City Conference
Central League
(in alphabetical order)
Canyon Hills
Last season: 0-10
Coach: Marcus Cook, second year
Key players: Lavelle Teague Jr. (WR-DB), Marcus Cook Jr. (DB), Julius Thomas (OL-DL), Julian Hernandez (DB), Daniel Westhafer (TE-DE), Ma-Kahi Fields-Cook (RB-LB), Taylon Sheriff (WR-DB), Reese Fogg (TE-DB), Dillon Khamphaphirath (OL), Hassan Baines-Rogers (RB).
Scouting report: The Rattlers have lost 15 games in a row and are 2-25 since the coronavirus pandemic. With all-league standouts Teague, Cook and Thomas leading the list of returnees, there is hope. Sheriff and Fields-Cook give the Rattlers a new look. Both will play as freshmen. Up front, Thomas and Khamphaphirath lead a competitive group.
Coronado
Last season: 3-8
Coach: Kurt Hines, eighth year
Key players: Jack Laudeman (OL-OL), Cable Fledderjohn (OL-DE), Walter Hardy (OL-DL), Stanley Duyman (OL-DL), Ryder Albin (WR-RB), R.J. Sanchez (QB), Landon Sutherland (RB-LB-PK), Thomas Wilson (RB-WR), Benny Roberts (OL-LB), Jake Nelson (WR-DB), Spencer Reidarson (WR), Chase Jenkins (WR), Deklan Shann (TE-LB).
Scouting report: Moving to the City League, the Islanders start with something rare for Hines — a big, experienced line. Laudeman (260 pounds), Hardy (245), Duyman (240) and Fledderjohn (190) return and will play both ways. Sanchez won the QB battle in the spring over versatile Jaiden Sherman, who also plays WR and DB. Sutherland gained 372 yards with two TDs and tops the returning RBs with rugby standout Wilson jumping in to help. Albin is joined by Nelson, Reidarson and Jenkins at receivers. Look for TE Shann to be a target as well. Roberts tops the LB crew with Sutherland and Albin. Nelson and Sherman roam the secondary. Sutherland also converted all but one PAT in addition to hitting a 42-yard field goal a year ago.
Clairemont
Last season: 4-6
Coach: Eduardo Gonzalez, second year
Key players: Tyler Allen (RB), Diego Pereya (WR-DB), Uziel Clavel (WR-DB), George LaFever (OL-DL), Kellen Morton (WR), Joshua Davis (WR), Laroy Marshall (OL-LB), Matthew Mills (QB), Julian Lopez (WR-DB), Joseph Dominguez (OL-DL), Joseph Johnston (WR-LB).
Scouting report: Mills, who passed for 1,091 yards and 10 TDs in eight games at Southwest-El Centro, transfers in. He has no shortage of targets, with Morton — an all-league pick — leading the way. Lopez, Davis and Johnston are reliable targets. Allen returns after rushing for 1,113 yards and eight TDs while earning all-league honors. Pereya and Clavel lead the way on defense along with Morton and Davis. Up front, LaFever (265) and newcomer Dominguez are the anchors. Look for Marshall and Johnston to step up.
Hoover
Last season: 7-5
Coach: Will Gray, fifth year
Key players: Sir Autry (RB), Kristian Noriega (QB), Miko Hunter (TE), Xavier Logan (WR-LB), Noah Contreras (LB), Kanaj Patterson (DB), Osmar Cabrales (PK), Bryan Fisher (DL), Abraham Garivay (OL), Cooper Woodhall (WR-DB).
Scouting report: When you have skill position players like Autry and Noriega returning, scoring shouldn’t be a problem. Autry was all-state, All-CIF and league MVP after rushing for 2,224 yards and 30 TDs. Noriega completed 143 of 252 passes for 2,610 yards and 27 TDs. TE Hunter had 30 receptions for 404 yards. Look for Woodhall, a transfer from Torrey Pines, to be a big target. WR-DB Jason Osuna has returned from injury and is expected to be a major contributor. Garivay, an all-league pick as a sophom*ore, anchors the line. Logan and Patterson are solid defensively, as is Contreras. Fisher tops the DL. Cabrales, as a freshman, made 36 of 42 PATs last year.
