Whiteside tops nominees

Newport Harbor High senior Cecil Whiteside, the Newport-Mesa Player of the Year in 2009, highlights a list of 17 Newport-Mesa players nominated to represent the South in the 51st edition of the Orange County All-Star football game, scheduled July 16 at Orange Coast College.

Whiteside, a linebacker and receiver who is bound for Cal, already has all-star experience. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound four-year starter already competed in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in Texas on Jan. 9.

Whiteside led the Sailors with 96 tackles and also had 29 receptions for 377 yards and four touchdowns.

Other noteworthy candidates for the 36 South roster spots include Costa Mesa High seniors Brian Waldron and Travis Whitlock, Corona del Mar seniors JD Abbott and Alex Swigert, as well as Newport Harbor seniors Jake Taylor, Ryan Iverson and Dillan Freiberg.

Waldron, a two-time Newport-Mesa Dream Team honoree, had 56 receptions for 836 yards and six touchdowns as a senior. He also collected 86 tackles and five interceptions as a linebacker and safety.

Whitlock, the Orange Coast League Lineman of the Year, was a two-way standout for Mesa. The 6-2, 263-pounder had 94 tackles, including six sacks and 16 tackles for losses from his defensive end spot. He was an anchor on the offensive line at center.

Taylor, a 6-0, 260-pound left tackle, shared Offensive Lineman of the Year laurels in the Sunset League last fall.

Freiberg converted 11 of 12 field-goal tries and at one point had a streak of 71 straight conversion kicks.

Iverson had 76 tackles from his linebacker spot on his way to Dream Team and first-team All-Sunset League recognition.

Swigert, a 6-0, 210-pound linebacker and running back, made 60 unassisted tackles and six sacks for the Sea Kings. He is a two-time Dream Team performer.

Abbott had an injury-shortened senior season, after starring as a junior at tailback and linebacker.

Senior linebacker and running back Sean Davis is the lone nominee from Estancia. He amassed 80 tackles and also rushed for 561 yards and seven touchdowns for the Eagles.

Sage Hill standouts Connor Gaughan, Dusty Orrantia and Adam Donchess are also among those who will be considered .

Also nominated from Costa Mesa were Luis Gomez and kicker Jairo Farfan.

Linebacker Justin Tam rounds out the CdM nominees, while Newport Harbor nominees also include defensive lineman Zach Moghaddam, a Dream Team honoree, and defensive end Cameron Koziarn.