Troy Clash of Champions: Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Troy High in Fullerton held a big passing league tournament last Saturday in which many good programs competed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Santa Monica beat Kennedy of La Palma in the championship game of the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some top players from some of the top teams who competed Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SANTA MONICA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Santa Monica has one of the best quarterbacks in the 2026 class, [player_tooltip player_id='1182942' first='Wyatt' last='Brown']. According to coach <strong>Carter Paysinger</strong>, Brown was excellent as expected. Brown completed 67 percent of his passes for 211 yards per game and 21 touchdowns as a sophomore last season. He's a lefty who had a very good showing at the Elite 11 Regionals in March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of Brown's top receivers from last year are returning in <strong>Charles Cravings</strong> and <strong>Payton Seals</strong>. Paysinger also said <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='780329' first='Jackson' last='Nelson']</strong> had a big day along with running back <strong>Giovanni Crabtree</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Cravings and Nelson each had multiple interceptions and <strong>Manny Lares</strong> added a pick. Paysinger praised linebackers <strong>Sammy Reynoso</strong>, <strong>Jeremy Guerrero</strong> and <strong>Isaiah Fernandez</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Santa Monica struggled in a very tough Bay League last season but hung with good teams like Mira Costa and Culver City. They play in a slightly less challenging Pioneer League this year and have a chance to compete North Torrance and Redondo Union for a league title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/VonCrabtree1/status/1805303632721854597","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/VonCrabtree1/status/1805303632721854597 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Jacksonnelson88/status/1805289952823197980","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/Jacksonnelson88/status/1805289952823197980 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>KENNEDY</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kennedy has struggled in a tough Empire League in recent seasons but has reasons to be optimistic about its future. The Fighting Irish finished in second place Saturday thanks to its two quarterbacks <strong>Devin Almazan </strong>and <strong>Derek Almazan</strong>. Coach <strong>Daniel Urbanos</strong> siad they both made excellent decisions throughout the day. Devin completed 66 percent of his passes for 156 yards per game and 21 touchdowns last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rocco Street</strong> and <strong>Deon Bynum</strong> both had multiple touchdowns on offense and multiple interceptions on defense. Street had four touchdown receptions last season and two interceptions. Kennedy will play in the Lamda league this season against former Empire League foe Valencia and other top teams like Sunny Hills and fast rising Marina.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/OC_Recruits/status/1777961821233881175","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/OC_Recruits/status/1777961821233881175 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>TROY</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The marquee name for Troy is new Washington commit [player_tooltip player_id='723756' first='Vander' last='Ploog']. An opposing coach called Ploog "the real deal" and another called him a "dude." <strong>Kellen Watts</strong> drew praise from coach Michael Echaves along with quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1212666' first='Rudy' last='Alcala']</strong>. Alcala averaged nearly 200 yards per game last season with 24 touchdowns which is impressive in Troy's double wing offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1305471' first='Ethan' last='Mundt']</strong> is one of the better 2026 running backs in Orange County and he is a solid defensive player as well. <strong>Cayleb Quiroz</strong> is a returning starter on defense who could have a huge impact for Troy this season. <strong>Camren Baker</strong> is a returner at cornerback who had a big day. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Troy won a share of the Freeway League championship for the first time in awhile last season and will play in the Iota League this season alongside former league foe Sonora.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/vander_ploog/status/1805671885319159877","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/vander_ploog/status/1805671885319159877 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CYPRESS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cypress has been a mystery team all offseason after losing some top players from last season. <strong>Matthew Baldonado</strong> was the Empire League defensive back of the year is back and had a big day according to coach <strong>Rick Feldman</strong>. He had three interceptions last season which led the team. Safety <strong>Chasen Sparks</strong>, who had two interceptions last season, had a big day. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Logan Kennedy</strong> led the offense with multiple touchdowns at receiver. No returning player for Cypress had a receiving touchdown last season but Kennedy did average 13 yards per catch. Class of 2027 guys <strong>Jaiden [player_tooltip player_id='1203247' first='Anthony' last='']</strong> and <strong>Mekaih Felix </strong>drew praise for making big plays. <strong>Kieran Edmundson</strong> is a senior who is expected to be Cypress' starting quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cypress won four of the last five Empire League championships. The Centurions will play in the Delta League with former Empire League foe Tustin and crosstown rival Western.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/logan_kennedy12/status/1803158787815293040","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/logan_kennedy12/status/1803158787815293040 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>ALISO NIGUEL</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aliso Niguel was one of three teams to go undefeated in pool play along with Santa Monica and Capo Valley. The Wolverines will feature a new quarterback this season in [player_tooltip player_id='797092' first='Carter' last='Vestermark']. Coach <strong>Mike Calahan</strong> said Vestermark made the right reads, didn't force anything and spread the ball around to a lot of receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1314522' first='Max' last='Blasing']</strong> is the leading receiver among returners and had multiple touchdowns Saturday. <strong>Vincent Caito</strong>, <strong>Fin Torrico</strong>, <strong>Dane Mallow</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595819' first='Ryu' last='Davis']</strong> each had multiple touchdown catches. [player_tooltip player_id='1149000' first='Brady' last='Defrain'] and USC baseball commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1314526' first='Jarett' last='Sabol']</strong> will be the teams' running backs next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Calahan praised the defense which didn't give up a lot of points. Aliso Niguel will be in the Foxtrot League along with local rival Dana Hills and Laguna Beach which is just down the road. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/coachcalahan/status/1752476322260218074","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/coachcalahan/status/1752476322260218074 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->