Kearny
Last season: 7-4
Coach: Jeremy Stump, fifth year
Key players: Brodie Stump (QB), Zaiden Gravely (WR), Jayden Jackson (WR), Jaylin Hill (RB-LB), Zeni Reyes (WR-LB), Jonathon Taciquin (OL), Diego Perez (OL), Tony Cerda (DE), Conner Nevada (DL), Casey Jones (DB), DJ Martinez (WR).
Scouting report: The Komets will pass the ball — a lot. Stump returns after throwing for 3,197 yards and 32 TDs while rushing for 411 yards and another six scores. Gravely is back after grabbing 99 passes for 959 yards and seven TDs. Jackson, Reyes and newcomer Martinez join the WR corps. The Komets return two starting linemen, center Taciquin (230) and guard Perez (251).
City League
(in alphabetical order)
Christian
Last season: 4-6
Coach: Patrick Bugg, third year
Key players: Spencer Johnson (QB), Kaleb Runkle (QB), Brady Eads (TE-LB), Tavin Zawacki (OL-DL), Jake Marsh (WR-DB), Jacob Morones (RB-LB), Roman Gustin (WR-DB), Max Turvey (WR-DB), Hank Houston (RB-LB), Hayden Jeremiah (TE-DE), Kai Rosier (WR-DB).
Scouting report: Johnson completed 105 of 173 for 1,423 yards and 12 TDs a year ago. But the position is wide open between Johnson and Runkle, a sophom*ore transfer from Granite Hills. Morones was the team’s leading rusher with 451 yards a year ago, but Houston and Eads, who has moved over to TE, are quality and experienced backups. Eads (6-2, 220) had 37 catches for 627 yards and six TDs a year ago. Rosier, Marsh and Gustin were also targeted. Jeremiah is a 6-2, 215-pound two-way player.
Crawford
Last season: 8-4
Coach: Matt Marquez, sixth year
Key players: Trevon Blanks (WR-DB), Phillip Huynh (QB), Isaiah McPherson (OL-DL), Jeff Krantz (WR-LB), Chris Gradney (WR-DB), Abraham Carillo (WR-DB), Yusuf Musa (RB-LB), Khalid Ali (DB), Abel Martinez (RB-DB-PK), Elemo Abdulkadir (WR-DB).
Scouting report: All-league QB Huynh threw for 883 yards and seven TDs last season. The 6-3 Blanks, who caught 11 passes for 274 yards and four TDs, Carillo and Krantz, an all-league player, are ready to add big to the 2023 totals. Although 11 starters return, only 25 players were out in the spring. The Colts feature all-league two-way lineman McPherson, a 6-2, 270-pounder, and have experience on defense with Musa, Abdulkadir and Martinez, who is also a quality PK.
Morse
Last season: 4-7
Coach: Tracy McNair, 16th year
Key players: Superior Garror (WR-DB), Jermaine Jenkins (RB-LB), Ian Okada (RB-LB), Jacob Chavez-Levins (QB), Jacob Quintanilla (FB-LB), Sergio Rojas (FB-DL), Frank Pizzaro (OL-DL), Nathan Wilson (OL-DL), Benjamin Sanchez (OL-DL), Brandon Moore (WR-DB).
Scouting report: Garror rushed for 449 yards and three TDs and caught 12 passes for 137 yards and another score, earning all-league honors. Chavez-Levins returns to lead the Tigers after completing 45 of 95 passes for 658 yards. Newcomer Moore presents an inviting target at receiver at 6-foot-2 and will man a DB position with Garror. The Tigers are bigger, with players like all-leaguer Jenkins bulking up to 225 pounds in anticipation of carrying the ball. Up front, the senior trio of Rosas (225 pounds), Pizarro (315) and Wilson (240) are joined by Sanchez (210).
