Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now
OCVarsity will be previewing every Orange County high school football league and every team before the season begins.
SIGMA LEAGUE PREVIEW
The Sigma League is a new six-team league that includes Calvary Chapel, Estancia, Los Amigos, Ocean View, Rancho Alamitos and Santa Ana Valley.
CALVARY CHAPEL
Top players: Matthew Peters, QB, Sr.; Pops Soto, OL/DL, Sr.; Waldo Castrejon, RB/LB, Jr.; Daniel Nieves, DB/WR, Jr.; Jon Shoening, TE/DL, Jr.
What to expect: In 2023, junior Matthew Peters had over 1,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing. Head coach Jack McInally says Peters was voted team captain this year and the offense is going to be built around his skill set. The Eagles defense struggled late in the season last year so they brought in a new defensive coordinator, Justin Nicholls. Waldo Castrejon led all returning players in tackles and interceptions. Calvary Chapel missed the playoffs last season because of a one-point loss to Estancia, and those two teams are part of the new Sigma League.
ESTANCIA
Top players: Bennett Molica, WR/DB, Jr.; Brandon Bettinghausen, WR/DB, Jr.; Julian Muro, LB/FB, Sr.; Evan Urquiza, LB, TE, Sr.; Joseth Zarate, WR/DB, Sr.
What to expect: Estancia is coming off its first winning season (6-5 overall record) since 2018. The Eagles graduated a quarterback who scored 74 percent of their touchdowns last season. Senior Heriberto Sanchez and sophomore Kai Bargas are competing for the starting quarterback position. Coach Mike Bargas called the lines for offense and defense “robust” and hopes the Eagles can win games in the trenches this season. Junior running back Jeff Brown and junior defensive end Roy Brown are two players to keep an eye on.
Raul Cruz (21) of Los Amigos runs through the defense of Rancho Alamitos during Garden Grove League football game at Bolsa Grande High School in Garden Grove on Thursday, October 5, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
LOS AMIGOS
Top players: Adrian Ramirez, WR/DB, Sr.; Chris Flores, WR/DB, Sr.; Issac Galindo, RB, Sr.; Raul Cruz, RB/LB, Sr.; Jovanny Regalado, TE/DT, Sr.
What to expect: Los Amigos won a share of the last two Garden Grove League championships and its defense finished the season strong in 2023. Coach Melo Guess credited the development of the team’s underclassmen for the defense’s late success. The Lobos ran for 190 yards per game last season and their leading rusher, Issac Galindo, is back behind an offensive line led by Bryant Merida. Guess said he’s looking forward to continuing the rivalry with former Garden Grove League co-champion Rancho Alamitos.
OCEAN VIEW
Top players: Chris Vincent, DB, Jr.; Pedro Maldonado, OL/DL, Sr.; Elijah Armenta, OL/DL, Jr.; William Pardue IV, RB, Sr.; Gaige Prichard, LB/RB, Sr.
What to expect: Ocean View beat Bolsa Grande in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 14 playoffs last season, the program’s first playoff win since 2011. Coach Daniel Hernandez said winning the playoff game was big for team morale and fueled the team’s offseason workouts. Sophomore Isaac Young will be the team’s starting quarterback and will play behind an offensive line that returns a few starters. William Pardue IV led the team in rushing in 2023 despite having to sit out half the regular season after transferring from Westminster. Hernandez’s son, Darrin Hernandez, is a junior receiver who transferred in from St. Paul.
Rancho Alamitos’ Cruz Gonzalez, center, looks for positive yards during the game between Rancho Alamitos vs. Savanna in a non-league football game at Glover Stadium. Photographed on Thursday, September 7, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
RANCHO ALAMITOS
Top players: Carson Labossiere, OL/DL, Sr.; Roberto Miranda, OL/DL, Sr.; Cruz Gonzalez, RB/DB, Sr.; Osvaldo Ramos, WR/DB, So.; Jacob Vasquez, WR/RB, So.
What to expect: Rancho Alamitos won at least a share of the last six Garden Grove League championships. The Vaqueros will be very young this season and are expected to start at least five sophomores on defense. Carson Labossiere will be one of the few senior starters on defense and will lead the defensive line. Jacob Vasquez was the team’s third-leading rusher as a freshman last season and Osvaldo Ramos was the second-leading receiver. Cruz Gonzalez ran for over 500 yards and had six touchdowns.
SANTA ANA VALLEY
Top players: Eduardo Vivas, TE, Jr.; Edwin Diego, DL, Sr.; Angel Garcia, OL, Sr.; Martin Covarrubias, OL, Sr.; Noe Hernandez, QB, Jr.
What to expect: The Eagles took their lumps early last season but bounced back and finished second in the Orange League. Santa Ana Valley plays a very tough schedule again this season and coach Alfredo Macias believes it will help prepare the team for the league slate. The Eagles lost a lot of skill talent on offense but junior Noe Hernandez got some meaningful playing time at quarterback in 2023. Sophomores Fernando Dircio and Diego Vargas are guys Macias is high on and senior Daniel Salas could be the team’s leading receiver.
