Football Preview 2021

2021 SANTA CLARITA VALLEY

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

SINCE 1919

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2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW |

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4 | 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

AUGUST 21, 2021

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2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW |

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SINCE 1919

SignalSCV. com

PUBLISHER/OWNER

Richard Budman rbudman@signalscv.com (661) 287-5501

EDITOR

Tim Whyte twhyte@signalscv.com (661) 287-5591

Managing Editor Perry Smith

TABLE OF

CONTENTS The Victory Bell . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Each year The Signal awards the Victory Bell to the Foothill League team with the most victories.

Staff Writer Ryan Menzie

Photographers Bobby Block Dan Watson

TEAM PREVIEWS

Foothill League Teams

Saugus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Valencia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Golden Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

West Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Canyon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8 10 12 14 16 18

Castaic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Private Schools

Doña Uhrig

Trinity Classical Academy . . . . . . 22 Santa Clarita Christian School. . 24

The entire content of the Football Preview is copyrighted 2021 by Paladin Multi-Media Group, Inc. All rights are reserved and no part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

A look back. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Football, in the fall, the way it was meant to be It was a shortened season. In the spring. But as we entered the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were grateful for the “2020” high school football season, played in the spring of 2021.

And now, just a few months later, the high school players of the Santa Clarita Valley are strapping on the pads and getting ready to do it again — but this time, a full season, rightfully under the Friday night lights of the fall. In this special section, our first full high school football preview edition in two years, The Signal offers a look ahead at what to expect from the fall 2021 season.

For the first time, we are profiling nine local high school teams: We have the six Foothill League teams, presented here in their order of finish from the “2020” season played in spring 2021. We also have two local private schools, Trinity Classical Academy and Santa Clarita Christian School.

And, for the first time, we have Castaic High School included among the varsity previews. Castaic, in just its third year of existence, will play an independent hybrid varsity-junior varsity schedule this season, in anticipation of joining the Foothill League in 2022.

We hope you’re ready for some football. Because we sure are.

— Tim Whyte, Signal Editor

SINCE 1919

SignalSCV. com

T

VICTORY BELL

he Signal Victory Bell symbolizes football supremacy in the Santa Clarita Valley. The Foothill League team with the most victories against other Foothill opponents wins possession of the bell for a year.

If there is a two-way tie for best record, the bell will go to the winner of the head-to-head matchup. If there is a three-way tie, the Foothill League's tie-breaking formula for playoff seedings will be used.

1969 – Hart 1970 – Canyon 1971 – Hart 1972 – Hart 1973 – Canyon 1974 – Hart 1975 – Hart 1976 – Canyon 1977 – Hart 1978 – Saugus 1979 – Canyon 1980 – Saugus 1981 – Saugus

1982 – Hart 1983 – Canyon 1984 – Canyon 1985 – Canyon 1986 – Canyon 1987 – Hart 1988 – Hart 1989 – Hart 1990 – Canyon 1991 – Canyon 1992 – Hart 1993 – Hart 1994 – Hart

2008 – Saugus 2009 – Valencia 2010 – Valencia 2011 – Valencia 2012 – Valencia 2013 – Valencia 2014 – Valencia 2015 – Valencia 2016 – Valencia 2017 – Valencia 2018 – Valencia 2019 – Valencia 2020 – Saugus

1995 – Hart 1996 – Hart 1997 – Hart 1998 – Hart 1999 – Hart 2000 – Hart 2001 – Hart 2002 – Hart 2003 – Hart 2004 – Valencia 2005 – Canyon 2006 – Canyon 2007 – Hart

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2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW |

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SAUGUS The Basics

2020 Results Final record: 5-0 overall 5-0 Foothill League (First place)

Canyon Saugus Golden Valley Saugus Saugus

20 35 7 42 21

Saugus Hart Saugus West Ranch Valencia

41 10 14 21 7

All Foothill League games

SAUGUS HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH JASON BORNN. PHOTOS

BY BOBBY BLOCK / THE SIGNAL

2021 Schedule

HEAD COACH: Jason Bornn

Aug. 27

at Moorpark

7 p.m.

18th season as head coach. 104-94 record

Sept. 3

Camarillo

7 p.m.

Base offense: Spread

Sept. 10

at Simi Valley

7 p.m.

Base defense: Multiple schemes

Sept. 17

Oxnard

7 p.m.

Oct. 1

at Canyon*

7 p.m.

Oct. 8

Hart*

7 p.m.

Oct. 15

at Golden Valley*

7 p.m.

Oct. 22

West Ranch*

7 p.m.

Oct. 29

Valencia*

7 p.m.

Top returner on offense: RB Vinny Gallagher finished with 35 carries for 203 yard and 3 touchdowns. Also plays safety and finished with 28 tackles.

Top returner on defense: LB Dylan Hampsten. Led team with 31 tackles and 4 sacks.

* Foothill League game Game times subject to change.

Key losses: QB Colton FitzGerald; WR Hunter Girch 8 | 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

AUGUST 21, 2021

2021 Roster

By Ryan Menzie

T

Signal Staff Writer

he Saugus Centurions finished atop of the Foothill League last season, with a 5-0 league record in the spring — the first time in 11 seasons Valencia didn’t win the league title.

As the reigning champs, Saugus knows that every team will be bringing their best. Their biggest question: Can they repeat another perfect season?

The league champions seem to have a daunting task ahead of them, but head coach Jason Bornn is focused on what’s next for the team, not thinking about the past or any prognostication.

“We don’t feel like we need to worry about the past,” said Bornn. “We just worry about the representation. It’s a whole new team for a new season.

Whatever we’ve done is history — but it’s a brand-new campaign.”

The Centurions understand the message. Their goal is to win the league title once again and win a CIF championship at the end of the season. Despite COVID-19 still running rampant, the team understands what it will take and the discipline they need to have for all players and coaches alike to stay safe.

Coaches and players alike have taken protocols seriously, urging others to stay home if they are feeling any sort of sickness.

With the mentality to stay safe, all eyes are now set on the season.

For the Centurion offense, quarterback Colton FitzGerald and wide receiver Hunter Girch are graduated seniors. FitzGerald accounted for 78 completions, 1,185 yards and 13 touchdowns with zero interceptions. Girch accumulated 18 receptions with 384 yards to go along with his six touchdowns in the five-game season. How will the production be replaced?

#

NAME

POS.

YEAR

2

Braden Salazar

WR/DB

Sr.

3

Brady Welch

QB

Sr.

4

Tyler Long

WR/DB

Sr.

5

Cody Collier

RB/DB

Sr.

6

Jeffrey Robbs

WR/DB

Jr.

7

Brandon Aragon

WR/LB

Jr.

8

Brandon Orrick

WR/DB

Sr.

9

Austin Treahy

WR/LB

Jr.

10

Jacob Viger

RB/LB

Jr.

11

Khai Ky-yeith

WR/DB

Jr.

12

Jadon Lemmons

WR/CB

Jr.

13

Sebastian Dallaire

WR/DB

Sr.

14

Evan Molina

K

Sr.

15

Diego Encinas

WR/DB

Sr.

17

Gino Murrietta

19

Deohn Turner

20

Leo Martinez

21

Aj Goodman

Sr. RB/OLB

Jr.

WR

Jr.

Sr.

22

Dylan Hampsten

TE/LB

Jr.

23

Mikel Rabadi

RB/SB

Sr.

24

Isaiah Cabrera

.

Jr

26

Jacob Faraldo

RB/DB

27

Tyler Aguilar

30

Jackson Hopper

31

Lake Gieson

Sr. Sr.

OLB/TE

Sr. Sr.

