2024 FOOTBALL PREVIEW
YOUR GUIDE TO THE SEASON: GAME PREVIEWS, KEY PLAYERS AND MORE!
SAN JUAN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL
SAN JUAN HILLS SEEKS REDEMPTION AFTER STUNNING LOSS IN CIF-SS DIVISION 3 SEMIFINALS
BY SEBASTIAN SANCHEZ
San Juan Hills is riding into the football season poised to make another deep playoff run this season, fueled by a core group of experienced players hungry for redemption.
The Stallions fell shy of the finish line last season, reaching the CIF-SS Division 3 semifinals, but lost to the eventual champion, St. Bonaventure, 20-13. With the score tied midway through the fourth quarter and San Juan Hills threatening at the 9-yard line, an 87-yard interception return for a touchdown turned the tables on the Stallions and stood up as St. Bonaventure’s winning score.
There’s plenty to build off from that 11-2 season. With head coach Robert Frith at the helm, he knows what it takes to win it all.
San Juan Hills won its first football CIF Championship by defeating Loyola in 2019. Frith sees striking similarities in attitude and work ethic between this year’s team and that championship squad.
“This team reminds me a lot of that team,” Frith said. “We didn’t necessarily have superstars, like 4- or 5-star kids, but we had a bunch of kids who were very cohesive, and they had each other’s backs big time.”
This will be the final ride for 25 seniors
with unfinished business from last year. With the majority of the team coming back, the Stallions have hit the ground running.
“It’s always great to have a medium to large senior class,” Frith said. “That means that there are a lot of kids that have seen a lot, and they have that experience that the other kids will lean on.”
The team has cultivated a tight-knit brotherhood through team-building activities and competitions throughout the offseason. Frith has focused on building “cohesion and trust.” Some activities include laser tag, beach/pool day and bowling to help
strengthen the bond.
The Stallions had five All-CIF Division 3 players last season, and two of them are returning this season: linebacker Weston Port and quarterback Timmy Herr.
Herr, entering his junior year, led a high-powered offense that scored more than 30 points in nine of their wins last season. In 13 games, he accumulated 3,053 total yards and 39 touchdowns on high efficiency.
“The key offensively for us was he put the ball into the hands of our best players,” Frith said of the offensive success. “We just keep
San Juan Hills has plenty of talent to build off of its 11-2 season from last year.
(Alan Gibby/Zone 57)
it simple, and we scheme to make sure that our best players are getting them the touches, because those are the guys that are going to do the most with the football.”
Frith envisions a physical and gritty team identity. Offensively, he wants to play “smash-mouth football,” and on defense, he wants all 11 players swarming to the ball.
“We want to be the toughest team out there on a Friday night,” Frith said. “We want to do things the right way, and we want our kids to act the right way and show appreciation, respect for opponents. We want the best of all phases of the sport and in life.”
Port, a 3-star UCLA commit, has been a staple for San Juan Hills since his freshman year. He’s had 306 total tackles, including 61 of those tackles for loss. Port has played with his teammates for years and spoke highly about the team’s chemistry.
“It’s not a team that we have here, it’s a family,” Port said. “I’m definitely excited. Kind of sad that it’s going to be the last season playing together with them, but I’m fired up. Going to make this last season the best one yet.”
Alongside Port, senior captain Greg Blomdahl says they want to “set the tone early” and be the best communicators on the field.
“Knowing we’re in control of the game on the defensive side, making it a tough night for the offense,” Blomdahl said.
On the back end, Frith calls Chris Williams, who has multiple offers, a “lockdown cornerback.” Williams had two interceptions and 10 pass deflections last season.
Being an experienced group, they’ve faced various adverse situations. Port and Blomdahl recall a game against Tesoro in which Herr threw a touchdown in the final moments of regulation. They found a way to come back and win the game.
“He’s always going to hold us to a higher standard,” Port said of Frith. “He expects a lot out of us, but we also respect the crap out of him and love him as a coach.”
Last season, they had a chance to replicate their 2019 success but fell to St. Bonaventure in heartbreaking fashion. The Stallions were without their leading rusher, Sullivan Land, who injured his knee in their first playoff game against St. Francis.
Their defense performed well, making crucial stops and keeping the game within reach. However, the offense struggled to establish a running game. Their dual-threat quarterback was their leading rusher.
A significant factor in their offensive success last season was their ability to protect the ball. They had a turnover margin of minus-two in their final playoff game, including the game-deciding interception return.
Port’s biggest takeaway from the playoff run was knowing his team could compete with the top teams.
school meals free all kids all YEAR
“These seniors, they’re very hungry to play football for us, and they want to play football in December,” Frith said.
