HUNTINGTON BEACH – If there was one position group that stood out Saturday as the most imposing at the Battle at the Beach, it might have been JSerra’s linebackers.
The Lions’ foursome of sophomore Malaki Te’o (5-11, 237), junior Jaden Genova (6-0, 205), junior Champion Johnson (6-2, 220) and senior Keegan Netherton (6-1, 215) showcased physical size and athleticism during a pool-play game against Centennial of Corona.
Genova returned an interception for a touchdown while Netherton added an interception in a 35-12 victory at Edison.
Johnson is a transfer from The Bishop’s in La Jolla. He also is a standout wrestler.
In other JSerra news, new quarterback General Booty looked solid against the Huskies. The junior tossed a long TD to sophomore wide receiver Keyan Burnett.
Junior Earnest McDaniel is a junior slot receiver who looks vastly improved. He caught a touchdown on a short post route. He has been offered by Nevada.
Cornerbacks Zamajay Duncan and Samuel Green – both juniors – played like a strong tandem. Duncan also play wide receiver caught a touchdown pass from Booty.
Duncan emerged last season but appears improved.
TOP RUNNING BACK TRANSFERS TO MATER DEI
The Monarchs’ running back position again looks dynamic for a combination of reasons.
Speedy Narbonne running back Marceese Yetts (5-9, 170) has enrolled at Mater Dei, Monarchs coach Bruce Rollinson confirmed Saturday at the Battle at the Beach.
Yetts, a junior, was recently offered by Kansas and also holds offers from Syracuse and BYU among others.
Junior Cameron Leofa (5-10, 228) is back after an injured-shortened 2018.
And Quincy Craig is a sophomore running back who Rollinson is high on.
As Mater Dei has shown in recent seasons, it requires much more than carrying the ball from running backs. The Monarchs asked standouts such as Shakobe Harper and Sean Dollars to block and catch the ball out of the backfield.
Considering those demands and the physical teams on the schedule, Mater Dei appears to have intriguing options at running back for 2019.
In other Mater Dei news, senior Kody Epps was the Monarchs’ top receiver in a 26-19 victory against Narbonne.
LA HABRA’S RYAN ZANELLI DOWN TO TWO COLLEGES
La Habra senior quarterback Ryan Zanelli said he has narrowed his college choices to Yale and Penn and could commit before the season starts for the Highlanders.
“I’m kind ready to focus on my senior year,” said Zanelli, who carries a 4.0 grade-point average.
Zanelli could follow the footsteps of former Edison standout Griffin O’Connor is he commits to Yale or Nick Robinson of JSerra if he heads Penn.
In other La Habra news, junior cornerback Bryce Phillips grabbed two interceptions in the fight-marred victory against Cathedral.
The Highlanders will be back in action July 13 at the Mission Viejo tournament.
SERVITE, EDISON WIDE RECEIVERS SHINE
Servite sophomore Tetairoa “TMAC” McMillan and Edison senior Cole Koffler put on a show in the teams’ tournament opener.
McMillan, one of the most athletic wide outs from the county on Saturday, caught three TDs, including a spectacular, leaping grab at the back of the end zone for the first score. Strong-armed sophomore quarterback Noah Fifita put the ball high enough that only McMillan could grab it.
Koffler caught two touchdowns from strong-armed junior Braeden Boyles, including one a deep pass down the middle.
Servite tight end Jake Overman (6-4, 235) also impressed with several catches, including a TD, in the Friars’ 33-25 victory.
TRILIAN HARRIS TRANSFERS TO CENTENNIAL OF CORONA
Former Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo quarterback Trilian Harris, a junior, has enrolled at Centennial of Corona.
Please send football news to Dan Albano at dalbano@scng.com or @ocvarsityguy on Twitter, thanks for following the coverage and please consider a subscription.
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