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OCVarsity will be previewing every Orange County high school football league and every team before the season begins.
8-MAN FOOTBALL
Sage Hill and Vista Meridian Global Academy will play freelance schedules in 2024.
SAGE HILL
Top players: James Karahalios, WR/RB/Safety, Sr.; Dylan Dolotta, RB, LB, Sr.; Caleb Koh, OL/LB, Jr.; Justin Graham, WR/DB, Sr.; Kai Sakoda, OL/DL, Sr.
What to expect: The Lightning have about 25 players, including several freshmen, out for football, which excites ninth-year coach BJ Crabtree. “We are in double digits for our frosh class, and in 8-man that is massive,” Crabtree said. Sage Hill shifts this fall to a freelance schedule after playing in the Prep League the past two seasons. Sage Hill finished 5-4 in 2023 and lost to Avalon 63-26 in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 1 8-man playoffs. Crabtree believes the offensive and defensive lines will be strengths. He expects wide receiver/running back James Karahalios and Dylan Dolotta to be the top skill players. One of the biggest questions will be finding a quarterback.
VISTA MERIDIAN
Top players: Bryan Garcia, WR/DB, Sr.; Aaron Castro, RB, Jr.; Albert Medrano, QB, Jr.
What to expect: The Eagles have a new coach as they enter their second season. Frank Leonard replaces Richard Jimenez, who is the school’s athletic director. The growing charter school in Santa Ana has about 18 players out for football and will again play a freelance schedule, Jimenez said. The team finished 1-5 last season with the victory via forfeit. The Eagles’ 2023 schedule was challenging with games against established 8-man programs such as Avalon and Hesperia Christian among others. Jimenez said the schedule for this fall has been adjusted to better fit a new program. The Eagles will feature three seniors, including wide receiver/defensive back Bryan Garcia. Juniors Albert Medrano and Aaron Castro return at quarterback and running back, respectively.
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