Sunset League Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sunset League is arguably the best public school league in Orange County and is right with the South Coast League as far as talent is concerned. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a breakdown of the teams and top players in the Sunset League:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CORONA DEL MAR</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top players: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='942919' first='Kaleb' last='Annett'], QB, Sr.; Russell Weir, WR, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='347158' first='Zach' last='Giuliano'], TE, Jr.; [player_tooltip player_id='708357' first='Colin' last='Pene'], RB/LB, Sr.; Christian Brooks, LB, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>Corona del Mar has a new head coach in <strong>Kevin Hettig</strong> but the talent on the field is largely the same. [player_tooltip player_id='942919' first='Kaleb' last='Annett'] is finally getting his turn as the starting quarterback and is committed to Boise State. He has two strong targets in <strong>Russell Weir</strong> and big tight end [player_tooltip player_id='347158' first='Zach' last='Giuliano']. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='708357' first='Colin' last='Pene']</strong> is sneakily one of the more productive running backs in the league last season in the running and passing game. <strong>Christian Brooks</strong> is back to lead the defense after having 102 tackles last season. <strong>Thomas Telesco</strong> is another returning starter on defense at safety for the Sea Kings. The question mark for Corona del Mar is on the offensive and defensive lines. Both units lack some of the big names of the past, but they are always a well-coached unit and should get better as the season goes on. I expect Corona del Mar to be in the mix for a second place spot in the league standings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CDMFOOTBALL/status/1691159118764204032?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/CDMFOOTBALL/status/1691159118764204032?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>EDISON</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top players: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='683641' first='Mason' last='York'], WR/DE, Sr.; Makai Sagiao, OL, Sr.; Savelio Niumata, QB, Jr.; Noah Thompson, DL, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='147754' first='Hoi' last='Amasio-Hansen'], LB, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>Edison graduated 33 seniors but looked better than expected when I saw them at the Battle at the Beach passing tournament. Quarterback <strong>Savelio Niumata</strong> is big and the ball comes out of his hand nicely. I wouldn't be surprised if Niumata was among the top junior quarterbacks in the county by the end of the season. [player_tooltip player_id='683641' first='Mason' last='York'] has the physical tools to be a 1,000 yard receiver with 10-plus touchdowns. Adding inside linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='147754' first='Hoi' last='Amasio-Hansen'] was huge since he was a major contributor at Servite in 2021. <strong>Jack Knudtson</strong> is a transfer from Servite who can contribute right away and <strong>Noah Thompson</strong> was All-Sunset League last season. Like Corona del Mar and a team below, Edison could be in the mix for second place in the league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/EdisonChargerFB/status/1691279270826684416?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/EdisonChargerFB/status/1691279270826684416?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>FOUNTAIN VALLEY</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top players: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595812' first='Noa' last='Banua'], QB, Sr.; Nolan Olivares, WR/DB/K, Jr.; Cameron Shepherd, Jr., OL/DL; Hayden Espinoza, WR/DB, Sr.; Justin Pulido, OL/DL, Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>Fountain Valley was one of the most improved teams in the county last season after its first full offseason with the current coaching staff. Despite losing a lot of major contributors, quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='595812' first='Noa' last='Banua'] is back with his top receiver <strong>Nolan Olivares</strong>. <strong>Cameron Shepherd</strong> and <strong>Justin Pulido</strong> are two good linemen that will be helpful in protecting Banua. The schedule is challenging for the Barons and it may be tough to get the five necessary wins to qualify for the playoffs, but the Barons will not be an easy win for teams in the Sunset League. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Sunset_Rewind/status/1689743569576419328?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/Sunset_Rewind/status/1689743569576419328?