Patrick Henry
Last season: 5-6
Coach: Colby Davis, third year
Key players: Eli Ruiz (QB), Cody Cappelletti (RB-LB), Damien Carmichael (WR-DB), Jacob Watkins (WR-DB), Lorenzo Epps (OL-DL), Quan Nguyen (OL-DL), Miguel Silva (OL-DL), A.J. Silva (OL-DL), Brady Smith (OL-DL), Evan Slama (TE-DL), Hamilton Collins (TE-DL).
Scouting report: The Patriots aired it out a year ago, and with Ruiz returning, expect more of the same. Ruiz threw for 1,883 yards and 14 TDs a year ago. Although he only played in six games, Damien Carmichael caught 58 passes for 361 yards and a pair of TDs. Cappelletti rushed for 576 of the Patriots’ total 751 yards and enters the season as the No. 2 receiver. He finished with 16 TDs, 12 on the ground, three in the air and one fumble recovery from his LB position. Watkins figures to be targeted more after catching 14 passes. Up front, Epps (290 pounds), Nguyen (260), Miguel Silva (300) and A.J. Silva (250) are good-sized veterans. The LB-DB crew is deep and solid.
San Diego
Last season: 4-6
Coach: Syd Reed, third year
Key players: Miles Johnson (RB), Jayden Wade (WR-DB), Valentino Arenas (OL-DL), Landon Black (WR), Kye Cooper (WR-DB), Jayden Johnson (RB-LB), Xavier Wilson (RB-LB), Jonah Holloway (RB-DB), Demetrius Norwood (WR-DB), Stephen Conde (OL-DL), Jayden Harris (QB), Peter Williams (OL).
Scouting report: Harris, a freshman, won the QB battle. His main target will be the 6-5 Wade, who had 37 catches for 740 yards and 12 TDs a year ago. Black, a 6-3 sophom*ore who had 20 receptions for 328 yards and two TDs, is also back. Miles Johnson rushed for 648 yards and six TDs. A Morse transfer, Holloway gained 446 yards and scored five TDs and caught 11 passes for 154 yards. Johnson and Wilson are potential game-breakers at RB. Wade and DB Cooper were all-leaguers. Look for Arenas (6-3, 280), Conde (6-3, 300) and Williams (6-5, 320) to open some big holes.
Eastern League
(in alphabetical order)
La Jolla
Last season: 10-3
Coach: Tyler Roach, eighth year
Key players: Jett Thomas (OL), Aidan McGill (RB), Carson Diehl (WR-DB), Wyatt Boczanowski (LB-DE), Hank Hansen (WR), Ryan Kestler (DB), Dylan Haugum (OL-DL), Hudson Smith (QB).
Scouting report: The Vikings return 15 starters, nine on defense. The biggest question is at QB, where Smith takes over after playing in five games a year ago. Diehl is a force on both sides of the ball, with 52 catches and 10 TDs while making 46 tackles a year ago. Hansen had 579 yards receiving and 229 rushing. McGill is among the top returning RBs in the county with 173 carries for 1,044 yards and 10 TDs as well as 136 yards receiving. Boczanowski had 112 tackles with 15 TFL. Thomas, who stands 6-4, 295 and has committed to San Diego State, anchors the offensive line.
Mira Mesa
Last season: 4-7
Coach: Aurelio Morales, fourth year
Key players: Salvatore Tagliareni (WR-DB), Amari Sanders (WR-DB), Max San Agustin (RB), Derek Kanuha (OL), Connor Shea (WR-DB), Eduardo Medina (PK-P), Ryder Lai (RB-LB), Noah Chiw (LB), Nygerion Casey (DE), Czavien Brown (KR).
Scouting report: The Marauders return eight starters on defense, led by three-time all-leaguer Chiw and Casey. Chiw had 60 tackles a year ago, with Casey adding 36. Sanders and San Agustin give the Marauders a pair of dynamic offensive players. Kanuha, who started as a freshman, anchors the OL at center. Medina is one of the better kickers in the county.
Mission Bay
Last season: 8-4
Coach: Gregory Tate, fourth year
Key players: Thomas Cook (OL-DL), Robbie Page (WR), Jevyn Higman (TE-LB), Shane Brushie (Ath), Francisco Aguilar (OL-DL), Trey Arnold (QB).
