Danny O’Neil a Backfield Specialist

SANTA ANA — Almost certainly, Danny O’Neil’s football future will be determined on offense. One of the Angelus League’s top quarterbacks, O’Neil has passed for 1,204 yards and 10 touchdowns in Mater Dei’s six games this season.

Recruiters call O’Neil weekly, jockeying for position to make him their quarterback of the future.

But Friday night in the Monarchs’ league opener at St. Paul, the Mater Dei coaches asked O’Neil to play defense, at safety, in addition to quarterback.

It was the first time O’Neil had played defense in a game since sophomore football at Corona del Mar, and it was a successful return. O’Neil, The Times’ Athlete of the Week, went in on the Monarchs’ second defensive series and missed only one defensive play thereafter.

He forced two fumbles, one of which the Monarchs recovered, and prevented two touchdowns as Mater Dei (3-3 overall, 1-0 in league) defeated St. Paul, 34-24.

On offense, O’Neil continued to do what is expected of him. He completed his first eight passes, finishing with 19 of 27 for 265 yards and three touchdowns.

“When that football game was over the first words out of my mouth were that it was all O’Neil,” Mater Dei Coach Bruce Rollinson said. “I was astounded at some of the things that he did.”

Rollinson said O’Neil’s defensive success is easy to explain. “Basically, he brings his knowledge as a quarterback over onto the defensive side,” Rollinson said. “As a quarterback (playing safety), you sense where the ball is going and maybe are there a step or two quicker than a kid who has never played the position.”

O’Neil said playing defense is fun and it allows him to be involved in the game. “It’s also kind of a pay-back time for all the hits I take back there,” he said.

Rollinson, whose only worry about O’Neil playing defense is the risk of injury, said he will decide weekly how much O’Neil will play at safety. The goal is to win the league championship, Rollinson said, and O’Neil currently is one of the 11 best defensive players on the team.

“He had a great time and I don’t think he had time to analyze his offensive performance because he was so busy,” Rollinson said.

TOP PERFORMERS

Tino Chavez of Mater Dei continued to be O’Neil’s favorite receiver, catching eight passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns Friday.

Erik Mitchell of Los Alamitos gained 224 yards and scored five touchdowns in 16 carries in a 58-28 victory over Katella Friday. Mitchell scored on runs of two, eight, 53 and 78 yards.

Daniel Niednagel, a Dana Hills cross-country runner, outkicked Eddie Salinas and Rob Price of Saddleback to win the large schools division of the Central Park Invitational Saturday in Huntington Beach. Niednagel finished the 2.9-mile course in 4:27.1, but Saddleback won the team competition.

Tony Solliday completed 19 of 22 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns to lead Capistrano Valley to a 31-6 victory over San Clemente Friday.

Steve Stenstrom of El Toro completed 17 of 19 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-12 victory over Irvine Friday.

Danny O’Neil

Mater Dei High School

Position: Quarterback/safety/punter

Height, Weight, Class: 6-2, 180, Senior.

Last Week: O’Neil passed for 265 yards and three touchdowns in a victory over St. Paul Friday.

Season: O’Neil has passed for 1,204 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Danny O’Neil