OCVarsity will be previewing every Orange County high school football league and every team before the season begins.
IOTA LEAGUE PREVIEW
The Iota League is a six-team league that includes Canyon, El Toro, Irvine, Santa Ana, Sonora and Troy
CANYON
Top players: Alex Lundsberg, QB, Sr.; Noah McClary, WR, Jr.; James Munro, LB, Jr.; Dylan Prochnow, WR/TE, Sr.; Kellen Rommelfanger, WR, Sr.
What to expect: Canyon again will throw the football on just about every down. Quarterback Alex Lundsberg passed for 3,646 yards last season — the most in the CIF Southern Section in 2024 — with 43 touchdowns and was All-Iota League first team. He has plenty of targets, too, including all-league first-team receiver Kellen Rommelfanger, who last year had 83 receptions for 1,021 yards and 12 touchdowns. Canyon averaged only 54 rushing yards a game and gave up 50 points a game while finishing 3-7 overall and 1-4 in league. If Canyon can raise its rushing total and lower its points-allowed total, a playoff berth could be had.
EL TORO
Top players: Matt Arroyo, WR, Jr.; Makya Chee, RB, Sr.; Malachi Mena, RB/TE/LB, Sr.; Nate Nuelle, OL/DL, Sr.; Henry Tingey, OL, Sr.
El Toro High School football standouts Henry Tingey, lineman, Matt Arroyo, quarterback, Matt Arroyo, receiver and defensive back and Malachi Mena, linebacker, from left, stand together in the stadium at the Lake Forest school on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
El Toro High School football standouts Henry Tingey, lineman, Matt Arroyo, quarterback, Matt Arroyo, receiver and defensive back and Malachi Mena, linebacker, from left, stand together in the stadium at the Lake Forest school on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
El Toro High School football quarterback Wyatt Nucci stands in the stadium at the school on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
El Toro High School football receiver and defensive back Matt Arroyo stands in the stadium at the school on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
El Toro High School football linebacker Malachi Mena stands in the stadium at the school on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
El Toro High School football offensive and defensive lineman Henry Tingey stands in the stadium at the school on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
El Toro High School football quarterback Wyatt Nucci stands in the stadium at the school on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
El Toro High School football head coach Peter Lofthouse stands in the stadium at the school on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
El Toro High School football standouts Henry Tingey, lineman, Matt Arroyo, quarterback, Matt Arroyo, receiver and defensive back and Malachi Mena, linebacker, from left, stand together in the stadium at the Lake Forest school on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
El Toro High School football receiver and defensive back Matt Arroyo stands in the stadium at the school on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
El Toro High School football offensive and defensive lineman Henry Tingey stands in the stadium at the school on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
El Toro High School football linebacker Malachi Mena stands in the stadium at the school on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
El Toro High School football receiver and defensive back Matt Arroyo stands in the stadium at the school on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
El Toro High School football linebacker Malachi Mena stands in the stadium at the school on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
El Toro High School football quarterback Wyatt Nucci stands in the stadium at the school on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
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El Toro High School football standouts Henry Tingey, lineman, Matt Arroyo, quarterback, Matt Arroyo, receiver and defensive back and Malachi Mena, linebacker, from left, stand together in the stadium at the Lake Forest school on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
What to expect: El Toro will contend for the league championship. Among the Chargers many returnees is All-Iota League first-team running back Makya Chee, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards in his sophomore and junior seasons. Henry Tingey (6-3, 265), an Iota League lineman of the year, and Nate Nuelle (6-6, 270) lead the offensive line. Taking over at quarterback is Wyatt Nucci, a junior who El Toro coach Peter Lofthouse expects to have a fine season. The Chargers also have an edge in special teams, with kicker/punter Gianluca D’Amato, who is No. 2 in our ranking of Orange County’s top specialists.
IRVINE
Top players: Cevin Blanco, DL, Sr.; James Enderton, WR, Sr.; Jack Pagano, OL/DL, Sr.; Sina Saferzadeh, QB/LB, Sr.; Smith Spivey, WR/DB, Sr.