The determined Stallions are eager to replicate their success and are on a mission to make it through the finish line.
“Watch out, because the San Juan Hills
team is coming for a state championship, and no one’s going to get in their way,” Blomdahl said. “We’re gonna set the tone early, and we’re gonna let the opponent know we’re going to be there all night.”
The Stallions open their season on the road on Aug. 23 against Oceanside at 7 p.m.
SAN JUAN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE
AUGUST 23
OCEANSIDE
Oceanside HS, 7 p.m.
•••
AUGUST 30
ROOSEVELT
SJHHS, 7 p.m.
•••
SEPTEMBER 6
HIGLEY
SJHHS, 7 p.m.
•••
SEPTEMBER 13
CREAN LUTHERAN
Crean Lutheran HS, 7 p.m.
•••
SEPTEMBER 20
OCTOBER 4
CORONA DEL MAR
SJHHS, 7 p.m.
•••
OCTOBER 11
YORBA LINDA
Yorba Linda HS, 7 p.m.
•••
OCTOBER 18
NEWPORT HARBOR
SJHHS, 7 p.m.
•••
OCTOBER 25
VILLA PARK
Villa Park HS, 7 p.m.
•••
NOVEMBER 1
MIRA COSTA
SJHHS, 7 p.m.
TESORO
Tesoro HS, 7 p.m.
JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
JSERRA COACH SANTA CRUZ DETERMINED TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS
BY SEBASTIAN SANCHEZ
Building champions while pursuing championships.
That is second-year head coach
Victor Santa Cruz’s culture-setting message to the JSerra Catholic football program.
Santa Cruz has over 20 years of collegiate coaching experience and knows what it takes to build a program. He is the winningest coach in Azusa Pacific University history. Now, he is keen on pursuing a championship for the Lions.
JSerra finished the regular season with a .500 record and placed third in the ultra-com-
petitive Trinity League last season. Their season ended in a shutout loss to eventual Open Division CIF State Champion Mater Dei in the first round of the playoffs – the same team that had ended their 2022 season in the second round of the playoffs.
JSerra’s league comprises Mater Dei, St. John Bosco, Orange Lutheran, Servite, and Santa Margarita. JSerra defeated only Orange Lutheran and Servite last season.
“This isn’t a cakewalk league at all,” Santa Cruz said. “We are the best (league) in the region. You are going to have guys across the lineup that are some of the best talents, not
only in the region, but in the country.”
Senior leaders have embraced the challenge, focusing on improving their play in league games for a better season. Leading the charge are linebacker Madden Faraimo and offensive lineman Jake Flores.
“It’s everything that you ask for as a player,” Faraimo said. “You want the best one to play against and with the best, that is how you get better.”
“It’s war every week,” Flores said.
A point of emphasis this offseason was building their strength and conditioning program. Santa Cruz wants to improve within the
trenches and believes they have one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the region, Gabe Higerd.
“He’s done a phenomenal job of getting our guys to put a lot of weight on, they have gained strength, and their speed and agility have improved quite a bit,” Santa Cruz said about Higerd’s influence.
Flores, a 3-star Washington commit, is a pillar on the offensive line. He wants the unit to be tougher and set the tone early.
“We’re going to be strong in both the run and pass game,” Flores said. “I am excited about the offensive line group that we got
Second-year head coach Victor Santa Cruz emphasizes a culture-setting message to the JSerra Catholic football team. (Alan Gibby/Zone 57)
coming in—four out of the five guys are D1. I think we will be able to impose our will up front.”
The team will now protect a new starting quarterback because Michael Tollefson has transferred to Tustin. Tollefson racked up 1,192 all-purpose yards last season and earned second-team All-Trinity League honors.
Ryan Hopkins will be leading the Lions now. Hopkins is a dual-threat athlete who competed on the track and field team. Santa Cruz is “excited” about the junior quarterback and said he has all the tools to become a top-tier quarterback in the nation.
While a new player will lead the offensive side, 4-star thumping linebacker Faraimo is returning and looking to guide a younger defense.
The leading tackler from last year (101 total tackles) described his playing style as “relentless” and credited his instincts to thorough preparation. Faraimo currently has 20 college offers and has not yet committed to a school.
Santa Cruz highlighted his senior linebacker as a “difference maker” and one of the best people he has ever been around on and off the field.
Being in the business for 28 years, Santa Cruz has been around and developed young athletes. He knows what scouts and coaches look for throughout the recruiting process. He also often tells them what to expect at the next level.
