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OCVarsity will be previewing every Orange County high school football league and every team before the season begins.
OMICRON LEAGUE PREVIEW
The Omicron League is a new six-team league that includes Buena Park, Katella, Pacifica, Portola, University and Woodbridge.
BUENA PARK
Top players: Kevin Garcia, QB, So.; Lynnden Hodge, RB, Sr.; Nicholas Zamora, WR, Sr.; Alfredo Padilla, OL/DL, Jr.; Anthony Gonzalez, OL/DL, Jr.
What to expect: It’s hard to think of another public school team that was hit harder by losing transfers than Buena Park. Three players who were big varsity contributors as freshmen in 2023 have moved on to other schools. Kevin Garcia is a 6-foot-3 sophomore quarterback who will be the team’s starter. Lynnden Hodge was the second-leading rusher at Warren last season and transferred to Buena Park. Coach David Prieto said the strength of the team is the linemen but the team is inexperienced at the skill positions. Buena Park reached the playoffs last season for the first time since 2016 and might be the team to beat in the Omicron League.
KATELLA
Top players: Isaac Sanchez, QB/DB, Sr.; Isaiah Flores, RB/LB, Sr.; Jayden Hernandez, WR/DB, Jr.; Adam Haqi, RB/LB, Jr.; Aaron Arnwine, OL/DL, Jr.
What to expect: Dustin Hurley is the new head coach at Katella, the team’s third head coach in three seasons. The Knights return seven starters on offense and five on defense. Four of the five offensive linemen are back along with quarterback Isaac Sanchez. Isaiah Flores and Adam Haqi will split carries at running back. Haqi was an All-Big 4 League linebacker last season and will lead the defense along with juniors Jayden Hernandez and Brandon Baltazar. Hurley is looking forward to playing in a more balanced league. The Knights lost their league games by a combined score of 179-7 last season.
PACIFICA
Top players: Jakob Davis, WR/DB, Sr.; Hayden Hodges, DL/OL, Sr.; Armando Torres II, WR/DB, Sr.; James Anema, QB, Jr.; David Carlsson, WR/DB, Jr.
What to expect: Pacifica got off to a rocky start in 2023 but finished the season strong with Empire League wins over Kennedy and Valencia. “The most important aspect of the wins wasn’t the wins themselves,” coach Kyle Murphy said. “It was the team’s willingness and perseverance to fight to earn the wins even though the season wasn’t as successful as they wanted.” Pacifica has 25 returning players with varsity experience including two-way players Armando Torres II and David Carlsson. Murphy was an All-American offensive lineman at Arizona State so expect quality offensive line play from the Mariners.
PORTOLA
OCVarsity hopes to add the team’s information soon.
UNIVERSITY
Top players: Damari Carter, LB/RB, Sr.; Carl Oldham, WR/DB, Sr.; Michael Gasper OL/DL, Sr.; Lucca Clouthier, TE/DL, Jr.; Geoff Soriano, FB/LB, Sr.
What to expect: University lost a lot of talent to graduation last year, including its leading passer, rusher, seven leading receivers and five leading tacklers. One area where the Trojans are experienced is the offensive line, which is led by Michael Gasper. Coach Vince Meza said the offensive line is the most experienced group and should be the most consistent. Damari Carter led the team in interceptions last season and Lucca Clouthier is the only returning player that had a sack. Meza said the Trojans have some talented skill players from the lower levels last season and the team’s success may depend on how they adapt to the varsity level.
WOODBRIDGE
Top players: Alijah Bray, DL/OL, Sr.; Jovohn Cruz, LB/RB, Sr.; Jeremy Harris, DL/TE, Jr.; Karim Almulhim, DL/OL, Jr.; Adrien Garnica, WR/DB, Sr.
