Alpha League Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Alpha League is the top public school league in Orange County and arguably the top public school league in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In each the past three seasons, an Alpha League team won a CIF championship and two Alpha League teams played each other for the CIF-SS Division 2 championship last season..</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at the teams in the Alpha League and a breakdown of which players to watch:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MISSION VIEJO</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1197564' first='Jack' last='Junker'], WR, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='1621228' first='Jordan' last='Hicks'], DB, Jr.; [player_tooltip player_id='1515867' first='Kiingbaraka' last='Kizzee'], DB, So.; [player_tooltip player_id='1344462' first='Max' last='Markofski'], TE, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='1382575' first='Luke' last='Karby'], TE, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='2106836' first='Amaziah' last='Siale'], OL, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='1522528' first='Dylan' last='Felli'], OL, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='1667624' first='Cash' last='Gervase'], LB, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>Mission Viejo lost a significant amount of talent from last season including the best quarterback in Orange County, but still have a ton of talent returning. The Diablos will rely on sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1291532' first='Brett' last='Burnor'] who has some help from a talented receiving corps featuring [player_tooltip player_id='1197564' first='Jack' last='Junker'] and the tight end trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1344462' first='Max' last='Markofski'], [player_tooltip player_id='1382575' first='Luke' last='Karby'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2231348' first='Kole' last='Davis']. [player_tooltip player_id='1717768' first='Jeremy' last='Bonhomme'] is another receiver to watch and I'm high on <strong>Gavin Ploszaj</strong>. The offensive line has a ton of returners like LSU commit [player_tooltip player_id='2106836' first='Amaziah' last='Siale'], [player_tooltip player_id='1522528' first='Dylan' last='Felli'] and Cornell commit [player_tooltip player_id='2106895' first='Tyler' last='Johnson']. The secondary is the strength of the defense featuring young stars [player_tooltip player_id='1621228' first='Jordan' last='Hicks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1515867' first='Kiingbaraka' last='Kizzee']. <strong>JoJo Reed</strong> flies around the field at safety and [player_tooltip player_id='2127028' first='Desmond' last='Maxwell'] is a sophomore DB I'm high on. [player_tooltip player_id='1667624' first='Cash' last='Gervase'] is back from a major knee injury to lead the linebackers and he looked massive this offseason. The Diablos are the team to beat in this league until proven otherwise and are likely to be a Division 1 playoff team despite a challenging schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/SteveFryer/status/2081766031832531209?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/SteveFryer/status/2081766031832531209?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SAN CLEMENTE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='661909' first='Jaxson' last='Rex'], ATH, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='2121939' first='Preston' last='Beck'], QB, Jr.; [player_tooltip player_id='1858610' first='Ryan' last='Matheson'], WR, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='2110483' first='Jack' last='Weller'], LB, Jr.; [player_tooltip player_id='1341062' first='Jackson' last='Humphries'], DB, Sr.; <strong>Cade Hogan, </strong>DB, Sr.; <strong>Declan Sawyers</strong>, LB, Jr.; <strong>Payton Proffitt</strong>, DE, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>San Clemente caught fire once [player_tooltip player_id='2121939' first='Preston' last='Beck'] took over at quarterback and won six consecutive games before falling in the CIF championship game. BYU commit [player_tooltip player_id='661909' first='Jaxson' last='Rex'] is one of the best two-way players in Southern California and San Juan Hills transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1858610' first='Ryan' last='Matheson'] is the perfect receiver to pair with Rex on the other side of the line. <strong>Colin Granite</strong> should have a nice year running the ball but the offensive line is the biggest question mark on this team. San Clemente is always known for its tough, physical defense and has two strong junior linebackers inside in [player_tooltip player_id='2110483' first='Jack' last='Weller'] and <strong>Declan Sawyers</strong>. [player_tooltip player_id='1341062' first='Jackson' last='Humphries'] is a very safety transfer from Coronado in Nevada and will lead the secondary with Rex and <strong>Cade Hogan</strong>. The Tritons always have a good pass rush and <strong>Payton Proffitt</strong> may be the guy to rack up some QB pressures this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Tritonfootball/status/2078156233719324825?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Tritonfootball/status/2078156233719324825?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LOS ALAMITOS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1205414' first='Kamden' last='Tillis'], RB, Sr.; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1652685' first='Ashton' last='Gogue'], </strong>WR, Sr.; <strong>Koa Marasco</strong>, LB, Sr.; <strong>Caeson Miller</strong>, DB, So.; <strong>Jackson Turek</strong>, OL, Sr.; <strong>Marco Alvillar</strong>, DB, Sr.; <strong>Leo Swietlikowski</strong>, WR, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>Los Alamitos won the Division 2 championship last season and is a new-look team this year with a new head coach. The Griffins feature one of the best playmakers in the area in San Diego State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1205414' first='Kamden' last='Tillis'] who ran for 1543 yards with 19 touchdowns and caught 33 passes for 394 yards. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1652685' first='Ashton' last='Gogue']</strong> and <strong>Leo Swietlikowski</strong> are two top receivers that are back but who will be throwing them the ball is a mystery. Los Alamitos has three junior transfer quarterbacks in [player_tooltip player_id='416583' first='Elijah' last='McDaniel'] (Dorsey), [player_tooltip player_id='2254932' first='Seth' last='Tetzlaff'] (Servite) and [player_tooltip player_id='1646777' first='Luke' last='Osborn'] (Dana Hills). <strong>Koa Marasco</strong> will be one of the leading tacklers in Orange County and I'm high on sophomore defensive back <strong>Caeson Miller</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_Caesonn/status/2085563273282556097?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_Caesonn/status/2085563273282556097?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>EDISON</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1717984' first='Sam' last='Thomson'], QB, Sr.; <strong>Logan Hampton</strong>, WR, Sr.; <strong>Sam Edmisten</strong>, RB, Jr.; [player_tooltip player_id='2106893' first='Blaise' last='Burwell'], DB, Sr.; <strong>Ashton Godley</strong>, LB, Sr.; <strong>McKennon Pierce</strong>, DB, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>Edison lost three games by four points or less last season and reached the Division 3 semifinals. [player_tooltip player_id='1717984' first='Sam' last='Thomson'] is back for his third year as the starting quarterback and he got some playing time as a freshman as well. The game has slowed down for him a lot and he impressed me at the Battle at the Beach tournament. <strong>Sam Edmisten</strong> is a three-year contributor at running back and <strong>Leo Hampton</strong> has had his stock rise at receiver this offseason. Colorado State commit [player_tooltip player_id='2106893' first='Blaise' last='Burwell'] leads the secondary and <strong>McKennon Pierce</strong> had a nice day at corner at the Battle at the Beach. <strong>Ashton Godley</strong> led the team in tackles last season and is back at linebacker. The offensive line may be a question mark for the Chargers but they are typically good there and I like the skill players on this team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/EdisonChargerFB/status/2085425674508992515?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/EdisonChargerFB/status/2085425674508992515?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SAN JUAN HILLS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639259' first='Luke' last='Frith'], ATH, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='1698929' first='Maxwell' last='Porter'], DE, Sr.; <strong>Cooper Chila</strong>, ATH, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='1758285' first='Eiler' last='King'], QB, Sr.; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1658274' first='Noah' last='Howell']</strong>, LB, Sr.; <strong>Aaron Pluff</strong>, OL, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>San Juan Hills had to forfeit nearly its entire season in 2025 but had a good season on the field. Texas State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1639259' first='Luke' last='Frith'] is one of the top two-way players in Southern California and is an outstanding receiver. The Stallions have a quarterback competition going on between San Clemente transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1758285' first='Eiler' last='King'] and <strong>Preston Getz</strong>. <strong>Cooper Chila</strong> is a good two-way player at receiver and defensive back and UC Davis commit [player_tooltip player_id='1698929' first='Maxwell' last='Porter'] is back after being injured much of last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1658274' first='Noah' last='Howell']</strong> may lead the team in tackles and is a strong linebacker. The Stallions are in a tougher league this season and their lack of depth may be an issue, but their top players can hang with anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/luke_frith5/status/2064447029200429509?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/luke_frith5/status/2064447029200429509?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>YORBA LINDA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2100424' first='Isaiah' last='Trujillo'], RB/LB, Jr.; <strong>Noah Trujillo</strong>, QB, Jr.; <strong>Andrew Maldonado</strong>, LB, Sr.; <strong>Tylor Olson</strong>, DE, Sr.; <strong>Dayne Dalmas</strong>, OL, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>Yorba Linda is one of the biggest mystery teams in the county with a new head coach and some key players transferring. [player_tooltip player_id='2100424' first='Isaiah' last='Trujillo'] is a bruiser at running back and linebacker and is one of the best players in the league. His brother <strong>Noah Trujillo</strong> played some quarterback last season and had a dual threat capability that made Yorba Linda's offense better when he was on the field. <strong>Andrew Maldonado</strong> is one of the few returning starters on defense. Yorba Linda won the Bravo League last season but has the most question marks of any team in this league. The Mustangs will be well-coached and they typically outplay the talent on their roster so I wouldn't count out Yorba Linda.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/IsaiahTru30/status/2082178876835610899?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/IsaiahTru30/status/2082178876835610899?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->