Oilers feeling high for Lo

Change is in the air at Huntington Beach High.

For the first time in six years, the Oilers have a new head coach in Eric Lo. He’s no stranger to the program, however, as he served in it in several capacities, first as offensive line coach in 2004 then as offensive line coach, strength and conditioning coordinator and special teams coordinator, for the 2005 and ’06 seasons.

Lo first gained coaching experience as tight ends coach at Riverside Community College in 1998.

Prior to coming on board at Huntington Beach, he served as defensive line coach at John W. North High in Riverside when the Huskies won a CIF-Southern Section championship in 2003.

In addition to his head coaching role, Lo also will take on the responsibility of defensive coordinator and coach of the defensive line.

Not only will the Oilers be led by a new head coach, but they’ll play a different game in 2007, the big changes coming in their new offensive and defensive schemes.

Gone is the double wing offense and its ball-control, run-emphasis ways. In its place is a multiple formation that will allow the Oilers several options, from the I to a single back, to three or four wide receivers.

Defensively, a 4-3 scheme that has four players down and uses less movement, replaces last year’s 3-3-5 look.

Lo said that his players are “loving” the new schemes which get more players involved.

“The team as a whole makes me excited,” Lo said. “The senior leadership has been exceptional. These kids are excited about the changes that have been made offensively and defensively. They’re working hard to learn these new schemes and to develop themselves into complete football players.

“Fortunately, I’ve been here and have already developed a relationship with these kids, so that’s not an issue. The biggest challenge is implementing the new schemes and really having to take it slow with some of the aspects. We’re doing some things that haven’t been done around here in a while. Another challenge is getting the kids to constantly practice at a high tempo. They’ve been good but we need to get better.”

Huntington Beach has heavily relied on the run in recent memory, getting the most out of high-profile backs, the latest being Stephen Gabbard the past two years. Last year, Gabbard set the school single-season rushing record with 2,264 yards. He averaged 8.2 yards per carry during a season where the Oilers were one of the county’s team rushing leaders.

Thirteen starters (seven on offense, six on defense) and 22 lettermen return from a 2006 team that went 6-4 overall and 2-3 and finished in fourth-place in its inaugural year in the Sea View League.

Although Gabbard is gone, the Oilers have plenty of talent back, including a first-team all-league player in fullback/defensive tackle Justin Niutapuai (6-0, 265 Sr.), and second-team all-league selections in running back/linebacker Johnny Olivé (5-10, 235, Sr.) and defensive end/tight end Keith Roberts (6-2, 225, Sr.).

“It’s always tough to replace a player of Gabbard’s talent,” Lo said. “This year it will be running back by committee.”

Olivé, Niutapuai, Logan Emery (5-11, 170, Jr.), Peter Swartz (6-0, 215, Sr.), Nick Gordon (5-10, 170, Sr.) and Jimmy Elby (5-11, 190, Sr.) will all contribute to the run game.

Plenty of preparation has been spent the last few weeks developing the quarterback position and wide receivers in an effort to take pressure off the running game, Lo said.

Bobby Duarte (6-1, 185, Sr.), who started last year, again leads at quarterback.

“He’s getting better every day,” Lo said, adding that sophomore Sean Guite (5-11, 170) will be Duarte’s back-up.

Duarte’s passing game will target a group of receivers led by Roberts, Derrick Romo (6-0, 180, Jr.), Josh Smith (6-4, 215, Sr.) and athletic Kaller Roemer (5-11, 170, Soph.), and tight ends Dylan Milstein (6-2, 220, Jr.) and Anthony Vidal (6-5, 220, Sr.).

There will be two voids to fill on the offensive line as losses from last year include Skyler Fancher who now is with the Washington Huskies, and Finau Fiaseu is playing at Orange Coast College.

Eric Smith (63, 265, Sr.), who started two games last year, will be at tackle along with a good, formidable athlete in Anthony Sprow (6-8, 285). Darryl Bennett (6-0, 255), a three-game starter in ‘06, will be at center and Jason Spangler (6-0, 280, Sr.), whom Lo says is the strongest player on the team, will play guard.

Defensively, the tackle spot is solid with Niutapuai , Spangler and Eric Smith. Olivé, Swartz and Milstein fill in at linebacker, Roberts and Vidal at end and the backfield includes Romo at free safety, Josh Smith at strong safety and Roemer at corner. There’s plenty of experience on both sides of the ball.

“Johnny Olivé is a great leader, hard-worker and player,” Lo said. “Justin Niutapuai is tough and physical and plays hard. Keith Roberts is a good blocker and pass rusher and Peter Swartz has good speed for a linebacker.”

The Oilers open the season Friday at 7 p.m. Long Beach Millikan.