Jason Minici

School: Irvine High

Sport: Football

Position: Quarterback

Class: Junior

Irvine Coach Terry Henigan has decided that in order to win in the South Coast League, the Vaqueros must pass effectively. Judging from the school records Minici is setting, Henigan has found the right player for the job. Minici, who started at quarterback last year as a sophomore at Adlai Stevenson High School in suburban Chicago, had 18 completions to set a school single-game record in his first game for Irvine this season. Friday, he completed 14 of 25 passes for 304 yards--another school single-game record--passed for two touchdowns and ran for another in Irvine’s 26-14 South Coast League victory over Dana Hills. Minici, who also helped receiver Mark Huffman set the school record for reception yards (201) in the game, transferred to Irvine last spring and was the starting catcher for the baseball team. Henigan says Minici has been helped by competition at quarterback from sophomore Aron Garcia.

Other top performers:

Adrian Ioja, who caught two touchdown passes, recovered a fumble and returned it 35 yards for another touchdown and kicked five extra points to lead Garden Grove to a 35-7 victory over Los Amigos Friday.

Brandon Jessie, who caught four passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns in Edison’s 21-10 victory over Santa Ana Friday.

Daniel Niednagel, a Dana Hills cross-country runner who had the fastest time of the day--15 minutes 17 seconds for three miles-- to win the invitational race of the Orange Country Championships Saturday.

Greg Windle, who completed 16 of 18 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns and also scored two touchdowns on a couple of one-yard runs in Troy’s 28-7 victory over Sonora Friday.