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>HUNTINGTON BEACH</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top players: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='273679' first='Justin' last='Tauanuu'], OL, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='942960' first='Sean' last='Marella'], OL/DL, Sr.; Brandon Soleau, WR/LB, Sr.; Zachary James, DB, Sr.; Tyler Young, RB, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='415341' first='Brady' last='Edmunds'], QB, Fr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>Huntington Beach made the playoffs last season and has a good mix of returning starters and fresh faces. One of those fresh faces is freshman quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='415341' first='Brady' last='Edmunds'] who already has an offer from Arizona State. A key for the Oilers will be protecting Edmunds and they have two of the best linemen in the league in Stanford commit [player_tooltip player_id='273679' first='Justin' last='Tauanuu'] and Air Force commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='942960' first='Sean' last='Marella']</strong>. <strong>Tyler Young </strong>is expected to be the team's leading rusher along with <strong>Jaxson Brown</strong>. <strong>Brandon Soleau</strong> is one of the better two-way players in the league and will leas the defense at linebacker. Huntington Beach isn't good enough to compete for a league championship, but good enough to return to the playoffs and be a tough game for the upper half of the league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/HBHSFootball/status/1692315793977995411?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/HBHSFootball/status/1692315793977995411?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LOS ALAMITOS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top players: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='282704' first='Alonzo' last='Esparza'], QB, Jr.; [player_tooltip player_id='406707' first='Anthony' last='League'], RB, Jr.; [player_tooltip player_id='942308' first='Davon' last='Mitchell'], TE, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='398426' first='Kamar' last='Mothudi'], LB, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='683605' first='Isaiah' last='Rubin'], DB, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='282763' first='Joshua' last='Tuchek'], DB, Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>Los Alamitos lost two five star recruits to USC and are still the heavy favorite to win this league. Replacing quarterback <strong>Malachi Nelson</strong> is Sierra Canyon transfer [player_tooltip player_id='282704' first='Alonzo' last='Esparza'] and he has a big target in tight end [player_tooltip player_id='942308' first='Davon' last='Mitchell'] who is committed to Oklahoma. [player_tooltip player_id='406707' first='Anthony' last='League'] is a potential two-way star at running back and linebacker. Campbell Hall transfer [player_tooltip player_id='398426' first='Kamar' last='Mothudi'] is among the best in his class. The secondary has a lot of potential as well with [player_tooltip player_id='683605' first='Isaiah' last='Rubin'], Santa Margarita transfer [player_tooltip player_id='282763' first='Joshua' last='Tuchek'] and Bishop Amat transfer [player_tooltip player_id='273556' first='Foster' last='Slaughter']. The offensive and defensive lines have question marks but I am very high on center [player_tooltip player_id='406666' first='Kapono' last='Mao'] and guard [player_tooltip player_id='723684' first='Maki' last='Stewart'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/LosAlFootball/status/1691174893717757952?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/LosAlFootball/status/1691174893717757952?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>NEWPORT HARBOR</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top players: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='115423' first='Jordan' last='Anderson'], WR/DB, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='147761' first='Josiah' last='Lamarque'], WR/DB, Sr., David Flores, OL, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='147752' first='Jacob' last='Carlon'], LB, Sr.; Cam Denoon, DL, Sr.; [player_tooltip player_id='401257' first='Jaden' last='O'Neal'], QB, So.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>Newport Harbor has had a lot of playoff success recently and has a blend of returning starters and high-profile transfers. The two big transfers are Oregon commit receiver [player_tooltip player_id='115423' first='Jordan' last='Anderson'] from Millikan and sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='401257' first='Jaden' last='O'Neal'] from Los Alamitos. O'Neal will enjoy throwing to Anderson and returning star [player_tooltip player_id='147761' first='Josiah' last='Lamarque'] who had nearly 1,000 yards receiving as a junior. [player_tooltip player_id='147752' first='Jacob' last='Carlon'] is a guy who could have 100 tackles at the end of the season to lead the defense. Newport Harbor has the potential to contend for second place in the league with Edison and Corona del Mar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CoachHuizar/status/1686154592885825536?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/CoachHuizar/status/1686154592885825536?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->