Sunset League Preview: Players to Watch
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The top of the Sunset League is as good as any high school football league in the state of California. This year the league is loaded with Division 1 caliber talent and even the teams at the bottom of the…
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Continue ReadingThe top of the Sunset League is as good as any high school football league in the state of California.
This year the league is loaded with Division 1 caliber talent and even the teams at the bottom of the league have improved.
Here is a look at the teams and players in the Sunset League.
CORONA DEL MAR
Top players: David Rasor David Rasor 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Corona Del Mar | 2023 State CA , QB, Sr.; Cooper Hoch Cooper Hoch 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Corona Del Mar | 2023 State CA , WR, Sr.; Evan Sanders, RB, Sr.; Mason Kubichek Mason Kubichek 6'2" | 190 lbs | LB Corona Del Mar | 2023 CA , LB, Sr.; Trent Merriman, TE, Sr.
Outlook: Corona del Mar graduated some key players but they return the second best quarterback in the league in David Rasor David Rasor 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Corona Del Mar | 2023 State CA . Rasor threw for almost 2,400 yards and 34 TDs last season and is committed to UC Davis. Cooper Hoch Cooper Hoch 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Corona Del Mar | 2023 State CA had a breakout summer making positive impressions at the Battle at the Beach passing tournament and the Corona del Mar tournament. He is 6-foot-3 with track speed and should be getting some offers soon. Evan Sanders is a quality running back who can run between the tackles and make plays in the passing game. The Sea Kings always have quality tight ends and Trent Merriman fills in that role this year. This is not the strongest offensive line that the Sea Kings have had in recent years, although Chase Horton is very good. The trenches are cause for concern for Corona del Mar but with Rasor under center, they can compete with anyone they play against.
EDISON
Top players: Parker Awad, QB, Sr.; Nathan Gates Nathan Gates 6'5" | 280 lbs | OL Edison | 2023 State CA , OT, Sr.; Tucker Tripp, WR, Sr.; Malachi Pierce, CB/WR, Sr.; Makai Sagiao, OL/DL, Jr.
Outlook: Edison is kind of the opposite of Corona del Mar in that its strength is the offensive line. Nathan Gates Nathan Gates 6'5" | 280 lbs | OL Edison | 2023 State CA is a very good lineman with offers from Utah State, Northern Arizona, Fresno State and San Jose State among others. Makai Sagiao is a big transfer from Newport Harbor who can play both ways. Luke Jones Luke Jones 6'0" | 260 lbs | OL Edison | 2023 CA and Zach Gruwell are two more linemen that the coaching staff is high on. They will be protecting returning quarterback Parker Awad who completed 67 percent of his passes for 2,166 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions last season after transferring from Mater Dei. The receiving corps has some lengthy athletes in Tucker Tripp, Malachi Pierce and Mason York. Logan Gregory is a very good linebacker that will lead the defense. Edison will need to have some unproven players step up if they plan on contending for a league championship.
FOUNTAIN VALLEY
Top players: Caine Elroy, LB/RB, Sr.; Ben Pham, LB/RB, Sr.; Abdel Habibeh, RB/SS, Sr.; Scott Peshke, TE/LB, Sr.; Michael Rocha, DL, Sr.; Matthew Mena Matthew Mena 6'4" | 270 lbs | OL Fountain Valley | 2023 CA , OL, Sr.
Outlook: Fountain Valley really struggled last season but they made a head coaching change just three weeks before the season started. Ben Pham and Abdel Habibeh were the team’s two leading rushers last season and will play both ways this season. Scott Peshke is a big tight end who has been active on the college camp circuit. Matthew Mena Matthew Mena 6'4" | 270 lbs | OL Fountain Valley | 2023 CA was a top three offensive lineman at the Prep Redzone Stock Up Showcase in January and trains with a group of very good offensive line coaches in the area. Fountain Valley may have a quarterback controversy on its hands with senior Owen Tomko and junior Noa Banua. The Barons still may be the worst team in this league, but they are much improved from last season.
HUNTINGTON BEACH
Top players: Justin Tauanuu Justin Tauanuu 6'6" | 280 lbs | OL Huntington Beach | 2024 State CA , OL, Jr.; AJ Vandermade, WR/FS, Sr.; Daunte Bell, QB, Sr.; Nathan Tauanuu, RB/TE/LB, Sr.; Jaxson Brown, LB/RB, Jr.
