Southern California High School Football Passing Tournaments Heat Up

Categories: CommunityEvents/What's HappeningNewsSports

High school football teams compete in a passing tournament in Southern California

News Summary

Southern California high school football enthusiasts will enjoy multiple passing tournaments this Saturday, including a major seven-on-seven event hosted by Mission Viejo. The tournament features prominent teams like Mater Dei and showcases key players, such as quarterback Luke Fahey. Despite the withdrawal of Santa Margarita, the event promises intense matchups. Additionally, other tournaments are taking place at St. John Bosco and in surrounding areas. As teams prepare for the upcoming season, the focus will be on player performances and championship prospects for Mission Viejo.

Mission Viejo

This Saturday, summer excitement heats up in Southern California high school football as multiple passing tournaments take place, offering fans an early glimpse of the coming season. Mission Viejo is set to host a significant seven-on-seven passing tournament, featuring the highly regarded Mater Dei team. Mater Dei will engage in some intense matchups before entering a mandatory two-week dead period following the tournament.

A standout battle anticipated during the Mission Viejo tournament will feature quarterback Luke Fahey from Mission Viejo against Mater Dei’s exceptional defensive backs. However, the tournament will see the absence of Santa Margarita, which has withdrawn, replaced instead by Schurr, who recently secured a tournament win earlier this month.

Additionally, an eight-team tournament is being conducted at St. John Bosco, which includes several competitive squads such as the Braves, Servite, and Gardena Serra. In another local event, La Sierra will take the place of Salinas in a tournament set in Riverside. Other notable competitions this weekend are being hosted by Simi Valley, Redondo Union, and Baldwin Park.

Another key date on the calendar for passing tournaments occurs on July 12, featuring Huntington Beach Edison’s “Battle at the Beach” alongside events at Ocean View and Huntington Beach.

Team and Player Highlights

As the Mission Viejo tournament approaches, Mater Dei is facing an intriguing quarterback competition involving senior Ryan Hopkins, who is committed to Wisconsin, and junior Furian Inferrera, committed to Minnesota. Meanwhile, Mission Viejo is on the lookout for a new cornerback to join Jeron Jones, who is committed to Washington.

In recent competitions, San Juan Hills and Capistrano Valley showcased their skills, with San Juan Hills clinching victory at the previous event known as the Air Strike. Notably, Crean Lutheran will not be able to feature quarterback Caden Jones as they rely on freshmen QBs Lucas Wong and Jaxson Algaze to step in. San Clemente is planning to rotate quarterbacks Luke Hardy and Eiler King to fill the gap left by graduated seniors. Brady Annett from Corona del Mar is expected to make a comeback after offseason shoulder surgery.

Mission Viejo’s Championship Prospects

A notable highlight for Mission Viejo is their preparation for the inaugural Alpha League football championship after a significant 49-24 victory over Edison. Historically, Mission Viejo has demonstrated a powerful presence in the South Coast League, securing 12 out of 15 league championships.

In the recent match against Edison, Mission Viejo exhibited a well-balanced offensive strategy, achieving four passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns. Running back Hinesward Lilomaiava was instrumental, scoring three rushing touchdowns and accumulating 114 yards. Quarterback Luke Fahey efficiently completed 9 of 10 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns, while Draiden Trudeau added to the tally with 75 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Despite the setback of Edison’s starting quarterback Save Niumata being sidelined with injury, sophomore Sam Thomson stepped in, throwing for 207 yards. Chargers’ running back Julius Gillick, recognized as the second-leading rusher in Orange County, contributed with 95 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Mission Viejo’s defense effectively curtailed Edison’s rushing, with senior Dijon Lee making a notable 41-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Currently, Mission Viejo maintains an impressive record of 9-0 overall and 2-0 in league play, setting the stage for a critical match against Los Alamitos with the potential to clinch the outright league championship.