Sunset League Preview
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The Sunset League is arguably the best public school league in Orange County and is right with the South Coast League as far as talent is concerned. Here is a breakdown of the teams and top players in the Sunset…
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Continue ReadingThe Sunset League is arguably the best public school league in Orange County and is right with the South Coast League as far as talent is concerned.
Here is a breakdown of the teams and top players in the Sunset League:
CORONA DEL MAR
Top players: Kaleb Annett Kaleb Annett 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Corona Del Mar | 2024 CA , QB, Sr.; Russell Weir, WR, Sr.; Zach Giuliano Zach Giuliano 6'6" | 230 lbs | TE Corona Del Mar | 2025 State CA , TE, Jr.; Colin Pene Colin Pene 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Corona Del Mar | 2024 CA , RB/LB, Sr.; Christian Brooks, LB, Sr.
Analysis: Corona del Mar has a new head coach in Kevin Hettig but the talent on the field is largely the same. Kaleb Annett Kaleb Annett 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Corona Del Mar | 2024 CA is finally getting his turn as the starting quarterback and is committed to Boise State. He has two strong targets in Russell Weir and big tight end Zach Giuliano Zach Giuliano 6'6" | 230 lbs | TE Corona Del Mar | 2025 State CA . Colin Pene Colin Pene 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Corona Del Mar | 2024 CA is sneakily one of the more productive running backs in the league last season in the running and passing game. Christian Brooks is back to lead the defense after having 102 tackles last season. Thomas Telesco is another returning starter on defense at safety for the Sea Kings. The question mark for Corona del Mar is on the offensive and defensive lines. Both units lack some of the big names of the past, but they are always a well-coached unit and should get better as the season goes on. I expect Corona del Mar to be in the mix for a second place spot in the league standings.
EDISON
Top players: Mason York Mason York 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Edison | 2024 State CA , WR/DE, Sr.; Makai Sagiao, OL, Sr.; Savelio Niumata, QB, Jr.; Noah Thompson, DL, Sr.; Hoi Amasio-Hansen Hoi Amasio-Hansen 6'1" | 215 lbs | RB Edison | 2024 State CA , LB, Sr.
Analysis: Edison graduated 33 seniors but looked better than expected when I saw them at the Battle at the Beach passing tournament. Quarterback Savelio Niumata is big and the ball comes out of his hand nicely. I wouldn’t be surprised if Niumata was among the top junior quarterbacks in the county by the end of the season. Mason York Mason York 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Edison | 2024 State CA has the physical tools to be a 1,000 yard receiver with 10-plus touchdowns. Adding inside linebacker Hoi Amasio-Hansen Hoi Amasio-Hansen 6'1" | 215 lbs | RB Edison | 2024 State CA was huge since he was a major contributor at Servite in 2021. Jack Knudtson is a transfer from Servite who can contribute right away and Noah Thompson was All-Sunset League last season. Like Corona del Mar and a team below, Edison could be in the mix for second place in the league.
FOUNTAIN VALLEY
Top players: Noa Banua Noa Banua 6'0" | QB Fountain Valley | 2024 State CA , QB, Sr.; Nolan Olivares, WR/DB/K, Jr.; Cameron Shepherd, Jr., OL/DL; Hayden Espinoza, WR/DB, Sr.; Justin Pulido, OL/DL, Sr.
Analysis: Fountain Valley was one of the most improved teams in the county last season after its first full offseason with the current coaching staff. Despite losing a lot of major contributors, quarterback Noa Banua Noa Banua 6'0" | QB Fountain Valley | 2024 State CA is back with his top receiver Nolan Olivares. Cameron Shepherd and Justin Pulido are two good linemen that will be helpful in protecting Banua. The schedule is challenging for the Barons and it may be tough to get the five necessary wins to qualify for the playoffs, but the Barons will not be an easy win for teams in the Sunset League.
HUNTINGTON BEACH
Top players: Justin Tauanuu Justin Tauanuu 6'6" | 280 lbs | OL Huntington Beach | 2024 State CA , OL, Sr.; Sean Marella Sean Marella 6'3" | 280 lbs | OL Huntington | 2024 State CA , OL/DL, Sr.; Brandon Soleau, WR/LB, Sr.; Zachary James, DB, Sr.; Tyler Young, RB, Sr.; Brady Edmunds Brady Edmunds 6'5" | 210 lbs | QB Huntington Beach | 2027 State CA , QB, Fr.
