Playoff Preview: Southern Section Defensive Sophomores to Watch

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>DEFENSIVE LINE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283645"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='283645' first='Manoah' last='Faupusa'] is an interior defensive lineman at Los Alamitos who eats up double teams and is a load to move.rnrnHis presence in the middle of the defensive line frees up linebackers to make stops in the running game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65444d16158a9"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/SteveFryer/status/1718136132712714261?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/SteveFryer/status/1718136132712714261?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401241"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='401241' first='Dutch' last='Horisk'] has emerged as the top edge rusher for St. John Bosco this season.rnrnHe had 3.5 sacks against Santa Margarita earlier this season.rnrnHorisk has speed off the edge and is great at using his hands to parry the offensive lineman's arms.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65444d1615961"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/dutch_eat/status/1718435358038528405?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/dutch_eat/status/1718435358038528405?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401217"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='401217' first='Anthony' last='Jones'] is an edge rusher with a motor who is never out of a play.rnrnHe only plays on one side of the ball and could add some weight, but he has the frame to be a college edge rusher.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65444d16159ce"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Ajones2026/status/1718726027218976933?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/Ajones2026/status/1718726027218976933?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LINEBACKERS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401293"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Moala leads Leuzinger in tackles as an outside linebacker.rnrnHe has an offer from Michigan and visited Utah in the summer.rnrnMoala can play inside or outside at the high school level but college scouts like him as an edge rusher.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65444d1615a35"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/SamuMoala/status/1669549819868893185?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/SamuMoala/status/1669549819868893185?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/GregBiggins/status/1694471733540221125?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/GregBiggins/status/1694471733540221125?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["270853"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='270853' first='Ryder' last='Smith'] is seventh among sophomores in the Southern Section in tackles with 90.rnrnHe is a big weight room guy who has a lot of muscle for a sophomore.rnrnSmith reads defenses well as an inside backer and has good closing speed to the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654451407d8dd"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/RyderSmith2026/status/1718319292956258328?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/RyderSmith2026/status/1718319292956258328?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>DEFENSIVE BACKS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283607"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Benjamin is the best athlete in the 2026 class in my opinion and is a sub 11.0 in the 100 meters.rnrnHe excels as an open field tackler and can lay big hits for a cornerback.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654451407d940"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/dee5starr/status/1715829560561045531?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/dee5starr/status/1715829560561045531?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Michael Gaines Jr.","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Riverside Poly","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Gaines leads the sophomores in the Southern Section in tackles with 131.rnrnHe's a good athlete with good foot speed who can fly up the field to stop the running game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654451407d9f0"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MichaelGainesJr/status/1542992110609059844?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/MichaelGainesJr/status/1542992110609059844?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212235"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Lockett is a ball-hawk at cornerback and leads the best defense in the nation with four interceptions.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654451407da4c"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/lockett_tay/status/1720144240771027147?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/lockett_tay/status/1720144240771027147?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - [player_tooltip player_id='780462' first='Oscar' last='Aguilar'], Downey</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - [player_tooltip player_id='1000924' first='Joseph' last='Peko'], Oaks Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - [player_tooltip player_id='1000888' first='Kingston' last='Schirmer'], Damien </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - [player_tooltip player_id='283606' first='Dash' last='Fifita'], Mater Dei </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='401223' first='Brandon' last='Lockhart'], Loyola, </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <strong>Jacob Maddox</strong>, Bonita</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='401288' first='RJ' last='Sermons'], Rancho Cucamonga</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1183016' first='Tyler' last='Starling']</strong>, Agoura&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->