior quarterback’s right arm was the primary offensive weapon for the Eagles all season. And his legs helped quite a bit, as well.

He threw for 1,453 yards and 11 touchdowns, completing 119 of 243 passes with seven interceptions. He also rushed for two touchdowns.

Perhaps his best game came against crosstown rival Costa Mesa in a 20-14 Golden West League-opening win. In that game, his 111 passing yards included touchdown tosses of 59 and 23 yards. He also carried 21 times for 64 yards and on touchdown against the Mustangs.

Watson’s ability to make plays in the passing game helped the Eagles earn their first trip to the CIF playoffs since 2000.

* Keya Manshadi: A repeat Dream Team honoree, having made the team last year on defense, he was selected for his offensive contribution to Sage Hill in his senior season.

He was used primarily at tailback, but was also deployed at receiver for the Lightning, who finished 9-2 and advanced to the CIF Division XIII quarterfinals.

He carried 146 times for 1,069 yards and 15 touchdowns and had 27 receptions for 416 yards and six touchdowns.

He contributed two interceptions on defense and finished with 22 touchdowns to lead all Newport-Mesa players for the second straight season. He scored 20 touchdowns as a junior, when he rushed for 936 yards and added 342 yards receiving.

* Matt Loyd: A standout at tailback and cornerback, this Corona del Mar senior is being recognized on offense.

The Sea Kings’ most consistent offensive weapon all season, he produced 1,336 yards and 13 touchdowns on 174 rushing attempts.

Loyd had 482 rushing yards in the first three games. Then, slowed by a sore knee, he produced just 204 rushing yards in the next five contests.

But after returning to health, he put together 592 yards and seven touchdowns on 48 carries in a three-game stretch that culminated in a 28-7 CIF Division IX first-round playoff win over Garden Grove.

He also had five interceptions for the team’s lauded defensive unit.

* Jack Tracy: Filling in early for Rippon at tailback, the Newport Harbor senior shifted back to fullback, where he became a triple threat as a runner, blocker and receiver.

He finished with 793 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 91 carries and also caught 11 passes for 126 yards and four touchdowns.

His lead blocking helped create running room for Rippon and he also contributed defensively at linebacker, as well as on special teams.

He had 197 rushing yards on 15 carries in a nonleague loss to Dana Hills.

* Tony Krikorian: Injuries and a shift in offensive philosophy spread the Costa Mesa senior’s talents among several positions on both sides of the ball. But, in the Mustangs’ ever changing personnel puzzle, few would argue Krikorian was usually the primary piece.

He began the season at receiver in the Mustangs’ spread offense, but became the quarterback for three games, filling in for the injured starter.

Krikorian was later utilized at wingback in the double-wing offense. There, he helped the Mustangs earn their only two wins. He had 120 rushing yards on 11 carries in a victory over Saddleback, then produced 96 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries in a triumph over Ocean View.

He finished with 417 yards and three touchdowns on 79 rushing attempts. He caught four passes for 53 yards and threw for 127 yards and two touchdowns.

He also started most of the season at cornerback and was continually praised by teammates and first-year coach Jay Johnson for his value as a team leader.

* James Coder: His 2005 season might be best remembered for a defensive play -- a game-clinching interception late in the CIF final -- but the Newport Harbor senior receiver sparkled most consistently on offense.

He had 40 receptions for 449 yards and three touchdowns, as the Sailors’ possession receiver.

He had four catches for 78 yards against Valencia, helping the Sailors earn their third section crown in their eighth title-game appearance.

* Jarrett Daniel: He was the Sailors’ big-play threat, turning more than one-third of his 32 catches into touchdowns. The junior finished with 587 receiving yards -- 18.4 per catch -- and 11 touchdowns.

He had two punt returns for touchdowns of 87 and 51 yards.

His touchdowns included receptions for 59, 52 and 56 yards and his aforementioned late-game connections with Jackson further accentuated his value.

* Matt Redding: A two-way standout for Estancia, this junior is being recognized for his contribution at receiver.

As Watson’s favorite target, he collected 36 receptions for 409 yards and seven touchdowns. Among his scoring plays were aerial gains of 75, 74, 60 and 34 yards.

* Avery Fenton: Freeman called this Sea Kings senior the best blocking tight end he has had.

Fenton, who orally committed to continue his career at Cornell, had seven receptions for 58 yards and three touchdowns.

His physical prowess (6-3, 230 pounds) helped the Sea Kings produce nearly 72% of their 3,138 offensive yards on the ground.

* Charles Schultz: An imposing force at 6-4, 332 pounds, this senior left tackle helped anchor the Newport Harbor offensive line.

