First-Team Defense

PUNTER

An offense or defense can dominate a game, but perhaps no single individual can bail his team out of trouble more quickly than the punter.

In the case of Sonora’s Nick Ross, he was able to bail himself out. Ross was the Raiders’ starting quarterback, and when he and the offense were unable to move the ball, he single-handedly improved the team’s field position by averaging 39.6 yards per punt. Only 12 of his kicks were returned.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

In Orange County, where the passing game is often paramount, the last line of defense - the secondary - is often the most important.

Irvine’s Joe Bollard played free safety with a linebacker’s ferocity for the stingiest defense in the county. The Vaqueros allowed an astonishing 90 points (6.4 per game) and recorded five shutouts - three in the playoffs - on their way to a 14-0 record and the Southern Section Division VI title, and it’s doubtful they could have done it without Bollard, who played much bigger than his 6-foot, 165-pound stature.

Edison junior A.J. Martinez is the kind of cover cornerback major colleges covet, and he already has attracted interest from USC. He also is Edison’s punter.

Versatility also was the calling card of Loara’s Rudy Acosta and Villa Park’s Bryan Arguello. Both kicked and played wide receiver in addition to their defensive duties. Acosta shared the county lead in interceptions with nine; Arguello had eight, and a school-record 17 for his career.

LINEBACKERS

Linebackers are the linchpins of any defense, and county schools had some good ones to pin their hopes on this season. Tustin middle linebacker Matt McCoy was the best player on one of the county’s best defenses. The Tillers shut out three opponents and allowed only 178 points (13.7 per game) in an 11-2 season that ended with a loss to Irvine in the semifinals of the Southern Section Division VI playoffs.

Mater Dei’s season ended earlier than usual - in the Division I quarterfinals - but that was no fault of Ian Gunderman, who made an impressive transition to linebacker after playing defensive end and free safety last season.

Newport Harbor’s Chris Manderino and El Modena’s Adam Lancisero were better known for what they did on offense: They rushed for 3,809 yards and scored 47 touchdowns between them. But each was equally effective as the centerpiece of his team’s defense, and their futures in college football may well be on that side of the ball.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Big wasn’t necessarily better among Orange County defensive linemen this season, but it certainly didn’t hurt.

Two of The Times’ three all-county selections - 6-foot-7, 238-pound Tim Burnette of San Clemente and 6-3, 240-pound Alex deBrucky of Esperanza - have to duck under doorways. The other, 6-foot, 275-pound Mike Patterson of Los Alamitos, could break the door down with one little shove.

All three were vital components of winning teams with solid defenses. Esperanza finished 11-2, won the Sunset League, finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the county and reached the semifinals of the Southern Section Division I playoffs; Los Alamitos and San Clemente were both eight-win playoff teams.

And all three could be playing football in the Pacific 10 Conference next season. Burnette already has committed to Washington State; deBrucky, The Times’ county defensive lineman of the year, is considering Arizona State and Cal, among others; and Patterson has been pursued by ASU, Oregon and USC.

THE SECOND TEAM

DEFENSIVE LINE

Ben Wilson, Brea Olinda, 6-3, 230, Sr. Defensive end caused five fumbles, recovered one, had 73 tackles and eight sacks.

Brian Porteous, Irvine, 6-0, 180, Sr. Had 14 sacks, 34 hurries and caused two fumbles for undefeated section champion.

Bernard Fano, Fountain Valley, 6-2, 250, Sr. Missed four games but still had seven sacks, six hurries and knocked down four passes.

LINEBACKER

Frostee Rucker, Tustin, 6-3, 215, Sr. Great range, had 124 tackles, four sacks, eight hurries and 11 tackles for losses.

Ryan Powdrell, Mission Viejo, 6-1, 225, Jr. Devastating hitter had six sacks, forced three fumbles and recovered one, had an interception.

Seth Prelesnik, Edison, 5-11, 205, Sr. His 151 tackles gave him school-record 391 for his career; had two interceptions, one for a touchdown.

Sergio Sanabria, La Habra, 5-11, 200, Sr. Helped section finalist with 8 1/2 sacks, interception, three forced fumbles with one recovery.

DEFENSIVE BACK

Brown Faavae, Mater Dei, 6-0, 205, Sr. Had 5 1/2 sacks, giving him school-record 26 among 108 tackles, also had one interception.

David Gober, Western, 5-10, 180, Sr. Scored 27 times on offense but had four interceptions, six deflections and 72 tackles on defense.

Ryan King, San Clemente, 6-2, 175, Sr. Had 114 tackles, four less than his school record, in one less game. Also had three interceptions.

Steve Shinen, Los Alamitos, 6-2, 183, Sr. Also a punter and wide receiver, had seven interceptions and 11 tackles for losses.

PUNTER

Taylor Kunzi, San Clemente, 6-0, 215, Sr. Only nine of 41 punts were returned, netting a 38.8-yard average. Also made seven of 12 field goals.