Preseason Top 25 Teams in Orange County

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Mater Dei</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei has not lost a game since 2019. [player_tooltip player_id='147708' first='Elijah' last='Brown'] is one of the top quarterbacks in the nation and the offensive line is the best in the county by a mile featuring [player_tooltip player_id='147719' first='DeAndre' last='Carter'], [player_tooltip player_id='147730' first='Brandon' last='Baker'], [player_tooltip player_id='25453' first='BJ' last='Tolo'], [player_tooltip player_id='282776' first='Sione' last='Tohi'] and more. [player_tooltip player_id='25447' first='Levi' last='Sua'] leads a great defense that is loaded with young talent in the secondary. They have two explosive playmakers at running back in [player_tooltip player_id='115462' first='Ajon' last='Bryant'] and [player_tooltip player_id='282698' first='Jordon' last='Davison']. Mater Dei is a consensus top two team in the nation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MDFootball/status/1473134248198475780?s=20u0026t=01hu_14g8JYfYinVBVxWSg","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/MDFootball/status/1473134248198475780?s=20u0026t=01hu_14g8JYfYinVBVxWSg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Mission Viejo</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next three teams are all very close but I give Mission Viejo a leg up. The Diablos are loaded at receiver with [player_tooltip player_id='25408' first='Mikey' last='Matthews'], [player_tooltip player_id='190360' first='Jackson' last='Holman'], [player_tooltip player_id='261773' first='KJ' last='Reed'], [player_tooltip player_id='261722' first='Edward' last='Schultz'] and others. [player_tooltip player_id='25441' first='Kadin' last='Semonza'] is a top three quarterback in the county and will have two big tackles in [player_tooltip player_id='195576' first='Mark' last='Schroller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='384806' first='Brady' last='Norton'] protecting him. The defense has two good linebackers who can get in the backfield in [player_tooltip player_id='261806' first='Jonathan' last='Becerra'] and [player_tooltip player_id='195570' first='Jack' last='Matranga']. The secondary has [player_tooltip player_id='384830' first='Michael' last='Damato'], who had two interceptions in their first win against Mililani, [player_tooltip player_id='398456' first='Trey' last='Tolmaire'], [player_tooltip player_id='310030' first='Joseph' last='Libutti'] and others. This is the best Mission Viejo team in years and will likely make the Division 1 playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/OC16Sports/status/1558498301103656962?s=20u0026t=01hu_14g8JYfYinVBVxWSg","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/OC16Sports/status/1558498301103656962?s=20&amp;t=01hu_14g8JYfYinVBVxWSg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Santa Margarita</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles are loaded at the skill spots with [player_tooltip player_id='190355' first='Niko' last='Lopez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='115420' first='Emmett' last='Mosley'] leading the receiving corps. [player_tooltip player_id='270899' first='Donovan' last='Comestro'] leads the secondary with a ton of experienced players. The defensive line is the best in the county on paper with [player_tooltip player_id='147756' first='Levar' last='Talley'], [player_tooltip player_id='115437' first='Gage' last='Burnett'], [player_tooltip player_id='282745' first='Tyler' last='Parker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='384902' first='Nicholas' last='Johnson']. [player_tooltip player_id='25428' first='Jaxon' last='Potter'] is a quality quarterback who can lead this team that has a mixture of young and experienced players. The offensive line concerns me but [player_tooltip player_id='145203' first='Jalani' last='Liva'] is a top 10 lineman in the county. They made the Division 1 playoffs last season and with a plethora of returning talent back, I expect them to do that again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Los Alamitos</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Griffins are led by the top quarterback in the nation in [player_tooltip player_id='25419' first='Malachi' last='Nelson']. They have a lot of experience at receiver with [player_tooltip player_id='25398' first='Makai' last='Lemon'], [player_tooltip player_id='145170' first='Ethan' last='O'Connor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='145234' first='Gavin' last='Porch']. Colorado State commit [player_tooltip player_id='384703' first='Damian' last='Henderson'] transfers in from Long Beach Jordan at running back. The defense features the top player in the 2024 class in [player_tooltip player_id='398382' first='T.A.' last='Cunningham'], Servite transfer [player_tooltip player_id='326566' first='Jayven' last='Simbe'], [player_tooltip player_id='261805' first='Isaiah' last='Dorsey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='25362' first='Sinn' last='Brennan']. They have a huge game against Santa Margarita early in the season which has major playoff implications.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Orange Lutheran</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I remember at the end of the 2021 season thinking that Orange Lutheran was losing a ton of talent from its Division 2 championship team, but the Lancers return 11 starters. [player_tooltip player_id='261807' first='Gabe' last='Morin'] is one of the best two-way players in Southern California and [player_tooltip player_id='282779' first='Jojo' last='Edwards'] is one of my favorite sophomore linebackers. [player_tooltip player_id='282728' first='TJ' last='Lateef'] is a talented sophomore quarterback that many people are high on. [player_tooltip player_id='270838' first='Kaleb' last='Marshall'] could be a double-digit touchdown guy at receiver and <strong>Nathan Hale</strong> is a quality left tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Corona del Mar</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Corona del Mar also returns 11 starters including quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='145236' first='David' last='Rasor'] who is one of my favorite senior quarterbacks. [player_tooltip player_id='383956' first='Cooper' last='Hoch'] is a breakout receiver of the offseason and should get some offers this fall. [player_tooltip player_id='145264' first='Mason' last='Kubichek'] returns at linebacker after being First Team All-Sunset League last season. <strong>Oliver Ayala</strong> returns at cornerback after an All-League campaign last season and <strong>Thomas Telesco</strong> is a guy the staff is high on. Corona del Mar plays Edison in the regular season finale which will likely decide who gets second place in the Sunset League.