Clarke: ‘Season of change’

When the Laguna Beach High football program takes the field for its 81st season this fall, it will be doing so under the direction of new head Coach Ted Clarke.

Clarke, hired in the spring, has had only a few months with the program. The Breakers went through a short summer camp season and are a week away from starting their new season under a new coaching staff that possesses plenty of experience at the high school and collegiate levels.

He calls the 2015 campaign a “season of change.”

“This could be a really exciting year for us,” said Clarke who also is the Breakers’ defensive coordinator and will coach linebackers. “If we can stay healthy, we’re going to be OK.”

Laguna won two games in 2014, winning its opener and season finale. Five starters from last year’s team return. The Breakers lost four players to transfer but have several talented players joining the varsity this year.

When fall camp opened Aug. 10, 26 players were on the varsity team. Clarke said those 26 still make up the roster.

“The nice thing about these kids is that whatever situation they have been placed in, they have responded so well,” he said. “All of them, from 1 through 26. That has been really great to see.”

The second week of camp ends Friday with the Breakers competing in a four-way scrimmage at Fullerton Sunny Hills. The Breakers and host Lancers will compete with Pico Rivera El Rancho and Anaheim Western.

“We have not had the availability to play ‘fast,’ and this scrimmage will give us the opportunity to do that,” said Clarke whose squad took part in two summer passing tournaments last month. “Since we’re small in numbers, we haven’t had the chance for another person to line up across from our ‘ones,’ make us take reps, make us tackle, at a fast pace.

“What we are looking for in this scrimmage is to see who has the ability to play well when pressure has been put on us.”

Laguna opens its season at home Aug. 28 hosting Cerritos Valley Christian at Guyer Field at 7 p.m.

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The Breakers

League: Orange Coast

CIF Division: Southern

Head coach: Ted Clarke (1st year)

Coaching staff: Pete Mitchell Jr. (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks/associate head coach); Pete Mitchell Sr. (safeties, special teams); Dave Perkins (offensive line/special teams/frosh/soph offensive line); A.J. Perkins (wide receivers/cornerbacks); Andy Romo (safeties/running backs); Tre Stephenson (offensive line/defensive line); Page Nobles (frosh/soph head coach, offensive coach); Alex Hutchinson (frosh/soph defensive coach); Jeff Peace (strength and conditioning).

2014 overall record: 2-8

2014 league record/finish: 1-4 (fifth place)

2014 CIF playoff results: Did not qualify

Offensive scheme: Pro style; multiple

Defensive scheme: 4-2; even front

Returning starters: 4 offense; 1 defense

Coach’s outlook: “This is a young team that faces many obstacles that are placed in front of them: lack of depth, experience, new coaches and loss of several experienced members to transfer,” Clarke said. “However, it is a talented group that if handled properly will be successful this season.”

Summer camp: “We grew by facing our obstacles head on and said, ‘Let’s go!.’ We had a total of 12 practices through spring and summer. As a coach, I have had the opportunity to view all of the kids and make some decisions based on their strengths and what they bring to the table. Every member of our team will make contributions to this year’s squad.”

Team strengths: “Their attitudes and their athletic ability,” Clarke said. “I saw a great storyline on ESPN that drew parallels between Marvel superheroes and athletes, that each Marvel character had been born from trials and difficulties. But, these trials had created opportunity and strengths. That, in a nutshell, is us. From the struggles of no coach, loss of players to transfer, and being thin, we will persevere.”

Team tidbits: All 10 regular-season games for the Breakers will be broadcast online at KX935.com.

The schedule: The Breakers play three of five nonleague games at home but face three of five Orange Coast League opponents away from Guyer Field. Bolsa Grande, whom the Breakers defeated in their season opener last year, is back on the schedule. Their final of five nonleague opponents, Sage Hill, is on the Breakers’ schedule for the first time.

“I love our schedule,” Clark said. “It fits the needs of this season perfectly. We open with a good program (Valley Christian) that will challenge us, then play a team (Bolsa Grande) like us in that we are young. We get Segerstrom, a good program, then face a big-time team in Westminster, and end preseason with Sage Hill. [The Sage Hill Lightning] are impressive and have a great coach [in new head coach Abram Booty] over there. Then, a bye before league season. Nice.”

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Breakers Schedule

Aug 28: Valley Christian, 7 p.m.

Sept. 4: Bolsa Grande, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11: at Segerstrom, 7 p.m.

Sept. 18: Westminster, 7 p.m.

Sept. 25: at Sage Hill, 7 p.m.

Oct. 9: *Costa Mesa, 7 p.m.

Oct. 16: at *Saddleback (Segerstrom High), 7 p.m.

Oct. 23: *Estancia (homecoming), 7 p.m.

Oct. 30: at *Calvary Chapel (Ocean View High), 7 p.m.

Nov. 6: at *Godinez (Segerstrom High), 7 p.m.

(*denotes Orange Coast League game)