See SAUGUS, page 31

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2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW |

9

VALENCIA The Basics

2020 Results Final record: 4-1 overall 4-1 Foothill League (Second place)

West Ranch Valencia Hart Valencia Saugus

20 73 7 9 21

Valencia Canyon Valencia Golden Valley Valencia

63 3 25 3 7

All Foothill League games

2021 Schedule VALENCIA HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH LARRY MUIR. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

HEAD COACH: Larry Muir

15th season. 134-54-1 overall record

Base offense: Spread

Aug. 27

at Quartz Hill

7 p.m.

Sept. 3

Notre Dame

7 p.m.

Sept. 10

at Rancho Cucamonga

7 p.m.

Sept. 17

at Villa Park

7 p.m.

Base defense: 3-4

Sept. 24 at Westlake Village

7 p.m.

Top returner on offense: Senior quarterback Tyler Voss.

Oct. 1

West Ranch*

7 p.m.

Committed to San Jose State and threw 1221 yards with 8

Oct. 8

Canyon*

7 p.m.

touchdowns and 3 interceptions.

Oct. 15

at Hart*

7 p.m.

Top returner on defense: Senior safety Zamondre

Oct. 22

Golden Valley*

7 p.m.

Merriweather. Committed to Boise State.

Oct. 29

at Saugus*

7 p.m.

Key losses: Running back Christian Alcantar, wide

* Foothill League game Game times subject to change.

receiver Jaden Shakir

10 | 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

AUGUST 21, 2021

By Ryan Menzie

F

Signal Staff Writer

or the first time in 11 seasons, the Valencia Vikings didn’t finish atop the Foothill League standings last spring, after losing 21-7 at home to Saugus in the final game of the season. They finished with a league record of 4-1. Still, there is much to be proud of in a strong campaign as head coach Larry Muir looks to carry momentum into the upcoming season and reclaim the league title.

“For the young guys, they got valuable experience in the system,” said Muir. “Expectations are the same every year. We’re going to try to become the best that we can be and take the challenges on week by week. We just have to keep focusing on what’s in front of us.”

For Muir and the Vikings, it felt like another regular summer of practicing and getting ready for the

upcoming season. Muir sees big strides in comparison to last summer with COVID-19, with huge improvements in 11-on-11 scrimmages and passing tournaments. It’s a positive trend for the Vikings, but they want to see the results manifest onto the field.

On the offensive side of the ball, senior wide receiver Zamondre Merriweather — who also plays safety and is ranked among California’s top 50 players by MaxPreps — will be returning after finishing with nine catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior quarterback Tyler Voss finished the season with 78 completions to go along with his 1,221 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions while also running for 129 yards on 33 carries and two touchdowns.

See VALENCIA, page 33

2021 Roster #

NAME

POS.

YEAR

1

Ramirez, Leo

CB

SR

2

Stich, Jake

ILB

SR

3

Devoll, Brandon

SLOT

SR

4

Merriweather, Zamondre

WR/S

SR

5

Cho, Caleb

WR

SR

6

Antzoulatos, Colton

OLB

SR

8

Prieto, Jalen

S

SR

10

Voss, Trevor

WR

SR

11

Voss, Tyler

QB

SR

12

Erickson, Trey

QB

JR

13

Stauffer, Jake

CB/S

SR

14

Boateng, Brandon

S/WR

JR

16

Sainz, Victor

DE

SR

17

Todd, Jonathan

QB

JR

18

Bassett, Kaden

WR

SR

19

Crayton, Ryan

S

SR

20

Spiropoulos, Giorgio

RB

SR

21

Goodman, Duhron

CB/SLOT

SR

22

Pikor, Jake

DE/WR

SO

23

Testa, Tony

OLB

SO

24

Gieser, Jack

ILB/SLOT

JR

25

Townsend, AJ

CB/S

SR

26

Trujillo, Roberto

CB

SR

27

Stich, Chad

OLB

SR

28

Corbet, Tyler

RB

JR

29

Testa, Ralph

WR/CB

JR

30

Yang, Caleb

SLOT/RB

SO

31

Kelly, Dylan

S/SLOT

JR

32

Hernandez, Daniel

RB

JR

33

Farrell, Reid

ILB/SLOT

SO

35

Thompson, Tyler

CB/WR

JR

36

Acosta, Nick

OLB

JR

39

Fontal, Cameron

KICKER

JR

40

Celentano, Jason

SLOT

JR

41

Hernandez, Angelo

KICKER

JR

42

Gutierrez, Jorge

DE

SR

44

Katz, Brandon

SNAPPER

JR

45

Turek, Mason

KICKER

SR

47

Baker, Matthew

S

SR

49

Galvan, Janrev

SLOT

JR

50

O'Steen, Keller

NG

SR

52

Castillo, Anthony

NG

SO

55

Narciso, Juan

C/NG

SR

56

Rehfeld, Jackson

G/T

JR

58

Martin, Blake

ILB

JR

59

Nunez, Joaquin

OT

SR

62

Waldron, Evan

OT

SR

65

Acosta, Daniel

GUARD/C

SO

67

Lukin, Caleb

DE

SR

72

Hass, Alfred

NG

JR

73

Alrabadi, Deyar

GUARD

SR

75

Harris, Lucas

NG

SR

80

Phillips, Dane

WR

SR

88

Hall, Don Ray

SLOT

SR

VALENCIA HIGH HEAD COACH LARRY MUIR TALKS TO OUTSIDE TACKLE EVAN WALDRON (62).

AUGUST 21, 2021

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW |

11

GOLDEN VALLEY The Basics

2020 Results Final record: 2-2-1 overall 2-2-1 Foothill League

Hart 7 Golden Valley 31 Golden Valley 7 Valencia 9 Golden Valley 40

Golden Valley 7 West Ranch 15 Saugus 14 Golden Valley 3 Canyon 7 All Foothill League games

GOLDEN VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH DAN KELLEY. PHOTOS

BY BOBBY BLOCK / THE SIGNAL

2021 Schedule

HEAD COACH: Dan Kelley

Sept. 3

at Quartz Hill

7 p.m.

8th season. (37-34-1 overall record)

Sept. 10

Rio Mesa

7 p.m.

Base offense: Spread

Sept. 17

at Simi Valley

7 p.m.

Base defense: 4-2-5 Top returner on offense: RB Jared Giles. Accounted for

Sept. 23 at Crescenta Valley

7 p.m.

Oct. 1

at Hart*

7 p.m.

Oct. 8

West Ranch*

7 p.m.

515 total yards of offense and 2 touchdowns.

Oct. 15

Saugus*

7 p.m.

Top returner on defense: LB Nick Machado. Also plays

Oct. 22

at Valencia*

7 p.m.

offensive line and accounted for 14 total tackles.

Oct. 29

Canyon*

7 p.m.

Key losses: WR Julian Sandoval-Brown, WR Carlos Meza,

* Foothill League game Game times subject to change.

WR Noah Thompson, WR/S Jacob Cibberly, LB Shane Upshaw, MLB Shant Melkonian, DE Raysean Gilmore.

12 | 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

AUGUST 21, 2021

By Ryan Menzie

T

Signal Staff Writer

he Golden Valley Grizzlies were right behind Valencia and Saugus, tying with Hart for third place in the Foothill League, thanks to the two teams’ 7-7 tie last season.

The Grizzlies hope to build momentum from that, and propel to the top of the league. Head coach Dan Kelley thinks the way for them to do is to stay true to who they are.

“We don’t change the type of team we have,” said Kelley. “Our mentality is to get bigger, faster, and stronger in the weight room.

We don’t change that for anyone.”

For a team that started practicing in May amidst COVID-19,

The Numbers 793

228

Team had 1,054 receiving yards total.

384

Number of graduating receiving yards.

Total number of tackles as a team.

94

Total number of rushing yards by Jared Giles. Team had 462 total rushing yards.

