2023 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Granite Hills, El Cap should again be East County's elite

Editor’s note: The U-T is previewing the upcoming high school football season with a conference-by-conference breakdown of San Diego County’s teams. Up next: the Grossmont Conference.

Last season: 13-2

Coach: Kellan Cobbs, 12th year

Division: I

Key players: Jordan Glaze (DB), Nokio Maddox (DB), Moshi Tileia (DL), Alejandro Tejeda (OL), Damarrion White (DL), Max Turner (RB), Pablo Jackson (RB), Rowdey Seda (OL), Tyler Bertalan (LB), Josh Zander (WR), Kuba Polak (DL).

Scouting report: Of the 13 returning starters for the Division 2-A state champions, four earned All-CIF honors. Glaze was the Defensive Player of the Year, while Tileia (6-0, 285), Tejeda (6-1, 320) and White (6-4, 225) were monstrous, dominating linemen. Those players return with 6-4, 265 Seda and 6-2, 245 Polak there to provide the push. The Eagles split the QB duties, both graduated and that position will be the focus heading into the first game. Pablo Jackson (984 yards, 15 TDs) and Max Turner (805 yards, 11 TDs) are a powerful rushing duo. When the Eagles decide to go airborne, Josh Zander (31 receptions, 480 yards, four TDs) is nails and newcomer Brenden Lewis gets his chance. The defense was especially strong, allowing just 205 points, with LB Bertalan and Parker Vance joining junior Jerzel Ramirez with All-CIF picks Glaze and Maddox leading the way.

Last season: 0-10

Coach: Anthony Lawrence, 1st year

Division: III

Key players: Hudson Herber (QB), Isaac Aceves (RB), Josh Ferrera (DB), Zelan Reynolds (LB), Walter Jackson (DB), Caleb Smith (OL), Joey Quintana (DL), Cody Bigley (WR), Elias Burlaza (WR), Noah Walker (WR).

Scouting report: You have to figure players like QB Herber and newcomer WRs Bigley, Burlaza, Walker and Amari Riley can’t wait to play for Lawrence, an All-CIF and USD standout QB who loves to put the ball in the air. An all-new coaching staff is tasked with improving both an offense that scored just barely more than a TD a game (61 points) while allowing seven (418 points). Aceves, a 210-pound running back, has veteran all-league lineman Smith (6-0, 245) anchoring the offense while another all-leaguer, Ferrera, keys the defensive backs. Reynolds returns at LB while Jackson is set at one of the DB spots. Lawrence has promised the Foothillers will be the best conditioned team in the league.

High school sports

The U-T’s 2023 high school football preview kicks off with a preview of the 4-league, 20-team city conference, which should again be led by Cathedral Catholic

Aug. 6, 2023

Last season: 7-4

Coach: Damaja Jones, 2nd year

Division: I

Key players: Ryland Jessee (QB), Jackson Daniels (WR-DB), Anthony Gash (DE-OT), Kevin Allen (RB-DB), Kairo Kahananui (LB), Jirah Savaiinaea (LB-RB), Jeremiah Savaiinaea (OL-DL), Ryan Mason (OL), Daniel Larsina (OL-DL), Jordan Gash (DE), Jason Sisneros (RB-LB).

Scouting report: Since 7-4 is considered a down year at Helix, expect the top-heavy Highlanders to bounce back in a big way. The 6-foot-3 Jessee is one of the section’s top QBs, coming off a 137 of 230 season where he threw for 1,814 yards with 27 TDs and just eight interceptions. Helix returns a half-dozen returning receivers led by Allen and Daniels along with track standout Brandon Arrington, an inviting 6-foot-2 target with scorching speed. Allen came within one big run of 1,000 yards (944) and Sisneros added another 625 as they combined for 22 TDs. All-league linemen Jeremiah Savaiinaea (260) and Anthony Gash (235) plus center Mason (250) figure to open some holes on offense. Kahananui earned all-league honors on defense where Gash and Jirah Savaiinaea also started. Having 17 returning starters puts the Scotties in the thick of the title chase.

Last season: 5-6

Coach: Tim Estes, 12th year

Division: IV

Key players: Linden Benson (RB-LB), Jayden Goodman (QB), Trent Taylor (WR-DB), Isaiah Lloyd (RB-LB), Ayden Dolan (OL-DL), Keith Mizell (WR-DB), Dylan Borcher (WR-DB), Angel Borja (OL-DL), Jake Galbreath (OL-DL), Jack Endicott (OL-DL).

