Mission Viejo Passing Tournament Preview (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a look at some of the teams competing in the Mission Viejo passing tournament on Saturday at Mission Viejo High.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/mission-viejo-passing-tournament-preview-part-1/">Click here to check out the teams in Pool 1 and Pool 2</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>POOL 3</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DAMIEN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Damien has a case to be the best team in the San Gabriel Valley in preseason polls. [player_tooltip player_id='212219' first='Isaiah' last='Arriaza'] is back at quarterback after a monster sophomore season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='976895' first='Elijah' last='Bechtel']</strong> is a top receiver committed to Army and <strong>Gavin Lannon</strong> is a junior to keep an eye on. Damien has a few transfers on offense in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401246' first='Eric' last='Osorio'] </strong>(Bishop Amat), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1698949' first='Malachi' last='McFarland']</strong> (St. John Bosco) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1382568' first='Travon' last='Garrison']</strong> (Mater Dei).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='471041' first='Gavin' last='Williams']</strong> had five interceptions as a freshman last season and is back. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='294308' first='Caden' last='Arellano']</strong> is a built linebacker who flies all over the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DamienFootball_/status/1805777534115889663","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/DamienFootball_/status/1805777534115889663 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LEUZINGER</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='401293' first='Samu' last='Moala'] is the marquee star for Leuzinger and is being recruited by all the top colleges. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598387' first='Journee' last='Tonga'] </strong>is a junior who had a pair of interceptions last season as a sophomore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaere Alexander</strong> was the starting quarterback last season and is back. <strong>Maxwell Young</strong> will likely be the team's top receiver this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/journee_tonga/status/1804619526509855165","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/journee_tonga/status/1804619526509855165 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WESTERN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Western always has top skill players and this season is no exception. [player_tooltip player_id='1197380' first='Chance' last='Thomas'] is one of the better quarterbacks in the 2027 class and I love the way the ball jumps out of his hand. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1236177' first='Desmin' last='Joshway-Fairley']</strong> is one of the top senior receivers in Orange County and <strong>JJ Amezcua</strong> could also be a 1,000 yard receiver. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Malachi Alatorre</strong> is a two-way player who is just a gamer that will be all over the field. <strong>Malik Benjamin </strong>and <strong>Johannes Klein</strong> are two defensive players I'm high on for Western.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/westernpioneer1/status/1804674157801775507","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/westernpioneer1/status/1804674157801775507 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SERVITE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Servite was pretty good in this event last year and is led by Michigan State commit [player_tooltip player_id='406664' first='Leo' last='Hannan'] at quarterback. San Diego State commit [player_tooltip player_id='723744' first='Quaid' last='Carr'] is the running back and he can make plays out of the backfield. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1288773' first='Devan' last='Parker']</strong> is a receiver I am high on for the Friars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Saxon Churchwell</strong> is a safety who had an interception last season and is back for Servite. The Friars have some talented linebackers in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1197211' first='Isaiah' last='Leilua']</strong> and <strong>Brando Mosqueda</strong>. I'm interested to see Hannan spread it around to multiple receivers and test Servite's depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/LemmingReport/status/1778961101520048377","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/LemmingReport/status/1778961101520048377 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LA SIERRA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eddie Roy</strong> is back at quarterback for La Sierra as well as his top two receivers <strong>CJ Fleming</strong> and <strong>Eric Mayes</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mayes also led La Sierra's defense with seven interceptions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>POOL 4</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ST. BERNARD</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Bernard of La Playa hasn't fielded a varsity team since 2021.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OAKS CHRISTIAN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oaks Christian returns to the field at Mission Viejo where its season ended in 2023. <strong>Axel Eason</strong> is a quarterback committed to UC Davis and class of 2028 QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='958785' first='Treyvone' last='Towns Jr.'] </strong>has been generating some buzz. [player_tooltip player_id='212217' first='Deshonne' last='Redeaux'] is the top class of 2026 running back who battled some injuries last season but is a dynamic playmaker. [player_tooltip player_id='406657' first='Stevie' last='Amar'] is a quality receiver and <strong>Brayden Hampsten</strong> is 6-foot-6. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406726' first='Weston' last='Schwesinger']</strong> played well in his chances last year at receiver as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions have great linebackers in [player_tooltip player_id='406649' first='Christian' last='Knoos'] and <strong>Evan Fanner</strong>. [player_tooltip player_id='283607' first='Davon' last='Benjamin'] is one of the best defensive backs in the 2026 class and [player_tooltip player_id='419213' first='Jamarey' last='Smith'] recently committed to Washington State. [player_tooltip player_id='282749' first='Nathan' last='Moreno'] is another two-way guy with potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/oclionsfootball/status/1805978260406464843","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/oclionsfootball/status/1805978260406464843 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>APPLE VALLEY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Apple Valley has some quality offensive linemen who appeared at the National Preps Showcase but their skill players are somewhat of a mystery. <strong>Dominic Bechtel</strong> is a big tight end and <strong>Dylan Jarrard</strong> is an athlete who may play quarterback this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Talan Lively</strong> is returning on defense for Apple Valley and <strong>Vohn Taylor</strong> is an intriguing sophomore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/chriscfore/status/1804610676100587874","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/chriscfore/status/1804610676100587874 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MURRIETA VALLEY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Murrieta Valley has a prolific offense led by Stanford commit [player_tooltip player_id='282686' first='Bear' last='Bachmeier'] at quarterback. [player_tooltip player_id='1027779' first='Dorian' last='Hoze'] is back at running back and he can make plays in the passing game as well. <strong>Julian Treadwell</strong> and <strong>Derrick Johnson</strong> are talented junior receivers and they also have a pair of senior receivers in <strong>Camden Connor</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='976907' first='Brandon' last='Gilbert']. </strong>Murrieta Valley also added Chaparral transfer tight end [player_tooltip player_id='282683' first='Jacob' last='Alvarez'] who recently committed to San Diego State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Troy Karg</strong> is a linebacker who leads the defense. Johnson led the team in interceptions as a sophomore last season and [player_tooltip player_id='723703' first='Isaiah' last='Ayers'] also had a pair of picks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1291283' first='Darius' last='Johnson']</strong> got meaningful playing time as a freshman and is back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_UnderTheRadar_/status/1806308869544517756","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/_UnderTheRadar_/status/1806308869544517756 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LA MIRADA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>La Mirada had a rebuilding season last year and lefty <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1686128' first='Santino' last='Garcia']</strong> is back at quarterback for his junior season. <strong>Isaiah Robbins </strong>is a quality receiver who is back along with juniors <strong>Jordan Lauago</strong> and <strong>Aaron Castro</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lauago also had two interceptions for La Mirada last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/santinogarcia07/status/1795139762812080184","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/santinogarcia07/status/1795139762812080184 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->