What to expect: Woodbridge lost its last eight games of the season in 2023 but returns a lot of starters. Alijah Bray is a 6-foot-7 defensive end with an offer from Eastern Washington. Jovohn Cruz had 80 tackles with a forced fumble last season and will play some running back this season. Caden Jones started the last four games at quarterback last season and has some senior receivers to target. Woodbridge had 18 turnovers last season and fumbled the ball 24 times. Coach Aaron Craver said the point of emphasis this summer has been on taking care of the football.
OMICRON LEAGUE SCHEDULES 2024
BUENA PARK
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
| Aug. 22 | Vs. Cerritos | Buena Park HS | 7 p.m. |
| Aug. 30 | Vs. Sunny Hills | Buena Park HS | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 6 | At Santa Fe | Pioneer HS | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 19 | At Riverside Arlington | Arlington HS | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 27 | Vs. Magnolia | Buena Park HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 3* | At Katella | Glover Stadium | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 11* | Vs. University | Buena Park HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 17* | Vs. Pacifica | Buena Park HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 25* | At Portola | Portola HS | 7 p.m. |
| Nov. 1* | Vs. Woodbridge | Buena Park HS | 7 p.m. |
*League game
KATELLA
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
| Aug. 22 | At Valencia | Valencia HS | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 5 | Vs. Estancia | Glover Stadium | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 12 | Vs. Magnolia | Glover Stadium | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 20 | At Whittier | Pioneer HS | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 27 | At Godinez | Santa Ana Valley HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 3* | Vs. Buena Park | Glover Stadium | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 11* | Vs. Portola | Glover Stadium | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 18* | At Woodbridge | University HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 25* | At Pacifica | Garden Grove HS | 7 p.m. |
| Nov. 1* | Vs. University | Glover Stadium | 7 p.m. |
*League game
PACIFICA
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
| Aug. 23 | Vs. Kennedy | Bolsa Grande HS | 7 p.m. |
| Aug. 30 | Vs. Garden Grove | Bolsa Grande HS | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 5 | At Northwood | Irvine HS | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 12 | At Marina | Westminster HS | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 20 | At Walnut | Walnut HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 4* | At University | University HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 11* | Vs. Woodbridge | Bolsa Grande HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 17* | At Buena Park | Buena Park HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 25* | Vs. Katella | Garden Grove HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 31* | Vs. Portola | Bolsa Grande HS | 7 p.m. |
*League game
PORTOLA
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
| Aug. 23 | At Long Beach Wilson | Wilson HS | 7 p.m. |
| Aug. 30 | At Irvine | Irvine HS | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 6 | Vs. Cerritos | Portola HS | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 13 | At Beckman | Tustin HS | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 20 | Vs. Northwood | Portola HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 4* | Vs. Woodbridge | Portola HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 11* | At Katella | Glover Stadium | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 18* | Vs. University | Portola HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 25* | Vs. Buena Park | Portola HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 31* | At Pacifica | Bolsa Grande HS | 7 p.m. |
*League game
UNIVERSITY
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
| Aug. 29 | Vs. Capistrano Valley Christian | University HS | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 6 | At Los Amigos | Bolsa Grande HS | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 12 | Vs. Estancia | University HS | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 20 | Vs. Garden Grove | University HS | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 27 | At Norwalk Glenn | Glenn HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 4* | Vs. Pacifica | University HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 11* | At Buena Park | Buena Park HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 18* | At Portola | Portola HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 25* | Vs. Woodbridge | University HS | 7 p.m. |
| Nov. 1* | At Katella | Glover Stadium | 7 p.m. |
*League game
WOODBRIDGE
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
| Aug. 23 | Vs. Calvary Chapel | University HS | 7 p.m. |
| Aug. 30 | Vs. Canyon | University HS | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 6 | At Irvine | Irvine HS | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 13 | Vs. Northwood | University HS | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 19 | At Beckman | Tustin HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 4* | At Portola | Portola HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 11* | At Pacifica | Bolsa Grande HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 18* | Vs. Katella | University HS | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 25* | At University | University HS | 7 p.m. |
| Nov. 1* | At Buena Park | Buena Park HS | 7 p.m. |
*League game
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