His power often enabled him to overmatch opponents, and his agility allowed him to often make blocks well down the field.

A two-time Dream Team honoree, he has stated an interest in joining Rippon at Saddleback next fall.

* Robert De La Cruz: A senior right guard for Costa Mesa, he was one of few consistently productive Mustangs to occupy the neutral zone.

The 5-10, 255-pounder also contributed defensively at both tackle and linebacker.

* Billy Munce: Brinkley said the 6-0, 259-pound right guard graded out highest among Sailors offensive linemen, despite playing with a foam cast that enveloped one hand.

He missed some time recovering from a broken bone in his arm, but was there when the Tars needed him down the stretch.

* Alex Flores: Though not big by offensive line standards (6-2, 206), the Sailors’ left guard excelled by using his intelligence and his desire.

The two-year starter boasts a 4.0 grade-point average.

* Nick Frazier: He emerged early as a reliable force at middle linebacker for Newport Harbor, producing a team-leading 118 tackles as a junior.

He was credited with 81 solo stops and also intercepted a pass.

* Nick Sohl: A Sage Hill senior, he stood out at linebacker, leading the Lightning with 80 tackles, including a team-best nine quarterback sacks.

* Don Ayres: A repeat honoree at linebacker, this talented junior was also a standout at fullback for Sage Hill.

He had 66 tackles, three interceptions, two sacks and two fumble recoveries and was in on the tackle that thwarted a two-point conversion attempt to preserve the program’s first CIF playoff victory, a 28-27 first-round verdict over Pasadena Poly.

Ayres returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown and also scored by recovering an opponent’s fumble in the end zone.

On offense, he produced 1,018 yards and 15 touchdowns on 151 rushing attempts. He also caught eight passes for 40 yards.

* David Rosales: A senior outside ‘backer for Newport Harbor, he amassed 107 tackles, including 73 solo stops and three sacks.

* Erik Rask: A standout at outside linebacker for Corona del Mar, he is the lone sophomore on the Dream Team.

Though just 6-0, 170 pounds, he was consistently successful against the run. He finished with 67 tackles, including 45 solo stops. He also had one interception and one sack.

* Mike Calabrese: An early shift from defensive tackle to end helped the powerful Newport Harbor junior become a consistent threat as a pass rusher.

His 47 tackles included seven sacks, which tied him for the team lead.

Along with Daniel and Frazier, he will help lead the Sailors into the Sunset League next season.

* Delano McKenzie: The 5-9, 200-pound Newport Harbor senior forced his way into the starting lineup early in the season at noseguard.

His strength and quickness made him a difficult matchup for opposing offensive linemen, most of whom outweighed him by several pounds.

He matched Calabrese’s seven sacks and finished with 48 tackles.

* Matt Burgner: Yet another repeat selection and a two-time All-CIF performer at defensive end, this Corona del Mar senior became the school’s career sacks leader with 36.

His 73 tackles this season included 12 sacks, allowing him to break the 23-year-old career record.

* John Fairbanks: Splitting time between end and noseguard, the 6-3, 240-pound senior was a formidable presence on the Corona del Mar defensive line.

He also contributed at offensive tackle.

* Juan Diaz: A 6-1, 300-pound rock in the trenches, this two-way lineman earns distinction for his work at defensive tackle.

In addition to being a formidable obstacle for opposing running games, the senior’s leadership abilities proved valuable for the Mustangs.

* Steve Hillgren: The Corona del Mar junior cornerback intercepted 10 passes, including four in one game against Pacific Coast League rival Laguna Beach. He returned three interceptions for touchdowns of 71, 78 and 27 yards.

A fifth would-be interception against Laguna Beach was negated by a penalty.

Hillgren, who was in on 34 tackles, came up one shy of Warren Johnson’s single-season school record for interceptions.

Hillgren was also a valuable weapon at receiver. He caught 27 passes for 453 yards and six touchdowns.

* Ezequiel Villalvazo: Estancia Coach Brian Barnes said the senior cornerback consistently held his own matched up against the opponent’s best receiver.

He had one interception and also provided run support.

Villalvazo also sparkled at receiver. He caught 27 passes for 453 yards and two touchdowns.

* Fernando Lara: The Newport Harbor senior blossomed in his first season as a Sailor, after transferring in from Arizona. He made four of his five interceptions in the playoffs and made 51 tackles for the season.20051225iqfponknCOURTENAY NEARBURG / DAILY PILOT(LA)Daily Pilot Defensive Player of the Year Shaun Mohler of Corona del Mar High. 20051225in72z6ncCOURTENAY NEARBURG / DAILY PILOT20051225is107xncDON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)Daily Pilot Offensive Player of the Year Tom Jackson of Newport Harbor High.