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The top players and season outlook for all six teams in the Sunset League:
SUNSET LEAGUE
Warren’s Devan Stamps is tackled by Corona del Mar’s Mason Kubichek during the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs in Downey on Friday, November 5, 2021. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
CORONA DEL MAR
Top players: David Rasor, QB, Sr.; Cooper Hoch, WR, Sr.; Evan Sanders, RB, Sr.; Mason Kubichek, LB, Sr.; Trent Merriman, TE, Sr.
What to expect: The Sea Kings, who finished third in league last season, have the ingredients for an explosive offense led by QB David Rasor. The three-year starter and recent UC Davis commit passed for almost 2,400 yards and 34 TDs last season. His top targets will be receiver Cooper Hoch, versatile running back Evan Sanders and tight end Trent Merriman. The defense will be anchored by a strong group of linebackers led by Mason Kubichek and junior Christian Brooks. The question mark will be the offensive and defensive lines. Center Chase Horton is the best along the offensive line. If the Sea Kings want to challenge Los Alamitos or Edison, they’ll need to play well in the trenches.
Edison quarterback Parker Awad looks to throw a pass against Servite in Santa Ana on Friday, August 20, 2021. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
EDISON
Top players: Parker Awad, QB, Sr.; Nathan Gates, OT, Sr.; Tucker Tripp, WR, Sr.; Malachi Pierce, CB/WR, Sr.; Makai Sagiao, OL/DL, Jr.
What to expect: The Chargers, the runner-up in league in 2021, should compete at a similar level as last season when they finished 8-4 overall and pushed Los Alamitos for the league title. Edison returns highly-accurate quarterback Parker Awad (67 percent completion rate last season) and several strong linemen, including Nathan Gates at left tackle. The team added two-way lineman Makai Sagiao, a transfer from Newport Harbor. Edison coach Jeff Grady is high on returning linemen Luke Jones and Zach Gruwell. The Chargers have some emerging targets at receiver such as Tucker Tripp, Ashton Hurley and Mason York. Middle linebacker Logan Gregory helps anchor the defense. One key for Edison will be finding a playmaker at running back. Senior Carter Hogue could help lead that spot.
FOUNTAIN VALLEY
Top players: Caine Elroy, LB/RB, Sr.; Ben Pham, LB/RB, Sr.; Abdel Habibeh, RB/SS, Sr.; Scott Peshke, TE/LB, Sr.; Michael Rocha, DL, Sr.
What to expect: The Barons, who finished 1-9 overall last season, enter 2022 with more stability than last fall. Coach David Gutierrez had a full offseason with the team after taking the reins on the first day of fall camp last season. The squad also features several players with experience, including team MVP Ben Pham. The senior running back/outside linebacker returns with Caine Elroy and Abdel Habibeh as key two-way seniors. Habibeh (480 yards) and Pham (340 yards) led the team in rushing last season while Elroy (76 tackles) and Pham (66 tackles) anchored the defense. Fountain Valley also has been boosted by the development of senior left tackle Matthew Mena (6-4, 275) and junior quarterback Noa Banua. The Barons also added defensive end/tight end Fernando Garcia (6-7, 212) from the basketball team. Gutierrez believes the Barons will be improved.
HUNTINGTON BEACH
Top players: Justin Tauanuu, OL, Jr.; AJ Vandermade, WR/FS, Sr.; Daunte Bell, QB, Sr.; Nathan Tauanuu, RB/TE/LB, Sr.; Jaxson Brown, LB/RB, Jr.
What to expect: The Oilers, who placed fifth in league last season, are retooling with a blend of returners and a transfer potentially at quarterback. Senior Daunte Bell (6-5, 205), a transfer from Katella, is battling Vaughn Popp to start at QB. The team’s top offensive returners are AJ Vandermade at wide receiver and impressive junior Justin Tauanuu at left tackle. Tauanuu’s brother, Nathan, is a defensive force at linebacker/defensive end and the team’s leading returning tackler. Vandermade, limited to four games last season, also plays safety. The Oilers lost all-league selections Jordan Castro and Quincy Hankins to Tustin but have a chance to at least hold their ground record-wise or surprise.
LOS ALAMITOS
Top players: Malachi Nelson, QB, Sr.; Makai Lemon, WR/CB, Sr.; Ethan O’Connor, WR/CB, Sr.; T.A. Cunningham, DE, Jr.; Sinn Brennan, DE/TE, Sr.
What to expect: The two-time defending league champion Griffins are the team to beat again thanks to a plethora of skill players and a major transfer at defensive end. The offense again looks dynamic with the return of QB Malachi Nelson and wide receiver Makai Lemon, a pair of USC-committed seniors. Nelson passed for nearly 2,700 yards and 39 TDs last season while Lemon had 65 catches for 1,062 yards and 15 TDs. The duo is supported by wideouts Ethan O’Connor, Gavin Porch, Kassius Ashtiani and running back Damian Henderson, a transfer from Jordan in Long Beach. The biggest offseason transfer was junior defensive end T.A. Cunningham (6-6, 265), the No. 1-ranked junior at his position in the nation, according to 247Sports. Cunningham will join forces with senior Sinn Brennan and Orange Lutheran transfer Ryder Trujillo to give the Griffins one of the top defensive fronts in Orange County. The key for the Griffins will be their play along the offensive line and at linebacker. Los Alamitos is playing a challenging nonleague schedule and looks like a potential Division 1 team for the CIF-SS playoffs.
Newport Harbor wide receiver Josiah Lamarque, left, gets a high five from wide receiver Kashton Henjum, right, as he runs to the end zone to score a touchdown against Sunny Hills in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 6 football playoff in Newport Beach on Friday, November 5, 2021. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
NEWPORT HARBOR
Top players: Kashton Henjum, WR, Sr.; Colton Joseph, QB, Sr.; Carson de Avila, S, Sr.; Josiah Lamarque, WR., Jr.; Jacob Carlon, LB, Jr.
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What to expect: The Sailors, the reigning CIF-SS Division 6 champions, have the makings of another formidable offense. Senior quarterback Colton Joseph arrived from San Juan Hills in the offseason and impressed during summer passing competition. He will team with returning receivers Kashton Henjum and Josiah Lamarque, both of whom are coming off strong seasons. Henjum had 108 receptions for 1,551 yards and 15 TDs while Lamarque collected 78 receptions for 972 yards. Joseph also is an outstanding runner and could complement running backs such as seniors Payton Irving and Jackson Young. Safety Carson de Avila, the county’s leader in tackles last season with 163, returns to anchor the defense. Coach Peter Lofthouse believes junior outside linebacker Jacob Carlson could blossom into strong college prospect. If the Sailors develop in the trenches, they should have another strong season, though starting league against Los Alamitos and Edison will be tough.