DAILY PILOT’S FOOTBALL DREAM TEAM:

If ever there were a Newport-Mesa quarterback you could call McDreamy, Sage Hill School senior Jamie McGee would have to be it.

Not because he shares some hair product fascination with “Grey’s Anatomy” McDreamy Patrick Dempsey — really, we wouldn’t know anything about that — but because it was impossible to fathom a Newport-Mesa football Dream Team without him.

And, just like the popular drama TV show set in a Seattle hospital has soared in the ratings, so too did McGee into the Lightning’s history books, finishing the 2007 season with 3,362 passing yards and 39 touchdowns, more than his freshman and sophomore seasons combined.

McGee, the Daily Pilot Dream Team Player of the Year, was the cornerstone of the Lightning’s offense for four years. This season, the 1,363 yards of rushing offense Sage Hill accumulated paled in comparison to McGee’s passing yards.

Generally, football coaches like to keep the ratio between passing and rushing at about 50/50, maybe even 60/40. The Lightning’s offense, however, was 75% passing yards.

McGee leaves a huge hole to fill for whoever succeeds him as the Lightning’s quarterback next year. His passing records will have to be someone else’s dream.

On this year’s Dream Team, Newport Harbor led with 10 players, followed by Corona del Mar with six. Estancia had three representatives, Sage Hill had two, and Costa Mesa had one.

Four players make repeat appearances on the Dream Team, including McGee, Brandon Kula of Newport Harbor, and Erik Rask and Kevin Rask of Corona del Mar.

Here’s a player-by-player look at this year’s Dream Team:

Jamie McGee

QB

Sage Hill

Because Sage Hill’s football program was still in its nascent stages when McGee began playing in 2003, the quarterback didn’t have to do very much to put his stamp on the school’s record books.

But McGee, Sage Hill’s Most Valuable Player, didn’t want to just leave a bunch of statistics to be passed and records that would be broken just as soon as he graduated. Year after year, the four-year varsity starter put up at least 1,300 passing yards.

But during his senior season this year, McGee kicked his performance into high gear.

He threw just seven interceptions as a senior, leading the Lightning to the first round of the CIF Southern Section Northeast Division playoffs, where they lost, 62-32, to Linfield Christian. The game was McGee’s biggest output of his career. He threw for 485 yards and four touchdowns, including a 95-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Nick Witte.

McGee led Sage Hill to the playoffs for four straight years as quarterback and finished with a record of 27-17.

Carlos Mendez

RB

Estancia

Mendez needed to make the best of 2007.

The junior tailback wanted to make up for all the running he didn’t get to do last year, when he found himself enviously watching his friends on Friday nights, since he was academically ineligible to play.

Mendez more than made up for his absence when he broke Estancia’s single-season rushing record, finishing the season with 1,530 yards rushing.

Mendez provided a constant familiarity on the Eagles’ offense after quarterback Mike Morley was sidelined with an elbow injury and Estancia ended up using three different quarterbacks in one season. He was named the Orange Coast League Co-MVP.

Cecil Whiteside

MLB

Newport Harbor

Whiteside might be the youngest starter on Newport Harbor’s team, but that didn’t stop him from being a key leader on defense.

Whiteside’s football instincts allowed him to lead the Sailors in tackles as a sophomore. He consistently reached the ball and was one of the team’s most powerful tacklers, according to Coach Jeff Brinkley.

Whiteside also distinguished himself from other leading tacklers in the Sunset League. The middle linebacker finished the season with 98 tackles, the second-highest amount in the Sunset League, and started all 12 of the Sailors’ games.

The only sophomore on this year’s Dream Team finished the season with 64 tackles and 34 assists, two sacks and three fumble recoveries.

His best game was Oct. 29 against Los Alamitos, where he recorded 10 tackles, five assists and a sack to help lead the Sailors to a 31-27 victory over the Griffins. Whiteside also took All-Sunset League first-team honors.

