Empire League Preview: Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CREAN LUTHERAN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top players: </strong>Graham Austin, OL, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='384725' first='Ty' last='Benefield'], WR, Sr.; Ben Buettell, WR/DB, Jr.; Andrew Duberow, RB/LB, Sr.; Jake Ramirez, WR/DB, Sr.; Gavin Rogers, QB, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='145260' first='Cristian' last='Viola'], OL, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook:</strong> The addition of former Santa Margarita receiver [player_tooltip player_id='384725' first='Ty' last='Benefield'] is a huge one and he immediately becomes the most recruited player in the history of the program. He has offers from BYU, Colorado State and Washington among others. <strong>Gavin Rogers</strong> is a solid quarterback who is athletic and throws well off-platform. <strong>Andrew Duberow</strong> is a quality two-way player with a ton of experience. Four of the five offensive linemen are returning including UC Davis commit [player_tooltip player_id='145260' first='Cristian' last='Viola']. Crean Lutheran has 9 returning starters on offense and on defense and could contend for a playoff spot with some of the other teams in the league rebuilding.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BenefieldTy/status/1545292825717137409?s=20u0026t=tC-DNxRAwTNFIFW7xlBToQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BenefieldTy/status/1545292825717137409?s=20&amp;t=tC-DNxRAwTNFIFW7xlBToQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CYPRESS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top players: </strong>Matthew Fonseca, OL, Sr.; Hayden Frazier, OL, Sr.; Jesse Mauldin, DB, Jr.; [player_tooltip player_id='35436' first='Matthew' last='Morrell'], RB/WR, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='173344' first='Trevor' last='Monteleone'] WR/DB, Sr.; Jacob Wilkie, LB, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>Cypress had a great season last year and coach <strong>Rich Feldman</strong> was named OC Coach of the Year by the OC Register. [player_tooltip player_id='173344' first='Trevor' last='Monteleone'] is coming off a summer where he looked incredible on both sides of the ball in passing league. He was named All-County by the OC Register last year and is a physical mismatch against most defenders in the league. [player_tooltip player_id='35436' first='Matthew' last='Morrell'] had a major injury but is expected to try and come back early in the season. He is committed to Oregon State where he may play baseball and football. Cypress has five returning starters on both sides of the ball and is improved up front with big men <strong>Matthew Fonseca</strong> and <strong>Hayden Frazier</strong> returning. The Centurions have a quarterback competition between Los Alamitos transfer <strong>Aidan Houston</strong> and returner <strong>Elliot Lemonnier</strong>. Cypress is once again the heavy favorite to win the Empire League.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CypressHSFB/status/1554480325526716416?s=20u0026t=tC-DNxRAwTNFIFW7xlBToQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CypressHSFB/status/1554480325526716416?s=20&amp;t=tC-DNxRAwTNFIFW7xlBToQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CypressHSFB/status/1554480325526716416?s=20u0026t=tC-DNxRAwTNFIFW7xlBToQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CypressHSFB/status/1554480325526716416?s=20&amp;t=tC-DNxRAwTNFIFW7xlBToQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KENNEDY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top players: </strong>Devin Almazan, QB, So.; Devin Bell, WR/DB, Jr.; Javi Lovely, RB/WR/LB, Sr.; Izaiah Murphy, WR/LB, So.; Nathan Rios, RB/LB, Jr.; Malosi Siatunuu, OL, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>Kennedy is a very young team but has a couple of returning starters at key positions. <strong>Nathan Rios</strong> has been All-Empire League twice and is back. He led the team in tackles and sacks last season. <strong>Devin Almazan</strong> is back after starting three games as a freshman last season. <strong>Devin Bell</strong> is a returning starter at receiver who the coaching staff is very high on. Like many teams in this league, Kennedy is kind of a mystery and could be as high as third place or as low as last place. