OCVarsity will be previewing every Orange County high school football league and every team before the season begins.
DELTA LEAGUE PREVIEW
The Delta League is a six-team league that includes Capistrano Valley, Cypress, El Modena, Trabuco Hills, Tustin and Western
CAPISTRANO VALLEY
Top players: Damon Epstein, OL/DL, Sr.; Talon Spencer, QB, Jr.
What to expect: The Cougars have a high-scoring group that could match last year’s team that finished 8-3 overall and 4-1 in league. Talon Spencer, who was an all-league first-team receiver last season, moves to quarterback where his athletic skills make him a two-way threat. One of his chief targets will be junior tight end Colin Hooper, who had six touchdown receptions last year. Two-way lineman Damon Epstein was all-league second team last season when he had seven sacks. He leads a Cougars defense that brings back all-league, second-team linebackers Trey Schild and Jack Schwenn.
CYPRESS
Top players: Tynoa Allen, TE/DE, Sr.; Jaiden Anthony, RB/WR/DB, Sr.; Bryson Busbee, RB/DB, Sr.; Mekaih Felix, WR, Jr.; Matt Rodriguez, WR/DB/KR/PR, Jr.
What to expect: The Centurions likely will be better than last year’s team that finished 2-9 overall and 0-5 in the Delta League. But that improvement might not be enough to keep up with the top teams in this strong league. Cypress has a good set of offensive skill-position players, including running back Bryson Busbee, who was all-league first team last year when he rushed for 715 yards and eight touchdowns. Tynoa Allen was all-league second team last season when he recorded 53 tackles including 13 tackles for loss. This will be a young team that might be building a solid foundation for a fine 2026 season.
EL MODENA
Top players: Andrew Alvarez, OL/DL, Sr.; Lincoln Irvin, TE/LB, Sr.; Sam Jackett, WR/DB, Sr.; Jeremy Russell, WR/DB, Sr.; Thomas Sheehan, WR/DB, Jr.
What to expect: With only four returning starters on offense and two on defense, the Vanguards have plenty of new players in key roles. Ethan Sorenson, a junior, is the starting quarterback after being the junior varsity starter last year. Andrew Alvarez, All-Delta League second-team last year, leads the young offensive and defensive lines. Receiver Sam Jackett will be leaned upon heavily on offense. It might be difficult for El Modena (9-3 overall and 3-2 in league in 2024) to keep up with the high-powered offenses in this league. The Vanguards’ nonleague schedule is a tough one, too, with Crean Lutheran, Dana Hills and Troy in the mix, so 2025 will be a heavy challenge.
TRABUCO HILLS
Top players: Joshua Fitch, WR/DB, Sr.; Fearghus Gray, K/P, Sr.; Landon Pompey, RB/LB, Sr.; Trey Webber, OL, Jr.; Tristan Zale, QB, Sr.
What to expect: The Mustangs will be dynamite offensively. Senior quarterback Tristan Zale threw for 2,908 yards and 30 touchdowns last season when he was named All-Delta League first team. He is No. 9 in our ranking of the top 10 quarterbacks in Orange County. Trabuco Hills will have a strong ground game, too, featuring senior Landon Pompey, who was all-league first team last season when he rushed for 1,027 yards. Among the five returning starters on offense is junior lineman Trey Webber, who was all-league second team last year. The Mustangs, who went 5-6 overall and 1-4 in the league last season, have no returning starters on defense, which could be an issue given the superb offenses in the Delta League.
TUSTIN
Top players: Taven Epps, WR/LB, Jr.; Jon Ioane, OL/DL, Jr.; Tim Ioane, LB, Sr.; Khalil Terry, DB, Jr.; Jeremiah Williams, RB/DL, Jr.
What to expect: The Tillers are the favorites to win the league again. They bring back five returning players on offense and eight returning players on defense from last year’s team that finished 9-2 overall and 5-0 in league. Jon Ioane (6-3, 290) and Jeremiah Williams (6-2, 305) were the league’s co-linemen of the year last season. Ioane, who is No. 21 on our Hot 150 ranking of the county’s top football players, was All-Orange County second team and Williams was All-County third team. Khalil Terry was all-league and All-County first team and is No. 23 on the Hot 150. Senior receiver/linebacker Taven Epps (6-4, 220), who committed to Texas, is No. 25 on the list. Ayden Edwards, a 6-4 sophomore, shared time at quarterback last season but is the bona fide starter this season.
WESTERN
Top players: Skylar Lendsey, RB, Sr.; Ernest Nunley, DB, Sr.; Jacob Taylor, RB/LB, Sr.; Chance Thomas, QB, Jr.; Maxwell Young, WR, Sr.
What to expect: Western never has a problem scoring points. It averaged 27 points a game last year and should be formidable again this year. The Pioneers defense gave up 36 points a game last season when they finished 5-6 overall and 2-3 in league. It’s the defensive unit that needs to improve if Western is to contend for the league championship. The Pioneers have a couple of fine players, led by Cal-committed defensive back Ernest Nunley and linebacker Jacob Taylor, who was All-Delta League second team last season. The offense will be led by junior quarterback Chance Thomas (6-2, 200), who has several college offers and was all-league second team last year.