May 15, 2024

OC Sports Zone: Community First

Photos and wrap-up from the first OC public school media football day at Mission Viejo High

Representing Tesoro were (from left) Sean Lindgren, Zach Wran, Justin Schafer, Coach Matt Poston and Matt Harrington. (Photos Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)

Football players and coaches from eight elite Orange County high school football programs took part in the inaugural Public School Media Day at Mission Viejo Wednesday.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo

Coaches talked about the prospects for the coming season, players talked about goals and members of the media asked questions.

Mission Viejo Coach Chad Johnson hosted the event, which came a few weeks after the first Trinity League media day in Long Beach for private school programs.

“I would like to thank Chad Johnson, Troy Roellen and the rest of Mission Viejo for putting this on,” said San Juan Hills Coach Robert Frith. “This is pretty sweet and we’re thrilled to death to be invited and in such great company.”

Other coaches also praised Johnson and Mission Viejo officials for staging the event.

Mission Viejo was represented by senior defensive end Lance Keneley, senior defensive lineman Neanu Tanuvasu, senior tight end TJ Roelen and senior linebacker David Meyer.

Tesoro, coached by Matt Poston, was represented by senior quarterback Sean Lindgren, senior defensive back Matt Harrington, senior wide receiver Justin Schafer and senior running back Zack Wran.

San Clemente, coached by Jaime Ortiz, was represented by senior wide receiver/defensive back Preston Rex, senior linebacker Trent Brail, senior wide receiver Cian Smith and junior wide receiver/defensive back Cole Batson.

La Habra, coached by Frank Mazzotta, was represented by senior cornerback/wide receiver Clark Phillips; senior quarterback Ryan Zanelli; senior tight end Mason West and senior wide receiver Kris Koontz.

Yorba Linda, coached by Jeff Bailey, was represented by senior lineman Nathan Cardona, senior quarterback Gio Micallef, senior running back Keaton Haddad and senior linebacker Nick Magarian.

Los Alamitos coach Ray Fenton thought the event was so worthwhile that he brought six of his players, senior defensive tackle Zatyvion Miller, senior strong safety John Newman, senior quarterback Cade McConnell, senior outside linebacker Gio DeLeon, senior wide receiver Oscar Brown and freshman quarterback Malachi Nelson. Fenton said he thought it was a great opportunity for his players to be at media day.

Corona del Mar, coached by Dan OShea, was represented by senior quarterback Ethan Garbers, senior wide receiver John Humphreys, senior tight end Mark Redman and junior lineman Thomas Buda.

San Juan Hills, coached by Frith, was represented by senior wide receiver/defensive back/kicker Joey Hobert, senior defensive end Tyler Wegis, senior running back/defensive back Austin Hogan and senior linebacker Jonah Johnson.

PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR MORE COVERAGE LATER

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