Warriors seek to build on last year’s success

In Pat McInally’s first year as head coach last fall, Brethren Christian finished second in league and qualified for the CIF playoffs. This fall, McInally and his staff head into the new campaign with plenty of optimism that the Warriors can match or better last year’s performance.

Brethren Christian welcomes back six all-Academy League players from a 6-5 team that reached the CIF East Valley Division playoffs. A solid returning nucleus of varsity players, mixed with players who tasted success at the junior varsity level a year ago, helps take the sting out of losing six players who achieved all-league status last year.

The Warriors also were hit with another blow before the start of the season when returning all-league linebacker/running back Luke Carbonella was lost to an injury. A big boost for BC, however, is the return of Will Martin, who last year was named the league’s co-Lineman of the Year as a sophomore. McInally said that the junior has “dominant size and speed” at middle linebacker.

Stepping in as starting quarterback is Jack McInally, the coach’s son. As a sophomore last year, Jack McInally threw 23 touchdown passes with just three interceptions and helped guide the JV team to an undefeated season. Another addition from the JV team is Josh Bailey (DE/OL, Soph.), who last year recorded 15 sacks as a freshman.

The Warriors also have three transfer students joining this year’s team: Hunter Burelson (OL/DL, Soph.) and Jared Fuga (WR/DB/LB, Jr.) from Edison, and Zachary Snyder (LB/TE, Sr.) from Servite. McInally called Burelson an “absolute beast.”

The program has also added three new assistant coaching additions to the staff, and all three have ties to Edison High: all-time great running back Kerwin Bell (running backs), Sammy Fuga (defensive line), and Lucky Sagiao (offensive line/junior varsity coach).

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The Team

League: Academy

CIF Division: East Valley

Head Coach: Pat McInally (second year)

Coaching Staff: Ryan O’Hara (offensive/defensive coordinator); Joe Prokop (strength coach/special teams); Kerwin Bell (running backs); Lucky Sagiao (offensive line/ junior varsity coach); Russ Duren (offensive line); Sammy Fuga (defensive line); Jim Pederson (linebackers); Mel Green (JV assistant coach).

Start of Fall Camp: Aug. 3

2011 record: 6-5

2011 league finish: Second place

2011 CIF results: Reached first round of playoffs

Returning starters: 3 offense; 5 defense

Type of offense: Spread

Type of defense: Multiple fronts/coverages

Players returning with honors: Will Martin (OL/ MLB, league co-Lineman of the Year, Jr.); Jake Roque (LB, all-league, Sr.); Luke Carbonella (LB, all-league, Sr.); Jack McInally (P, all-league, Jr.); Anthony Moore (DB, all-league, Jr.); Steven Keenan (OL, all-league, Sr.).

Players to watch: Jack McInally (QB/P/K, Jr.); Will Martin (OL/MLB, Jr.); Anthony Moore (SS/RB/Slot, Jr.); Hunter Burelson (OL/DL, Soph.); Guy Demazeliere (WR/FS, Soph.); Brandon Bryson (Slot/DB, Soph.); Josh Bailey (DE/OL, Soph.); Jared Fuga (WR/DB/LB, Jr.); Zachary Snyder (LB/TE, Sr.).

Coach’s outlook: “With very few returning starters and the loss of all-league running back/linebacker Luke Carbonella to an offseason injury, things might appear challenging, but we are very optimistic,” Pat McInally said. “We have great leadership, a great offseason of work behind us, very positive passing league performances, some awesome new coaches, quality returning players from our 2011 playoff team, and a bunch of quality players from our great, undefeated JV team of 2011.

“We have a very gifted group of receivers and a well-coached, mentally advanced quarterback (Jack McInally), so our passing game should be explosive. Defensively, we have a chance to be dominating. All three levels are strong and talented. We need to stay healthy and motivated to reach our primary goals: to put up significant numbers statistically, and to win in the playoffs.”

Preseason scrimmage: vs. Saddleback Valley Christian, 6 p.m. Saturday (St. Margaret’s High)

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The Schedule

Aug. 25: Animo Leadership, 7 p.m. (Ocean View High)

Aug. 31: Arrowhead Christian, 7 p.m. (Ocean View High)

Sept. 8: at Century, 7 p.m. (Santa Ana Stadium)

Sept. 21: at St. Anthony, 7 p.m. (St. Anthony High)

Sept. 28: Los Angeles Baptist, 7 p.m. (Ocean View High)

Oct. 5: Fairmont Prep, 7 p.m. (Ocean View High, homecoming)

Oct. 12: at Monte Vista (San Diego), 7 p.m. (Monte Vista High)

Oct. 18: *Sage Hill, 7 p.m. (Ocean View High, Band/Senior Night)

Oct. 26: *at St. Margaret’s, 7 p.m. (St. Margaret’s High)

Nov. 2: *at Crean Lutheran, 7 p.m. (Crean Lutheran High)

(*denotes league game)

michael.sciacca@latimes.com

Twitter: @MikeSciacca