OCVarsity will be previewing every Orange County high school football league and every team before the season begins.
TANGO LEAGUE PREVIEW
The Tango League is a six-team league that includes Anaheim, Bolsa Grande, Costa Mesa, La Quinta, Loara and Santiago.
ANAHEIM
Top players: Joshua Meza, OL/DL, Sr.; Xavier Aviles, WR/FS, Sr.; Jacob Campos, QB, Jr.; Lloyd Nolasco, DB/WR, Jr.
What to expect: The defending Tango League champions lost 26 seniors from last year’s team but coach Gus Martinez is expecting good things from his younger players. “We’re excited to see all these new kids,” he said. “We got a ton of new players that are going to get some opportunities, so we’re really happy about that. We’re really excited to see what they’re able to do.” Junior QB Jacob Campos will take over under center and Martinez is pleased to have an entire offseason program with the team. Martinez expects a big season for all-league returner Joshua Meza on both sides of the ball. The Colonists will face Fullerton in their season opener.
BOSLA GRANDE
Top players: Nate Fiaputa, OL/DL, Sr.; Jesse Hernandez, OL/DL, Sr.; Mikey Haley, RB/OLB, Sr.; Anthony Bell, RB/LB, Sr.; Michael Nguyen, QB, Jr.
What to expect: The Matadors welcome back coach Doug Cooper, who will be at the helm for the second time, with his first stint coming in 2016. Cooper takes over a program that has made three straight postseason appearances and the expectation is that the team will extend that streak. Nate Fiaputa and Jesse Hernandez will anchor the offensive line while running backs Anthony Bell and Mikey Haley will spearhead the rushing attack. Michael Nguyen will start at quarterback, and Cooper says he has “vastly improved.” Cooper also believes if this team can stay healthy it can make a deep postseason run.
COSTA MESA
Top players: Andrew Waiss, QB, Sr.; Gavin Garza, RB, Jr.; Israel Lopez, OL/DL, Caden Oliver TE
What to expect: Costa Mesa coach Gary Gonzalez says his team is hungry to erase the bad memories from last season’s playoff loss to San Gabriel. “The motto that we’ve kind of established and adopted this year was ‘unfinished business,’ ” Gonzalez said. “So, you know, with that being said, it’s taking care of the unfinished business from last year. Plus, we’re kind of getting sick and tired of hitting each other now. So I think we’re ready for a different team, a different color to hit.” The Mustangs return four starting linemen, led by Israel Lopez (6-4, 280), who Gonzalez calls “an absolute unit.” Andrew Waiss, a three-year starter at QB, will lead the offense with junior running back Gavin Garza expected to carry the load for Costa Mesa.
LA QUINTA
Top players: Richard Luna, OL/DL, Sr.; Edgar Merino, OL/DL, Sr.; Gio Rosales, OL/DL, SR.; Jeremiah Latu, OLB/WR, Sr.; Art Martinez, LB/DT
What to expect: La Quinta will be really young at some of the skill positions so they will lean on the strength of the offensive line, according to coach James Stewart. Linemen Richard Luna, Edgar Merino and Gio Rosales will be counted on to provide protection for new starting QB Joshua Noguera. The Aztecs will rely on junior running back Brandon Berganza to help fill the void of losing all-league running back Cooper Starnes. On defense, outside linebacker Jeremiah Latu, linebacker Art Martinez, strong safety Lelan Latu, and cornerback Michael Nguyen will be depended on to provide solid leadership and playmaking abilities. Stewart wholeheartedly believes his team can compete for a playoff spot and beyond.
LOARA
Top players: Vong Pham, OL/DL, Soph.; Ariel Olvera, RB/LB, Sr.; Jorge Rodriguez, WR/DB, Sr.; Jayden Faraimo, DE, Jr.; Aiden Gomez, QB, Sr., Nathan Reyes, DE, Sr.
What to expect: Loara coach Gary Wright has seen vast improvements from last year’s winless team and believes his team is on the cusp of turning things around this season. “We had four seniors total (last year), so we were a very young, very inexperienced crew last year,” Wright said, “and so that year of growth is really starting to show up now.” Wright is excited to see his offensive line take shape and potentially anchor the team. Leading that group is sophomore Vong Pham (6-2, 250), who has the potential to develop into a special player. The Saxons return senior running back Ariel Olvera and senior QB Aiden Gomez. Senior wide receiver Jorge Rodriguez should also contribute. Wright also speaks highly of a pair of edge rushers, junior Jayden Faraimo and senior Nathan Reyes. “We feel like we’ve changed the culture and the kids are really buying in,” Wright said. “Now we just need to get those first couple of wins to really get that solidified.”
SANTIAGO
Top players: Mario Carbajal, RB/LB, Sr.; Kingston Berard, OL/DL, Sr.; Isaac Garcia, DE, Sr.; Delver Camacho, RB/LB, Sr.; Daniel Delatorre OL/DL, Sr.
What to expect: Cavaliers coach Doug Ozsvath feels like his team, whicho finished 2-3 in league play last year, was just a few plays away from reversing their fortunes to become a playoff team. “We just came up short,” he said. “Just like we did in the previous year, a few possessions, a few things work out our way and we’re looking at a playoff game for sure.“ Santiago will lean on a three-year starter, senior Mario Carbajal, who plays running back and linebacker. Kingston Berard and Daniel Delatorre should provide size on the line, while senior defensive end Isaac Garcia will also be counted on to help out on the edge. Ozsvath hopes a simplistic approach to this season, where they take one play at a time and limit mistakes, can help them achieve their playoff aspirations. “We know we can hang with these teams,” Ozsvath said, “we just have to get out there and capitalize on a Friday night.”