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OCVarsity will be previewing every Orange County high school football league and every team before the season begins.
IOTA LEAGUE PREVIEW
The Iota League is a new six-team league that includes Canyon, El Toro, Irvine, Santa Ana, Sonora and Troy.
CANYON
Top players: Alex Lundsberg, QB, Jr.; Kellen Rommelfanger, WR, Jr.; Noah McClary, WR/DB, So.; Jayden Legaspi, OL/DL, Sr.; Hayden Salyards, WR/DB, Sr.
What to expect: The Comanches averaged 200 passing yards a game last season and will be putting the football in the air frequently this season. Alex Lundsberg, whose brother Christian Lundsberg set school passing records two years ago, takes over at quarterback after seeing brief varsity action in 2023 when Canyon finished 1-9 overall, including a 43-14 loss to new league mate Irvine. With five returning starters on offense and six returning starters on defense, Canyon should be better this season. Kellen Rommelfanger had 37 receptions last year and leads what will be a skilled receivers unit and will include Zach McClary, sophomore Zach Lachman and junior Dylan Prochnow. Canyon second-year coach Phil Hughes anticipates strong play from the defensive secondary where McClary had two interceptions last season. Jayden Legaspi was all-league second team last year.
EL TORO
Top players: Jack McKelvy, QB, Sr.; Makya Chee, RB/DB, Jr.; Noel King-James, WR/DB, Sr.; Noah Williams, WR, Sr.; Robert Gonzalez, LB, Sr.
What to expect: The Chargers, who last season went 2-8 overall and 0-3 in the Sea View League, hope for a balanced offense that will keep defenses guessing. Jack McKelvy inherited the quarterback spot halfway into last season when starter Benjamin Armendariz went down because of injury. McKelvy threw for 492 yards and two touchdowns over five games and was named all-league first team. El Toro coach Peter Lofthouse, in his first season with the Chargers after coaching Newport Harbor for six seasons, said Makya Chee could be the best running back he has coached. Noah Williams likely will be McKelvy’s chief target among the receivers. Noel King-James leads the defensive backfield. El Toro has had some fine kickers over the years, and they have another one this season with Gianluca D’Amato who also plays soccer. Juniors, led by center Henry Tingey, comprise most of the offensive and defensive lines.
IRVINE
Top players: Deacon Moss, WR/DB, Sr.; Brandon Figueroa, RB, Sr.; Joseph Lynch. TE/LB, Sr.; Ethan Knisely, OL, Jr.; Sina Saferzadeh, QB/LB, Jr.
What to expect: The Vaqueros have a good number of returning starters, six on offense and six on defense, from last year’s team that finished 7-4 overall and 3-0 in the Pacific Hills League. Senior running back Brandon Figueroa was All-CIF Southern Section Division 8 last year when he rushed for 1,075 yards and 16 touchdowns. Deacon Moss was the Vaqueros’ leading receiver with 45 catches for 757 yards and six touchdowns. Tom Ricci, in his seventh season as Irvine’s coach, said Koa Bui has recovered from knee surgery well enough to be the starting quarterback. Sina Saferzadeh served as QB after Bui went down with a torn ACL. Ethan Knisely and Dylan McCahill (6-4, 230) lead the offensive line. Irvine is not deep, so injuries would be a problem.
Irvine’s Brandon Figueroa looks for a hole as he hits the line. Laguna Hills vs. Irvine played in a nonleague football game at Irvine HS. Photographed on Thursday, September 14, 2023 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
SANTA ANA
Top players: Troy Alvarez, DL, So.; Carlos Guerrero, RB/DB; Sr.; Solomon Alvarez, LB, Sr.; Brian Sanchez, LB, Sr.; Evan Maldonado, LB, Jr.
What to expect: It looks like a learn-on-the-run season for the Saints. They have only three returning starters overall and none on offense. A few players saw some action, including running backs Jonny Dominguez and Carlos Guerrero. Luis Cruz, an assistant coach at Santa Ana for the past five seasons, was promoted to head coach. He said junior quarterback Cristian Garcia improved steadily during the offseason. Erick Ugalde, a senior, is expected to be a key contributor as a receiver and defensive back. Santa Ana last season went 7-4 overall and 5-1 in the Orange Coast League to share the league championship. Cruz expects Santa Ana to be tough and disciplined and to improve as the season progresses.
SONORA
Top players: Brady Ackerman, RB/DL, Sr.; Anthony Abad, RB, Sr.; Mike Lozano, OL/DL, Sr.; Olin Morales Hyder, WR/DB, Sr.; Adrian Famber, OL/DL, Sr.
What to expect: Sonora might be the league’s best team. The Raiders return six starters on offense and eight starters on defense. Last year’s team went 9-3 overall and shared the Freeway League championship with La Habra and Troy. Anthony Abad was a league offensive player of the year last season when he rushed for 1,470 yards and 20 touchdowns. Brady Ackerman was the league’s defensive player of the year last season. Seniors Adrian Famber, Mike Lozano, lineman Everett Hornung and defensive back Luke Crowder were all-league first team in 2023. Sonora had a summer battle for starting quarterback with sophomore Tucker Hunnicutt and senior Isaiah Rosales competing for the position. Sonora and Troy were both in the Freeway League in recent seasons and now they’re both in the Iota League. Sonora beat Troy 34-14 in a league game last year.
