Editor’s note: Michael Huntley will be writing a weekly column for OCVarsity on the “under the radar” players, teams, rivalries, uniforms, school bands — basically anything to do with the Orange County high school football scene. If you have suggestions for topics, please let us know at preps@ocregister.com.
The Under the Radar Report will be published online each Wednesday during the football season.
Under the Radar’s offensive player to watch in Week 2: Anaheim’s Guillermo Meza
Anaheim had 480 yards of offense in its 33-13 win against La Quinta in Week 1, largely due to the dominant rushing performance of Guillermo Meza. Meza rushed for 237 yards on 24 carries with three touchdowns.
Meza was the featured running back in Anaheim’s offense last season, but only averaged 26 yards per game in the Colonists’ pass heavy attack.
Anaheim only attempted nine passes against La Quinta, and if Meza continues to average nearly 10 yards per carry, it will likely be a trend.
The Colonists play Rancho Alamitos on Thursday, another Garden Grove League team. Rancho, picked by this reporter to win the Garden Grove League title before the season started, is off to an 0-2 start and gave up 37 points to Savanna last week. Meza should have another dominant performance and Anaheim should earn its first 2-0 start since 2014.
Under the Radar’s defensive player to watch in Week: Tesoro’s Brant Gass
Tesoro is far from an “under the radar” team, but Brant Gass has been an unsung hero on Tesoro’s dominant defense this season.
The Titans defense features two players – Parker Marshall and Garrett Clapper – on Dan Albano’s O.C. Hot 150, but Gass leads the team in tackles and tackles for a loss.
Gass has 25 tackles entering Week 2 and five tackles for a loss. In Tesoro’s win against Knight of Palmdale last week, Gass had 12 tackles and an interception.
“Brant has a nose for the football and is an explosive player,” Tesoro coach Matt Poston said. “He’s extremely coachable and plays with great technique.”
Tesoro’s starting defense hasn’t allowed a point this season. The Titans have one of the best front sevens in the county and it makes it difficult for opponents to key on one player.
“We have a lot of speed on the field and talent spread out at all positions,” Poston said.
The Titans play Roosevelt of Eastvale on Friday, which is the toughest opponent the the Titans will play until they open South Coast League play against San Clemente.
Under the Radar’s Game of the Week: Garden Grove vs. Santa Ana
Santa Ana coach Charlie TeGantvoort made an effort to schedule challenging nonleague opponents for the Saints this season.
The Saints earned an impressive win against Cypress last week and they finish nonleague play against Garden Grove, Aliso Niguel and Woodbridge, all among the top teams in the county this season.
The Saints’ running game is outstanding and among the best in the county. Santa Ana has rushed for 766 yards in two games and have averaged 8 yards per carry. Drew Ramirez leads the Saints rushing attack with 251 yards on 29 carries. The Santa Ana defense is impressive as well, only allowing three points against Cypress. Nick Larriva leads the Santa Ana defense and is an early All-County candidate. Larriva has 17 tackles, six for a loss and six sacks.
Garden Grove has one of the best running backs in the county in Mike Carrillo, who rushed for 228 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Week 1 against Orange. Carrillo also had nine tackles on defense, which was the second most for the Argos behind Willie Sanders (10 tackles).
Santa Ana is the best team Garden Grove will play during the regular season, and if the Argos hold Santa Ana to under 200 yards rushing, they have a chance.
This game might last just over an hour at the rate these teams run the ball.
Under the Radar story line: Orange League’s early success
The Orange League, or the Katella League of late, is deeper than it has been in recent years. Orange League teams are 9-1 entering Week 2 and aren’t just beating doormat teams. Anaheim beat La Quinta by three touchdowns and the Aztecs were a CIF-SS Division 13 semifinalist last season.
Katella gets the most coverage in the Orange League and rightfully so, but the league is emerging as more than just a one-team league.
Santa Ana Valley is off to a 2-0 start and is among the best public school teams in Santa Ana. The Falcons are ranked No. 1 in this week’s CIF Division 13 poll.
Santa Ana Valley coach Larry Mohr talked to Dan Albano earlier this week and praised the coaching in the Orange League.
Savanna coach Tom Ricci echoed Mohr’s comments about the quality of coaches in the league.
“I think the league has good coaching because they are lucky enough to keep good staffs together,” Ricci said.
The talent in the Orange Coast League has improved recently as well. Century has Hugo Flores who had 15 tackles and three sacks in Week 1. Katella has a new quarterback, Riley Flenniken, and tight end, Edward Williams, who have already connected for six touchdowns this season. Santa Ana Valley is poised to double its win total from 2017 despite losing a Division I running back in Malcom Wesley.
“If you play the Orange League, we are going to be tough, physical and well-coached,” Ricci said.
If the teams in the Orange League keep dominating nonleague opponents, they might get four teams into the playoffs.
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