There are several factors to consider when choosing which school to attend: location, academics, program fit, and coaches, to name a few. Faraimo reflected on his recruitment journey thus far, noting the value of relationships with coaches.
“I have had the opportunity to build great relationships with a bunch of coaches,” Faraimo said. “It has not been easy at all, but it has been a blessing. I’m very grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had.”
Flores echoed similar sentiments about his recruiting experience, emphasizing the importance of envisioning life beyond football.
“The recruiting process has been a blessing,” Flores said. “I looked at it where I could see myself in the next four to five years without
football—and that decision was easy (for me) when I was on campus at Washington.”
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales stopped by JSerra last month to talk to the team. Canales played wide receiver at Azusa Pacific University when Santa Cruz coached there.
Santa Cruz’s biggest takeaway from his visit was being accountable as a team. He shared this quote from Canales: “You have got to start taking care of your own business first. Then you can really start taking care of other people’s business as well.”
Flores said Canales reiterated the importance of attention to detail when it comes to technique and preparation.
“There was a great wisdom in this speech to us,” Faraimo said. “That is the level we are all trying to reach. It’s important that we all take in his words.”
While the main focus for the JSerra football program is to win games, Santa Cruz wants to build champions. His favorite part about coaching is developing young men to fulfill their dreams.
The culture-setting coach expanded on the program’s mantra by saying there will be times when your humility, fortitude and grit are tested.
Santa Cruz added, “How do they walk out of here becoming somebody who can become a champion for life and understand the real take on the real world of life afterward?”
The Lions begin their season at home on Aug. 23 against Sierra Canyon at 7 p.m.
JSERRA CATHOLIC SCHEDULE
AUGUST 23
SIERRA CANYON
JSCHS, 7 p.m.
•••
AUGUST 29
AQUINAS
Aquinas HS 7 p.m.
•••
SEPTEMBER 6
CLOVIS NORTH JSCHS, 7 p.m.
•••
SEPTEMBER 13
LINCOLN
Lincoln HS, 7 p.m.
•••
SEPTEMBER 20
DAMIEN
Damien HS, 7 p.m.
OCTOBER 4
SERVITE JSCHS, 7 p.m.
•••
OCTOBER 11
ORANGE LUTHERAN
Orange Lutheran HS, 7 p.m.
•••
OCTOBER 18
MATER DEI JSCHS, 7 p.m.
•••
OCTOBER 25
SANTA MARGARITA
Santa Margarita HS, 7 p.m.
•••
NOVEMBER 1
ST. JOHN BOSCO
St. John Bosco HS, 7 p.m.
Ryan Hopkins will take over at quarterback for the Lions after Michael Tollefson transferred to Tustin. (Alan Gibby/Zone 57)
JSerra brings in an aggressive offensive style. (Alan Gibby/Zone 57)
ST. MARGARET’S SETS SIGHTS ON CHAMPIONSHIP UNDER SECOND-YEAR COACH O’SHEA
BY SEBASTIAN SANCHEZ
St. Margaret’s is eager to build upon last season’s late surge under the guidance of experienced head coach Dan O’Shea.
After beginning the last season 1-4, the Tartans fought back and went on a five-game winning streak to finish the regular season. Despite a narrow first-round playoff exit to Rio Hondo Prep, the team enters the new season with optimism and ambition.
“It took us a couple of weeks to kind of find our footing, with the new staff and interacting with players in a game-like environment the first few weeks,” O’Shea said. “After the victory
over Orange, it gave us a sense of confidence going into the playoffs.”
In their second year under O’Shea, the Tartans are determined to sustain that momentum and compete for a championship.
O’Shea, who has 27 years of coaching experience, has a championship pedigree. Before joining St. Margaret’s, he led Corona del Mar for eight seasons, where he amassed an 8018 record and won the CIF State 1A Championship in 2019. He previously served as their defensive coordinator when they won three straight championships.
After being at Corona del Mar for numerous
years, O’Shea thought it was the right time to be closer to his family at St. Margaret’s. He knew this change would eventually come, but he concedes it was sooner than expected.
“It has been really smooth,” O’Shea said when asked about switching schools. “I have been very fortunate to have a wonderful coaching staff that I think the world of. Also, being able to double the numbers in the football program from last year, was a very encouraging sign for the enthusiasm on campus with the program.”
Doubling the program size is significant for a private school, and it speaks volumes about
the program O’Shea is building. The influx of new talent has increased the depth, providing opportunities for young players to make meaningful contributions.
