Torrey Pines vs. Cathedral Catholic Preview: Players to Watch

Cathedral Catholic, the Co-Western League champions in 2019 will host Torrey Pines from the Avocado League, the most competitive league in the San Diego Section. When you look at common opponents the two teams played last season, Cathedral Catholic is the favorite on paper. But entering this season, both teams are ranked in the San Diego preseason top 10 by multiple outlets. This game will be particularly emotional for Cathedral Catholic. It is their first game since the tragic death of assistant coach <strong>Mario Fierro</strong> in February. His passing was mourned throughout the San Diego football community. Both teams feature players who have already signed letters of intent and prospects who are still available. Below I will break down some of the top players in this game: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="25116" first="Marco" last="Notarainni"], Torrey Pines</strong> He is the leading tackler among returners for Torrey Pines with 82. He had three sacks an interception and a forced fumble. The Boise State signee is as good in pass coverage as he is in stopping the running game. He is fast and has put on some muscle this offseason and may be the best defensive player in this game. <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/4232983/Marco-Notarainni">Check the film</a></strong></em> https://twitter.com/tphs_football/status/1170391754807246849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1170391754807246849%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fprepredzone.com%2F2020%2F09%2Flabor-day-weekend-recruiting-report%2F <hr /> <strong>Mo Vanderwiel, Torrey Pines</strong> Vanderwiel is the top defensive back for the Falcons and had three interceptions as a junior last season. He is taller for a safety around 6-foot-1 and takes really good angles when defending the run and in pursuit. He is good in zone coverage and also does well when the play breaks down. Vanderwiel was committed to Navy but later opened his recruitment back up and is committed to Wagner College. <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9514660/5dd2542d0c53730d001b54e2">Check the film</a></strong></em> <hr /> <strong>Wyatt Gardner, Torrey Pines</strong> He is a jack of all trades type player who is a receiver and defensive back and excels at both. I think he is better as a defensive back because of his versatility. He can play in man and zone, Torrey Pines ran a lot of Cover 3 last season, and has excellent closing speed to the ball. He is my sleeper pick for Torrey Pines and I expect him to get some offers this summer. <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11360216/Wyatt-Gardner">Check the film</a></strong></em> <hr /> <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/08/socal-recruiting-roundup-costelli-will-not-play-this-season-trio-of-san-diego-stars-commit-mickey-lands-pac-12-offer/">Matthew Lauter</a>, Torrey Pines</strong> Lauter is a big tight end and outside linebacker type at 6-foot-4 and around 220 pounds. He is fast for his size and makes difficult catches in traffic. He is not afraid to run routes up the middle and take big hits. He can make defenders miss and break tackles after the catch. Lauter is a Boise State signee and should put up big numbers this season. <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9067123/Matt-Lauter">Check the film</a></strong></em> <hr /> <strong>Elijah Ortiz, Torrey Pines</strong> Ortiz is the Falcon’s quarterback and he is a rising prospect despite having little varsity film. He played at Grossmont last season and transferred to Patrick Henry in the offseason to play under former NFL quarterback <strong>JT O’Sullivan</strong> before landing at Torrey Pines. He has an effortless release and throws a great deep ball. <em><strong><a href="https://twitter.com/ElijahOrtizQB7/status/1335399074866946049?s=20">Check the film</a></strong></em> https://twitter.com/ElijahOrtizQB7/status/1335399074866946049?s=20 <hr /> <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/02/weekly-recruiting-report-10/">Zach Rowell</a>, Torrey Pines</strong> Rowell is one of the fastest rising prospects in San Diego and landed an offer from Oregon recently. He is 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds and had a great sophomore season at Torrey Pines, tallying 44 tackles and four sacks. He impressed scouts at the Team Makasi Showcase late last year and has added five offers in 2021. He is an elite pass rusher and will cause problems for a lot of opposing offensive coordinators. <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11181518/Zach-Rowell">Check the film</a></strong></em> https://twitter.com/SanSpotlight/status/1342229991673581568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1342229991673581568%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fprepredzone.com%2F2021%2F02%2Fweekly-recruiting-report-10%2F <hr /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="25296" first="Rex" last="Haynes"], Cathedral Catholic</strong> You can make a solid argument that Haynes is the best receiver in San Diego for the class of 2022. He is 6-foot-4 and a hair under 200 pounds and has all the physical tools. He is the son of former NFL Hall of Famer <strong>Mike Haynes</strong> and has offers from Arizona State, Colorado State and San Diego State. Haynes will likely be the primary receiving threat for the Dons this season. <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11435601/Rex-Haynes">Check the film</a></strong></em> https://twitter.com/rexhaynes_/status/1335367616236453890?s=20 <hr /> <strong>Lucky Sutton, Cathedral Catholic</strong> Sutton is part of a two-headed backfield for the Dons and was impressive in limited playing time as a sophomore last season. He rushed for 232 yards on just 32 carries with two touchdowns. He has offers from Colorado State, Nevada, San Diego State and San Jose State. Sutton is patient when navigating through the holes his offensive line gives him and can turn on the speed in open space. <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11435601/Rex-Haynes">Check the film</a></strong></em> <hr /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="25320" first="Jaxson" last="Moi"], Cathedral Catholic</strong> Moi is the best college prospect in this game for either team. He is 6-foot-3, 290 pounds and can be either a one-technique or three-technique defensive tackle. He has added 10 offers since January 1 and has over 20 overall offers, most recent of which coming from USC. He should have a dominant junior season and cause fits for opposing running games. <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11435629/Jaxson-Moi">Check the film</a></strong></em> <hr /> <strong>Luke Scornavacco/<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/02/top-15-southern-california-qbs-in-the-class-of-2022-part-1/">Charlie Mirer</a>, Cathedral Catholic</strong> These are the two guys competing for the quarterback spot at Cathedral Catholic. Scornavacco, a senior transfer from San Clemente, has been throwing with Haynes and other receivers this offseason but was third string at San Clemente. He throws a good ball and is athletic but sometimes holds the ball too long and has little varsity experience. Mirer has an offer from Michigan and has more experience in the Dons’ offense, but his recruitment has stalled recently. <hr /> <strong>Dee’Shon Swafford, Cathedral Catholic</strong> Swafford is a member of the experienced Dons’ secondary which is loaded with returning starters. He had 30 tackles and three interceptions as a junior last season. He can play all over the secondary but he excels as a cover corner with excellent ball skills. If he were three inches taller he would have more offers and should have an excellent senior season. <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9755256/DeeShon-Swafford">Check the film</a></strong></em> https://twitter.com/DeeshonSwafford/status/1340160614543446017?s=20