Longest passing play of the season.

coaches and players have a mutual understanding that if a player is sick, they need to stay home.

All the preparation and sacrifices being made for the team to ensure the coaches and players stay as safe as possible are some of the things the Grizzlies are doing to ensure a good season.

Kelley and the Grizzlies are coming off a 2-2-1 league record.

With the help of key returners like

senior quarterback Jaxson Miner and senior running back Jared Giles, the team looks to carry on the momentum they have built from the previous season to help take them to the next level.

Miner finished last season with 82 completions for 1,030 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions. Giles led his team See GV, page 29

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2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW |

13

HART The Basics

2020 Results Final record: 2-2-1 overall 2-2-1 Foothill League

Hart 7 Saugus 35 Hart 7 Canyon 35 West Ranch 28

Golden Valley 7 Hart 10 Valencia 25 Hart 7 Hart 6

All Foothill League games

PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

2021 Schedule

HEAD COACH: Rick Herrington

Aug. 20

Camarillo^

7 p.m.

2nd season. Overall record 2-2-1

Aug. 27

at Muir

7 p.m.

Base offense: Spread

Sept. 10

at Moorpark

7 p.m.

Base defense: 4-3

Sept. 16

St. Bonaventure^

7 p.m.

Top returner on offense: Sophomore quarterback Tim

Sept. 24

at Downey

7 p.m.

Larkins. Now the projected starter after finishing season

Oct. 1

Golden Valley*

7 p.m.

with 283 yards on 27 completions with 3 touchdowns and

Oct. 8

at Saugus*

7 p.m.

2 interceptions in 3 games.

Oct. 15

Valencia*

7 p.m.

Top returner on defense: Junior defensive back

Oct. 22

at Canyon*

7 p.m.

Oct. 29

at West Ranch*

7 p.m.

Daniel Larkins. 31 total tackles and led team with three interceptions.

Key losses: Wide receiver Ryan Tomaszewski, wide

* Foothill League game ^ at COC • Game times subject to change.

receiver Riley Bodemer, defensive end Dylan Vradenburg.

14 | 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

AUGUST 21, 2021

By Ryan Menzie

T

Signal Staff Writer

he Hart High School Indians tied with the Golden Valley Grizzlies for third place in the Foothill League in the shortened spring season with a 2-2-1 league record.

Led by head coach Rick Herrington, there is a lot of buzz to believe this team is ready to take it to the next level with their already highly regarded defense and a new quarterback with some added experience now under his belt.

“It was a tough season, but it helps that we have an extra professional quarterback that played the last couple games for us,” said Herrington. “He took his licks here and there but now he’s look-

The Numbers 1

Difference in yards thrown between the two starting quarterbacks. Chase Depaco finished with 284, Tim Larkins finished with 283.

238

Number of receiving yards Ryan Tomaszewski had last season.

ing much better and starting as a sophomore for us. We won our last few games so it was good experience for him.”

The offseason practices were unlike any season they have experienced, but Herrington and his team are grateful they at least had an offseason even if it meant wearing masks on the field, in the weight room or when they were doing anything indoors. Despite

4.2

Average yards per carry for Donovan Dunn last season.

14

Number of years since Hart last won the Foothill League title.

the circumstances for the Indians, they look poised to make a deep push for a league title in the hopes of making a run in the playoffs.

For the Indian offense, sophomore quarterback Tim Larkins is now the projected starter, after finishing with 284 yards on 27 completions to go along with his three touchdowns and two interceptions in three games. Junior See HART, page 26

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2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW |

15

WEST RANCH The Basics

2020 Results Final record: 1-4 overall 1-4 Foothill League

Valencia Golden Valley West Ranch Saugus West Ranch

63 31 33 42 6

West Ranch West Ranch Canyon West Ranch Hart

20 15 20 21 28

All Foothill League games

PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

2021 Schedule

HEAD COACH: Chris Varner

Aug. 27

Buena

7 p.m.

6th season. 29-21 overall record

Sept. 3

at Antelope Valley

7 p.m.

Base offense: Spread

Sept. 10

Pacifica

7 p.m.

Base defense: 3-4

Sept. 17

at Crespi

7 p.m.

Top returner on offense: Running back Derek Miranda.

Oct. 1

at Valencia*

7 p.m.

300 rushing yards on 51 carries and 2 touchdowns, 11

Oct. 8

at Golden Valley*

7 p.m.

Oct. 15

Canyon*

7 p.m.

Oct. 22

at Saugus*

7 p.m.

Oct. 29

Hart*

7 p.m.

receptions, 106 yards and 3 receiving touchdowns.

Top returner on defense: Defensive lineman Tommy Wunsch. Also plays offensive line.

Key losses: Quarterback Walker Eget, wide receiver Nick

* Foothill League game Game times subject to change.

Kohl.

16 | 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

AUGUST 21, 2021

The Numbers 17

406

2

4

Number of sophomores starting last season.

Place finished in Foothill League during 2019 season.

Total number of all-purpose yards for Derek Miranda last season.

Number of receivers hurt throughout the season.

By Ryan Menzie

T

Signal Staff Writer

he West Ranch Wildcats came short of their previous expectations, finishing fifth in the COVID-19-shortened spring Foothill League season, after coming in second place for their last full season in 2019.

Head coach Chris Varner isn’t discouraged by his team’s performance and looks to make the 2021 season the best they’ve ever had.

“Last year, we just didn’t have enough time,” said Varner. “I’m proud of the way the kids have dealt with the uncertainty from last year. The rushed season and not having the great success we’ve been used to. They’re taking it in stride and taking the learning experiences and improving each day.”

Varner is happy the kids were able to get at least five games of experience in a season that looked unsure due to COVID-19. The Wildcats have been practicing since the third week back from summer and other than having to lift weights outside, practices have been generally the same.

The Wildcats have some huge holes to fill on the offensive side of the ball with quarterback Walker Eget now playing for San Jose State and wide receiver Nicholas Kohl gone. At press time, junior quarterbacks Brett Liljedahl and Ryan Staub are in competition for the starting position ahead of the season. Both Liljedahl, who models his game after Tom Brady and Drew Brees, and Staub, who models his game after Baker Mayfield, have the same goal in mind regardless of who’s starting week one, and that’s to win it all.

“We just have to get one percent better each day,”

Go to a game “There’s something about the feel of Friday night football” - Garrie Calhoun

HartDistrict.org

See WR, page 28 AUGUST 21, 2021

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW |

17

CANYON The Basics

2020 Results Final record: 0-5 overall 0-5Foothill League

Canyon Valencia West Ranch Canyon Golden Valley

20 73 33 7 40

Saugus Canyon Canyon Hart Canyon

41 3 20 35 7

All Foothill League games

2021 Schedule Aug. 20

Canoga Park

7 p.m.

Aug. 27

St. Gennievive

7 p.m.

Sept. 3

at Royal

7 p.m.

Sept. 10

at Palmdale

7 p.m.

Sept. 17

Hamilton>

7 p.m.

Oct. 1

Saugus*

7 p.m.

Oct. 8

at Valencia*

7 p.m.

Oct. 15

West Ranch*^

7 p.m.

Fechtelkotter.

Oct. 22

Hart*

7 p.m.

Top Returner on defense: Senior linebacker Derek

Oct. 29

at Golden Valley*

7 p.m.

PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

HEAD COACH: Joe Maiale

3rd season. Overall record 2-14

Base offense: Spread Base defense: 4-3 Top returner on offense: Senior wide receiver JJ

Gonzalez.

* Foothill League game ^ at Valencia • > at Canyon• Game times subject to change.

Key Losses: Dominic Figueroa and Porter Lawler.

18 | 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

AUGUST 21, 2021

The Numbers 2006

1

15

10

The year Canyon won the state championship.