“I am excited to see this new group come together,” O’Shea said. “It will be interesting to see this talented freshman-sophomore group move up a class, and become sophomores and juniors to pair them with a very talented senior class.”
Offensively, the Tartans will need to replace
See MARGARET’S EPISCOPAL on page 16
Luke Newman will be a leader on both sides of the ball for the Tartans this season. (St. Margaret’s/Submitted)
CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN HAS CHAMPIONSHIP ASPIRATIONS UNDER NEW COACH CAMARILLO
BY SEBASTIAN SANCHEZ
The Capistrano Valley Christian Eagles are soaring into the football season with a new head coach under their wing, Brandon Camarillo. Camarillo started coaching at 19 years old and has 11 years of experience at the high school level. Most recently, he was the offensive coordinator at St. Margaret’s, where he helped the team secure their first league championship in four years.
He now replaces Eric Preszler, who departed for an out-of-state athletic director position.
While recognizing Preszler’s strong culture, Camarillo intends to bring a new perspective and vision to his team.
“It has been great,” Camarillo said on his transition to the new school. “The kids have been working really hard in the weight room and have been practicing more than they ever have. They are responding well and learning what we are trying to do.”
The Eagles are coming off an eight-win season, including an undefeated record in the Mesquite League.
Camarillo is tasked with building off an impressive season, but the Eagles now face a new challenge in the Ironwood league. He points to experience as being one of their biggest strengths.
“We have a lot of guys that are seniors who have been starting since they were freshmen or sophomores,” Camarillo said. “We have a lot of guys that have played a lot of football. That gives us a leg up, as opposed to some other teams who might have to be filling in a lot of new guys and a lot of new bodies.” They now join the Ironwood League that
features Aquinas, Heritage Christian, Ontario Christian, Valley Christian and Village Christian. The Eagles are returning several key players, including senior quarterback Nate Richie, and standout wide receiver and defensive back Max Krosky.
Richie, a three-year starter, is a skilled pocket passer who uses his legs when necessary. Coming off an impressive junior campaign,
See CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN on page 16
Capistrano Valley Christian will be hunting for a championship in the 2024 season. (Alan Gibby/Zone 57)
MARGARET’S EPISCOPAL from page 14
graduated quarterback Max Ruff, who threw for 2,519 yards and 38 total touchdowns last season. Sophomore Kai Letcher is in the prime position to take over the starting role.
Senior wide receiver Will Viola, who totaled 712 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns last season, is confident in Letcher’s ability.
“I have been working with him in the offseason,” Viola said. “He has been with us, he knows the playbook, so it has been really smooth. He is super mature and has a great arm.”
Letcher will have stability at the receiver position with seniors Maverick Young and Luke Newman returning. With the departure of their leading receiver, Russell Frye, Viola is poised for an even bigger role in the offense.
The Tartans will also be without offensive coordinator Brandon Camarillo, who accepted a head coaching position with Capistrano Valley Christian.
Defensively, the Tartans have a strong secondary returning, led by two-way standout Newman. He recorded three interceptions and 11 pass deflections last season.
“We have a lot of great skill guys and a lot of people ready to perform and step up,” Newman said when asked about the defense. “But, we also do have a lot of youth on our team. The older guys need to be great leaders to uplift those younger guys who need to perform at a higher level.”
The defense showcased its prowess during the team’s five-game winning streak, allowing an average of 11.4 points per game.
St. Margaret’s boasts a rich football history, with six CIF Championships and 22 league titles. Their most recent CIF Championship appearance was in 2021. Three years later, the seniors on the team got to experience what it’s like to be in the championship game.
Now with O’Shea, they have a coach who knows the recipe for winning it all.
“Generally, the healthiest teams in terms of not losing prominent players is a key factor,” O’Shea said. “And you need a little bit of luck, because every game is going to be tight. Whether it’s in a league game, or most certainly in the playoffs, there are going to be a handful of plays that decide a game.”
Viola and Newman share a common goal: bringing a championship to St. Margaret’s. They both believe that their coach’s championship pedigree can catalyze the team.
“If we can follow his lead, we are going to have success, because his experience is great,”
Viola said.
“We need to bring everybody together so that we can all have like a common goal and be ready to go chase that ring,” Newman said.
The Tartans kick off their season at home against Laguna Beach High on Aug. 23 at 7 p.m.
ST. MARGARET’S EPISCOPAL SCHEDULE
AUGUST 23
LAGUNA BEACH
SMES, 7 p.m.
•••
SEPTEMBER 6
LA SALLE
La Salle HS, 7 p.m.
•••
SEPTEMBER 13
LAGUNA HILLS
SMES, 7 p.m.
