OC Varsity is previewing every 11-man team in Orange County before the 2023 high school football season begins.
EMPIRE LEAGUE PREVIEW
CREAN LUTHERAN
Top players: Ben Buettel, WR/LB, Sr.; Kellen Cosenza, OL, Justin Dominguez RB/LB, Sr.; Carter Jones, TE/LB, Jr.; Tyler Parker, OL/DL, Jr.
What to expect: Crean Lutheran has a football program on the rise, having gone from 1-9 overall and 0-5 in the Empire League in 2021 to 10-2 and 4-1 last season. The trajectory could continue this season, as the Saints could challenge for the league championship. “Our defense is going to be much better than it was last year,” said Crean Lutheran coach Rick Curtis, entering his fourth season at the school. Senior Ben Buettel, junior Carter Jones and Mason McCullough were all-league last season. Buettel was the Saints’ third-leading receiver last year. Curtis expects a big season from junior all-league defensive back Ben Byszewski who also likely will see action at receiver. Anthony Jones, a 6-4, 215-pound defensive end and tight end recently transferred to Crean Lutheran from Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, where he had 33 tackles last season as a freshman.
CYPRESS
Top players: Rocco Burdett, RB/LB, Sr; Bruno Caldarella, TE/LB, Sr.; Hayden Frazier, OL/DL, Sr.; Aidan Houston, QB, Sr,; Jesse Mauldin, RB/WR/DB, Sr.
What to expect: QB Aidan Houston was an Empire League most valuable player last season when he threw for 3,069 yards, fifth-most in Orange County last season, as the Centurions went 5-0 in league and won their fourth straight Empire championship. Seniors Rocco Burdett, Hayden Frazier and two-way lineman Matthew Fonseca were All-CIF Southern Section last season. Burdett, who had 69 solo tackles at linebacker in 2022, and senior Destin Sanchez will share running back duties. Cypress’ Rick Feldman, entering his 10th year as head coach, said the team returns most of its linebackers and defensive backs. “It boils down to how well the offensive line does and Aidan making plays,” Feldman said.
KENNEDY
Top players: Devin Almazan, QB, Jr.; Devin Bell, WR, Sr.; Rider Street, Jr., RB/LB; Izaiah Murphy, WR/DB, Jr.; Nathan Rios, LB, Sr.
What to expect: With six returning all-league players, the Fighting Irish could be better than last year’s team that finished 2-8 overall and 1-4 in league. Junior Devin Almazan passed for 1,514 yards and 10 touchdowns during his all-league sophomore year. All-league receiver Devin Bell had team highs of 48 catches and 763 receiving yards. Senior Nathan Rios was all-league last season when he recorded a team-high 40 tackles. Coach Daniel Urbanos said the Fighting Irish will be a young team again but will compensate for any deficiencies with competitive spirit. “We’ve got a bunch of tough kids who are never going to back down, no matter what’s going on,” he said. “They’re going to compete their tails off.”
PACIFICA
Top players: David Carlsson, WR/DB, So.; Zach Gaulrapp, OL, Sr.; Sammy Johnson, RB/LB, Sr.; Noah Salas, QB/DB, Sr.; Armando Torres, WR/DB, Jr.
What to expect: Pacifica first-year coach Kyle Murphy, a veteran assistant coach at Edison, Fountain Valley and Pacifica, said the Mariners have talent and depth at the skill positions. Senior Noah Salas was all-league first team last season when he threw for 1,667 yards and 13 touchdowns with eight interceptions in 10 games as Pacifica finished 3-7 overall and 1-4 in league. Senior receiver Zach Haas is expected to be one of Salas’ top targets. Murphy said senior Zach Gaulrapp “is one of the better centers I’ve seen.” Gaulrapp leads the offensive and defensive lines that could be the difference in the Mariners’ bid to earn a playoff berth. “The thing we’re learning to do is to be consistent and to hold ourselves to our standards,” Murphy said. “That is where I’ve seen the most improvement over the spring and summer.”
TUSTIN
Top players: Mackenzie Alleyne, WR, Sr.; Kristian Dunbar-Hawkins, RB/DB, Sr.; Marques Guzman, WR/DB, Sr.; Tim Ioane, TE/LB, So.; Jack Stupin, QB, Sr.
What to expect: The Tillers will challenge for the league title. Their defense should be terrific, and the offense will have more variety than a Tustin offense usually presents. “We’ve had to look at ways to create explosive plays,” said Tustin fifth-year coach Anthony Lopez. “We’re happy with where that’s headed.” Among the more creative plans on offense is to have freshman Jeremiah Williams taking handoffs. Williams is 6-foot-1 and 320 pounds. Senior Kristian Dunbar-Hawkins, who committed to UCLA, leads an outstanding defensive backfield and sophomore Tim Ioane will be a leader on defense.
VALENCIA
Top players: Charles Denny, Sr., RB/LB; Dylan Draft, QB/DB/P; Ethan Draft, Sr., WR/DB; Adrian Hill, WR/CB, Sr.; Nick Sandoval, FB/LB, Sr.
What to expect: Valencia coach Jason Gray anticipates improvement in every category after the Tigers were 2-8 overall and 1-4 in the Empire League last season. “We’ve got to play at a high level and stay healthy, and just try to produce on both sides of the football better than we did last year,” Gray said. Dylan and Ethan Draft, twins and nephews of Valencia all-time great and ex-NFL linebacker Chris Draft, were all-league last season, Ethan was first team and Dylan was selected to the second team. Dylan Draft threw for 1,742 yards and 11 touchdowns. Ethan Draft had 45 receptions for team highs of 645 yards and six receiving touchdowns. Senior Nick Sandoval was all-league first team last season when he collected a team-leading 79 tackles. Senior Adrian Hill was all-league second team in 2022.