Number of seasons since Canyon last won the league championship.

Number of NFL players to come out of Canyon.

Number of league titles for Canyon.

By Ryan Menzie

T

Signal Staff Writer

he Canyon Cowboys finished sixth in the Foothill League last season, and will look to bounce back this season and learn from last year’s setbacks. Third-year head coach Joe Maiale is back at the helm for his second full season, ready to lead his team again as they start their pursuit of the league title.

“We got a lot of young players who got reliable playing time and experience,” said Maiale. “The results weren’t what we were looking for, but hopefully with all the hard work we’ve done and the experiences gained, it will be enough to propel us to the next level.”

The Cowboys started summer practices the week right after school ended before hitting their dead period in July. Despite the circumstances with COVID-19, all the students and parents followed protocols very strictly and with all the safety surrounding their team they have been able to use the locker rooms once more, Maiale said.

Many of the seniors for the Cowboys have had enough losing and are looking to change the narrative of feeling like they don’t belong in the league.

That kind of pride mentality is exactly what Maiale and the Cowboys believe they need to get to the next level.

Of the returning seniors, Dominic Burton, JJ Fechtelkotter and Derek Gonzalez are all two-way players looking to make a strong impact for the team. Burton plays wide receiver and cornerback and has huge expectations to succeed and win. The goal for Burton, who models his game after Christian McCaffrey, is to do better than last year and slowly improve.

See CANYON, page 30 AUGUST 21, 2021

JJ FECHTELKOTTER

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Open Daily 6:30am - 11pm 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW |

19

CASTAIC The Basics

2021 Schedule Sept. 10

at Adelanto

7 p.m.

Sept. 17

at Vasquez

7:10 p.m.

Sept. 24

Paraclete

7 p.m.

Oct. 1

at Hoover

5 p.m.

Oct. 8

at St. Margaret’s

7 p.m.

at Liberty

7 p.m.

Oct. 22

Game times subject to change.

CASTAIC HEAD COACH TONY UEBELHARDT. PHOTOS BY BOBBY BLOCK / THE SIGNAL

HEAD COACH: Tony Uebelhardt

3rd season. Overall record 2-11

Base offense: Run and Shoot Base defense: 4-2

20 | 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

AUGUST 21, 2021

The Numbers 13

1

931

338

The number of years Castaic has waited for a varsity football team. The school was first conceived with the voterapproved Measure SA bond money in 2008.

The number of days Tony Uebelhardt has been preparing the program for its first varsity matchup since he was announced as coach Feb 21, 2019.

The Coyotes will be road warriors this year, with only one opponent from the Santa Clarita Valley (Vasquez).

Total yard for scrimmage last year for junior running back/ wide receiver Anthony Martinez, who looks to be a key factor for the Coyotes’ offense this year.

By Ryan Menzie

A

Signal Staff Writer

s the newest football program in the area, the Castaic Coyotes are getting their first taste of varsity football in the 2021-22 school year, albeit without the benefit of having seniors.

Although not fully named as a varsity football team, the Coyotes will look to build from this season for the 3-year-old school and look to add more seniors and transfer students before joining the Foothill League next year as a full-fledged varsity team.

With the schedule consisting of a mix of varsity and junior varsity teams, head coach Tony Uebelhardt looks to this season with high expectations for himself and the team.

“We need a big year out of our junior and sophomore group,” said Uebelhardt. “Our starting group on both sides of the football are basically sophomores. We truly are a junior varsity team in a normal sense. It was a tough decision to not go into the Foothill League.”

The offense for the Coyotes will rely on key players including junior running back and wide receiver Anthony Martinez and junior wide receiver and tight end Davis Cruz. Martinez, who models his game after Christian McCaffrey, finished with 109 rushing yards on 30 carries and 19 receptions for 229 to go along with his four total touchdowns in four games.

Martinez has added motivation to take his team to the next level after the death of one of his teamSee CASTAIC, page 32 AUGUST 21, 2021

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW |

21

TRINITY The Basics

2020 Results Final record: 2-2 overall

Trinity St. Monica Trinity Trinity

44 6 22 14

Rio Hondo Trinity Campbell Hall Riverside Prep

0 12 20 35

2021 Schedule TRINITY CLASSICAL ACADEMY HEAD COACH MIKE PARRINELLO. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON/ THE SIGNAL

HEAD COACH: Mike Parrinello

3rd season. Overall record 2-11

Base offense: Mostly a spread offense Base defense: Mix it up, but really a 4-3 Top Returner on Offense: Quarterback and running back senior AJ Horning. Accounted for over 300 yards of total offense on the season.

Key returner on defense: Linebacker and wide receiver

Aug. 20

Campbell Hall

7 p.m.

Sept. 10

South Gate

7 p.m.

Sept. 17

at St. Monica

7 p.m.

Sept. 24

at Alhambra

7 p.m.

Oct. 1

at Silver Valley*

7 p.m.

Oct. 8

Big Bear*

7 p.m.

Oct. 15

Vasquez*

7 p.m.

Oct. 22

at The Webb School at Riverside Prep*

Oct. 29

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

* Cross Valley League game Game times subject to change.

Lucas Mendoza. Second on team in total tackles (23) and sacks (2).

Key Losses: Wide receiver Zach Ball, defensive end Aidan Duhm, defensive back and linebacker Johnny Lafrance.

22 | 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

AUGUST 21, 2021

The Numbers 5

31

10

3

Seniors who started both ways for Trinity Classical Academy, which will be tough to replace by first-year head coach, Mike Parrinello.

Number of seasons Parinello has been working with the program before taking the helm.

players are expected to be on the roster for kickoff, the Knights largest team in school history.

Interceptions snagged by Nick Parrinello last year, who’s one of a handful of starters returning on defense for Trinity.

By Perry Smith

F

Signal Managing Editor

or Trinity Classical Academy, a new year and a new season will bring a fresh start for the program, with a new name but a familiar face at the helm of the football program and its largest collection of players in program history.

Leading the group of more than 30 for the first year as head coach of the program is a familiar face, Mike Parrinello. Those who follow the program might have recognized him from the sidelines. He’s familiar with the players, having been an assistant coach for Trinity for 10 years, primarily coaching the team’s defense and working with its passing attack.

Due to delays and precautions associated with COVID-19 public health protocols, as well as having a number of two-sport athletes, the Knights got a late start to the season, with summer practices beginning July 12.

The team is planning to make adjustments and grow as they go, Parinello said “We are not used to a practice year like this,” he said, referring to the preparation and lead-in time the team had this summer. “We’re looking at it as it is, (we’re going to be) introducing more as the season goes on.”

His familiarity with the program, players and competition will hopefully help the team hit the ground running with players learning new formations and style of play.

Parrinello said he and the team were grateful to have a season last year, even if things were a little different.

See TRINITY, page 34 AUGUST 21, 2021

RUNNING BACK NICK PARRINELLO

WIDE RECEIVER LUCAS MENDOZA 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW |

23

SCCS The Basics

2021 Schedule Sept. 3

at Flintridge Prep 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 10

at Grace Brethren 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 18

Mojave^

4:30 p.m.

Sept. 25

at Thatcher

2 p.m.

Oct. 2

Cate ^

4:30 p.m.

Oct. 8

at Windward

3:30 p.m.

Oct. 15

at Lancaster Baptist

7 p.m.

Oct. 23

Desert Christian^ 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 30

at Mammoth

TBA

^ at West Ranch • Game times subject to change.

PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON/ THE SIGNAL

HEAD COACH: AUSTIN FRY

1st Season

Base offense: Pistol Base defense: 3-2-3 Top returner of defense: Defensive lineman Tommy Patton Top returner on offense: Junior wide receiver, defensive back and linebacker Carter Aispuro.

