Football preview: Huntington Beach looks to turn the corner

After weeks of practice and getting a taste of outside action during a scrimmage last Friday against a big-time opponent (Corona del Mar), the Huntington Beach Oilers are a day away from kicking off the start to their 2015 prep football season.

Huntington comes into the new season with 10 returning starters including three all-league players from a 3-7 team that last year won two of its final three games. The Oilers start their campaign Friday hosting Los Angeles West Adams Prep.

The Oilers, champions of the CIF Southern Section Southwest Division two years ago, eye a return to the playoffs after missing out on postseason play in 2014.

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Huntington Beach Oilers

League: Sunset

CIF Division: West Valley

Head coach: Eric Lo (9th year)

Coaching staff: Brett Brown (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks); Diego Segura (defensive coordinator/defensive backs); Greg Olquin (offensive line); Dean Eddy (linebackers); Kenny Villalobos (running backs); John Tukia (offensive line); Kevin Bischoping (linebackers); Brian Willis (wide receivers); Bill Malavasi (defensive line); Mike Kelley (defensive line); Brian Casey (strong safeties).

2014 overall record: 3-7

2014 league record/finish: 2-3 (fourth)

2014 CIF playoff results: Did not qualify

Offensive scheme: Spread pistol

Defensive scheme: 3-3-5

Returning starters: 5 offense; 5 defense

Returning with honors: Liam Jimmons (DE, first-team all-league, Sr.); Dane Romberg (C, first-team all-league, Sr.); Hunter Simmons (RB, first-team all-league, Sr.).

Coach’s take: “We are balanced,” Lo said. “[We have a] big offensive line, and [running back] Hunter Simmons is exciting.”

Summer season: “We came together and improved each week,” Lo said.

Sunset League: “Sunset league will be as tough as ever,” Lo said. “Los Alamitos, Edison, Newport Harbor and Fountain Valley, are all tough.”

The schedule: It’s challenging for the Oilers who take on the likes of San Clemente, JSerra and Moorpark, in nonleague play. San Clemente and JSerra were playoff teams last year, and San Clemente finished runner-up to the CIF-SS Southwest Division title. The Oilers lost a 52-49 shootout to Moorpark last September. “Those are all really good teams,” Lo said. “Very well coached.”

Huntington opens its season at home Friday against West Adams Prep at Sheue Field. The Panthers won seven of 11 games last year, one coming via a forfeit, and reached the first-round of the CIF Los Angeles City Section playoffs.

Team tidbits: Two Oilers committed earlier this summer, senior defensive end Liam Jimmons to USC, and senior tight end Nick Crabtree to Boise State.

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Oilers Schedule

Friday: West Adams Prep, 7 p.m.

Sept. 4: at San Clemente, 7 p.m.

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

Sept. 18: at Moorpark, 7 p.m.

Sept. 24: Animo South, 7 p.m.

Oct. 9: *Marina, 7 p.m.

Oct. 16: *Newport Harbor, 7 p.m.

Oct. 23: *Edison, 7 p.m.

Oct. 30: at *Los Alamitos (Veterans Stadium), 7 p.m.

Nov. 6: at *Fountain Valley (Westminster High, 7 p.m.)

(*denotes Sunset League game)