Irvine, led by talented returning players, gets ready for new challenge in Iota League

Irvine’s football team takes the field for a game last season. (Photo courtesy Jim Tomlin, For OC Sports Zone).

It was a memorable 2023 season for Irvine High School’s football team which went undefeated to capture the Pacific Hills League title outright and the Dennis Toohey Fence Post Trophy.

Irvine finished 7-4 overall and lost to Jurupa Valley in the opening round of the CIF Division 8 playoffs.

The Vaqueros face new challenges this year. Irvine is in the Iota League with El Toro, Canyon, Troy, Sonora and Santa Ana as part of a major re-leaguing plan for most Orange County teams.

“I feel like our league is going to be extremely competitive,” said Irvine Coach Tom Ricci. We’ve played most of these teams previously and our games are always close. There are a lot of fantastic coaches in Iota, so I know they will have their teams coached up and ready to play. We are excited for the challenge.

“We have a great group returning.  I’m fired up to see what they can accomplish together.”

Ricci indicated he is a bit concerned about the team’s depth.

“Being the smallest school in the (Irvine Unified School) district, we need to maximize the production with players we are dealt,” he said. “Luckily we have a great group of boys, we are just thin in our numbers.”

Leading the way for Irvine are defensive back/receiver Deacon Moss, running back Brandon “Figgy” Figueroa and quarterback Khoa Bùi.

“Deacon is one of the most under-rated receivers in SoCal, Ricci said. “He makes ridiculous catches regularly.  We always talk about giving our receivers a 50/50 ball, but with Deacon I feel like it’s 80/20.  If we give him a shot, chances are he will come down with a catch, not to mention the fact that he is a fantastic individual.

“Figgy is a throwback runner.  He’s got amazing vision but he isn’t afraid to punish tacklers when he lowers his shoulder.  He may he run downhill, side step the first tackler, spin off of the second and truck the third. Fast, tough and smart; everything you want in a featured back.

“Khoa has been working hard to come back from his ACL/meniscus repair after tearing both in last year’s Northwood game. He looks phenomenal.  His arm is strong, his mobility is back and his football IQ is through the roof. We are extremely blessed to have him back again this year.”

Other top returning players for Irvine are strong safety Jayden Burke, center Ethan Knisely, offensive tackle/defensive tackle Dylan McCahill; and quarterback/middle linebacker, Sina Saferzadeh.

Irvine’s top newcomers are defensive back/receiver Enzo Cahoon and running back/middle linebacker Seamus Hoffman.

Irvine opens the season Friday, Aug. 23 with a non-league game against Northwood at Portola. Northwood will be the home team for the game.

2024 SCHEDULE

Friday, Aug. 23, at Northwood (Irvine Stadium)

Friday, Aug. 30, (H) vs. Portola

Friday, Sept. 6 (H) vs. Woodbridge

Friday, Sept. 13, at Trabuco Hills

Friday, Sept. 20, (H) vs. Kennedy

League

Friday, Oct. 4, at Santa Ana (Santa Ana Stadium)

Thursday, Oct. 10, (H) vs. Canyon

Friday, Oct. 18, (H) vs El Toro

Thursday, Oct. 24, at Troy

Thursday, Oct. 31, at Sonora

(Another in a series of high school football previews).

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

 

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