Scouting report: Arnold, a transfer from Coronado, is the QB, throwing for 867 yards for the Islanders. Cook at 6-3, 250 is the anchor up front along with Aguilar (245). Page, Brushie and Higman give Arnold some weapons.
Scripps Ranch
Last season: 7-4
Coach: Marlon Gardinera, eighth year
Key players: Markell Martin (WR-DB), Parker Armstrong (QB), Rex Theilacker (WR-LB), Tristan Reyna (RB-DB), Jackson Rochet (TE-LB), Alex Carlton (OL-DL), Kadin Lincoln (TE-DE), Alex Obermiller (OL-DL), Ryan Stadtherr (RB-LB), Charlie Barajas (WR).
Scouting report: The young Falcons boast a strong LB corps along with a young, smart QB and a solid OL among 11 returning starters. Stadtherr, who also wrestles and runs track, is the leader of the defense. Theilacker is a playmaker and Martin is a top-flight CB, who has college offers. Armstrong, a sophom*ore, has a great football IQ. Barajas, who stands 6-6, has great skills.
University City
Last season: 1-9
Coach: Paul Lawrence, fourth year
Key players: Quentyn DeMara (QB), Matthew Bresko (WR-DB), Gunnar Reyes (WR-LB), Jahlon Adams (WR-DB), Carlos Barrie (OL), James Redd (OL), Jerre’ Hernandez (DB), Quinn Obrigewitch (DL), Tavyn Lockett (DB), Dreyden Garner (WR-DB), Xavier Quintanar (WR).
Scouting report: DeMara threw for 2,179 yards and 16 TDs as a sophom*ore. He now has three big-time targets in Garner, a transfer from Lincoln; Quintanar, a transfer from Madison; and returnee Bresko. Bresko had 16 catches, Dreyden, a 3-star player, had 38 catches for 894 yards while Quintanar, another 3-star player, had 33 catches. Barrie, Redd and Obrigewitch anchor the lines, a position lacking depth. Reyes had 50 tackles on defense while Bresko had 64. The biggest name is Lockett, a junior transfer from Bellflower St. John Bosco. A 3-star player, he has committed to Arkansas after a 49-tackle season. He has 12 interceptions in two seasons.
Western League
(in alphabetical order)
Cathedral Catholic
Last season: 4-8
Coach: Sean Doyle, 28th year
Key players: Matthias Beals (LB), Jake Bloom (LB), Sven Chuppa (DB), Sidney Dupuy (DL), Josh Faraimo (DB), Jake Funderburg (RB), Brody Harriff (DL), Hunter Harrington (WR), Carter Jackson (LB), Cade Smith (LB), Anthony Bibaeff (OL), Isaac Cook (WR-DB), Chase Deniz (OL), Honor Fa’alave-Johnson (RB-DB), Jordyn Fitzpatrick (WR), Parker Johnson (WR-DB), Brady Palmer (QB), Samuel Samuela (LB), Sebastian Tucker (TE-DL), Victor Velasquez (OL), Luke Westfall (DL), Asofa Lauifi (OL), Bronx Letuligasenoa (DL).
Scouting report: The Dons boast a number of high-profile transfers. Palmer, who threw for 2,499 yards and 23 TDs as a sophom*ore at St. Augustine, is the new QB. Harrington returns at receiver and is joined by Johnson and Fitzpatrick, transfers from St. Augustine. The offensive line is built around Bibaeff (6-3, 290), Deniz (6-7, 280), Lauifi (6-2, 265) and Velasquez (6-3, 295). All are transfers. On defense, the Dons are led by Dupuy (6-6, 270), a San Diego State signee. He’ll be joined by Harriff, Letuligasenoa (a transfer from St. Augustine), LBs Beals, Bloom, Jackson and Smith and Samuela, a transfer from Madison. Fa’alave-Johnson, Johnson and Cook, all transfers from St. Augustine, make up a strong secondary.
