It’s the start of Week 2 of the high school football season, a good time to take a quick look back at what happened in Week 1 and to look around the Orange County scene as we begin a new week.
Who and what stood out? Who will win this week’s big game?
The OCVarsity Blitz chased down Michael Huntley, who votes in the weekly Orange County Top 25, to get his reactions to some of the results and some of the standout performances last week.
We also asked for his prediction for this week’s big game.
Here comes the Week 2 blitz …
Who wins the Mater Dei vs. Bishop Gorman showdown Friday night at Santa Ana Stadium?
Huntley: Mater Dei. The Monarchs are 3-0 all-time against Bishop Gorman and two of the wins were decisive. Both teams are coming off a bye so health shouldn’t be an issue. Playing at the Santa Ana Bowl is tough for visiting teams and I’ve learned to not pick against Mater Dei at home. That logic has never steered me wrong.
What is the No. 1 key to this game for Mater Dei?
Huntley: The key matchup in this game is Mater Dei’s front six on defense against Bishop Gorman’s excellent offensive line. The Gaels have three senior offensive linemen committed to major schools: Seuseu Alofaituli (Miami), Douglas Utu (Tennessee) and Alai Kalaniuvalu (Oregon). The Monarchs’ Semi Taulanga and Tomuhini Topui will have to absorb double teams to leave tackling lanes open for Abduall Sanders and the linebackers to stop Gorman’s excellent running game. Mater Dei will also have to win the turnover battle and sustain long scoring drives.
Centennial running back Malachi Roby is stopped by a wall of Mater Dei defenders in Santa Ana on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
In Week 1, which Trinity League win stood out the most to you?
Huntley: Santa Margarita bouncing back after a blowout loss to Mission Viejo and beating Centennial of Corona is a testament to Anthony Rouzier and his coaching staff. Junior linebacker Leki Holani had a breakout game with four tackles for a loss, a sack and a forced fumble. Ca’ron Williams is the best freshman cornerback in the Southern Section and Mater Dei transfer Dash Fifita had 14 tackles. The result of that game also confirmed my opinion that Trent Mosley may be the best playmaker in Orange County.
In Week 1, which three teams (not in the Trinity League) stood out to you?
Huntley: Yorba Linda, Trabuco Hills and Pacifica.
The Mustangs trailed by 14 points at the beginning of the fourth quarter and rallied back to beat an Alpha League team in Edison. Yorba Linda quarterback Holden Nagin showed tremendous poise converting a touchdown pass on fourth down in the final minutes of the game.
Yorba Linda wide receiver Troy Roberts, number 47, celebrates his late fourth quarter touchdown to tie the game against Edison in a high school football game at Yorba Linda High School in Yorba Linda on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
San Juan Hills transfer quarterback Tristan Zale made quite the impression in his first varsity start for Trabuco Hills. The junior threw for 339 yards and had five touchdowns in a win over Huntington Beach. At the National Preps Showcase this spring, Zale was connecting with teammate Ryan Luce all day for long touchdown passes. The duo connected for 12 completions for 175 yards with two touchdowns this week.
The Mariners beat crosstown foe Garden Grove 28-0. Pacifica’s David Carlsson is one of the more underrated juniors in the county who can make big plays in the receiving game and is a leading tackler on defense. The Mariners have two tough games coming up against Northwood and Marina so getting a big win over a local rival should give the team some confidence heading into those matchups.
In Orange County, who are some of the “breakout stars” so far?
Huntley: Josh Monroe, Capistrano Valley Christian. Monroe ran for just over 100 yards as a backup for the Eagles last season. He has rushed for over 400 yards through two games with five touchdowns this season under new coach Brandon Camarillo.
Caden Jones, Crean Lutheran. The sophomore started only one game at quarterback last season for the Saints and has been one of the better underclassmen quarterbacks in the Southern Section. Jones has 524 yards passing with six touchdowns for Crean Lutheran through two games.
Corona del Mar’s Max Nashed (5) throws down field during a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Other quarterbacks who are new to the varsity level in Orange County and having breakout starts: Vanden Dugger (Dana Hills), Max Nashed (Corona del Mar), Carter Vestermark (Aliso Niguel), Alexander Lundsberg (Canyon) and Travis Frazier (Esperanza).
Is ‘Sweet Caroline’ still the best ‘sing-along’ song to play at high school football games?
Huntley: No song in history has been more botched by student sections in recent years than ‘Sweet Caroline.’ When I hear groups of people shouting, “So good! So good! So good!” during the chorus it fills me with a red hot rage.
“Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus is a quality song to sing along to at high school football games, but I want to show the readers that I’m hip and up to date on the latest popular music trends with today’s high schoolers. So I am declaring the “sing-along song of the year” at football games to be “Hot to Go” by Chappell Roan. It has a catchy chorus and has a viral dance attached to it, making it the 2024 version of “YMCA.”
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Orange County football schedule: Week 2 games, Sept. 5-7
All-County lineman Jacob Maiava ineligible to play for Crean Lutheran football this season
High school football: Orange County’s Week 1 stat leaders and top performers
Tickets for Mater Dei vs. Bishop Gorman football game go on sale Monday
Football roundup: Tustin dominates Foothill; San Clemente, Northwood, Western also win in Week 1
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