24 | 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

AUGUST 21, 2021

The Numbers 13

total number of players on the SCCS roster, which means all of the key contributors will likely be playing both ways.

19

Years since football first came to Santa Clarita Christian, with an 8-man program that later won CIF titles in 2008 and 2009.

2

Seniors are on the roster for the Cardinals this fall, whose experience will no doubt be important to the team’s success in 8-man competition.

0

Number of league games for SCCS this season.

By Ryan Menzie

T

Signal Staff Writer

he Santa Clarita Christian School Cardinals will be the only team in the Santa Clarita Valley to be competing in the eight-man freelance league for the 2021 season. Despite only having 13 total players on the roster, the Cardinals are looking to silence the doubters and show they can compete until the very end.

With such a small roster despite playing eightman football, a majority of the players on the roster have to play both sides of the ball. For first-year head coach Austin Fry, the main goal is to stay healthy throughout the entire season. The size of the roster doesn’t look to expand this season and each available body makes a difference moving forward.

“We got a small roster and we want to make sure we’re healthy and durable,” said Fry. “It’s really tough to know expectations, but I believe we have some healthy expectations that we can make the playoffs.”

The program will essentially be restarting itself after going from 11-man football in 2018 to their last season of playing being 2019 due to COVID-19 and only having junior varsity eight-man football. Despite the circumstances, the Cardinals have not had to deal with any COVID-19 issues due to the gap they had between seasons before getting right back into it.

Of the players returning for the team, senior left guard and defensive lineman Tommy Patton, who was around during the time of the reset program and See SCCS, page 38 AUGUST 21, 2021

LINEMAN TOMMY PATTON

WIDE RECEIVER CARTER AISPURO 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW |

25

HART

2021 Roster

Continued from 15 #

NAME

POS.

2

Daniel Delgado

WR/DB

YEAR SR

4

Shawn Irwin

WR/DB

SO

5

Donovan Dunn

RB/DB

JR JR

6

Chase Depaco

WR/DB

9

Carlo Lopez

WR/DB/K SR

10

Cole Spivey

OL/DL

SR

11

Daniel Larkins

WR/DB

SR

12

Charles Thurman

OL/DL

JR

14

Connor Ellis

WR/DB

SR

16

Timothy Larkins

QB/DB

SO

19

Fabian Rodriguez

WR/DB

JR

21

Izayiah Lopez

WR/DB

SO

22

Brandon Sandoval

WR/DB

SR

23

Francisco Merino

WR/DB

JR

25

Zachary Stothers

RB/LB

SR

27

Thomas Yagher

WR/DB

JR

26

Peyton McClain

QB/LB

JR

31

Jonathan Trujillo

WR/DB

JR

33

Samuel Keller

WR/DL

SR

34

Aiden Galbraith

RB/LB

SR

35

Christopher Clauss

RB/LB

SR

36

Hunter Heiber

WR/DB

JR

44

Alberto Favela

RB/LB

JR

50

Joseph Landeros

OL/DL

SR

54

Emmanuel Solorio

OL/DL

SR

55

Vincent Tiscareno

OL/DL

SO

64

Max McKeon

OL/DL

SR

70

Evan Garciga

OL/DL

SR

71

Logan Knight

OL/DL

SO

73

Cesar Salazar

OL/DL

SO

running back Donoval Dunn will also be returning after finishing with 187 yards on 45 carries along with senior running back Chase Depaco, who finished with 108 yards on 35 carries. Key losses for the offense include two of their top receivers in Ryan Tomaszewski, who finished with 238 yards on 20 receptions to go along with his three touchdowns, and Riley Bodemer who finished with 109 yards on seven receptions.

Despite the losses at wide receiver, Daniel Larkins will be a key returner for the Indians playing receiver and defensive back.

Larkins finished with three receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown while also accounting for 31 total tackles and leading the team with three interceptions. Larkins likes to model his game after all NFL players, specifically Ray Lewis, and has his eye on the season to work hard in the hopes of winning the league title.

ZACHARY STOTHERS

“I honestly think we should be really good. We got a strong group,” said Larkins. “Our offensive line has picked it up and our defense is always good so we should be solid. We just got to work hard and give it our all.”

The defense led the scoring for the Indians the past season and the Indians have many key See HART, page 35

Best of Success Bob Jensen, MAcc, CPA Mike Garrison, MAcc, CPA Evan Faucette, MAcc, CPA Tom Engman, CPA Sandie Snetiker, QBP

LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER GREAT SEASON OF SANTA CLARITA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL IN 2021 DONOVAN DUNN

26 | 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW |

27

WR

Continued from 17

Staub said. “Get better on the field and in the weight room, and we can’t stop fighting no matter what.”

In response to the same question, Liljedahl said, “We got to work hard, do what we do and get the job done.”

To only make matters more dif-

2021 Roster #

NAME

POS.

YEAR

2

Maverick Diaz

WR/CB

JR

3

Nathan Petrie

FS

SO

4

Brett Liljedahl

QB

JR

5

Nathan Dongo

WR

SR

6

Ryan Staub

QB

JR

7

Brady Van bennekum

WR/OLB

JR

8

Dylan Cotti

WR/FS

SR

9

James Lee

CB/FS

SR

10

Jake Priske

WR/OLB

SR

11

Tyler Lujan

FS/OLB

JR

12

chaz hilst

WR

JR

13

Tyler Jones

FS

JR

15

Jason Anderson

K

SR

16

Matthew Abrahamian

MLB

SR

17

Jonathan Harden

CB

JR

18

Emory Hinze

WR

JR

19

Jake Sullivan

WR

SR

21

Derek Miranda

RB/FS

SR

22

William Seidel

CB/SB

JR

23

Dylan Roof

RB

SR

24

Connor Reyes

MLB

JR

26

Adrian Salvador

RB

SR

29

Asa Cardona

CB

SR

32

Grayson Gill

FS

JR

33

Aidan Mulry

MLB

JR

34

Ike Sibal

OLB/RB

SR

37

Michael Nunez

WR

JR

41

Collin Tons

WR

JR

44

Marcus Smith

MLB/OLB SR

45

Austin Varner

MLB

JR

50

Thomas Wunsch

NG/G

SR

54

Aaron Salvador

MLB

SR

55

Griffin Nibarger

DE/T

JR

56

Max Johnson

C

JR

60

Joey Sullivan

G

SR

67

Sean Scott

T/DT

JR

72

Brandon Westall

G

SO

73

Trevor Probert

G

JR

75

Chris Ramirez

NG

SR

85

Cody Marcus

WR

JR

90

Adrian Palafox

DE/T

SR

28 | 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

QUARTERBACK RYAN STAUB

ficult for the Wildcats, two of their starting receivers got taken out in the first game due to injuries in the 2020 season. Varner expects those holes to be filled with the help of senior wide receiver Dylan Cotti and senior running back, slot receiver and safety Derek Miranda.

Cotti finished last season with 415 yards on 17 receptions with three touchdowns. Cotti models his game after Keenan Allen with his precise route running and feels Allen can do it all on the field.

Cotti’s main goals for the season are to win the league title and the state championship.

“Winning is always the goal,” said Cotti. “We have to have the winning mentality. That’s all that matters, but we also want to go out and have fun doing it. Everything else aside, let’s just have fun.”

Miranda was all over the field for the Wildcats with effective-

ness in the run game as well as the passing game, finishing with 300 rushing yards on 51 carries with two rushing touchdowns and 11 receptions for 106 yards and three receiving touchdowns. Miranda said he likes to model his game after Raiders’ legend Marcus Allen.

He may be young, but he is a huge Raiders fan and loves watching video of Allen running outside and inside, and knows this team can be successful if he continues to produce strong numbers.

