The Orange County high school football preseason Top 25:
ORANGE COUNTY FOOTBALL TOP 25
Mater Dei football player, quarterback Elijah Brown (12), at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana on Thursday, July 6, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei football player, defensive linemen Aydin Breland (42), at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana on Thursday, July 6, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei football player offensive lineman DeAndre Carter (72) at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana on Thursday, July 6, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei football player, cornerback Zabien Brown (4), at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana on Thursday, July 6, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei football player, outside linebacker/defensive end Nasir Wyatt (31), at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana on Thursday, July 6, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei football players, from left, offensive lineman DeAndre Carter (72), outside linebacker/defensive end Nasir Wyatt (31), quarterback Elijah Brown (12), cornerback Zabien Brown (4), defensive linemen Aydin Breland (42) and offensive tackle Brandon Baker (73) lead the top-ranked Monarchs. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei football player offensive tackle Brandon Baker (73) at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana on Thursday, July 6, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei offensive tackle Brandon Baker (73) at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana on Thursday, July 6, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei football player, outside linebacker/defensive end Nasir Wyatt (31), at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana on Thursday, July 6, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei football player offensive lineman DeAndre Carter (72) at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana on Thursday, July 6, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei football player, defensive linemen Aydin Breland (42), at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana on Thursday, July 6, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mater Dei football player, cornerback Zabien Brown (4), at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana on Thursday, July 6, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
1. Mater Dei: The No. 1 team in the county also is the No. 1 team in the national rankings by MaxPreps.com and CalPreps.com. The offense again is led by senior quarterback Elijah Brown, a four-year starter who was All-County first team last season when Mater Dei was 12-1 overall and 5-0 in the Trinity League. The Register’s ranking of the top 10 county running backs has two Mater Dei players on top, Jordan Davison at No. 1 and Nate Frazier at No. 2. The collegiate-like offensive line includes seniors Brandon Baker (6-5, 290) and DeAndre Carter (6-5, 335). Baker is rated as California’s No. 1 interior offensive lineman and Carter is the No. 1 tackle by 247 Sports. On defense, five Monarchs are on the Register’s list of the top county defensive backs, including Alabama-committed senior Zabien Brown who is No. 1 on the list. Junior linebacker Nasir Wyatt is No. 1 on the county linebackers rankings. Aydin Breland (6-5, 285) is the state’s top-rated senior defensive lineman. Baker, Carter and Breland are ranked 1-2-3 on the Register’s list of the county’s top 10 linemen.
Orange Lutheran High School football players from left: Samuelu Utu, #50, offensive tackle; Auma Jennings, #91, defensive lineman; TJ Lateef, #9, quarterback; Jireh Moe, #99, defensive lineman; Benjamin Alefaio, #13, safety; Aaron Ia, #0, tight end, in Orange, on Thursday, July 13, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange Lutheran High School football players from left: Samuelu Utu, #50, offensive tackle; Jireh Moe, #99, defensive lineman; TJ Lateef, #9, quarterback; Benjamin Alefaio, #13, safety; Aaron Ia, #0, tight end; Auma Jennings, #91, defensive lineman, in Orange, on Thursday, July 13, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange Lutheran High School football player, Benjamin Alefaio, #13, safety, in Orange, on Thursday, July 13, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange Lutheran High School football player, Auma Jennings, #91, defensive lineman, in Orange, on Thursday, July 13, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange Lutheran High School football player, TJ Lateef, #9, quarterback, in Orange, on Thursday, July 13, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange Lutheran High School football player, Jireh Moe, #99, defensive lineman, in Orange, on Thursday, July 13, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange Lutheran High School football player, Aaron Ia, #0, tight end, in Orange, on Thursday, July 13, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange Lutheran High School football player, Samuelu Utu, #50, offensive tackle, in Orange, on Thursday, July 13, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
2. Orange Lutheran: This probably is the third-best team in the Trinity League, which means it would be the league champion in most of the other California leagues. Among the returnees is TJ Lateef, the Lancers’ all-league starting quarterback last season when they finished 7-5 overall and third in league with a 2-3 record. The defense includes 2022 All-County selections Jireh Moe, Talanoa Ili and Auma Jennings. Transfers like linebackers Samuel Fonua from Mater Dei and Christian Panapa from Servite strengthened the roster.
Los Alamitos High School football players Kapono Mao, Davon Mitchell, Alonzo Esparza, Manoah Faupusa and Anthony League, from left. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Davon Mitchell plays football at Los Alamitos High School. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Alonzo Esparza plays football at Los Alamitos High School. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Manoah Faupusa plays football at Los Alamitos High School. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Anthony League plays football at Los Alamitos High School. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kapono Mao plays football at Los Alamitos High School. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
3. Los Alamitos: The Griffins could be as good or even better than they were last season when they went undefeated in the Sunset League and finished 9-3 overall. Among the transferred-in newcomers is tight end Davon Mitchell (6-5, 245) who is from Allen, Texas. Mitchell was a sophomore last school year, has reclassified as a senior, is No. 2 on the O.C. list of top 10 receivers and tight ends. Kamar Mothudi, a junior who was at Campbell Hall last year, is No. 6 on the O.C. top linebackers list. Anthony League, a junior (6-1, 205), looks ready for a big season at running back. MaxPreps.com has the Griffins at No. 39 in its national rankings.
