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.
CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN
Capistrano Valley Christian is in the six-team Ironwood League with Aquinas, Heritage Christian of Northridge, Ontario Christian, Valley Christian of Cerritos and Village Christian of Sun Valley.
Top players: Nate Richie, QB, Sr.; Max Krosky, WR, Sr.; Josh Monroe, RB/Safety, Sr.; Talan Sego, LB/RB, Jr.; Duffy Kessler, OL/DL, Jr.
What to expect: The Eagles and first-year coach Brandon Camarillo join the challenging Ironwood League after consecutive titles in the Mesquite League and playoff appearances in Division 10 and 11, respectively. The Ironwood has been won the past two seasons by Aquinas, which reached the Division 5 playoffs in both campaigns. Aquinas claimed CIF-SS titles 2019 and 2021, and plays JSerra in Week 1. “(It’s a) big step up from the Mesquite,” Camarillo said of the Ironwood. “A lot of teams with storied traditions of success in football. Each game will be a street fight.” The Eagles will be led by their dynamic quarterback-wide receiver duo of seniors Nate Richie and Max Krosky. Richie (6-3, 215) completed 69 percent of his passes last season for 2,553 yards and 30 TDs. Krosky (6-2, 195) tallied 65 catches for 1,054 yards and 16 TDs. Both players were selected to the OCVarsity 150 impact players to watch in 2024. On defense, the Eagles return second-leading tackler Talan Sego at linebacker and sack leader Duffy Kessler along the line. The Eagles’ offensive and defensive lines will also include Benjamin Makelela (6-8, 240), who also is a basketball standout.
— Dan Albano
WHITTIER CHRISTIAN
Whittier Christian is in the six-team Mesquite League that includes Arrowhead Christian, Big Bear, Linfield Christian, Maranatha and Western Christian.
Top players: Jacob Halbert, OL/DL, Sr.; Adrian Hernandez, WR/DB, Sr.; Isai Iturburo, RB/LB, Sr.; Chris Johnson, OL, Sr.; Lorenzo Ybarra, OL/DL, Sr.
What to expect: It’s often said that the effectiveness of a football team’s offense begins at the offensive line. The Heralds should be fine there. Chris Johonson was an All-CIF Southern Section Division 14 center last season when Whittier Christian finished 7-5 overall and were second to Marantha in the Cottonwood League with a 4-1 league record. Lorenzo Ybarra was All-Mezquite League first team in 2023. Second-year Whittier Christian head coach Walt Fletcher wants the team to field a balanced offense. To do so, the Heralds must get rapid development from a new quarterback, sophomore Mason Mays who was a starter at free safety last year, and a new group of receivers that could be led by senior Weston Carrigan. Among the defensive leaders is linebacker Isai Iturburo who was an All-CIF selection in 2023 and again will return kicks. Whittier Christian, which won the CIF-SS Division 14 championship in 2022, is in the Mesquite League now, and Linfield Christian and Maranatha look to be the Heralds’ top competition for the league championship.
— Steve Fryer
SCHEDULES 2024
CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN (Ironwood League)
Date
Opponent
Location
Time
Aug. 23
Vs. Arroyo
Laguna Hills HS
7 p.m.
Aug. 29
At University
University HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 6
Vs. Wilmington Banning
Tesoro HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 13
At Calvary Chapel
Segerstrom HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 20
At St. Margaret’s
St. Margaret’s
7 p.m.
Oct. 4*
At Cerritos Valley Christian
Valley Christian HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 11*
Vs. Village Christian
JSerra HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 18*
At Ontario Christian
Ontario Christian
7 p.m.
Oct. 25*
Vs. Aquinas
JSerra HS
7 p.m.
Nov. 1*
At Heritage Christian
Heritage Christian HS
7 p.m.
WHITTIER CHRISTIAN (Mesquite League)
Date
Opponent
Location
Time
Aug. 23
Vs. San Gabriel
Whittier College
7 p.m.
Aug. 31
Vs. Claremont Webb
Whittier College
7 p.m.
Sept. 6
At Banning
Banning HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 13
At Santa Monica St. Monica
Santa Monica College
7 p.m.
Sept. 20
At Riverside Prep
Riverside Prep HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 27*
Vs. Big Bear
Whittier College
7 p.m.
Oct. 4*
At Redlands Arrowhead Christian
Arrowhead Christian HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 18*
Vs. Upland Western Christian
Whittier College
7 p.m.
Oct. 25*
At Temecula Linfield Christian
Linfield Christian HS
7 p.m.
Nov. 1*
Vs. Pasadena Maranatha
Whittier College
7 p.m.
*League game
Related Articles
Orange County football 2024: Foxtrot League preview, top players, schedules
Crean Lutheran and Capistrano Valley deliver explosive plays in football scrimmage
Orange County football preview: Mater Dei leads preseason Top 25
Orange County football 2024: Lambda League preview, top players, schedules
Orange County football 2024: Sigma League preview, top players, schedules
Leave a Reply