“I think all of us can agree we had a disappointing season last season,” said Miranda. “We’ve had so much time to build off our mistakes. We can really build off of that. We know we can do it. Everyone counts us out but we know we can do it.”

On the defensive side of the ball, one of the leaders expected to step up is second-team all-league for defense, senior defensive tackle and right guard Tommy Wunsch.

Wunsch models his game after his former teammate, left tackle and defensive tackle John Collier.

Wunsch looked up to Collier and wanted to play with the same passion and fire as him. Wunsch wants his team to play with aggression this season to be able to take it to the next level.

“Last year we were a bit young on the line, but this year since we’re all older we should be able to compete more in the league,” said Wunsch. “I think we just need to go out with aggression.

We’re not the biggest team around but we can definitely match that with how we play.”  AUGUST 21, 2021

2021 Roster #

NAME

POS.

1

Malachi Beacham

RB/LB

YEAR JR

2

Ryan Garcia

WR/DB

SR JR

3

Christopher Melkonian

WR/DB

4

Ajani Smith

WR/DB

JR

5

Kael Webster

K

SR

7

Casey Jimenez

RB/DB

JR

8

Joseph Escobar

TE/DE

SR

9

William Torres

WR/DB

JR

10

Brian Jones

WR/DB

JR

11

Adonyss Currie

WR/DB

FR

13

William Hake

WR/DB

JR

14

Dallas Landry

WR/DB

JR

15

Jaxson Miner

QB

SR

16

Logan Brady

WR/DB

JR

19

Thoren Quintanilla

RB/DB

SR

20

Noah Rodriguez

RB/LB

SR

21

Jared Giles

RB/DB

SR

22

Amaree Brown

RB/LB

SR

23

Nicholas Machado

TE/LB

SR

24

Ryan Winkler

WR/DB

SR

25

Donteo James-Williams

WR/DB

JR

28

Marcelo Borja

WR/DB

JR

32

Jacob Gavina

RB/DB

JR

42

Nicholas Curry

TE/DE

JR

50

Nicholas Nye

OL/DE

SR

53

Jabulani Aduwo

OL/LB

JR

54

Joshua Roby

OL/DE

SR

55

Caleb Fouts

OL/DE

SR

56

Alejandro Cruz

OL/DL

JR

57

Grant Gabledon

OL/DL

SR

65

Augustine Prieto

OL/DL

JR

66

Rylan White

OL/DL

SR

72

Peter Ramirez

OL/DL

SR

74

Isaiah Wynne

OL/DE

SR

75

Malcolm Lyons-Moore

OL/DL

JR

76

Rueben Alba

OL/DE

JR

77

Jason Orozco

OL/DE

JR

78

Hunter Holguin

OL/DL

JR

GV

Continued from 13

with 81 carries for 384 yards and helped out with receiving out of the backfield with nine catches, 131 yards and one touchdown.

The key losses on the offensive side of the ball include four of the Grizzlies’ top five receivers from last season with the graduation of Carlos Meza, Julian Sandoval-Brown, Noah Thompson and Jacob Cibberly, who accounted for 64 receptions, 793 yards and AUGUST 21, 2021

seven touchdowns. The Grizzlies have some players in line to step up and replace that production.

Despite the losses, Miner, who models his game after players like Tom Brady, Russell Wilson and Baker Mayfield, is confident in his team and follows his coach’s motto of not changing who they are as a team. Miner’s goal is to stay positive and push his teammates to be the best they can before the season starts.

“I expect us to have a great season, I see a lot of potential in my team,” said Miner. “As long as we never stop trying and keep pushing through the entire game, we have a lot of potential this season and we’re going to do great.”

On the defensive side, they have some huge production to replace: a senior group that accounted for 84 tackles on the season and was part of an 8-2 season for the Grizzlies in 2019, which included linebacker Shane Upshaw, middle linebacker Shant Melkonian, free

safety Jacob Cipperly and defensive end Raysean Gilmore.

“The linebacking corps was special,” said Kelley. “Those are some big shoes to fill, but the guys we have now are going to be productive.”

Of the returning players for the Grizzlies, senior tight end and linebacker Nick Machado will look to bring back the tough defense along with senior defensive lineman Nick Nye, junior defensive back Chris Melkonian and the rest of the returners who learned from the graduating class.

Machado, who models his game after Ray Lewis, is willing to risk it all this season and get his name out for coaches at the college level.

“Right now, we’re kind of expecting a lot. We’ve been putting a lot of work into most games,” said Machado. “We feel like last year we should’ve been really good. We want to prove that we’re not just one of those programs.”  2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW |

29

2021 Roster #

DERIK GONZALES

CANYON

Continued from 19

“We have the comeback mentality,” said Burton. “A lot of the past years, we haven’t done so well with our record. This year, we’re trying to fix the mentality of getting more wins. We just gotta keep up the hard work and remember teamwork is the key.”

Despite not finishing as high as they wanted from the previous season, Fechtelkotter, who plays wide receiver and safety and models his game after Julio Jones, has high expectations for himself and his team. Fechtelkotter along with Burton and senior offensive lineman and defensive tackle Ernie Aguirre are poised to have more reps on the way to having 30 | 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

good seasons.

“I feel like we’re going to do pretty good,” said Fechtelkotter.

“We have depth and we have some good new players. We have a lot to prove. I feel like a lot of people don’t think much of us but we’re actually a lot more than what people see.”

Gonzalez, who plays linebacker and running back, says he draws inspiration from his family. Gonzalez, along with returners like sophomore defensive back Jeremiah Taylor, sophomore linebacker Diego Olujich, junior linebacker and safety Zach Figueroa and junior defensive back and wide receiver Kaleb Alexander look to make noise for the Cowboys defense to bring

NAME

POS.

YEAR

1

Kaleb Alexander

WR/DB

JR

2

Jeremiah Taylor

WR

SO

3

Zach Figueroa

OLB/SB

JR

4

Aybess Bodian

WR/DB

SR

5

Jonathan Kombrinck

WR/CB/ CB

JR

6

Dominic Burton

WR/DB

SR

7

Pedro Najera

OLB/RB

JR

8

Aziz Cooper

9

Landon Naasz

QB

SR

10

Ty Sparks

QB

SR

11

Diego Olujich

WR/DE

JR

12

Navin Srinivasan

WR/CB

JR

18

Anabell Jimenez

19

Eyezik Ruppert

21

Adrian Ramirez

22

Max Sanchez

FS/SS

JR

24

Manuel Ortiz

RB/OLB

SO

30

Gabrielle Holcombe

32

Roman Mercado

FB/DE/ MLB

JR

33

Derek Gonzalez

MLB

SR

34

Corbett McDaniel

RB

SR

42

Devon Buck

DE

SO

44

Seth Lowery

DT/FB

SR

45

Nathan Orona

50

Westin Brombart

51

Deacon Andres

52

Ernie Aguirre

DT/G

SR

53

Benjamin Ramirez

DL/OL

SR

54

Julio Orellana

55

Damian Guerrero

56

Nathan Ramirez

66

Ricky Romero

DE/C

SR

70

Ismael Bernal

DT/OT

JR

72

Jayden Mendibles

G

JR

74

Ritchy Toscano

G

FR

75

Eric Tovar

OT

SR

77

Ethan Winchester

DT

SR

80

JJ Fechtelkotter

WR

SR

JR

JR WR/DB

JR

SR

JR OT/DE

Shane Wilson

JR SO

JR C/DT

JR FR

Marcus Santos Diego Campollo

SO

JR OT/DE

JR

JR

them to the next level.

“I’m just hoping for a phenomenal season, especially with the trash last year with the season being cut in half,” said Gonzalez.

