Ten Orange County high school football teams make some noise in first half of season

(PHOTO: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

It’s a bye week for many Orange County high school football teams who are preparing for the start of league play next week.

The first five weeks of the season have included some exciting contests witnessed by big and enthusiastic crowds … along with some lopsided contests in which the running clock rule was put into play.

A number of teams have stood out during games covered by OC Sports Zone. More teams will be covered Friday night and in the second half of the season.

Crean Lutheran

Rick Curtis’ Saints are 5-0 and are looking for that coveted league title. Crean Lutheran has been led by standout quarterback Caden Jones who has passed for more than 1,400 yards, running back Caleb Bey, receivers Dillon Booth and Taiga Takada and a solid defense that includes Javari Nash and Ethan Haugsland, plus an outstanding special teams unit led by placekicker Eric Miao.

Crean Lutheran has plenty of momentum entering its Epsilon League opener with Foothill on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Tustin. The Saints wrapped up non-league play with 38-14 victory over La Serna Friday.

“We played our most complete game of the season,” Curtis said.

La Habra and Huntington Beach (both 4-1) figure to challenge the Saints for the league title. Laguna Hills is 2-2 and Foothill 1-4.

Calvary Chapel

The Eagles, who had a bye last week, are off to a 4-0 start.  Calvary Chapel hosts Trinity Classical Academy Friday at 7 p.m. at Segerstrom to wrap up non-league play.

“We are a little banged up so this bye is coming at a perfect time,” said Coach Jack McInally. “We should have three starters back after the bye.”

Eli Sunderland has been a standout on defense and the Eagles have had success with sophomore quarterback Colin Wiles, who is in his first year of varsity football.

Irvine

Coach Tom Ricci’s Vaqueros are 4-1 and have won their last three games. The Vaqueros are expected to battle for the Iota League title. Irvine opens league play on Friday, Oct. 3 hosting Santa Ana (3-2) at Irvine Stadium.

“We’re trying to make a great run,” quarterback Sina Saferzadeh said after the Vaqueros win over Laguna Hills.

Saferzadeh has proven to be a dual threat as an outstanding passer and rusher. The Vaqueros have some other weapons including free safety/wide receiver Smith Spivey (who also plays baseball) and running back Seamus Hoffman.

Troy

The Warrriors, 4-1 so far, also look like a contender for the Iota League title. The offense centers around running back Ethan Mundt, one of the county’s leading rushers. But Troy has a number of other outstanding players including senior quarterback Andrew Acuna.

There have been other contributors.

“One of the guys I’m most proud of is (running back) David Fujimoto, who is a senior. We had two starting tailbacks go down and he stepped up and did a great job tonight,” said Troy Coach Michael Echaves after the Warriors’ win over Segerstrom last week.

“We need to heal up, we need to rest and get ready for a tough league stretch, but we are excited to let our bodies heal up.”

Costa Mesa

The Mustangs are going to be very tough, largely because of their outstanding running back Gavin Garza. Garza was dominant last week in a 54-14 victory over Century in a game covered by OC Sports Zone’s Jacob Ramos. Garza rushed for 184 yards and three touchdowns and quarterback Andrew Waiss was also outstanding.

Waiss led all offensive players with 248 all-purpose yards in the win.

Costa Mesa looks like the team to beat in the Tango League. La Quinta has the next best record at 2-1-1.

After some lean years, the Mustangs began to turn the corner last year going 8-4 under Coach Gary Gonzalez. This year could be special.

Ocean View

The Seahawks, coached by Daniel Hernandez have a 4-1 record, already surpassing last year’s win total.

Top players for the Seahawks have included Top players have included Trevor Vaivao-Luapo, a sophomore running back, who has 98 carries for 562 yards and five rushing touchdowns; Chris Vincent, a senior wide receiver and defensive back, with 22 receptions for 261 yards, one receiving touchdown and three interceptions on defense; Elijah Armenta, a senior offensive and defensive lineman, who has nine tackles, two tackles for a loss and one interception; and Aidan Bond, a junior linebacker, who has recorded 39 tackles, seven tackles for a loss. and two pass breakups.

Ocean View opens Sigma League play next Thursday at Bolsa Grande vs. Los Amigos.

Fullerton

The Indians, who were winless last year, are off to a 4-1 start under first year coach Pete Karavedas, who led Sunny Hills to a CIF title before taking a coaching break.

“[Fullerton is] the flagship school with the rich tradition and history and it was a program that had fallen on some hard times, but we knew there was talent in the program. So I’m excited about what we’re building here,” the coach told Jacob Ramos of OC Sports Zone after the team’s loss to Troy earlier this season.

Fullerton wrapped up non-league play with a 39-0 victory over Rancho Buena Vista. The Indians open Sigma League play Friday, Oct. 3 vs. Beckman at Tustin.

Capistrano Valley

Coach Sean Curtis’ Cougars finished 4-1 in non-league play. The Cougars defeated Foothill 42-7 Friday night. The week before Capo Valley topped Aliso Niguel 35-14.

The Eagles are now are looking ahead to the Delta League opener at Western on Friday, Oct. 3. Capo Valley competes in one of the toughest OC leagues, which also includes Western (4-1), Trabuco Hills (3-1) and Cypress and Tustin (both 3-2).

“Our team is young, we have a lot of guys who are in Friday night lights for the first time,” Curtis said after the team’s only loss of the season to Crean Lutheran, coached by his father Rick Curtis. “I’m excited that they’re playing together and playing as a unit.

“Our league is tough, we have some really good opponents and a lot of good teams who are well coached.”

Capo Valley is led by junior quarterback Talon Spencer.

Marina

The Vikings, coached by Charlie TeGantvoort, finished non-league play 4-1 and are looking forward to the Lambda League opener vs. Sunny Hills at Westminster on Thursday, Oct. 2.

Marina has captured victories over Foothill, Fountain Valley, Pacifica and Esperanza. The Viking standouts include running back Ben Ramos and quarterback Francis Saporito.

Segerstrom

The Jaguars, 3-2 in non-league play, have had victories over Santa Ana Valley, Barstow and Arlington and were competitive in a 21-13 loss to a talented Troy team.

Segerstrom opens Kappa League play on Friday, Oct. 3 at St. Margaret’s. It looks like a balanced league race with Segerstrom, St. Margaret’s and Brea Olinda all entering with 3-2 records. Westminster is 2-3.

Segerstrom is led by all-purpose back Ayden Morales, who is the leader on the team. Morales also plays linebacker.

“Ayden Morales is our workhorse, our offense revolves a lot around his ability to make plays, he’s been great for us all year,” Coach Joseph Tagaloa said after the loss to Troy. ” …. He’s a heck of a player and I’m happy he’s on our squad.”

Tagaloa knows the league will be a battle.

“Our league is tough,” Tagaloa said. “Brea is ranked above everybody right now, they’ been picked to finish first again. They went 10-0 last year, they’re the guys on top right now but Esperanza is solid, St. Margaret’s is solid and (Garden) Grove and Westminster have guys, so it’s anybody’s league. We’re excited to compete and we’re looking forward to getting out there.”

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