•••
SEPTEMBER 20
CAP. VALLEY CHRISTIAN SMES, 7 p.m.
•••
SEPTEMBER 27
DANA HILLS
Dana Hills HS, 7 p.m.
OCTOBER 4
SEGERSTROM
Segerstrom HS, 7 p.m.
•••
OCTOBER 11
BREA OLINDA SMES, 7 p.m.
•••
OCTOBER 18
ESPERANZA
Esperanza HS, 7 p.m.
•••
OCTOBER 25
GARDEN GROVE SMES, 7 p.m.
•••
NOVEMBER 1
WESTMINSTER SMES, 7 p.m.
CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN from page 15
Richie amassed 2,253 passing yards along with 30 touchdowns on high efficiency.
“I would say I did pretty good,” Richie said of his performance last season. “Could have done better. I made some throws that I wish I could have taken back, but that’s football.”
Camarillo, an offensive-minded coach who will be the play-caller, played quarterback at Saddleback Valley Christian. Knowing what it takes to play the position at the high school level, he has been working closely with Richie leading up to the season.
“What I always tell him (Richie) is football is already hard enough. Playing quarterback is already hard enough. There is no point in making it even tougher,” Camarillo said. “Getting him to understand the offense, my goal would be for him to be able to be an extension of myself on the field.”
Richie echoed his coach’s advice, saying he needs to take advantage of what the defense is giving him and making better decisions by not forcing throws.
On the receiving end, Krosky has been Richie’s most reliable target. Their connection has been automatic, with almost half of the passing yards and touchdowns last season going Krosky’s way.
“We just know where we are going to be, and we are always on target, always on time,” Krosky said when asked about his chemistry with his quarterback. “The connection has been built for over four years now. It’s muscle memory at this point.”
Through countless reps and offseason training, Richie said their chemistry on the field has come naturally. They both hope to continue their success under a new offensive scheme.
Upon arrival, Camarillo was impressed with Krosky’s abilities – most notably his body control, hands, route running, ability to find open space and leadership on the field.
“You can see he is definitely a guy that has been a four-year starter in the program,” Camarillo said.
Krosky also made noise on the defensive side of the ball last season. As a junior, he had six interceptions, four ball deflections and 53 total tackles.
Similar to Colorado’s Travis Hunter, who is excelling at a high level on both offense and defense at the college level, Krosky is willing to do whatever it takes to contribute to his team.
“It takes a lot of preparation on your body just since you are never getting a break,” Krosky said.
Two-way players are rarely on the sideline. Extra preparation is a must to make it through the rigorous football season. Camarillo said that managing his players who play both ways and staying healthy are the biggest challenges due to the small roster size.
“I would say the biggest thing for us is we just want to make sure we stay healthy,” Camarillo said. “The good thing about having smaller (roster) numbers is it allows us to make sure that we are coaching up everybody.”
While the opposing sideline might have more players, Camarillo aims to establish its identity by playing hard in the first year. Leading up to the season, he highlighted that his players are “scrappy” and dedicated to playing together.
“We will not be outworked,” Richie said. “We are going to fight till the end, and we’re not going to give up.”
Being a younger coach, Camarillo believes he is more “personable” with his players.
“The important part is that they are not only great football players, but they are better people off the field,” Camarillo said. “Making sure that they understand the importance of that and taking care of each other and being somebody that is a good role model to others.”
The Eagles open their season at home against the Arroyo Knights at 7 p.m.
CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHEDULE
AUGUST 24
ARROYO
CVCHS, 7 p.m.
•••
AUGUST 30
UNIVERSITY University HS, 7 p.m.
•••
SEPTEMBER 5
BANNING
CVCHS, 7 p.m.
•••
SEPTEMBER 13
CALVARY CHAPEL
Segerstrom HS, 7 p.m.
•••
SEPTEMBER 20
ST. MARGARET’S
St. Margaret’s Episcopal 7 p.m.
OCTOBER 4
VALLEY CHRISTIAN
Valley Christian HS, 7 p.m.
•••
OCTOBER 11
VILLAGE CHRISTIAN
JSerra CHS, 7 p.m.
•••
OCTOBER 18
ONTARIO CHRISTIAN Ontario Christian HS, 7 p.m.
•••
OCTOBER 25
AQUINAS
JSerra CHS, 7 p.m.
•••
NOVEMBER 1
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN
Heritage Christian HS, 7 p.m.
CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
ST. MARGARET’S
Dan O’Shea will look to bring his championship pedigree to St. Margaret’s in his second year. (St. Margaret’s/Submitted)