Outlook: Huntington Beach also has a quarterback controversy between senior Vaughn Popp and Katella transfer Daunte Bell. Justin Tauanuu Justin Tauanuu 6'6" | 280 lbs | OL Huntington Beach | 2024 State CA is one of the top offensive lineman in the county with 10 offers including multiple Pac 12 schools. AJ Vandermade is back at receiver after only playing four games last season and is expected to play defense as well. Nathan Tauanuu leads all returning players in tackles and can be a top defensive player in the league. The Oilers had a few close losses last season that could have gone their way but they lost some key players to graduation and transfer so it may be another tough season at Huntington Beach.
LOS ALAMITOS
Top players: Malachi Nelson Malachi Nelson 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Los Alamitos | 2023 State CA , QB, Sr.; Makai Lemon Makai Lemon 6'0" | 175 lbs | ATH Los Alamitos | 2023 State CA , WR/CB, Sr.; Ethan O’Connor Ethan O’Connor 6'1" | 165 lbs | ATH Los Alamitos | 2023 State CA , WR/CB, Sr.; T.A. Cunningham T.A. Cunningham 6'6" | 270 lbs | DL Los Alamitos | 2024 CA , DE, Jr.; Sinn Brennan Sinn Brennan 6'5" | 240 lbs | DL Los Alamitos | 2023 State CA , DE/TE, Sr.
Outlook: This senior class at Los Alamitos has been hyped up for years and they are finally seniors. The Griffins are the clear favorites due to USC commit Malachi Nelson Malachi Nelson 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Los Alamitos | 2023 State CA at quarterback and a good receiving corps led by fellow USC commit Makai Lemon Makai Lemon 6'0" | 175 lbs | ATH Los Alamitos | 2023 State CA . Ethan O’Connor Ethan O’Connor 6'1" | 165 lbs | ATH Los Alamitos | 2023 State CA , Gavin Porch Gavin Porch 5'10" | 160 lbs | ATH Los Alamitos | 2023 State CA and Mater Dei transfer Kassius Ashtiani Kassius Ashtiani 5'9" | 150 lbs | WR Los Alamitos | 2023 State CA are quality receivers as well. Running back Damian Henderson Damian Henderson 6'3" | 185 lbs | ATH Los Alamitos | 2023 State CA , a transfer from Long Beach Jordan is a great late addition for the offense. Los Alamitos lost a few major pieces to transfer late this offseason but added the top class of 2024 prospect in the state in defensive end T.A. Cunningham T.A. Cunningham 6'6" | 270 lbs | DL Los Alamitos | 2024 CA . Cunningham and Sinn Brennan Sinn Brennan 6'5" | 240 lbs | DL Los Alamitos | 2023 State CA are a deadly pass rushing duo on the defensive front and will cause matchup nightmares for opponents. They added linebacker Nehemiah Sagiao Nehemiah Sagiao 6'4" | 215 lbs | LB Los Alamitos | 2023 State CA from St. John Bosco who has offers from Fresno State and Cal. Los Alamitos is the team to beat in this league and a top two public school team in the county.
NEWPORT HARBOR
Top players: Kashton Henjum Kashton Henjum 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Newport Harbor | 2023 State CA , WR, Sr.; Colton Joseph Colton Joseph 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Newport Harbor | 2023 State CA , QB, Sr.; Carson De Avila Carson De Avila 6'1" | 195 lbs | DB Newport Harbor | 2023 State CA , S, Sr.; Josiah Lamarque Josiah Lamarque 5'10" | 175 lbs | ATH Newport Harbor | 2024 State CA , WR., Jr.; Jacob Carlon Jacob Carlon 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Newport Harbor | 2024 State CA , LB, Jr.
Outlook: Newport Harbor won the Division 6 championship last season and has a new-look offense led by San Juan Hills transfer quarterback Colton Joseph Colton Joseph 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Newport Harbor | 2023 State CA and offensive coordinator Wes Choate. Kashton Henjum Kashton Henjum 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Newport Harbor | 2023 State CA and Josiah Lamarque Josiah Lamarque 5'10" | 175 lbs | ATH Newport Harbor | 2024 State CA are two outstanding receivers for Joseph to rely on and Lamarque can play defense as well. Henjum had an incredible 108 receptions for 1,551 yards and 15 TDs while Lamarque nearly had 1,000 yards receiving as well. Carson De Avila Carson De Avila 6'1" | 195 lbs | DB Newport Harbor | 2023 State CA led Orange County in tackles last season and is back this season with Jacob Carlon Jacob Carlon 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Newport Harbor | 2024 State CA to help out. Newport Harbor’s skill players can play with anyone in this league, but unfortunately Edison and Los Alamitos will be a lot to handle for the Sailor’s offensive line.