Expectations still high at Edison

The bar is set high.

When you play at Edison High, there’s no other position where it would sit.

A league championship, win streaks of four and five games and a trip to a CIF Southern Section final, were a few of the main highlights achieved by last year’s Chargers.

Gone are a few key players from that team but the Chargers of 2007, who include several carry-over players from last year’s squad, are eager for a taste of that success.

If the off-season is any indication of what to expect, then Coach Dave White’s 22nd team at his alma mater has the ability to make a name for itself.

“Our players are very motivated to win a third-straight Sunset League championship and make another trip to the finals,” White said. “Our league and our division is a real challenge. We have never worked harder in the off-season.”

That off-season diligence should have 50 lettermen and five returning starters on each side of the ball, ready for a season that begins Friday against Diamond Ranch and will include the Chargers wearing new white away jerseys similar to the jersey look of the San Diego Chargers.

That first game is a prelude to another formidable nonleague schedule, one leading up to — and the cliche fits perfectly here — the always-tough Sunset League.

“We will be quick, athletic and hungry to improve each week,” White said.

One key to the Edison puzzle is firmly in place with the return of quarterback Nick Crissman who enters his senior year. The 6-foot-3, 210 signal-caller, who owns what White calls a “rocket” for an arm, last year earned the Sunset League’s “Back of the Year” honor.

Crissman threw for 3,094 yards and 27 touchdowns a year ago as Edison marched to the CIF-Southern Section Pac-5 Division title game.

Crissman has nothing but his final prep season to concentrate on, as he gave a verbal commitment to UCLA in May.

His return gives the Chargers a coveted ace in the pocket.

His back-ups are Garrett Heckel (6-0, 230, Jr.) and Matt Viles (6-1, 160, Soph.).

“Nick has worked extremely hard in the weight room and on the field,” White said. “He is our big-time player and will have a fantastic season.”

Crissman is one of six all-league returners for Edison, a group that also includes seniors Earnie Sagiao (5-11, 228, RB/LB), Eric Smith (6-2, 230, OL/DL), Mike Bogard (6-0, 180, WR/DB), Blayne Anderson (6-4, 250, OL/DL) and Troy Bosiljevac (6-1, 180, WR/DB).

“Their leadership, work ethic, determination and heart has been fantastic,” White said. “Experience at quarterback is a bonus. Our receivers have improved from spring ball.”

Although the Chargers have six key returning all-leaguers back for one more season, they lose 2,300 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns in graduated players Dominique Vinson and Hunter White.

The duo gave Crissman plenty of options last year and repeatedly burned the opposition.

Vinson, who had recent shoulder surgery and is gray-shirting at Saddleback College, had 78 receptions total 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns. White, who has taken his game to Boise State, had 75 catches for 1,200 yards and nine scores. Vinson shared the league “Back of the Year” honor with Crissman and White was the league’s co-MVP.

Vinson and White also were terrors on defense with Vinson nabbing seven interceptions with two returned for touchdowns, and White returned two interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries for touchdowns.

“We have many good athletes who will have to step up for the loss of these two,” Dave White said. “Our receivers are getting better everyday.”

Crissman’s main targets this year figure to be Bogard, seniors Trent Burns (5-8, 170, Sr.) and Shawn Higginbotham (6-2, 200, Sr.), junior Donald Sneed (5-11, 195 Jr.) and Crissman’s younger brother, Jeff (5-11, 170), also a junior.

None had extensive playing time last year.

Besides the receiving department, Edison also is a bit inexperienced along its offensive line where Smith will be a leader at tackle. Senior David McMahon (6-3, 240, Sr.) will play guard/nose guard and senor Marcus Dubois Jr. (5-9, 210, Sr.) will play center.

The Chargers backfield will lead the offense early in the season. Ceasare Nieto (5-8, 173, Sr.), a three-year starter who is back from anterior cruciate ligament surgery, is ready to go after missing all of league play and the playoffs last year due to injury. Areseo Lakey (6-2, 195, Sr.) came on strong in the playoffs last year and Preston Spence (6-1, 180, Jr.), whom White calls a “gifted, young” running back and linebacker, will be included in the run rotation.

Sagiao, one the strongest players on the team, is at fullback.

Although some aspects of the offense may need some time to find their collective legs, the Chargers defense will be a strong point. Several starters crossover from offense to defense, including Sagiao who, at linebacker, had 138 tackles year ago. He’ll be joined at that position by Burns, who sat out last year but is an athlete (White says he’s a “big playmaker”) Spence, Sneed and Will Andrew (6-1, 210, Jr.).

Lakey and Bogard will play free safety, Higginbotham end, Nieto, Bosiljevac and Jeff Crissman at defensive back and Anderson, the only returning defensive starter up front, and Smith are tackles.