Mustangs’ lineup emerging

COSTA MESA — It hasn’t been cemented for long, but this weekend, Costa Mesa High football coach Jeremy Osso selected his starting lineup for the Mustangs’ season opener against Savanna Friday night.

An intrasquad scrimmage Saturday provided insight into some new shakeups, and former offensive lineman Matt Telles (5-foot-8, 143 pounds) earned a spot as a wide receiver.

Here’s a position-by-position look at the Mustangs, who were 3-7 and return four starters on offense and six on defense:

Quarterback: Sophomore Todd Davis (6-2, 153) narrowly edged out junior Brett Farthing (6-0, 142) for the starting quarterback job because he was slightly more consistent, Osso said. Farthing is slated to be the backup and sophomore Nick Haynes (6-3, 164), who has the strongest arm in the group, opens third on the depth chart.

“Brett’s got a better knowledge of what we do because he has been in the system for a year,” Osso said. “Todd was just a little more consistent.”

Haynes, a former running back, has more arm strength, but is still working to master the system.

Running backs: When Osso became coach last season, senior fullback Cody De La Mater (5-11, 202) was one of the players he leaned on the most because of his toughness and his fiery, old-school mentality. After missing all of last season with torn knee cartilage, there was no question that De La Mater would be the starting fullback.

“He just loves to hit people,” Osso said. “He makes holes that weren’t as big a lot bigger when he comes through the hole.”

Robbie Gemayel (6-1, 167) and Curtis Ortega (5-11, 210) will play behind De La Mater. Osso has been pleased with Ortega, a big sophomore.

“In the future, he’s going to be a lot like Cody,” Osso said. “He just needs to be a little lower. He has a tendency to stand up.”

Junior Antwon Byrd (6-2, 187) will start at tailback. Byrd is a straight-ahead runner with plenty of speed; he was the Orange Coast League 100-meter champion as a sophomore and provides a great deal of strength as well, Osso said.

Junior Christian Argumedo (5-7, 140) will play behind Bird, and offers a more elusive running style.

“He’s very patient and actually reads blocks very well,” Osso said.

Brandon Kelly (5-10, 129) adds depth.

Receivers: While senior returning starter John Salyer (5-10, 162) is expected to anchor the receiving corps, newcomer Telles has been impressing Osso. Telles, a junior who had always been a lineman, approached Osso over the summer because he wanted to try out for wide receiver.

“Rarely does a ball hit his hands that he drops,” Osso said. “This year he mustered up the courage to try something new.”

Junior backup Manuel Gomez (5-10, 151) has shown similar capabilities, enough that Osso said he feels comfortable using both as offensive weapons, and confident they can keep the same high energy on defense.

“Manny probably has the most improved hands in spring football,” Osso said.

Sophomores Luis Gomez (5-9, 140) and Brian Waldron (5-8, 144) will also add depth.

“They are a little more athletic, with hands almost as good,” Osso said. “As far as our wide receivers go, they will all see time on varsity.”

Tight end: Senior Raphael Hernandez (5-9, 162) beat out junior Nick Pederson (6-2, 170) in Saturday’s scrimmage and appeared slightly more polished, but Osso expects to use both.

“Raphael’s a little stronger than Nick and a little more physical,” Osso said.

Seniors Tamas Gyorfi (6-0, 198) and Josh Thoms (5-8, 160) supply added depth.

Offensive line: Senior returner Steven Guzowski (6-5, 238) has the charge of blocking at left tackle this year. Osso said his quick feet should allow for better protection.

Senior Jorge Sandoval (6-2, 187), who started at left tackle last season, is at right tackle after losing about 15 pounds in the offseason. Sandoval has also been lifting more to improve his strength which should help with his quickness off the line, Osso said.

Osso calls junior Juan Garces (5-7, 202), a returning starter at guard, the captain of the offensive line. Garces provides the most leadership and discipline, Osso said.

Sophomore Travis Whitlock (6-0, 221) figures to start at the other guard spot.

