Defensive standouts for Orange County high school football games in week zero

Josh Patton had a big game on defense for Brea Olinda. (Photo courtesy Brea Olinda football).

Time to spotlight some of the top defensive players during week zero of high school football. We encourage coaches to send in names of their top defensive players names with statistics and if possible, a photo.

To see additional photos, click here:

Joseph Harper, Northwood
Photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Isaak Rivas-Melendez, Brea Olinda
Photo courtesy Brea Olinda football

STANDOUTS:

—Josh Patton of Brea Olinda had 10 tackles and a sack helping the Wildcats defeat Westminster 28-26 in the season opener.

—-Brea Olinda’s Isaak Rivas-Melendez played both sides of the ball. Besides scoring a TD, he also had a sack and an interception. Joseph Gomez and Vincent King had nine tackles each for the Wildcats.

—-In an opening 31-28 victory over Bishop Diego, Foothill’s defense was led by Preston Raymond and Bode Jellerson.

—Godinez had a strong defense, led by Nate Caceres with a tackle, three assisted tackles and two interceptions and Andy Guadalupe with six tackles, two assisted tackles and a fumble recovery. Chris Villalobos, Valentin Mota and Alejandro Lopez, also helped the Grizzlies defeat Saddleback 29-8 in the season opener for both teams Friday night. In addition, Nate Caceres had a tackle, three assisted tackles and two interceptions and Andy Guadalupe had six tackles, two assisted tackles and a fumble recovery.

—Carter Jones of Crean Lutheran had 14 tackles, three assists, and two passes broken up and Javari Nash intercepted a pass from his safety position in the Saints 40-21 victory over Canyon Friday night,

—Northwood’s Joseph Harper had four sacks, three solo tackles, one tackle for a loss, three quarterback hurries, four sacks and recorded a safety in the Timberwolves 33-7 victory over Woodbridge Saturday night.

—Lance Tayco had four tackles one sack and caused a fumble and Will Hoss three tackles, one sack and two pass break-ups to help Laguna Hills defeat Aliso Niguel 31-13.

—Oscar Rodriguez and Uriel Estrada had six tackles each and Nathaniel Fiaputa five in Bolsa Grande’s win.

Send names of top defensive players and stats to timburt@ocsportszone.com with a picture if possible.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com