What to expect: The Vaqueros, who have seven returning starters on offense and five returning starters on defense, had a productive running game last season when they finished 7-5 overall and 3-2 in league and expect to have the same type of offense this season. Seamus Hoffman, a junior who rushed for 203 yards last season, takes over as the featured back. Quarterback Sina Saferzadeh is also a running threat and is a fine linebacker, too, having made All-Iota League second team last year for his defense. Smith Spivey was an all-league second team selection last season.
SANTA ANA
Top players: Troy Alvarez, RB/LB, Jr.; Evan Maldonado, RB/DB, Sr.; Christopher Miranda, OL/DL, Sr.; Jonathan Dominguez, RB/DB/K, Sr.; Nery De La Cruz, OL/DL, Jr.
What to expect: This could be a strong defensive team, which will be important given the many good offenses in this league. Troy Alvarez is a two-time all-league performer, and second-year coach Luis Cruz said he was the league’s best defensive player last season. Alvarez had 12 tackles for loss in 2024. The Saints have four returning starters on offense and four returning starters on defense. Alejandro Gil, a junior, is the starting quarterback after playing the position sparingly last season. He leads what Cruz said will be a balanced offense. Two-way lineman Evan Maldonado was All-Iota second team last year.
SONORA
Top players: Fabian Chavez, OL, Sr.; Bernardo Loera, DB/WR, Sr.; Alesay Nazaroff, RB/DB, Sr.; Tommy Perez, OL, Sr.; Aiden Peru, DB, Sr.
What to expect: The Raiders have a new head coach, Andrew Cedergren, who is a head coach for the first time. Sonora has only three returning starters from last year’s team that went 7-5 overall and 3-2 in league, so a transition year could be in the cards. The Raiders averaged 341 rushing yards a game last year, and might showcase a run-heavy offense again led by Alexsay Nazaroff, who rushed for 910 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024. He was All-Iota League first team as a defensive back. Tommy Perez is one of the three returning starters. He was primarily a defensive lineman last year.
TROY
Top players: Daniel Aguirre, OL, Sr.; Ethan Mundt, RB/LB, Sr.; Noah Heathington, LB, Sr.; Fisher McDonald, LB, Sr.; Hudson Ploog, TE, Jr.
Troy High School football player Hudson Ploog (1) in Fullerton on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Troy is the Iota League favorite. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Troy High School football player Fisher McDonald (4) in Fullerton on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Troy is the Iota League favorite. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Troy High School football player Daniel Aguirre (52) in Fullerton on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Troy is the Iota League favorite. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Troy High School football player Noah Heathington (27) in Fullerton on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Troy is the Iota League favorite. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Troy High School football player Ethan Mundt (5) in Fullerton on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Troy is the Iota League favorite. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Troy head football coach Michael Echaves at Troy High School in Fullerton on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Troy is the Iota League favorite. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Troy High School football player Ethan Mundt (5) in Fullerton on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Troy is the Iota League favorite. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Troy High School football player Fisher McDonald (4) in Fullerton on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Troy is the Iota League favorite. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Troy High School football player Noah Heathington (27) in Fullerton on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Troy is the Iota League favorite. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Troy High School football player Daniel Aguirre (52) in Fullerton on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Troy is the Iota League favorite. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Troy High School football player Hudson Ploog (1) in Fullerton on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Troy is the Iota League favorite. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Troy head football coach Michael Echaves at Troy High School in Fullerton on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Troy is the Iota League favorite. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Troy head football coach Michael Echaves at Troy High School in Fullerton on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Troy is the Iota League favorite. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Troy High School top football players, from left, Ethan Mundt (5), Fisher McDonald (4), Daniel Aguirre (52), Hudson Ploog (1) and Noah Heathington (27) in Fullerton on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Troy is the Iota League favorite. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Troy High School football player Hudson Ploog (1) in Fullerton on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Troy is the Iota League favorite. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
What to expect: The Warriors probably have what it takes to win another league championship, having finished 5-0 in the Iota League last season and 9-2 overall. They have five returning starters on offense and four on defense. Among the returnees is senior Ethan Mundt, No. 6 on our ranking of the top 10 running backs in Orange County. Mundt rushed for 1,502 yards and 18 touchdowns last season when he was named the league’s offensive player of the year. All-league first-team linebacker Fisher McDonald was second on the team in tackles last year with 44. Troy had not decided on a starting quarterback through the first days of August.
