SoCal Regional Preview: University City @ San Jacinto

<p><em>Breaking down the players to watch in the SoCal Regional between San Diego's D-III champion and the Southern Section D-VI champion. Both teams are led by dynamic dual-threat QBs and high-level D-I talent at the skill positions.</em></p>    <p>Dortch and UC's QB [player_tooltip player_id='2472' first='Samuel' last='Cooper'] bring similar skillsets as dual-threat QBs that are both effective throwing the ball and are powerful runners in space. Dortch has been the more productive passer in the playoffs throwing for 290 yards and 4 TDs in the Southern Section D-VI championship vs. Orange. He's an accurate passer that can expand the pocket and get the ball out with a quick release. Dortch picked up his first offer from West Virginia St. on 11/23. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Dereun3Dortch/status/1596643118790586368?s=20&t=X8lmCh0Nuk87q750GnASow </div></figure>    <p>Gresham leads the state in receiving yards and TDs with 1,706 and 26. He's been a major stock-riser in the playoffs posting stat-lines of 8-247-3, 10-238-3, and 8-247-3. He's an extremely gifted athlete with elite speed, burst, and playmaking ability. He presents challenges outside with his ability to dominate 1v1 matchups as both a WR and DB- the matchups between future D-I skill guys in Gresham/Holmes and UC's Lockett/Garner will be a major factor in the outcome of the game. Gresham holds several Pac-12 offers from Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and Arizona.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/noahstweets7/status/1596739098026598401?s=20&t=X8lmCh0Nuk87q750GnASow </div></figure>    <p>San Jacinto's leading rusher has 1,174 yards and 18 TDs on the season. He runs with vision at the LOS and hits the hole with explosive speed and agility. He's a polished back that shows ability to catch out of the backfield and pick up blitzes as a pass-blocker. Brown's an underrated P-5 prospect with an offer from Arizona. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JHWreporter/status/1593836812006739968?s=20&t=X8lmCh0Nuk87q750GnASow </div></figure>    <p>Garner's made impactful plays in every game of the playoffs scoring a KR TD in the first round, posting 4 catches for 103 yards and a game-winning TD in the semis, and 4 catches for 146 yards and 2 TDs in the D-III championship. He's a fluid downfield threat that can create separation and adjust his body to the ball. He's aggressive going for the ball in 1v1 situations and flashes natural hands at the catch point. Garner added an offer from Hawaii on 11/17 with other offers from Ole Miss, Arizona, and San Jose St. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/FertigBowe/status/1597271003163373568?s=20&t=X8lmCh0Nuk87q750GnASow </div></figure>    <p>Cooper's an all-purpose catalyst for UC that leads the offense at QB and plays physical from his DE spot. He's a dynamic dual-threat that can stress the defense with his powerful running style and get the ball out to his playmakers in space. He's an active defender on the edge that can get behind the LOS and make plays in the backfield. University City will be leaning heavy on [player_tooltip player_id='2472' first='Samuel' last='Cooper'] to get them to the state championship. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/SDFNLMagazine/status/1596294538754084864?s=20&t=X8lmCh0Nuk87q750GnASow </div></figure>    <p>Dawson was one of the most productive and disruptive defensive players in San Diego recording 18 TFL and 14 sacks as a senior. He's an athletic player in the trenches that can catch the ball and make plays as a TE. He's a rangy DE that brings good size (6'5”/230) and speed off the edge. Dawson committed to Boise St. in July. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Cayden_J_Dawson/status/1543044230003560448?s=20&t=X8lmCh0Nuk87q750GnASow </div></figure>   <p><strong>More: </strong></p>   <p><strong>San Jacinto</strong></p>   <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='384682' first='Vincent' last='Holmes']</strong>- ATH, 2023</li>   <li><strong>David Myers</strong>- RB, 2023</li>   <li><strong>Ahlijah Afemata</strong>- LB, 2023 </li>   <li><strong>Tevita Tutunka</strong>- LB, 2023</li> </ul>   <p><strong>University City</strong></p>   <ul> <li><strong>LaDainian Lawrence</strong>- RB, 2023 </li>   <li><strong>Troy Bassler</strong>- WR, 2023<strong> </strong></li>   <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212235' first='Tay' last='Lockett']</strong>- ATH, 2026</li>   <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='410520' first='Jayden' last='Daly']</strong>- DB, 2023 </li>   <li><strong>Terry Donati</strong>- DL, 2023 </li>   <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406642' first='Samuel' last='Harris']</strong>- RB, 2025</li> </ul>

Breaking down the players to watch in the SoCal Regional between San Diego's D-III champion and the Southern Section D-VI champion. Both teams are led by dynamic dual-threat QBs and high-level D-I talent at the skill positions.