OCVarsity is previewing every 11-man team in Orange County before the 2023 high school football season begins.
GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE PREVIEW
GARDEN GROVE
Top players: Erick Fernanez, WR/DB, Sr.; Raul Morga, OL, Sr.; Malik Peah, DL, Sr.; Brandon Roth, QB, Sr.; Ander Solis, LB, Sr.
What to expect: Garden Grove 10th-year coach Ricardo Cepeda is confident that with the team’s good offensive line that includes senior Raul Morga, who was all-league second team last season, and fellow seniors Jason Olmedo and Aidan Romero the Argonauts will be able to run the ball effectively. Quarterback Brandon Roth, all-league first team last year, is a dual-threat quarterback. He passed for 1,258 yards and 16 touchdowns last year when Garden Grove finished 10-2 overall and 3-0 in league. Roth’s 538 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns were second-most on the team. Cepeda expects senior running back Pablo Reyes to get most of the handoffs this year. “We do have to replace 24 seniors,” Cepeda said, “and that’s going to be tough. We’re not going to have the experience we’ve had the last couple of years.”
KATELLA
Top players: Elijah Clemens, OL/DL. Jr.; Isaiah Flores, RB, Jr.; Isaac Sanchez, QB/LB, Jr.; Diego Saavedra, WR/DB, Sr.; Brandon Sepulveda, QB/DB, Sr.
What to expect: The Knights, who were 3-7 overall and 1-2 in league last year, have a new coach, Jeff Reitz, who was Diamond Bar’s coach the past four seasons and has an extensive coaching background. Reitz expects the offensive and defensive lines, led by junior Elijah Clemens, who was all-league second team last season as a sophomore, will be Katella’s strengths. This will be a young and inexperienced team, with many juniors and sophomores occupying starting positions. Reitz is enjoying the Knights’ attitude and worth ethic. “These kids get it,” he said. “They want to be students of the game.”
MARINA
Top players: Anthony Fabian, RB, Sr,; Ty Green, WR/DB, Sr.; Payton Ekstedt, WR, Sr.;…
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