Southern California High School Football Stars Prepare for Fall Season

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High school football players putting in hard work during practice sessions.

News Summary

As the fall high school football season approaches, standout running backs and impactful transfers are emerging from Southern California. Key players like Edward Rivera and Ceasar Reyes are set for significant roles, following strong offseasons. Meanwhile, notable transfers and returning talents, such as Journee Tonga and AJ McBean, are generating excitement as they aim to elevate their performance. The region’s football scene is actively buzzing, with teams concluding summer trainings and preparing for competitive matchups ahead.

Los Angeles – As high school football teams prepare for the upcoming fall season, several standout running backs and exciting transfers are drawing attention across Southern California. Key players like Edward Rivera of South East and Ceasar Reyes of Garfield have made significant strides in the offseason, focusing on speed and strength enhancements. Both are coming off strong sophomore seasons and are expected to be key contributors for their respective teams this year.

Reyes, in particular, may find his performance boosted by the new all-weather football field set to open at Garfield, providing an optimal training environment. At Oaks Christian, Deshone Redeaux, who has been intensively working in the weight room, is looking to elevate his game as well.

Another player to watch is Journee Tonga of Leuzinger High School, who had an impressive last season, rushing for over 2,000 yards and scoring 29 touchdowns. His exceptional performance highlights his potential as one of the top running backs this fall. Meanwhile, Brian Bonner of Valencia has committed to play for the University of Washington, and Redeaux has secured a position at the University of Southern California, setting high expectations for both players to make significant impacts on the field.

AJ McBean of Mira Costa is known for his 205-pound muscular build combined with improving speed and power, making him a difficult player for defenses to handle. Additionally, Maliq Allen of St. John Bosco showcased his talent last season, gaining 1,003 rushing yards and making several notable plays.

As for the upcoming transfers, Justin Lewis has made a significant switch from Thousand Oaks to Mater Dei, while Sean Morris will move from Loyola to Orange Lutheran after previously committing to Northwestern. Furthermore, Noah Penunuri of Rio Hondo Prep brings attention with 1,965 rushing yards gained last season.

Another transfer in the spotlight is Zander Lewis, who comes from Ontario Christian to Corona Centennial. He joins an established team that features leading rusher Braylin Drake and promising sophomore Malaki Davis. Similarly, Jorden Wells is set to elevate his game by moving up from the freshman team to the varsity squad at Servite, where he is expected to have an immediate impact due to his impressive speed.

Kevika Martinez from La Habra is also worth noting; he had a standout sophomore season with 1,021 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. The football scene is buzzing with activity, as other players are currently completing paperwork to finalize their eligibility for the fall season.

In addition to individual player performances, the Mission Viejo football team concluded the summer passing season undefeated, boasting a perfect record of 7-0 during the Edison seven-on-seven tournament, with quarterback Luke Fahey leading the charge. The anticipation is building for the opening game on August 22 between Mission Viejo and Santa Margarita, which is expected to be a highlight of the upcoming season.

Santa Margarita, under the direction of first-year coach Carson Palmer, is expected to impress, given the talent of players like the Mosley brothers and new quarterback Trace Johnson. Meanwhile, Hamilton High, coming off a disappointing 2-9 season, is aiming for improvement, featuring freshman quarterback Thaddeus Breaux, who has received high praise from coach Elijah Asante.

In notable off-field news, the City Section is pursuing the return of its perpetual football trophy from Narbonne, which must vacate its 2024 title due to rules violations. However, the current whereabouts of the trophy are unknown. Furthermore, several top girls’ flag football players from Southern California are preparing to compete at the NFL Flag Championships in Canton, Ohio, representing the Conquer Chargers.

Among the Chargers, Madi Lam, the quarterback, Hayli McIlroy at receiver and defensive back, and Shelby Nguyen as center are highlighted as key players. Recent graduates Sophie Guitron and Aaya McLyn are additionally recognized for their contributions to the team.

As the high school football season approaches, the developments from practices, transfers, and emerging talents provide exciting prospects for fans and players alike.