Sonora running back Anthony Abad turns the corner hand heads upfield during the game between Sonora vs. Troy in a Freeway League football game at La Habra High on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
TROY
Top players: Rudy Alcala, QB, Sr.; Ethan Mundt, RB/LB, Jr.; Vander Ploog, WR/TE, Sr.; Cayleb Quiroz, LB, Sr.; Kellen Watts, TE/LB, Sr.
What to expect: Look for the Warriors to contend for the league title. They have eight returning starters on offense and seven returners on defense. The Warriors finished 7-5 overall last season and shared the Freeway League championship. Rudy Alcala, Ethan Mundt, Vander Ploog, Cayle Quiroz and senior defensive lineman Tomi Inoue were all-league first team last year. Alcala passed for 2,173 yards and 24 touchdowns. Mundt rushed for 1,075 yards and 13 touchdowns and senior Caleb Huss rushed 683 yards. Ploog had 61 receptions for 1,047 yards and 12 touchdowns. Troy coach Michael Echaves, in his eighth year coaching the Warriors, anticipates a varied offense thanks in large part to an experienced offensive line that includes seniors Gavin Gomez and Josepth Gonzalez.
Troy’s Vander Ploog, hauls in a pass during the game between Sonora vs. Troy in a Freeway League football game at La Habra High on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
IOTA LEAGUE SCHEDULES 2024
CANYON
Date
Opponent
Location
Time
Aug. 23
Vs. Dana Hills
El Modena HS
7 p.m.
Aug. 30
At Woodbridge
University HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 6
Vs. Beckman
El Modena HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 14
Vs. Sunny Hills
El Modena HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 20
At Laguna Hills
At Laguna Hills
7 p.m.
Oct. 4*
Vs. El Toro
El Modena HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 10*
At Irvine
Irvine HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 18*
At Troy
Fullerton HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 25*
Vs. Sonora
El Modena HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 31*
At Santa Ana
Santa Ana Stadium
7 p.m.
*League game
EL TORO
Date
Opponent
Location
Time
Aug. 23
At Tustin
Tustin HS
7 p.m.
Aug. 30
Vs. Aliso Niguel
El Toro HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 6
Vs. Western
El Toro HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 13
Vs. Diamond Bar
El Toro HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 20
At Trabuco Hills
Trabuco Hills HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 4*
At Canyon
El Modena HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 11*
Vs. Sonora
El Toro HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 18*
At Irvine
Irvine HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 25*
Vs. Santa Ana
El Toro HS
7 p.m.
Nov. 1*
Vs. Troy
El Toro HS
7 p.m.
*League game
IRVINE
Date
Opponent
Location
Time
Aug. 23
At Northwood
Portola HS
7 p.m.
Aug. 30
Vs. Portola
Irvine HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 6
Vs. Woodbridge
Irvine HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 13
At Trabuco Hills
Trabuco Hills
7 p.m.
Sept. 20
Vs. Kennedy
Irvine HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 4*
At Santa Ana
Santa Ana Stadium
7 p.m.
Oct. 10*
Vs. Canyon
Irvine HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 18*
Vs. El Toro
Irvine HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 24*
At Troy
Fullerton HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 31*
At Sonora
La Habra HS
7 p.m.
*League game
SANTA ANA
Date
Opponent
Location
Time
Aug. 23
Vs. Paramount
Santa Ana Stadium
7 p.m.
Aug. 30
At Laguna Hills
Laguna Hills HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 6
At Garden Grove
Garden Grove HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 20
At Santa Ana Valley
Santa Ana Valley HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 27
At Victor Valley
Victor Valley HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 4*
Vs. Irvine
Santa Ana Stadium
7 p.m.
Oct. 11*
Vs. Troy
Santa Ana Stadium
7 p.m.
Oct. 17*
At Sonora
La Habra HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 25*
At El Toro
El Toro HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 31*
Vs. Canyon
Santa Ana Stadium
7 p.m.
*League game
SONORA
Date
Opponent
Location
Time
Aug. 23
Vs. Brea Olinda
La Habra HS
7 p.m.
Aug. 30
At Northwood
Portola HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 6
At Walnut
Walnut HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 13
At Redlands East Valley
Redlands East Valley HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 20
Vs. California
La Habra HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 4*
Vs. Troy
La Habra HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 11*
At El Toro
El Toro HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 17*
Vs. Santa Ana
La Habra HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 25*
At Canyon
El Modena HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 31*
Vs. Irvine
La Habra HS
7 p.m.
*League game
TROY
Date
Opponent
Location
Time
Aug. 23
At Sunny Hills
Buena Park HS
7 p.m.
Aug. 30
Vs. Claremont
Fullerton HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 6
At Fullerton
Fullerton HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 13
Vs. Foothill
Fullerton HS
7 p.m.
Sept. 27
Vs. Segerstrom
Fullerton HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 4*
At Sonora
La Habra HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 11*
At Santa Ana
Santa Ana Stadium
7 p.m.
Oct. 18*
Vs. Canyon
Fullerton HS
7 p.m.
Oct. 24*
Vs. Irvine
Fullerton HS
7 p.m.
Nov. 1*
At El Toro
El Toro HS
7 p.m.
*League game
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