Analysis: Huntington Beach made the playoffs last season and has a good mix of returning starters and fresh faces. One of those fresh faces is freshman quarterback Brady Edmunds Brady Edmunds 6'5" | 210 lbs | QB Huntington Beach | 2027 State CA who already has an offer from Arizona State. A key for the Oilers will be protecting Edmunds and they have two of the best linemen in the league in Stanford commit Justin Tauanuu Justin Tauanuu 6'6" | 280 lbs | OL Huntington Beach | 2024 State CA and Air Force commit Sean Marella Sean Marella 6'3" | 280 lbs | OL Huntington | 2024 State CA . Tyler Young is expected to be the team’s leading rusher along with Jaxson Brown. Brandon Soleau is one of the better two-way players in the league and will leas the defense at linebacker. Huntington Beach isn’t good enough to compete for a league championship, but good enough to return to the playoffs and be a tough game for the upper half of the league.
LOS ALAMITOS
Top players: Alonzo Esparza Alonzo Esparza 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Los Alamitos | 2025 State CA , QB, Jr.; Anthony League Anthony League 6'0" | 205 lbs | RB Millikan | 2025 State CA , RB, Jr.; Davon Mitchell Davon Mitchell 6'4" | 245 lbs | LB Los Alamitos | 2024 State CA , TE, Sr.; Kamar Mothudi Kamar Mothudi 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB Los Alamitos | 2024 State CA , LB, Sr.; Isaiah Rubin Isaiah Rubin 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Los Alamitos | 2024 State CA , DB, Sr.; Joshua Tuchek Joshua Tuchek 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Millikan | 2025 State CA , DB, Jr.
Analysis: Los Alamitos lost two five star recruits to USC and are still the heavy favorite to win this league. Replacing quarterback Malachi Nelson is Sierra Canyon transfer Alonzo Esparza Alonzo Esparza 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Los Alamitos | 2025 State CA and he has a big target in tight end Davon Mitchell Davon Mitchell 6'4" | 245 lbs | LB Los Alamitos | 2024 State CA who is committed to Oklahoma. Anthony League Anthony League 6'0" | 205 lbs | RB Millikan | 2025 State CA is a potential two-way star at running back and linebacker. Campbell Hall transfer Kamar Mothudi Kamar Mothudi 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB Los Alamitos | 2024 State CA is among the best in his class. The secondary has a lot of potential as well with Isaiah Rubin Isaiah Rubin 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Los Alamitos | 2024 State CA , Santa Margarita transfer Joshua Tuchek Joshua Tuchek 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Millikan | 2025 State CA and Bishop Amat transfer Foster Slaughter Foster Slaughter 6'0" | 160 lbs | DB Los Alamitos | 2024 State CA . The offensive and defensive lines have question marks but I am very high on center Kapono Mao Kapono Mao 6'0" | 300 lbs | OL Millikan | 2025 State CA and guard Maki Stewart Maki Stewart 6'6" | 290 lbs | OL Millikan | 2025 State CA .
NEWPORT HARBOR
Top players: Jordan Anderson Jordan Anderson 6'1" | 165 lbs | WR Newport Harbor | 2024 State CA , WR/DB, Sr.; Josiah Lamarque Josiah Lamarque 5'10" | 175 lbs | ATH Newport Harbor | 2024 State CA , WR/DB, Sr., David Flores, OL, Sr.; Jacob Carlon Jacob Carlon 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Newport Harbor | 2024 State CA , LB, Sr.; Cam Denoon, DL, Sr.; Jaden O’Neal Jaden O’Neal 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Narbonne | 2026 State CA , QB, So.
Analysis: Newport Harbor has had a lot of playoff success recently and has a blend of returning starters and high-profile transfers. The two big transfers are Oregon commit receiver Jordan Anderson Jordan Anderson 6'1" | 165 lbs | WR Newport Harbor | 2024 State CA from Millikan and sophomore quarterback Jaden O’Neal Jaden O’Neal 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Narbonne | 2026 State CA from Los Alamitos. O’Neal will enjoy throwing to Anderson and returning star Josiah Lamarque Josiah Lamarque 5'10" | 175 lbs | ATH Newport Harbor | 2024 State CA who had nearly 1,000 yards receiving as a junior. Jacob Carlon Jacob Carlon 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Newport Harbor | 2024 State CA is a guy who could have 100 tackles at the end of the season to lead the defense. Newport Harbor has the potential to contend for second place in the league with Edison and Corona del Mar.