“We’re just hoping to increase everything production-wise, defensive tackles, more offensive touchdowns. We’re looking to finish the first, second, third and fourth quarters. Just demolish everyone.”  AUGUST 21, 2021

SAUGUS

Continued from 9

The answer for coach Bornn and his team comes in part from senior wide receiver-turned-quarterback Sebastian Dallaire. Dallaire accounted for nine receptions with 226 receiving yards and four touchdowns on the year but the Centurions will also expect big production from junior wide receiver Khai Ky-Yeith, who accounted for 11 receptions with 190 yards and one touchdown. Junior Jake Viger will also be returning in the backfield for the Centurions after accounting for 195 yards on 35 carries and two touchdowns.

Dallaire, who models his game after Davante Adams as a receiver and Aaron Rodgers as a quarterback, understands they have a target on their backs after finishing first in the Foothill League. Dallaire is confident in his team, especially on the defensive side.

“We have all returners pretty much.

All but one lineman is returning for the defense,” said Dallaire. “We just got to put our head down, work each and every single day. If I want to play at the next level, I got to be the one percent.”

On the defensive side of the ball, as Dallaire mentioned, they have a ton of talent returning. Junior defensive end Dylan Hampsten, who led the team with 31 tackles and four sacks, returns along with two-way player, junior running back and safety Vinny Gallagher.

Gallagher accounted for 203 yards rushing on 35 carries to go along with his two touchdowns on offense.

On defense, he was just as useful, accounting for 28 tackles and forcing two fumbles. Gallagher, who models his game after the likes of safety Jamal Adams and all-time great running back Bo Jackson, has high expectations and hopes for another undefeated season as well as potenAUGUST 21, 2021

tially winning a ring at the end of the season.

“We got a lot of confidence ahead of next season,” said Gallagher. “Our

mentality is to go get after it. We want to get after it and just want to win the ring. Let’s just go. We want to get playing.” 

PHOTOS BY BOBBY BLOCK / THE SIGNAL

The Numbers 0

41

585

13

Number of losses Saugus had last season.

Number of rushing yards accumulated throughout the season, averaging over 117 yards a game on the ground.

Number of receptions lost due to graduating seniors.

Total number of touchdowns Colton FitzGerald threw last season. He also finished with 0 interceptions.

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW |

31

2021 Roster #

CASTAIC

Continued from 21

mates, Nathan Esparza, last season. Esparza was found dead in his home after suffering from a reported cardiac arrest, according to Fire Department officials.

He said he expects the team to come out and perform better than they ever have because they’ll be playing in Esparza’s honor.

“We want to win for him,” Martinez said.

“We got to keep going and don’t stop grinding,” said Martinez. “No matter how hard it gets, because there is always someone that is trying to outwork us. We are Castaic, so no one wants to see us on top.”

Cruz will be another key option for the Coyote offense and expects them to have a better season thanks to the addition of the new coaches and more than 35 new players. Cruz finished the season with eight receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown and modeled his game after his teammate Martinez. Cruz compliments 32 | 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

how great of an athlete he is and his work ethic and even when it seems like Martinez doesn’t want to practice, he never loses effort.

“We have more enthusiasm on this team than ever before, so I expect great things from this team,” said Cruz. “One thing we need to do more is we need to be treating our bodies right. If we don’t eat, drink water or work out correctly and let our bodies rehabilitate correctly, it’s going to be much tougher for us.”

The young team also has key players on defense who are ready to hit hard and make plays to ease up the pressure on the offense. Of the key players, Saugus transfer sophomore cornerback Caleb Jennerson looks to make an immediate impact for the team. Despite coming late to develop chemistry with the team, Jennerson expects the Coyotes to be a good team, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

Jennerson models his game after Jalen Ramsey by watching his videos and getting hyped up every

NAME

POS.

YEAR

2

Martinez, Anthony

RB

JR

3

Khanna, Abhay

WR

JR

4

Ormes, Ryker

S

JR

5

Lotz, Paul

WR

SO

6

Gibson, Gage

WR

SO

7

Watkins/Moreno, Ashton WR

SO

8

Cruz, Davis

TE

JR

9

Miron, Eddy

LB

JR

10

Christensen, Cole

DB

JR

11

Soles, Tyler

QB

SO

12

Gonzalez, Noah

DB

FR

13

Milan, Lucas

QB/DB

SO

14

Morales, Nelson

K

JR

15

Leon, Christian

RB

JR

16

Giordano, John

DB

SO

17

Jennerson, Caleb

DB

SO

18

McDonald, Dylan

K

SO

19

Salazar, Bryan

WR

SO

21

Marshall, Brandon

WR

SO

22

Zischke, Ethan

WR

SO

24

Pimentel, Jacob

RB

SO

25

Bilik, Boston

TE

SO

27

Warman, Justin

WR

SO

28

Yeyna, Ty

DB

SO

29

Lee, Ryan

WR/P

SO

30

Jameson, AJ

LB

JR

31

Grable, Zander

DB

JR

40

James, Noah

DE

JR

44

Lopez, Louis

LB

SO

45

Tovar, Eddie

RB/DE

SO

48

Jaramillo, Michael

LB

FR

50

Hernandez, Michael

OL/DL

JR

52

Baumgarten, Bennett

OL

JR

55

Pyne, Ethan

OL/DL

SO

56

Quinonez, Ethan

OL/DL

JR

60

Black, Devon

OL/DL

SO

62

Smith, Troy

OL

JR

63

Scott, Jacob

OL

JR

65

Silva, Anthony

DL

JR

66

Gradoville, Cyrus

OL/DL

SO

70

Hernandez, Isiah

OL/DL

SO

75

Mencos, Fernando

OL/DL

JR

78

Butera, Adamo

OL

SO

79

Hickey, Branden

OL

JR

88

Friedman, Justin

SO

time he makes a big play.

“I like how the team is right now from seeing the first couple weeks how the team is,” said Jennerson.

“Our offense catches balls and our defensive line is massive. If we keep working hard, we can reach our full potential and take the next step to be the best team.”  AUGUST 21, 2021

VALENCIA

Continued from 11

Returning at the running back positions are senior Giorgio Spiropolous, who ran for 260 yards on 41 carries with four touchdowns, and junior Daniel Hernandez, who ran for 356 yards on 51 carries and five touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Duhron Goodman will also be returning for the Vikings after finishing with 23 receptions for 482 yards and five touchdowns.

Merriweather, who has committed to Boise State and models his game after A.J. Brown and D.K. Metcalf, wants his team to value the time they have because time goes by fast and before he knew it, he was already a senior.

“I expect us to win the league this year and to do pretty good in most of our games, if not all of them,” said Merriweather. “I just need to win every play that there is in order for our team to do well.

Whether it is blocking or catching the ball, I need to do anything I can to help the team out.”

Voss, who committed to San Jose State and models his game after Tom Brady, wants to improve his game overall as a player. Voss believes there is always room to grow and hopes to one day play in the NFL. “As a team we’re all hoping for big things. That’s where our hard work goes,” said Voss. “I want to go undefeated and make the playoffs and have as much fun as we can. I have more team-oriented goals than individual goals so I just want to play the game the way our coaches have been teaching us.”

AUGUST 21, 2021

VALENCIA HIGH RUNNING BACK GIORGIO SPIROPOLOUS (20)

Spiropolous, who says he models himself to be the best person he can be without having to look for other players to resemble, has the main goal of winning the league title once again. Although Spiropolous wants to model the game after himself, he also looks to other big running backs like Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram for inspiration of what it takes to be successful.

“Every year we try to come out here and strive for perfection,” said Spiropolous. “No one is perfect but I expect a good season

out of myself and out of the whole team. We’re here to win.”