Andrew McDonald

QB

Newport Harbor

In his first year starting as varsity quarterback, McDonald had to find the poise that would allow him to make quick, smart decisions and effectively manage games for the Sailors.

He didn’t have to be a hero, but McDonald’s ability to make game-changing plays was paramount in the Sailors’ historic 7-3 win over Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks in the CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division playoffs.

McDonald threw the game-winning 22-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver JB Green with 5:09 left in the game. Instead of trying to force a miracle, McDonald patiently waited until Notre Dame’s defense gave him the look he needed for the 22-yard winner.

At 6-foot-1, 160 pounds, McDonald was often pitted against defensive players several inches taller and 20-30 pounds heavier. He took a beating when he was sacked eight times in the Sailors’ first meeting with Long Beach Poly, but emerged ready for the next game.

He finished the season 75 of 118 for 1,154 passing yards and seven touchdowns. McDonald threw four interceptions and completed 63.6% of his passes.

Cody De La Mater

FB

Costa Mesa

Even though injury problems struck the Mustangs early on, De La Mater was a workhorse the team could count on. De La Mater shared offensive carries with Robbie Gemayel after first-string running back Antwon Byrd was sidelined. De La Mater’s teammates also deferred to him as a leader on the team.

JB Green

WR/DB

Newport Harbor

Green became one of the Sunset League’s best wide receiver/defensive back combinations as a junior. A first-team All Sunset League selection, Green led the Sailors with 30 receptions for 560 yards and six touchdowns. As the go-to receiver for the Sailors, it was fitting that Green caught the game-winning touchdown that advanced the Sailors beyond the first round of the CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division playoffs. Green also finished with two rushing touchdowns.

But the threat Green provided on defense was just as exciting. Green returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the Sailors’ 41-7 win over Corona del Mar and blocked a field goal against Marina.

Nick Witte

WR

Sage Hill

Sometimes it seemed as if all Witte needed to do was run a bit and hold his arms out, and somehow, a touchdown would find him. The senior wide receiver, who was the go-to guy for the Lightning, was an All-Academy League first-team selection. He had 66 receptions for 1,548 yards and 14 touchdowns. Despite not even cracking six feet — Witte is 5-10 — he was still able to haul in balls and burn defenders with accurate passes from McGee.

Ali Meshkin

TE

Corona del Mar

Meshkin, a first-team All-Pacific Coast League tight end, was an important part of the Sea Kings’ offense. Meshkin led the team in receptions, recording 38 catches for 379 yards and four touchdowns. He was also an important part of CdM’s blocking efforts, particularly since the team had one of the smallest lines in the Pacific Coast League.

Connor McKendry

OL

Estancia

Like most left tackle/running back combinations, Carlos Mendez and McKendry had a good working relationship. And part of the reason why Mendez broke school’s single-season rushing record was McKendry’s willingness to push him.

Before the Eagles faced Costa Mesa in the cross-town rivalry game, McKendry told Mendez he wanted to see at least three touchdowns. He got them, along with 299 yards rushing, the most in a single game in school history. But McKendry was also a crucial force on defense. He was named the Orange Coast League’s Most Valuable Lineman.

Jerry Whitney

OL

Newport Harbor

Whitney’s protection on the offensive line was one of the keys to the Sailors’ passing game. Whitney also helped create lanes for running backs Ben Frazier and Michael Helfrich.

David Lopez

OL

Estancia

At the beginning of the season, no one expected that Lopez, a center, would be snapping the ball to three different quarterbacks by the end of it.

But injuries struck starter Mike Morley and backup Radames Gutierrez, forcing Coach Mike Bargas to start linebacker Eddie Tomasek against Vasquez of Acton.

Estancia coaches were worried about the exchange between Tomasek and Lopez, who stayed after practice that week to ensure things went smoothly. They did, and Estancia won, 37-20 in a cold, wet, rainy game in the Antelope Valley.