Lincoln
Last season: 11-1
Coach: David Dunn, 19th year
Key players: Akili Smith Jr. (QB), Aden Jackson (RB), Donald Reed (RB), Isaiah Grant (WR), David Dunn (WR), Ty Olsen (WR), Joshua Newburn (WR), Rayhaan Harriden (OL), Mike Field-Cook (OL), Ramon Pettis-Davis (OL-DL), Alfred Bennett (OL), Journey Tala (OL), Jesus Garcia (OL), Marco Pena (DB), Keontae McClay (DB), Cam Purnell (DB), Isaac Turner (DB), Nika Ta’a (LB), Taylor Lambert Dunn (LB), Drayden Cunningham (LB), Ernesto Price Tavion (LB), Munir Kassa (DE), Indigo Northheimer (DE), Eugene Rice (DT).
Scouting report: Smith, a 4-star QB who has committed to Oregon, threw for 2,431 yards and 25 TDs a year ago and should again be among the city’s best players. He’s joined by Grant, who had 42 catches for 710 yards a year ago. Olsen, a 3-star player who has committed to San Jose State, caught 74 passes for 1,262 yards and 15 TDs at Del Norte. Jackson (705 yards) and Reed (679) return at RB. Field-Cook (235), Pettis-Davis (255), Tala (330), Bennett (270) and Garcia (270) give the team bulk up front. McClay, Pena, Purnell, Turner, Ta’a, Kassa, Pettis Davis and Rice are top-flight defenders. Rice had 71 tackles and 10 sacks, Kassa had 49 tackles and 12 sacks. McClay had 53 tackles, Pettis-Davis 63 and Purnell 31.
Madison
Last season: 6-7
Coach: Rick Jackson, 21st year
Key players: Allen Sola (LB), Zagar Aiken (WR), Ryley Parenteau (QB), Ryan Jackson (WR), Theanni Saulo (LB-DE), Ronnie Steele (WR-DB), Romeo Pepi (WR), Kameron Wafer (WR-DB), Noah Quinlin (RB-DB), Ruben Murana (DL), Josh Aguilar (OL), Jaden Phan (OL), Clayton Morefield (OL), Zach Prfeciado (OL), Wyatt Wells (DL), Patrick Ropati (OL-DL).
Scouting report: The Warhawks finished strong last year, losing 28-27 in overtime to St. Augustine in the playoffs, and want to build on that. Parenteau threw for 1,086 yards and ran for 195. He has Aiken, Wafer, Jackson and Sola back at WR. Quinlin is the RB. Morefield (305), Preciado, Ropati and Aguilar are veterans on the OL. On defense, Steele was the leader with 43 tackles while Saulo had 33.
Point Loma
Last season: 8-5
Coach: Ryan Price, 1st year
Key players: Ian Metayer (RB-LB), Dylan Upjohn (RB-WR), Romeo Carter (WR-DB), Cannon Ogden (WR-DB), Leo Sahd (TE-DE), Braeden Bartocci (DE), Mateo Carreia (LB), Jack Leitz (DB), Ace Selchlow (LB), Jack Lepore (OL-DL), Alex Pletcher (OL-DL), Max Merrick (OL), Jaxson Sutley (DL), Yahir Yanez (OL), Brycen Morales (OL), Carson Allen (DL), Drew Weim (WR-DB), Ben Kamen (WR-DB), Alex Pretcher (WR-DB).
Scouting report: Metayer (76 tackles, 32 receptions), Upjohn (80 rushes), Carter (38 tackles), Ogden (600 all-purpose yards), Sahd (28 tackles), Bartocci (58 tackles), Correia (38 tackles) and Leitz (19 tackles) are the keys to success. The lines are solid, with Merrick, Sutley, Yanez, Morales and Allen the anchors up front. Kamen, a transfer from Cathedral Catholic, figures to be a major contributor. Pletcher is among the best athletes in the county.
St. Augustine
Last season: 10-5
Coach: Ron Caragher, 1st year
Key players: Malosi Iiuli (OL), Jacob Valdez (OL), Wilford Anderson (DE), Parker Cresswell (OL-LB), Vince Smith (QB).
Scouting report: The Saints were devastated with players transferring out. So Caragher will build around Cresswell, a 6-6, 230-pound lineman, Iiuli, Valdez, Anderson and transfer QB Smith.
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