Scouting report: With 14 returning starters, the Sultans are well positioned to move from the Grossmont Valley League to the Hills League. Benson, Lloyd and Taylor are returning all-valley players and Goodman was the starting QB as a freshman. Of the 14 starters, 10 have played all four years, molding into a quality group with depth at WR (Taylor, Mizell, Borcher, Brian Moreno-Acosta, Ramiro Carreno, and Michael Valenzuela plus TE newcomer Gage Mallott). Most double at DB, adding Kaedyn Hallman. RBs (Benson, Lloyd, Hallman, and newcomer Danny DeGraff) are solid. Up front, five starters — Borja, Dolan, Galbreath, Endicott and Josh Bowen — are joined by Blessing Corbin. They’ve all had another year in the weight room and worked on speed. With that wealth of numbers, look for Estes to try to limit the number of two-way players to keep everyone fresh.

Last season: 2-9

Coach: Scott Longerbone, 12th year

Division: II

Key players: Joey Hunt (OL), Manny Saka (LB), Nathan Manzo (OL), Javier Quiroga (OL), Jacob Azevedo (LB), Jonathan Sablan (RB), Michael Lindley (RB), Josh Herber (QB), John Weaver (RB), Isaiah Concha (DL).

Scouting report: The loss of Major Givens is huge. He had better than half of the offense, rushing for 1,754 yards and finishing with 2,054 all-purpose yards. Herber will be asked to pick up his game after throwing just 118 passes last year for 499 yards and two TDs. With all-leaguers Hunt (6-3, 275) and Manzo (5-10, 275) returning up front, Brewer should have more time while RBs like Sablan, Lindley, and Weaver figure to carry the ball more often. On defense, another all-leaguer, LB Saka, leads the way, with Azevedo and sophomore newcomer Tyree Zakaryan ready to roll. Longerbone will mine his team for starters to join Nico Jara in the defensive backfield where the Cougars appear a bit thin.

Last season: 6-5

Coach: Casey Ash, 10th year

Division: III

Key players: Collin Dill (QB), Cody Musser (OL-LB), Nathan Stevens (Slot-LB), Caleb Van Hoy (OL-LB), Alex Grubbs (WR-DB), Kyler Oberg (WR-LB), Diego Calderon (RB-LB), Kaiden Chambers (Slot-DB), Aiden Ramsey (OL-DL), Joseph Hamilton (QB).

Scouting report: Ash has to feel pretty good about the return of QBs Dill and Calderon. Dill was 48 of 91 for 723 yards with four TDs a year ago in addition to carrying the ball 80 times for a team-leading 596 yards. That was just ahead of Calderon’s 408 yards rushing and 214 receiving. Dill was first team All-Valley League and Calderon was second-team. Stevens, who also excelled at LB as well playing some RB, was a second-teamer and Grubbs was honored as a second-team DB. Moving up to the highly competitive Hills League will require more team depth and returning just eight starters while losing 16 seniors will be a challenge. Sophomore Ramsey (6-2, 230), Van Hoy (200) and Musser (200) are OL stalwarts, but Van Hoy and Musser may be asked to go both ways as LBs. Chambers and Oberg, a sophomore, top the defense where newcomers like Ryder Alexander, Kole Wunschel and Leo Lugo are expected to contribute right away.

Last season: 5-7

Coach: Nick Osborn, 6th year

Division: V

Key Players: Darick Dubose (QB-DB), Paris Dixon (WR-DB), Omar James (RB-LB), Chris Cosio (WR-DB), Massih Ehsan (RB), Enrique Hernandez (OL-DL), Shekaib Ameer Hussain (OL), Raul Villegas (OL), Christian Renteria (LB), Fabian Carmona (DL).

Scouting report: Dubose is back on both sides of the ball, though Osborn would prefer he not have to play both ways that much. On offense, Dubose passed for 788 yards with seven TDs as well as being the team’s top returning rusher with 605 yards on 100 carries, eight of which ended in scores. The loss to graduation of Kai-el Gordon and his 1,230 yards rushing plus 18 TDs is huge. Still, veteran receiver Dixon (22 receptions, 320 yards, six TDs) and RB Ehsan (61 carries, 230 yards) give the Braves optimism. Hernandez (260) was second-team all-league and 300-pounders Villegas and Kenneth Silas also return, along with newcomer Jordan Burke (6-4, 290). The Braves return 12 starters with competition and depth available with 23 seniors led by two-year starter James, who doubles at RB.

Last season: 8-3

Coach: Ron Burner, 19th year

Division: III

Key players: Chance LaChappa (WR-DB), Julian May (WR-RB), Brandt Barker (QB), Ayden Banegas (RB-WR), Ryder Lynn (DB), Gavin Ames (LB), Shune Hayes (LB), Devin March (OL), Ryan Yordt (OL), Dawson Snyder (OL).