SIGMA LEAGUE SCHEDULES 2024
CALVARY CHAPEL
Date
Opponent
Location
Time
Aug. 23
At Woodbridge
University HS
7 p.m.
Aug. 29
Vs. Valley Christian
Segerstrom HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 6
Vs. Western Christian
Segerstrom HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 13
At Capistrano Valley Christian
Segerstrom HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 21
At Pasadena Poly
Pasadena Poly HS
11 a.m.
Oct. 3*
Vs. Santa Ana Valley
Segerstrom HS
7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11*
At Estancia
Estancia HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 18*
Vs. Ocean View
Segerstrom HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 24*
At Rancho Alamitos
Bolsa Grande HS
7 p.m.
Nov. 1*
Vs. Los Amigos
Segerstrom HS
7 p.m.
*League game
ESTANCIA
Date
Opponent
Location
Time
Aug. 30
Vs. Costa Mesa
Estancia HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 5
At Katella
Glover Stadium
7 p.m.
Sept. 12
At University
University HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 20
At Santiago
Garden Grove HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 27
Vs. Artesia
Estancia HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 3*
At Rancho Alamitos
Bolsa Grande HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 11*
Vs. Calvary Chapel
Estancia HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 18*
At Los Amigos
Garden Grove HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 25*
Vs. Ocean View
Estancia HS
7 p.m.
Nov. 1*
Vs. Santa Ana Valley
Estancia HS
7 p.m.
*League game
LOS AMIGOS
Date
Opponent
Location
Time
Aug. 22
At Santiago
Garden Grove HS
7 p.m.
Aug. 30
Vs. Yermo Silver Valley
Los Amigos HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 6
Vs. University
Bolsa Grande HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 19
At Nogales
Nogales HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 26
Vs. Western Christian
Garden Grove HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 4*
At Ocean View
Ocean View HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 10*
Vs. Rancho Alamitos
Garden Grove HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 18*
Vs. Estancia
Garden Grove HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 25*
At Santa Ana Valley
Santa Ana Valley HS
7 p.m.
Nov. 1*
At Calvary Chapel
Segerstrom HS
7 p.m.
*League game
OCEAN VIEW
Date
Opponent
Location
Time
Aug. 23
Vs. Fountain Valley
Ocean View HS
7 p.m.
Aug. 30
Vs. Anaheim
Ocean View HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 6
Vs. Gahr
Ocean View HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 13
At Artesia
Artesia HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 19
At Bolsa Grande
Bolsa Grande HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 4*
Vs. Los Amigos
Ocean View HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 11*
Vs. Santa Ana Valley
Ocean View HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 18*
At Calvary Chapel
Segerstrom HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 25*
At Estancia
Estancia HS
7 p.m.
Nov. 1*
Vs. Rancho Alamitos
Ocean View HS
7 p.m.
*League game
RANCHO ALAMITOS
Date
Opponent
Location
Time
Aug. 29
Vs. Savanna
Bolsa Grande HS
6:30 p.m.
Sept. 6
At Anaheim
Glover Stadium
7 p.m.
Sept. 13
At Saddleback
Saddleback HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 20
Vs. Godinez
Bolsa Grande HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 27
Vs. Corona
Bolsa Grande HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 3*
Vs. Estancia
Bolsa Grande HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 11*
At Los Amigos
Garden Grove HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 18*
At Santa Ana Valley
Santa Ana Valley HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 24*
Vs. Calvary Chapel
Bolsa Grande
7 p.m.
Nov. 1*
At Ocean View
Ocean View HS
7 p.m.
*League game
SANTA ANA VALLEY
Date
Opponent
Location
Time
Aug. 23
Vs. Beckman
Santa Ana Valley HS
7 p.m.
Aug. 30
At Segerstrom
Segerstrom HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 6
Vs. Westminster
Santa Ana Valley HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 13
At Godinez
Santa Ana Valley HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 20
Vs. Santa Ana
Santa Ana Valley HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 3*
At Calvary Chapel
Segerstrom HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 11*
At Ocean View
Ocean View HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 18*
Vs. Rancho Alamitos
Santa Ana Valley HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 25*
Vs. Los Amigos
Santa Ana Valley HS
7 p.m.
Nov. 1*
At Estancia
Estancia HS
7 p.m.
*League game
Related Articles
Orange County football 2024: Trinity League preview, top players, schedules
Former Mater Dei running back Caleb Bey Jr. transfers to Crean Lutheran
Orange County football 2024: Alpha League preview, top players, schedules
Orange County football 2024: Epsilon League preview, top players, schedules
Orange County football 2024: Kappa League preview, top players, schedules
Leave a Reply