“We knew Travis would be good, but we didn’t expect it to happen so soon,” Osso said. “He doesn’t have any fear. He always wants to go against guys that hit the hardest in hitting drills.”

Chris Wright will play center, and although he’s a senior, Wright still turned out to be a “pleasant surprise,” Osso said.

Junior Argenis Valencia (5-11, 200) is expected to provide a solid backup at guard, particularly for pass-blocking, Osso said.

“He’s more aggressive, physical, and disciplined than last year,” Osso said.

Osso said he expects junior Thomas Guzowski to supply help at guard.

Senior Eddie Rodriguez (6-0, 200) and junior Max Cederquist (5-8, 195) should add depth at center.

Junior Jason Schroeder (6-2, 204) and sophomore Brian Simrak (6-3, 178) are backup options at tackle.

Defensive line: Garces, who earned first-team All-Orange Coast League honors last season on the front wall, returns to anchor the line at noseguard.

“Juan didn’t make a lot of mistakes, and he’s another year older, another year wiser, and another year stronger,” Osso said. “He’s so disciplined.”

Steven Guzowski will start at inside tackle. He has good footwork, and is capable of beating the single block for a sack, Osso said.

Schroeder (6-2, 204) played right end last season, but moves to the left end this year, while Gyorfi takes over at right end.

It’s a suitable spot for Gyorfi, who is relentless and quick off the edge, Osso said. Gyorfi transferred to Costa Mesa after the 2006 football season and competed on the Mustangs’ wrestling team.

Whitlock is slated to play behind Garces.

Wright, Cederquist, and junior Camilo Enriquez (5-8, 218) also figure to provide depth up front.

Eddie Rodriguez, Sandoval, and Simrak are slated to be backups at end.

Linebackers: Gemayel earned first-team all-league honors as a sophomore last season, recording 117 tackles in eight games as a middle linebacker. Those impressive numbers came despite him often giving up at least 50 pounds to opposing blockers.

“He’s got a year of varsity experience and a greater understanding of what we were trying to do defensively,” Osso said. “He knows how to use his speed to his advantage.”

De La Mater provides the aggressive power to play strong-side outside linebacker. “If you’re standing by Cody, watch out, because he just loves to hit,” Osso said. “Not all kids have that thirst for the contact like Cody does.”

Byrd is the projected starter at the other outside spot. In addition to speed, Byrd has the best tackling technique on the team, Osso said.

“He gets a little upset and he starts to play a little more physical,” Osso said. “He’s a very solid tackler even though he’s transitioning into position. At times, his reads aren’t perfect, but he makes up for it with his speed.”

While Haynes is a backup quarterback on offense, his natural position is middle linebacker, Osso said, because it was what the Defensive Player of the Year on the freshman team last season had played the most.

“Pederson is more savvy about where he should be, but not as quick, so he will play backup on the weak side, as will Hernandez.

Thomas Guzowski and Ortega are slated to play behind De La Mater, while Solis and Thoms should contribute depth behind Boyd.

Secondary: A second-team all-league performer at strong safety last season, Salyer has proved to be just as effective on defense as he has been on offense and is expected to provide the senior leadership for the secondary.

Manuel Gomez has grown, and gotten stronger since last season according to Osso, and he’s a lot faster as well, which will make him better suited for staying with fast receivers at cornerback.

Argumedo is the projected starter at the other corner. He is not as fast as Gomez, but has admirable technique, Osso said.

Waldron is set to start at free safety, and Osso described him as a really smart, instinctive football player.

“He always knows where the ball is, and has no problem finding it,” Osso said. “He’s a younger version of John Salyer.”

Kelly and Justin Rodriguez will provide depth at safety, while Luis Gomez is a backup corner.

Special teams: Junior Justin Rodriguez, a returning second-team all-leaguer, will handle punting and kicking duties.

He kicked field goals of 37 and 20 yards last season.

Solis (5-6, 165) and Waldron have been designated to return punts, while Byrd and Argumeto will step in for kick returns.