The top players and season outlook for all four teams in the Pacific Coast League:

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

DANA HILLS

Top players: Ethan Brougham, LB, Sr.; Christian Guarascio, RB, Sr.; Ethan Torbert, OL/DL, Sr.; Noah Kucera, WR, Jr.; Blaize Bolter, DB, Sr.; Johnny Owen, OL, Sr.

What to expect: Dana Hills made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2013 and had one of the top passing offenses in the county. The Dolphins graduated their quarterback who passed for over 3,500 yards, their five leading receivers and four leading tacklers. Running back Christian Guarascio is back behind an offensive line with three returning starters. Ethan Brougham is a versatile linebacker who has drawn interest from colleges and can play inside or on the edge. Blaize Bolter is a strong safety who had a good showing at the Corona del Mar passing tournament. Tony Henney is a championship coach who understands that this team is far different from last year’s and he will have to adapt his system. The Dolphins are still a playoff contender but might have some growing pains this season.

IRVINE

Top players: Nathan Sasaki, RB/DB, Sr.; Joseph Tierney, QB/DE, Jr.; Ethan Wheeler, OL/DL, Sr.; Harry Soltes, TE/LB, Sr.; Hayden Kim, WR/DB, Sr.; Joey Ricci, OL/DL, Sr.

What to expect: Irvine had a historic 10-0 regular season last year but was placed higher than it should have been, in Division 4, and lost in the first round of the playoffs. The Vaqueros ran the ball on 67 percent of their snaps last season and will rely on Nathan Sasaki and Evan Hasegawa to lead the running game this season. Irvine returns most of its offensive line from last season including 6-foot-4, 300-pound Ethan Wheeler and center Joey Ricci. Harry Soltes led the team in sacks last year as a defensive tackle but will move back to linebacker this season. Hayden Kim is a slot receiver and safety who is aggressive and flies around the field. Irvine is still the favorite to win this league.

Laguna Hills’ Troy Leigber finds room to run against Estancia in a game during the 2021 seasaon. (Photo courtesy of Laguna Hills football)

LAGUNA HILLS

Top players: Troy Leigber, RB/DB, Sr.; Nathan Auten, RB/DB, Sr.; Kaden Austin, QB, Sr.; Gavin Diaz, OL/DL, Sr.; Nick Ferlauto, RB/DB, Sr.; Sam Stark, OL/DL, Sr.

What to expect: Laguna Hills had a seven-game winning streak last season and made the playoffs despite its best player, Troy Leigber, missing half the season due to injury. Nick Ferlauto picked up the slack and rushed for 6 yards per carry and six touchdowns. Nathan Auten was the team MVP last season and is back; he’ll play both ways this season. Kaden Austin is a 6-foot-5 lefty quarterback with offers from Puget Sound and Claremont Mudd Scripps. Leigber is the younger brother of Stanford player Mitch Leigber and has an offer from Army West Point. A coach who played against Laguna Hills in passing league this summer said the Hawks are much better than they were last season. If any team can compete with Irvine for the league championship, it is Laguna Hills.

Northwood’s Adam Harper escapes a tackle from Jordan during the CIF-SS Division 11 championship game at Irvine High Friday Nov. 26, 2021.(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

NORTHWOOD

Top players: Adam Harper, RB/DB, Sr.; Ahmad Kazi, WR/LB, Sr.; Jan Abuelsad, OL/DL, Sr.; Danial Kamel, LB, Sr.; Joseph Harper, WR/DE, So.

What to expect: Northwood won its first CIF championship in school history last season and is moving up to the Pacific Coast League. Team MVP and CIF offensive player of the year Adam Harper returns as a four-year starter. He rushed for 214 yards and two touchdowns in Northwood’s CIF-SS championship win last season. Jan Abuelsad, the only returning offensive lineman, earned All-CIF honors last season. The receiving corps is led by Harper’s younger brother, Joseph, and Andrew Penrod. Eugene Miyata returns at quarterback for the Timberwolves and Kaden Carter is a promising junior running back who can spell Harper when needed. Danial Kamel was the CIF defensive player of the year and will lead the defense along with Ahmad Kazi. Northwood has a lot of talent returning, but is the weakest team in the league in the trenches which may cause problems for them.