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PACIFICA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top players: </strong>Ryan Anaema, WR/DB, Sr.; Jun Ramos, RB, Sr.; Ryan Rizk, LB, Sr.; Noah Salas, QB, Jr.; Brandon Taijeron, LB, Sr.; Danny Vasquez, WR/DB, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook:</strong> Typically when a head coach leaves the program two weeks before the season starts, it's a disaster for the players. Everyone I have talked to at Pacifica has raved about new head coach <strong>Randy Franzman</strong> who was a freshman and JV coach within the program. Pacifica lost its three best players who transferred to Warren, but <strong>Jun Ramos</strong> is back after consistently being atop the Southern Section leaderboards in rushing yards. He rushed for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. <strong>Noah Salas</strong> had a school-record seven touchdown passes in his one start last season against Valencia with 395 yards. <strong>Ryan Rizk</strong> returns to lead the defense after having a team-high 92 tackles last season. Pacifica may struggle due to the players they lost to transfer, but is still a contender for the third place spot and a playoff berth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/RyanRizk7/status/1550204834111823872?s=20u0026t=tC-DNxRAwTNFIFW7xlBToQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/RyanRizk7/status/1550204834111823872?s=20&amp;t=tC-DNxRAwTNFIFW7xlBToQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TUSTIN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top players: </strong>Adonijah Faletoi, Sr., OL/DL; Benaiah Faletoi, Sr., OL/DL; Quincy Hankins, WR/DB, Sr.; Steven Lopez, TE/LB, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='34012' first='Denzel' last='Moore'], LB, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='115458' first='Jack' last='Stupin'], QB, Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>Tustin lost a quality quarterback and is relying on a promising, but unproven transfer quarterback in [player_tooltip player_id='115458' first='Jack' last='Stupin']. Stupin transferred from Millikan where he was a backup and hasn't proved himself on the field yet. <strong>Quincy Hankins</strong> is a very good two-way player at receiver and defensive back for Tustin. The right side of the line has brothers <strong>Adonijah Faletoi</strong> and <strong>Benaiah Faletoi</strong> who are big and effective run blockers. Sophomore <strong>Eimesse Essis</strong> will be the primary ball carrier for the Tillers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='34012' first='Denzel' last='Moore']</strong> is a transfer at linebacker from Georgia where he was a top 120 player in the Prep Redzone rankings. Tustin is the frontrunner to get second place in this league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Tiller_Football/status/1552016291065606144?s=20u0026t=tC-DNxRAwTNFIFW7xlBToQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Tiller_Football/status/1552016291065606144?s=20&amp;t=tC-DNxRAwTNFIFW7xlBToQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VALENCIA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top players: </strong>Dylan Draft, QB, Jr.; Ethan Draft, WR, Jr.; Paolo Gocolay, TE/LB, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='270915' first='Jacob' last='Terry'], RB, Sr.; Mike McGlenn, OL, Sr.; Vince McGlenn, OL, Sr.; Dibs Sawaya, OL/DL, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>Valencia really struggled last season with only two wins but Valencia is never down for long. [player_tooltip player_id='270915' first='Jacob' last='Terry'] returns at running back and is one of the top backs in the league. Brothers <strong>Mike McGlenn</strong> and <strong>Vince McGlenn</strong> anchor the offensive line along with <strong>Dibs Sawaya</strong>. Terry and the McGlenn brothers have all gotten some lower level offers and are a reason this team could lead the league in rushing. <strong>Dylan Draft</strong> will be the quarterback and his brother <strong>Ethan Draft</strong> will be a receiver. They are the sons of former NFL linebacker Chris Draft. The coaches in the league expect Valencia to be much improved and I expect them to be the second or third best team in the league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/VHS_Football/status/1555990363105423360?s=20u0026t=tC-DNxRAwTNFIFW7xlBToQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/VHS_Football/status/1555990363105423360?s=20&amp;t=tC-DNxRAwTNFIFW7xlBToQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predicted order of finish:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. Cypress</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. Tustin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. Valencia</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. Pacifica</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. Crean Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. Kennedy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->