South County Classic: Top Defensive Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the last major passing tournaments in Southern California took place last Saturday at Mission Viejo High.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The South County Classic is an annual event where 20 teams gather to compete in 7-on-7 and some in a linemen competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei won the event by beating Mission Viejo in finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some defensive players that stood out to me during the event. Disclaimer: I did not get to see every team play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LA HABRA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>La Habra was a bit of a mystery coming into the tournament Saturday but they looked solid in the moments I saw them. Defensively, one of its top returning players <strong>Matthew Gil</strong> is moving from linebacker to safety. Gil led the team with 86 tackles and two interceptions last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/LHHighlanders/status/1677818314876424192?s=20","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/LHHighlanders/status/1677818314876424192?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CYPRESS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top stories on Saturday but Cypress' ability to move the ball pretty easily after losing ts two best players from 2022. The Centurions had some big moments on defense as well. A pair of two-way guys played very well for the Centurions in [player_tooltip player_id='797139' first='Rocco' last='Burdett'] and <strong>Bruno Caldarella</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BrunoCaldarella/status/1677864854684848129?s=20","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/BrunoCaldarella/status/1677864854684848129?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CENTENNIAL</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Centennial went undefeated in pool play despite having a few key players missing. One notable thing about Centennial's defense is that there is a drop-off between its two excellent starting cornerbacks and the second unit. [player_tooltip player_id='595826' first='Tayten' last='Beyer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='282775' first='LaRue' last='Zamorano'] were outstanding for the Huskies and it was very difficult for teams to complete passes outside the numbers against those guys.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MILLIKAN</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millikan looked better in the brief time I saw them Saturday than they did at the Battle at the Beach the week prior. Defensively, the Rams were led by <strong>Matt Robinson</strong> who led the team in tackles last season. One of the more impressive defensive backs I saw Saturday was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='527865' first='Loyall' last='Mouzon']</strong> who is a lengthy transfer from New York. His timing while breaking up passes is perfect and he is just the right amount of physical without drawing penalties.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>APPLE VALLEY</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Apple Valley struggled on Saturday going 0-4 in pool play but they played a lot of close games that could have gone either way. The two players that led the Apple Valley defense according to head coach <strong>Kyle Godfrey</strong> were <strong>Tyler Moon</strong> and <strong>Beau Lloyd</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CHAPARRAL</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I didn't get to see Chaparral at the Battle at the Beach last week so I was glad I was able to watch them a bit on Saturday. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1582158' first='Justin' last='Selway']</strong> is big at middle linebacker and he has good field awareness. <strong>Corbin Frutos</strong> is another linebacker I am high on that has the versatility to move around the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/corbinfrutos18/status/1675976150680752128?s=20","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/corbinfrutos18/status/1675976150680752128?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>BISHOP AMAT</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop Amat was a pleasant surprise on Saturday, going undefeated in pool play. The perception about Amat is that they lost a ton of talent to transfer, which is true, but they still have guys who can play. [player_tooltip player_id='147734' first='Richard' last='Munoz Jr']. is one of the best safeties in the area in my opinion. <strong>Noah Faapito</strong> nearly had 100 tackles last season and is back. Sophomore corner <strong>Daniel Arroyas</strong> is a talented sophomore corner to keep an eye on. <strong>Brandyn Wetherspoon</strong> and <strong>JR Mateni</strong> are also two defensive guys who stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/IIamspoonn/status/1677881232657616896?s=20","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/IIamspoonn/status/1677881232657616896?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->