Never say die

Barry Faulkner

For Costa Mesa High alumni pursuing the college football

experience, it’s all about opportunity.

Jeremy Jehangiri and Corey Sides have seized theirs, while Jeremy Via let

one slip away, at least temporarily.

Jehangiri, a 1996 graduate who played two seasons at linebacker for

Orange Coast College, had nearly given up on a scholarship offer from a

four-year school. But when Northern State University in South Dakota

stepped forward late in the summer, he suddenly found a collegiate home.

A 6-foot-2, 245-pound junior, Jehangiri is expected to battle for playing

time at defensive end. The Division II Wolves are ranked No. 22

nationally in one preseason poll. They opened the season Saturday at

Augustana College.

Sides, a senior on Costa Mesa’s 1993 CIF Southern Section Division VIII

finalist, began his collegiate career at Sonoma State. But the Northern

California school disbanded its football program. A receiver and

defensive back in high school, Sides, however, sought opportunity

elsewhere and plans to fulfill his final two seasons of eligibility

beginning this fall at Division III La Verne.

He is a 5-9, 175-pound junior rover attempting to work his way up the

depth chart in preparation for the Leopards’ season opener Saturday

against Occidental.

Via, an All-CIF offensive lineman who played in the Orange County

All-Star Game, then was All-Mission Conference as a freshman guard for

OCC last fall, is academically ineligible this season. He is, however,

committed to taking care of his studies and returning to the field for

the Pirates in 2000. Should he do so, and remain healthy, he will most

assuredly get an opportunity to continue on at the four-year level, most

likely at a Division I school.

“I didn’t go to class much last year, but I definitely learned my

lesson,” Via said.

Desire and dedication have never been a problem for Jehangiri, who toiled

diligently in the weight room to make himself attractive to college

coaches.

“I had a backup plan to go to San Diego State and maybe walk on. But I

probably would have been just a student there,” said the former

All-Newport-Mesa District and All-Pacific Coast League inside linebacker,

who played outside at OCC.

Jehangiri said he isn’t sure how word of his talents spread to Northern

State, but Wolves coaches asked him to visit in late July and the

scholarship offer ensued.

Raymond Ohrel, who spent his first three prep seasons at Mesa, before

earning All-CIF honors and graduating from Newport Harbor, is expected to

be the featured tailback for OCC this fall.