OCVarsity will be previewing every Orange County high school football league and every team before the season begins.
KAPPA LEAGUE PREVIEW
The Kappa League is a six-team league that includes Brea Olinda, Esperanza, Garden Grove, Segerstrom, St. Margaret’s and Westminster.
BREA OLINDA
Top players: Ryan Nero, WR, Sr.; Gavin Nicholson, QB, Jr.; Austin Elder, OL/DL, Jr.; Nick Major, OL, Jr.; Logan King, S, Jr.
What to expect: The Wildcats were one of four county teams that finished the regular season with an undefeated record in 2024. Brea Olinda graduated its quarterback and its running back from last season, but coach Justin Villasenor is excited about new quarterback Gavin Nicholson due to his different skill set from the previous quarterback. Austin Elder and Nick Major lead the offensive line, which will help the team’s new faces at running back. Brea’s defense had 50 sacks last season and Logan King was second on the team in interceptions. The Wildcats beefed up their nonleague schedule a bit so another undefeated season might be challenging, but Brea Olinda has a strong chance to repeat as league champions.
ESPERANZA
The team information will be added to the story when it is ready for publication.
GARDEN GROVE
Top players: Quentin Pacelli, RB, Sr.; Jayden Nunez, TE, Jr.; Jayden Menier, LB, Sr.; Evan Torres, LB/WR, Sr.; Victor Baires, DL/OL, Sr.
What to expect: Garden Grove underwent its first full offseason under coach Matthew LemMon, who was hired late in the offseason a year ago. “(It’s) easier to install and learn schemes across the board when I have more than a month to do it,” LemMon said. “The team responded really well, worked hard and really got after it.” Quentin Pacelli led all juniors in the county in rushing last season and is back behind an improved offensive line. Calvin Keovphan returns at quarterback and we may see some more passing for the Argonauts this year. Garden Grove’s defense struggled mightily last year due to some injuries, but the defense could be improved with Jayden Menier and Victor Baires leading the unit.
SEGERSTROM
Top players: Ayden Morales, RB, LB, Sr.; Jullian Hernandez, LB/TE, Jr.; Roman Saucedo, DB/RB, Sr.; Jorge Briseno, OL/DL, Sr.; Gabriel Vergara, WR/DB, Sr.
What to expect: Segerstrom was the second-place team in the Kappa League last season and lost by one point in the playoffs to eventual Division 8 champion St. Pius X-St. Matthias. The Jaguars lost a ton of firepower on offense, including the league MVP at running back and a three-year starter at quarterback. Ayden Morales is a strong two-way player who will lead the running back corps and two players are battling for the starting quarterback position. Jullian Hernandez leads the defense after a breakout sophomore season and Joshua Garcia will patrol the secondary at free safety. The strength of the team is the offensive and defensive lines, which may help speed up the development of the young skill players.
ST. MARGARET’S
Top players: Jack Klausner, LB/TE, Sr.; Ryan Chin, OL/DL, Sr.; Sam Orellana, RB, Jr.; Sebastian Salazar, LB, Sr.; Kai Letcher, QB, Jr.
What to expect: St. Margaret’s missed the playoffs last season after playing a tough schedule and starting 17 underclassmen. The Tartans offense should improve with most of the offensive line returning and returning dual-threat quarterback Kai Letcher. “Kai’s progression continues to boggle my mind,” St. Margaret’s coach Dan O’Shea said. “You can tell he is playing with a great sense of confidence understanding the offense.” Jack Klausner had a team-high 92 tackles last season and Sebastian Salazar added 85. All-County lacrosse player Andrew Toubin leads the secondary. St. Margaret’s is returning 17 starters and its freshman team won a league championship last season so the Tartans have a chance to return to the playoffs.
WESTMINSTER
Top players: Anthony Laurean, OL, Sr.; Noah Pedraza, LB/WR, Sr.; A’Marri Hopwood, DL/TE, Sr.; Jason Guzman, DB/WR, Sr.; Gabriel Ortega, WR/DB, Sr.
What to expect: Westminster struggled on offense last season and averaged 16 points per game with four shutout losses. The Lions have a new offensive coordinator according to coach Alexander De Giacomo and return two all-league players on offense, Anthony Laurean and Jason Guzman. A’Marri Hopwood was one of the team’s leading tacklers on defense last season and earned all-league honors. Gabriel Ortega leads the secondary and Hopwood’s brother Alim is a player to keep an eye on. The nonleague schedule is a little lighter this season for the Lions but they must improve offensively in order to return to the playoffs.