The Vikings defense has plenty of young talent and Muir believes they have a good all-around team with Merriweather playing safety and returning linebacker Reid Farrell, who started as a freshman last season and picked up valuable playing time. Muir also expects to see a lot of production from returning senior defensive end Victor Sainz and linebacker Jake Stitch, who also got a lot of playing time and is expected to take on a larger role this season. 

The Numbers 13

270

96.4

1

Total number of rushing touchdowns on the season as a team.

Receiving yards per game for Duhron Goodman last season.

Total yards per game for Tyler Voss last season.

Number of graduated wide receivers for the Vikings.

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW |

33

2021 Roster #

RUNNING BACK ROCCO IZZO

TRINITY

Continued from 23

“We were glad we were able to play, even though it was a shortened season,” Parrinello said, and then looking ahead to this season, he added, with the largest turnout they’ve had for fall practice to date, “(We’re) deeper, but a lot younger.”

In 2021-22, the team will be looking to replace production from five seniors who were starters on both sides of the ball.

However, what he saw during the shortened season this past spring gave him optimism, he said.

On offense, junior quarterback and running back A.J. Horning returns with a bit of experience from last year and a couple hundred passing yards under his belt from a shortened 2020 season.

Two of his key targets are expected to be junior wide receiver Lucas Mendoza, who notched 34 | 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

eight receptions, 72 yards and a touchdown last season, as well as senior wide receiver Zach Ball, who grabbed six receptions for 85 yards.

Parinello said the team’s deeper in the receiver position than any time he can recall in his tenure with the program, which should help the running game, as well, by taking some pressure off of the backfield.

“We’re deeper at specialty positions than we ever have been,” he said, referring to his receiving corps, mentioning Mendoza and Ball, as well as Jack Spector and Rocko Izzo, who are all expected to play bigger roles this year for the Knights’ offense.

On the other side of the ball, the Knights have a leader in Anderson Howell, who is expected to start both ways for the Knights at the line of scrimmage.

Regardless of the shortened preseason, Parrinello is confident his

NAME

POS.

YEAR

2

Noah Visconti

QB/DE

FR

3

Tanner Moore

QB/FB/DE JR

4

Sam Robertson

WR/CB

JR

5

Lucas Mendoza

WR/LB

SR

6

Adam Hirsch

7

Jack Spector

WR/OLB/ DE CWR/LB/ PR

FR. JR

9

Wil Jackson

QB/DB

SR

10

Colin Tomlinson

WR/DB

SO

12

Dominic Smith

QB/S

JR

RB/OLB/ DT RB/WR/ CB

15

Noah Estanol

18

Owen Kush

20

Ethan Swords

DT/G/WR JR

21

Bradley Serumal

WR/OLB

JR

22

Tyler Backman

WR/CB

SO

24

A J Horning

CWR/DB/ SR KR

28

Luke Sachs

WR/DB

JR

34

Andrew Kelley

WR/CB

FR

CRB/DB/ KR WR/DB/ OLB

JR SO

42

Nick Parrinello

45

Rocco Izzo

50

Paul Robertson

C/DT

FR

51

Cade Frazier

TE/LB/DL

SO

52

John Carlson

T/DE

FR

53

Anderson Howell

OL/DL/C

JR

60

Luca Previtire

OL/DL

SO

62

Seth Ballenger

OL/DL

SR

66

Evan Hackett

G/T/DL

SR

70

Jake Slay

G/DL

FR

76

Aiden Checketts

OL/DL/TE

SR

JR JR

Kenneth Reyes Chad Mitchell Holden Algee

group will be ready when it comes time for the first kickoff.

“We haven’t missed a beat,” he said. “Our team motto is faith, family and football. We are a family on that team. Our goal is to when we get out on the field, we are playing for our brothers next to us. ... This year we’re trying to be a little more physical and not just be known as a quick, skilled team. ... (We) can’t practice soft and expect to play hard.”  AUGUST 21, 2021

HART

Continued from 26

players returning on defense. Despite the loss of defensive end Dylan Vradenburg, who was second on the team with 35 total tackles, defensive end Cole Spivey and outside linebacker Zach Stothers look to carry over the production they had from last season. Stothers led the team with 36 total tackles, while Spivey led the team with five sacks.

Despite being undersized and listed at 5 feet, 5 inches tall and 190 pounds, according to Maxpreps, Stothers took home all-league second team honors for the 2020 season. Stothers, who models his game after Troy Polamalu for being undersized, but also being a hard hitter, wants his team to work hard and end on a good note for his final season.

“I expect us to go out there and give it 100%,” said Stothers. “Hopefully, we can win the league and get a big playoff push. We just got to grind out in practice. We don’t have a lot of bodies so we just have to have the right mindset going into every practice and ball out every game.”

Spivey looks to anchor the defensive line once AUGUST 21, 2021

HART HIGH’S RYAN TOMASZEWSKI IS BROUGHT DOWN BY JOSHUA PERRIN AFTER CATCHING A BOMB ON THE FIRST PLAY OF THE GAME AT VALENCIA HIGH SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021.

more in his final season with the Indians. Spivey, who models his game after Chase Young and Demarcus Lawrence, wants his team to play hard because it could be the last chance they ever play together again.

So, he wants to make it count.

“I believe we’re going to do really good. We should be in the upper 50% of our bracket,” said Spivey. “I believe we’re going to have a winning season. We improved a lot from last year. We lost a lot of seniors but we have a lot of young talent coming up. I want defense to help lead the way once again for us.” 

HART HIGH QUARTERBACK CHASE DEPACO PASSES AGAINST SAUGUS HIGH.

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW |

35

A LOOK BACK …

SINCE 1919

SignalSCV. com 36 | 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

AUGUST 21, 2021

Best of luck in

AUGUST 21, 2021

2021

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW |

37

2021 Roster #

NAME

POS.

YEAR

5

Carter Aispuro

WR/DB/LB

JR

9

Landon Hermanson TE/DE

JR

19

William Amey

WR/DB

SO

22

Timothy Tadler

DB/WR

FR

34

Joel Calhoun

DB/WR

JR

42

Zach Ervin

DB/WR

SO

54

Jude Patton

WR/LB/DB

SO

55

Josh Negrete

OL/DL

SO

58

Tommy Patton

OL/DL

SR

75

Drew Spagnolia

OL/DL

JR

Eli Duhm

WR/DB

FR

Cooper Duhm

RB/DE

SR

Cayden Rappleye

QB/LB/DB

FR

SCCS

Continued from 25

models his game after the Lord and J.J. Watt, believes that being such a new team they have a lot more to go unity-wise. However, he expects the team to do very well thanks to their hard work in the weight room and on the field.

“We need to have a winner mentality when we play in order to get to the next level,” said Patton. “Most of all we need to remember to go out and have fun. We can’t be going into games not thinking we can win and not have fun. We need to spark interest and I believe in this team, as long as we give glory to the Lord.

He will guide us.”

Another player looking to make an impact on the season is junior wide receiver, defensive back and linebacker Carter Aispuro.

Aispuro finds himself all over the field to make plays for his team, but doesn’t model his game after anyone in particular. Instead, he models himself to play the way the school wants him to play, for Jesus Christ.

38 | 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

TIGHT END LANDON HERMANSON

“The expectations this season are to blow people away and show people we mean business,” said Aispuro. “We just need to work harder than everyone else. Coach has said that we won’t be the most talented team but we’ll be the

most conditioned and hard working. Hopefully, next year we will get more interest for the football team to expand our program and eventually get back into 11-man football.” 

AUGUST 21, 2021

Bring your life There’s something special happening again in the Santa Clarita Valley. A new kind of community is taking shape. A place that believes in taking care of nature and weaving its beauty into our everyday lives. In hopping on a bike and taking the road less traveled.

And in letting boundaries disappear, creating space for moments of joy and connection.

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