Dragons sticking with formula that works

Richard Brian

Del Sol’s Jon Kirschbaum, right, and Derek Eamon hope to lead the Dragons to their third straight appearance in the Sunrise Regional title game. The Dragons fell to Las Vegas High in both title games.

By Jared Harmon (contact)

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Del Sol will have a different look this year after graduating several from its previously strong offensive line.

After losing top big-men Pono HuiHui, Otto Hansel and Pat Mendes to graduation, the Dragons have rebuilt their line with hopes of continuing an effective ground game. Last year, Del Sol’s tailbacks rushed 2,827 yards and 41 touchdowns, and in 2006, the same linemen led the way for 3,261 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns.

The rushing attack has helped the Dragons reach the Sunrise Regional championship game the last two years. They’ve lost to Las Vegas High both times.

“We’re traditionally a run-oriented team and we need our line to come up big to keep that going this year,” Del Sol coach Preston Goroff said. “The jury’s still out on how the line will perform this year, but we have some quality guys looking to step in at every position. We expect to be back in the thick of things this year.”

The Dragons will rely on seniors Alex Klorman and Logan Nestor to anchor the line and protect first-year quarterback Saei HuiHui and running backs Kenny Lawrence, Ernest Hall and Jordan Molina. Blocking back Jon Kirschbaum, who rushed for 598 yards and five touchdowns last year, will also be in the mix, along with Coronado transfer Derek Eamon, projected as the Dragons’ top defender.

“We’ll have some new faces out there, but we’ll bring people the same look as before,” Kirschbaum said. “It’s always going to be power football. That’s what we do.”

Goroff wants to see his team continue to stick to the game plan that has made the Dragons a threat on every team’s schedule.

“It’s tough to compare one year’s team to another, and as coaches there’s nothing we really do different from year to year,” Goroff said. “Our teams have seen success from staying tough — in practices and in games — and from trying to outwork their opponents. If we stick with that we should be fine.”

Jared Harmon is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 990-8922 or jared.harmon@hbcpub.com.