The offense is ranked only eighth best in NCFA2; the defense, only seventh. But Coach Marshall Moss has the 8-4 Orange County Tourists headed to the playoffs as the wild-card entry. It's a solid team with a quality quarterback, rugged runner, legitimate scoring threat at wide receiver, fine offensive line, a consistent pass rush, a couple of big hitters in the secondary and a productive couple of kicking specialists.
QB1 Richard Espinoza, a seed from NCFA-parent Asheville, ranked second in NCFA2 through 11 weeks with an 87.0 passer rating. His favorite receiver has been another seed, WR1 Igor Walsh, who has caught 61 balls for 786 yards and eight touchdowns. HB1 Jeremy Gibson, a veteran free agent, is a slow-footed plugger. His total of 736 yards through 11 games ranked second in the league, and he fumbled only once all season. But he's averaging only 3.4 yards per carry and has scored only three touchdowns. Gibson is probably better suited to play fullback in the NCFA.
That job with Orange County, however, was manned very ably by an Asheville seed, Cody Naber. He carried only 31 times in the first 11 games but averaged 4.4 yards per attempt and showed to be an exceptional lead blocker. In fact, Moss (who has been named Asheville's offensive coordinator) can look forward to working with two or three other quality blockers who proved themselves in NCFA2. G1 Tom Ngo and T1 Matthew Lemus--both readying for their second NCFA seasons--have been the standouts on a strong Orange County line. Seed Thomas Taylor was also a full-season starter for Moss, at center, but a fourth seed on the offensive line, Moses Dover, lost his job as a starting tackle.
There were no seeds among the Orange County defensive line, but Moss might want to recommend at least three of his starters to Asheville's new defensive coordinator, Charles Szott. Both of Orange County's defensive tackles, veterans Werner Tool and Austin Simms, both ranked in NCFA2's top 12 in quarterback sacks through 11 weeks, and DE1 Eugene Bussey has shown the endurance and discipline to play at a very high level late into fourth quarters.
Maurice Chard was seeded to Orange County, but he lost his job as LB1 at mid-season. The only prospect to separate himself at linebacker was John Ruiz, a bright, quick and strong player with 54 tackles, three interceptions and a fumble recovery through the first 11 weeks.
S2 Richard Aceves (66 tackles, three interceptions and one sack through 11 games) has proven to be a difference maker in at least two of the Orange County wins. He's a seed, as is S1 Rob Hirsch (57 tackles, two interceptions and one fumble recovery). The third seed, CB1 Matthew Hall, has not distinguished himself (47 tackles, no interceptions). In fact, his inability to shake wide-receiver blockers on outside runs was one of the reasons that the Chatham County Popes were able to hold and expand their lead in a 23-7 Tourists loss in Week 11.
K1 Clarence Brennan made 76.4 percent of his field goals through 11 weeks, including six of nine from 40 yards or further. He didn't miss an extra-point attempt. P1 Dean Saab is probably an even hotter prospect (third-best 44.2 gross and fourth-best 40.2 net averages); his "coffin-corner" punting late in games have helped preserve Orange County victories.
HB2 Gary Losen has no business returning punts (3.8 yards per) or kicks (17.6), but he remains the man with the job at the moment.
