Portola Bulldogs celebrate after winning the CIF Division 11 crown last season. (PHOTOS: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).
Portola High School’s football team includes some key players returning from last year’s team that capped a magical season with the first CIF championship in school history.
So there is plenty of optimism going into a new season which begins Friday, Aug. 22 when the Bulldogs host Long Beach Wilson in a non-league game at 7 p.m.
To see additional photos, click on the first picture:
Photo courtesy Portola football
Photo courtesy Portola football
Senior running back Timmy Grettenberg and senior wide receiver Malachi Moore (an All-CIF player last year) are among the returning standouts on offense for Portola.
Senior linebacker Maxwell Mapstone, the CIF Division 11 defensive player of the year, is back to lead the defense. Mapstone also plays tight end and Moore also plays defensive back.
“Maxwell and Timmy have been doing well thus far individually; got themselves mentally/physically prepared for hopefully another long season,” said Portola Coach Peter Abe, the CIF Division 11 coach of the year in 2024.
“They both look strong through fall camp, and have demonstrated similar energy/enthusiasm we saw in 2024 now that the pads have come on. They’ll both be key contributors this season. We look forward to a solid year from both.”
Portola, which was 9-7 overall, captured the CIF Division 11 title defeating El Rancho 31-14 in the final last season at home. The Bulldogs then went on to win the CIF 6-AA South Regional title before losing to Arcata 27-21 in overtime in the state final at Fullerton High School.
Portola finished in second place in the Omicron League with a 4-1 record behind league champion Pacifica.
“We were/are proud of the accomplishments of 2024, and are humbled with how the story unfolded,” Abe said. “It was a season no one will soon forget, and nothing will change that. But we attack each off-season with the same energy/enthusiasm each year.”
Portola’s captains are Mapstone, senior defensive linemen Hamza Soliman and Reginald Thorn (an All-CIF player last year), senior running back/linebacker Farouk Merzougui and junior wide receiver/defensive back Blaise Williams.
“Captains have really taken the reigns, taking more ownership and helping the coaching staff maintain the standards and values of the Bulldog Pedigree,” Abe said. “It’s a tall task, but they’re doing a great job. The team really responds to them, and follows their lead. I think we got the right guys carrying the flag right now. Can’t wait to see who steps up next to keep this thing going.”
Portola has six starters returning on offense and seven on defense.
On offense, returning starters are Grettenberg, junior wide receiver Jamal Abdelkarim, Moore, senior linemen Rylan Mann and Nohel Abundis and Williams.
On defense, returning starters are Mapstone, Soliman, Thorn, senior linebacker Sami Tawfik, Williams, Abdelkarim and Moore.
The returning specialist will be placekicker Ishaan Kedia, who was all-county and All-CIF last year and is also a scholar athlete with a 4.2 GPA, according to Abe.
Portola’s quarterback will be junior Orion Suttle.
“He was our JV starter last year on a 7-2 Omicron League champion team, and has worked hard to step into Nash Luper’s shoes and keep the Bulldogs on track offensively,” Abe said.
“He’s been in the film room all off-season, put in the work to get his mind/body ready, and looks forward to making a lasting impression in 2025. He’s a bit more mobile than Luper and has proven to be more than capable of driving the bus into Omicron League play.
“The guys respond well to the young gun, and balances well that focused urgency needed to play QB, along with a quiet confidence and youthful enthusiasm on the field. He’s really out there just competing and having fun with his friends. It’s refreshing to watch.”
While Portola could be in the running for another memorable post-season run, Abe said the initial focus is on a successful league season. Portola, after an 0-5 start last season, went on to capture the top CIF prize.
Abe said he expects another battle in the second year of the Omicron League, which also includes Woodbridge, Buena Park, University and Katella.
“What will it take to compete for a league championship?” Abe said. “And get ourselves as strong, mobile, flexible, fast, and skilled as we can, while working on our nutrition, hydration, academics, and character. We spent a lot of time on our rehab/recovery following the long season, and focused on getting our bodies prepared for the next potentially long season.
“We strive to carry ourselves with confidence and poise, always, and controlling what we can, so positive outlook going into 2025 wasn’t hard to develop. From the start. What will it take to compete in 2025?What does it mean to play Bulldog Football? Then take it ‘one day at a time, one play at a time. No excuses, play like a champion’ is the expectation.”
Like last year, teams won’t be grouped into playoff divisions until the end of the regular season.
“With divisions not locked in until after Week 10, I’d expect us to start off the season higher, and then lock things in after our 10 games play out,” Abe said. “Gotta stay ready for whatever might be thrown our way, so we take things one day at a time, one play at a time, and just focus on controlling the controllables; getting one percent better every day.
“We want to be playing at/near our best by the start of League and competing for a league championship. Playoff divisions don’t mean much if we can’t take care of business in the regular season. We will worry about all that other stuff in the future. For now… Lock in on Week 0, LB Wilson on Aug. 22.”
As for the future, there is one other Mapstone involved the football program, Maxwell Mapstone’s younger brother Mason.
“He’s developing well as a sophomore at running back, tight end and linebacker,” Abe said. “Looking forward to a strong JV season and hopefully developing into a varsity contributor by the end of the season.”
The theme of the Portola program continues to be “Protect the Bulldog Pedigree,” which Abe established from the start.
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
More Stories
Week zero Orange County high school football schedule, Aug. 21-Aug. 23
Gene Noji, Woodbridge’s first football coach who led Warriors to a CIF championship, dies
A first: Curtis father and son coaches await Capo Valley vs. Crean Lutheran football game