Scouting report: The league champions return 15 starters while losing just 12 seniors, so the Vaqueros appear well-manned to defend their title. The 6-4, 215-pound Barker started as a sophomore and earned all-league honors completing 87 of 153 for 1,389 yards and 15 TDs against a single interception. All-league receivers LaChappa (42 catches, 873 yards, 11 TDs) and May (25 catches, 467 yards, two TDs) return. May also rushed for 381 yards. Banegas and newcomer Garrett Luckinbill will get looks at RB. Up front, the likes of Marsh (235), Yordt (255) and Snyder (260) are solid with newcomer Marlon Ames moving in at DE. All-league safety Ryder Lynn will be joined by juniors Taylor and Kory Savage while the LB spots are well-manned by Ames and Hayes.

High school sports

Carlsbad senior Julian Sayin highlights our annual list of the best football players in San Diego County; the Alabama-bound QB has company

Aug. 4, 2023

Last season: 1-9

Coach: Ron Hamamoto, 39th year

Division: V

Key players: Adrian Josafat-Gonzales (RB-DB), Alex Villanueva (RB-DB), Daniel Renteria (RB-DB-PK), Valante Medina (OL-DL), Jayden Ellison (TE-LB), Diego Peguero (TE-LB), Santana DeLeal (OL-DL), Sabastian Pitoau (WR-DB), Derrick Taylor (QB).

Scouting report: The dean of San Diego Section coaches, Hamamoto has seen it all, but back-to-back 0-10 and 1-9 seasons were a first. The numbers are up somewhat and with eight returning starters, the Monarchs will be looking to a 5-8 sophomore, Taylor, to bring the team back. Mr. Do-It-All Renteria returns as the No. 1 RB after gaining 331 yards a year ago with Gonzales, and Villanueva, who was an occasional pass target, also penciled in for the backfield. The line has a good start with Medina (220) and DeLeal (240), but others must step up if the Monarchs hope to compete. Three of the top players, Gonzales, Villanueva and Renteria, will man the defensive backfield positions.

Last season: 4-7

Coach: Verlain Betofe, 1st year

Division: IV

Key players: Jeremiah Castillo (WR), Matthew Barton (QB), Eric White (LB), Christian Tyler Lopez (DB), Angel Cortez (OL), Chris Zaramiento (OL), Darian McGowan (Ath), Aiden Cornwaithe (TE-DE), AJ Logan (WR), Johnny Castro (Ath).

Scouting report: If enthusiasm can win games, the Matadors should thrive behind Betofe. Barton was 150 of 274 for 2,298 yards and 31 TDs a year ago and all-league receiver Castillo (70 receptions, 1,342 yards, 23 TDs) returns along with McGowan as well as San Ysidro transfers Logan and Castro. And there are newcomers Parris Vernon, Delantay Williams and Braylon Cardwell. With size up front like Cortez, Zaramiento, Angel Sotelo, and sophomores Frank Fanua and Dristan Williams, A second-team all-leaguer, Barton should have even more time to find his receivers. The defense is led by another all-league player in White. Strong safety Lopez and DE Cornthwaite plus some of those linemen could go both ways if needed. Turning around a program that hasn’t had a winning season in a decade won’t be easy, but Mount Miguel does figure to put a lot of points on the scoreboard.

Last season: 1-9

Coach: Wayne Cherry, 2nd year

Division: V

Key players: Dominic Silva (RB), Jaylen Cruz (WR-DB), Trevor Jarbo (TE-LB), Ryan Rodriguez (OL), Marcus Mikhail (RB), Braxton Estes (QB), Marvel Bana (DB), Joey Aziz (OL-DL), Anthony Coyle (OL), Alberto Perez (OL).

Scouting report: A good balance of experience (13 returning starters) and size (eight veterans over 200 pounds) should help the Norsemen on offense, where they scored just 91 points last season. Estes started every game, and he’ll have some competition with 6-3, 215-pound sophomore Jackson Newman moving up. All-league RB Silva gained 786 yards and scored four TDs a year ago and at 5-10, 220-pounds, will be tough to stop. Estes and Mikhail return in the backfield as well with another all-league player, Cruz, returning at WR in combination with newcomers Evan Hanulak and Brody Shartel. That veteran line includes all-leaguer Jarbo (200), Rodriguez (280), Aziz (230), Coyle (215) and Perez (225). The Norsemen open with four straight games against Metro League teams.