Travis Anderson, Mark Schroller, Dijon Lee Jr., Jack Matranga, Treyvon Tolmaire, clockwise from top right, of the Mission Viejo High School football team in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 30, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Treyvon Tolmaire, Jack Matranga, Dijon Lee Jr., Mark Schroller, Travis Anderson, from left, of the Mission Viejo High School football team in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 30, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo High School football player Jack Matranga in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 30, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo High School football player Mark Schroller in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 30, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo High School football player Travis Anderson in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 30, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo High School football player Dijon Lee, Jr. in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 30, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo High School football player Treyvon Tolmaire in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 30, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
4. Mission Viejo: The Diablos are favored to win another South Coast League championship. They have elite athletes at various positions, including in the defensive backfield where college prospects Travis Anderson, Dijon Lee and Treyvon Tolmaire man positions. Tolmaire was All-County first team last season when Mission Viejo went 10-2 overall, 3-0 in league and beat Centennial of Corona in the playoffs. UCLA-committed offensive lineman Mark Schroller was All-OC third team in 2022. Jonavan Asuncion and Jack Matranga lead a strong corps of linebackers.
5. JSerra: While it’s a transition year for the Lions, with a youngish squad and new coach Victor Santa Cruz, this remains a high-quality team that could be just as good as last year’s group that finished 6-6 overall, including a win over Santa Margarita in the playoffs, and tied for third in the Trinity League. Junior quarterback Michael Tollefson showed plenty of promise the past couple of seasons when he was at San Juan Hills. Junior defensive lineman Luke Webb was All-County first team in 2022 when senior linebacker Clarence Chaney was All-OC second team.
6. Santa Margarita: The Eagles could have a dynamic offense, led by receivers Sean Embree and Trent Moslry. Throwing to them will be James Johnson, a transfer from Servite. The defense is talented and includes senior linebacker LeVar Talley, all-league first team team last year when Santa Margarita went 5-5 overall and tied for third in the league at 2-3. Eagles linebackers Gage Burnett and Noah Sulick were all-league second team in 2022.
Yorba Linda High football players, from left, Dylan Gardner, Josh Grethen, Jon Silvestri, Rory Mosier and Jason Escovar at Nathan Shapell Memorial Stadium at Yorba Linda High School in Yorba Linda on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Yorba Linda High football player, running back and cornerback Jason Escovar at the Nathan Shapell Memorial Stadium at Yorba Linda High School in Yorba Linda on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Yorba Linda High football player, wide receiver and safety Dylan Gardener, at the Nathan Shapell Memorial Stadium at Yorba Linda High School in Yorba Linda on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Yorba Linda High football player, defensive tackle, Josh Grethen at the Nathan Shapell Memorial Stadium at Yorba Linda High School in Yorba Linda on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Yorba Linda High football player, defensive tackle Jon Silvestri at the Nathan Shapell Memorial Stadium at Yorba Linda High School in Yorba Linda on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Yorba Linda High football player, offensive linemen, Rory Mosier at the Nathan Shapell Memorial Stadium at Yorba Linda High School in Yorba Linda on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
7. Yorba Linda: The Mustangs might not be as good as last year’s team that finished 14-1 and won the CIF Southern Section Division 3 championship. They will be very good, though. Senior receiver/safety Dylan Gardner was the Crestview League player of the year last season. Other all-league returnees include seniors Jason Escovar at running back and Rory Mosier on the offensive line. The defensive line should be outstanding, with 2022 all-league selections Josh Grethen and Jon Silvestri.
8. Edison: Thirty-three seniors graduated from last year’s Chargers team that finished 9-2 overall and second in the Sunset League with a 4-1 record. That would suggest a difficult season is in store for most teams, but this is Edison football where pride of school and program is as strong as it is anywhere else. Among the returnees is offensive lineman Makai Sagiao who was All-County second team last season as a junior. The season got off to a difficult start for the Chargers, as their first two game were supposed to be played in Maui, but they were canceled Wednesday because of the destructive wildfires have devastated the island.
9. San Clemente: The Tritons, 7-4 overall and 2-1 in the South Coast League last season, again are the chief challenge for Mission Viejo in that league. Senior quarterback Dylan Mills got some valuable experience last season when he shared the position with Broderick Redden. Redden has moved to tight end where his 6-5, 225-pounds frame makes him an ideal target. The offensive line should be solid, anchored by senior returning starters Ben Baker and Stanford-committed Connor Bachhuber.
Cypress High football players Hayden Frazier, left, Jesse Mauldin, Aidan Houston and Rocco Burdett, left, in Cypress, CA, on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Cypress has won four consecutive Empire League championships, should be good again in ’23. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cypress High football player Aidan Houston in Cypress, CA, on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Cypress has won four consecutive Empire League championships, should be good again in ’23. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cypress High football player Jesse Mauldin in Cypress, CA, on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Cypress has won four consecutive Empire League championships, should be good again in ’23. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cypress High football player Hayden Frazier in Cypress, CA, on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Cypress has won four consecutive Empire League championships, should be good again in ’23. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cypress High football player Rocco Burdett in Cypress, CA, on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Cypress has won four consecutive Empire League championships, should be good again in ’23. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
10. Cypress: It’s always good to have a returning quarterback and the Centurions have that. Aidan Houston was an Empire League most valuable player last season when Cypress won the league title and went 13-1 overall and played in a CIF Southern Section championship game. Rocco Burdett is a star linebacker and will contribute to the offense at running back. Burdett was all-league first team last season as were senior offensive linemen Hayden Frazier and Matthew Fonseca. Running back/receiver Jesse Mauldin is expected to be a key contributor to the offense.
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