OCVarsity will be previewing every Orange County high school football league and every team before the season begins.
Lambda League preview
BECKMAN
Top players: Noah Nam, QB, Sr.; Makhi Czaykowski, RB/LB, Sr.; Aidan Tran, RB/LB, Sr.; Roy Chaya, OL/DL, Sr.; Rian Silva, OL/DL, Sr.; Nate Garcia DB/WR, Sr.
What to expect: Beckman went 10-2 last season as they captured a share of the league title before ultimately falling to Lancaster in the second round of the playoffs. Senior quarterback Noah Nam is expected to lead the Patriots back to contend for the league championship again. Beckman coach Marcello Giuliano is excited to start a new season and build on last season’s postseason run. Giuliano says the success of the Patriots running game will depend on the production of Makhi Czaykowski and Aidan Tran. Giuliano also mentioned senior Sawyer Nickelson as a player who can be an impact player on both sides of the ball. Beckman opens their season against Aliso Niguel
FULLERTON
Top players: Maeson Washington, OL/DL, Jr.; Wilson Aldana, LB/TE, Sr.; Caden Wise, WR/DB/RB, Sr.; Cyrus Aviles, LB/RB, Jr.; Logan Vasquez, OL/DL, Sr.
What to expect: Fullerton coach Pete Karavedas returns to the sidelines for the first time since he stepped down as the head coach at Sunny Hills in 2021. He described this opportunity as the ideal situation for him. “It was a long process, but the stars aligned.” Karavedas said. “I had the desire (to return) but I didn’t think there would be a situation to match the desire, and this one did.” Maeson Washington (6-5, 285) and Logan Vasquez (6-6, 290) will be a physically imposing duo of bookend tackles for the Indians. Fullerton went winless last season but is hoping players from its talented lower-level teams can fill in and contribute this season. The quarterback competition will come down to the wire as sophomore Ethan Edwards and junior Sergio Andrade have been splitting reps since the spring. Fullerton opens the season against Anaheim on Thursday, Aug. 21.
KENNEDY
Top players: Derek Almazan, QB, Sr.; Rocco Street, WR/OLB, Sr.; Noah Scott, C, Sr.; Brandon Hahm, WR/CB, Sr.; Benjamin Beasley, WR/CB, Sr.; Luke Irons, G, Sr.
What to expect: Toa Siatunu’u takes over the program after a long stint as an assistant coach. Senior quarterback Derek Almazan will lead the offense. Senior wide receiver Rocco Street, senior wide receiver Benjamin Beasley and H-back Brandon Hahm will be Almazan’s top targets. All three players will contribute on the defensive side of the ball as well. Siatunu’u wants his team to compete hard and their goal is to win the league outright, after sharing it with Beckman and Marina last season. “We can’t move forward if we’re not on the same page,” Siatunu’u said. “Whether that be on the offensive side of the ball or on the defensive side of the ball, the most important part we preach is, you have to do your assignment. You know, when we do our assignment, good things happen.”
MARINA
Top players: Brandon Atchison, DL/OL, Sr.; Gunnar Mickelson, WR/LB Sr.; Francis Saporito, RB/QB/S, Sr.; Brayden O’Rourke, LB/TE, Sr.
What to expect: Marina coach Charlie TeGantvoort is optimistic that the strength and continuity on the offensive line will bolster his team’s offensive production. James Sastrawan, Kyle Ledbetter, JJ Merrill, Lucas Ingrao will anchor the offensive line. TeGantvoort believes if the Vikings can get some solid play from Francis Saporito, who will get some snaps under center as well as at running back, and wide receiver Gunnar Mickelson, they should be in the mix to compete for a league title again. Brandon Atchison, an all-league defensive lineman, led the team in sacks last season and is expected to set the tone on defense.
SUNNY HILLS
Top players: George Shelledy, RB, Sr.; Elias Vorathavorn, RB/LB, Sr.; Tate Garcia, OL/DL, Sr.; Zach Castillo, DE/OL, Sr.
What to expect: Fred Gambrell begins his second year at the helm with a group that includes 21 seniors. Two senior running backs, George Shelledy and Elias Vorathavorn, will be featured in the backfield. Senior left tackle Tate Garcia (6-3, 290) and senior right tackle Zach Castillo will be counted on to provide stellar play on the line. Garcia is also on the radar of several college scouts. Gambrell believes his team was a few plays away from a playoff berth last season, referring to a 28-20 loss to Kennedy as a pivotal game. He hopes that his team’s hard work during the offseason can pay dividends, especially during league play.
VALENCIA
Top players: Jackson Dias, DE/WR, Sr.; Jackson Day, LB/RB, Sr.; Louis Galvan, RB/OLB, Sr.; Andrew Mendez, SS/WR, Sr.; Noel Alejandre, OL, Sr.
What to expect: Valencia is hopeful it can improve on what it did a year ago when it went 4-6 overall and 1-4 in league. The Tigers will rely on a physical defense, led by senior defensive end Jackson Dias and senior linebacker Jackson Day. Valencia coach Jason Gray believes the run game will be crucial to his team’s success. The Tigers will depend on senior tackle Noel Alejandre and senior running back Louis Galvan to provide solid play. Gray hopes his senior-laden squad can lean on its experience, especially when league play rolls around.