Lopez and Gutierrez had little trouble establishing a rhythm that helped Estancia earn a playoff berth for the third straight year and finish the season as co-Orange Coast League champion.

Max Prescott

OL

Corona del Mar

At any given time, it seemed as though anyone could be running behind Prescott, given Coach Dick Freeman’s penchant for using up to eight runners in one game.

Nate Castillo

OL

Newport Harbor

Castillo was a talented water polo player who migrated to football, and he found that it suited him quite well. Castillo, the starting left tackle for the Sailors, initially played tight end on the football team as a junior. But his blocking abilities won him the starting left tackle job. Castillo also saw time on the defensive line.

Erik Rask

LB

Corona del Mar

Players rarely make the Dream Team three years running, but Erik Rask is one of those exceptions. He first appeared as a sophomore and was named the Pacific Coast League’s Defensive Player of the Year. Rask and his twin brother, Kevin, provided a powerful and effective tandem on the Sea Kings’ defense. If one made a tackle, the other usually wasn’t far behind. Rask led the Sea Kings with 81 tackles, 24 assists, and 4.5 sacks, and two interceptions. Rask also contributed on offense, scoring three touchdowns on six carries.

Kevin Rask

LB

Corona del Mar

Kevin Rask is also a Dream Team repeat, having made the 2006 list. Rask finished the season with 100 tackles, including 62 solos, second only to his brother, Erik. He also had an interception against Troy.

Brandon Kula

LB

Newport Harbor

Kula was part of a linebacking crew at Newport Harbor that was fairly frightful when all three parts were clicking together. Kula was second on the team in tackles behind Whiteside, with 48 solo tackles and 27 assists.

Sean Ulrich

DE

Estancia

Ulrich was one of the keys’ to Estancia’s defense, pairing with McKendry to take down quarterbacks as necessary.

Brandon Davis

DE

Newport Harbor

Davis led the team in sacks with eight for a loss of 36 yards, 27 tackles, 14 assists. Davis’ two sacks against Sherman Oaks Notre Dame helped hold the Knights to just three points in the Sailors’ 7-3 playoff win.

Chase Obenauer

DL

Newport Harbor

Obenauer was one of the few Newport Harbor linemen who only played on one side of the ball. But the Sailors’ nose guard proved to be one of the most effective tools for the defense. Obenauer’s total of six sacks for a loss of 38 yards was second on the team behind defensive end Brandon Davis, who had eight. Obenauer also had 24 tackles and 14 assists.

Dan DiChiro

DL

Corona del Mar

The first team Pacific Coast League pick had four sacks this season, and 17 tackles and 25 assists. DiChiro was one of the reasons why, outside of Newport Harbor, none of the Sea King’s opponents scored more than 27 points against them.

Matt Kruse

DL

Newport Harbor

Kruse was enough of a valuable asset on defense that he was one of Newport Harbor’s few one-way starters. His contributions were worthwhile, though. Kruse had 16 tackles and 20 assists, and one sack.

Austin Raiger

DB

Corona del Mar

Raiger, selected to the All-Pacific Coast League second team, was a transfer who made an impact for the Sea Kings all around. While he only recorded 20 tackles and five assists, Raiger also had 43 carries for 263 yards on offense.

Danny Miller

DB

Newport Harbor

Miller, a second-team All-Sunset League cornerback, led the Sailors with five interceptions, three of which he caught against Corona del Mar. Miller was quick enough to keep up with most Sunset League receivers. He often was the difference-maker in the Sailors’ secondary by batting away passes, and he kept his pass-interference penalties to a minimum.

Michael Helfrich

DB

Newport Harbor

Helfrich, a first-team All-Sunset League selection, also played a significant role for the Sailors on both sides of the ball. The safety’s 75 tackles were third on the team, his six TDs were second on the team. Helfrich also averaged 4.84 yards per carry as Newport Harbor’s second-leading rusher.