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/mikehuntley63/status/1540515132744183813?s=20u0026t=01hu_14g8JYfYinVBVxWSg","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/mikehuntley63/status/1540515132744183813?s=20&amp;t=01hu_14g8JYfYinVBVxWSg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. Edison</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edison returns quarterback <strong>Parker Awad</strong> who is one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the county. [player_tooltip player_id='383957' first='Nathan' last='Gates'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='270880' first='Luke' last='Jones']</strong> anchor the offensive line and they have intriguing young receivers like <strong>Tucker Tripp</strong>, <strong>Malachi Pierce</strong> and <strong>Mason York.</strong> <strong>Ashton Hurley</strong> is a two-way player who is back from injury and <strong>Carter Hogue</strong> will be the running back. Edison has some unproven talent they will need to rely on, but I trust the winning infrastructure the coaching staff has built there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. San Clemente</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>San Clemente will play Corona del Mar and Edison back-to-back and that will help determine these rankings later on. [player_tooltip player_id='195580' first='Broderick' last='Redden'] will be the starting quarterback for the season opener after some transfer issues with JSerra transfer [player_tooltip player_id='273584' first='Dylan' last='Mills']. The defense is loaded with returning talent: <strong>Cole Robertson</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='168733' first='Brad' last='Gerken'], [player_tooltip player_id='398445' first='Drew' last='Shanley'], <strong>Ryder Insley</strong> and big recruit [player_tooltip player_id='398387' first='Connor' last='Bachhuber']. <strong>Blake Allen</strong> is back at running back and <strong>Thomas Hartanov</strong> is a versatile playmaker on offense. The Tritons will be a second place team in the South Coast League and be a playoff threat in Division 2 or 3. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Tritonfootball/status/1559041287847718912?s=20u0026t=01hu_14g8JYfYinVBVxWSg","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/Tritonfootball/status/1559041287847718912?s=20&amp;t=01hu_14g8JYfYinVBVxWSg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9. Yorba Linda</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yorba Linda went 10-0 last season and was placed in Division 2 before the program was ready for that. The Mustangs return a ton of starters including quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='270909' first='Reyn' last='Beal']. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220688' first='JJ' last='Conrad']</strong> returns at receiver after earning All-County honors and leads a receiving corps featuring <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='317023' first='Dylan' last='Gardner']</strong> and <strong>Jayden Flaig</strong>. [player_tooltip player_id='270026' first='Wyatt' last='Mosier'] is back at linebacker after being an All-County guy as well. Yorba Linda had major wins last season and should have another very successful season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10. Servite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Servite lost almost every important player from its Division 1 runner up team last season. Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='25449' first='Kitione' last='Talavou'] is the team's best returning player along with two-way guy <strong>Ethan Scaffidi</strong>. [player_tooltip player_id='261778' first='Connor' last='Panapa'] is a Culver City transfer who should help out Talavou on the defensive front. <strong>Julian Puche</strong> is the likely quarterback with a slew of unproven but promising receivers. <strong>Quiad Carr</strong> is a sophomore running back that the coaching staff likes. Despite losing more talent than anyone, I believe in Servite's infrastructure and culture.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>11. La Habra</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12. San Juan Hills</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/prepzone/status/1559228897052356610?s=20u0026t=01hu_14g8JYfYinVBVxWSg","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/prepzone/status/1559228897052356610?s=20&amp;t=01hu_14g8JYfYinVBVxWSg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13. JSerra</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>14. Cypress</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15. Foothill</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16. Orange</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17. Tesoro</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18. Capistrano Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/capofootball/status/1559614730888630272?s=20u0026t=01hu_14g8JYfYinVBVxWSg","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/capofootball/status/1559614730888630272?s=20&amp;t=01hu_14g8JYfYinVBVxWSg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19. Tustin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>20. El Modena </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/elmodenafb/status/1558598934213169152?s=20u0026t=01hu_14g8JYfYinVBVxWSg","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/elmodenafb/status/1558598934213169152?s=20&amp;t=01hu_14g8JYfYinVBVxWSg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>21. Villa Park</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>22. Newport Harbor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>23. Trabuco Hills</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24. Aliso Niguel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/aliso_football/status/1559313621850603521?s=20u0026t=01hu_14g8JYfYinVBVxWSg","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/aliso_football/status/1559313621850603521?s=20&amp;t=01hu_14g8JYfYinVBVxWSg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>25. Canyon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->