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Agape League football preview: Following a historic season, Hesperia Christian remains the cream of the crop

jose quintero, victorville daily press
·4 min read

Another 8-man football season is on tap and Hesperia Christian remains the perennial favorite to reclaim the Agape League title.

The Patriots celebrated a season for the ages last year. Hesperia Christian went unbeaten in Agape League action and ended the season 11-2 overall after capturing the CIF-Southern Section 8-man Division 2 title.

Hesperia Christian isn’t showing signs of slowing down just yet with six total returners on defense, including the reigning Agape League Defensive Player of the Year, Roderick Taylor.

The offense will look a bit different this season with a new quarterback to replace Jared Bragg, who completed 64 passes for 1,075 yards and 23 touchdowns, while also scrambling for 459 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

Hesperia Christian players workout during a recent summer football practice at the school. Hesperia Christian begins the season on the road at Mammoth on Aug. 25.
Hesperia Christian players workout during a recent summer football practice at the school. Hesperia Christian begins the season on the road at Mammoth on Aug. 25.

Arlan Koester, who started four games last season, figures to fit right in after completing 41 passes for 742 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior last year.

A few key playmakers — Ayden Ortega and Caleb Audet — are also returning.

In Hesperia Christian’s championship game last season, Ortega broke loose for 192 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Ortega ended his junior year taking 67 carries for 680 yards with 14 touchdowns, while also catching 29 passes for 537 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Hesperia Christian's Ayden Ortega runs the ball up field against Lancaster Baptist on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022.
Hesperia Christian's Ayden Ortega runs the ball up field against Lancaster Baptist on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022.

Audet was the team's second-leading receiver, just behind Ortega, with 27 catches for 525 yards and nine touchdowns.

“Arlan should have a great season with Caleb and Ayden returning this year,” said Hesperia Christian head coach Alex Vander Weide. “He looked good at a 5-on-5 tournament at Chadwick School. He looked ready to take over the offense and build on those four starts from last season.”

The Patriots and the rest of the Agape League teams begin the season during Week 1 of the prep football calendar.

Here’s a look at the Agape League, along with team schedules for Hesperia Christian, Academy of Careers & Exploration and Lucerne Valley.

Academy of Careers & Exploration

Head coach: Mike Dickinson, eighth season

2022 finish: 1-6, 1-3 Agape League

CalPreps.com rating: -37.4

Players to watch: Preston Marshall, Jimmy Flores, Joshua Nyre, Kingston Jordan, Russell Golden, Dean Golden

Team strength: “I would say this group of players have moxie. They really want to learn and step up and do whatever it takes to win.”

Team weakness: “We are still a very young team.”

Hesperia Christian players workout during a recent summer football practice at the school. Hesperia Christian begins the season on the road at Mammoth on Aug. 25.
Hesperia Christian players workout during a recent summer football practice at the school. Hesperia Christian begins the season on the road at Mammoth on Aug. 25.

Hesperia Christian

Head coach: Alex Vander Weide, fifth season

2022 finish: 11-2, 4-0 Agape League

CalPreps.com rating: 46.2

Players to watch: Ayden Ortega, Arlan Koester, Caleb Lewis, Caleb Audet, Roderick Taylor, Julian Villalon, Dakota McCloud

Team strength: “Our defense with six returning starters.”

Team weakness: “We need to replace two of three starters on the offensive line.”

Lucerne Valley players run drills during a recent summer football practice at the school. Lucerne Valley begins the season with a home game against Entrepreneur on Aug. 24.
Lucerne Valley players run drills during a recent summer football practice at the school. Lucerne Valley begins the season with a home game against Entrepreneur on Aug. 24.

Lucerne Valley

Head coach: Chris Klinger, second season

2022 finish: 0-9, 0-4 Agape League

CalPreps.com rating: -48

Players to watch: Kevin Angeles, Austin Balloue, Isaiah Navarro, Xavier Murillo, William Rietdyk

Team strength: “Loyalty and effort.”

Team weakness: “Inexperience with 10 returning players, compared to 13 newcomers.”

Agape League Schedules

Academy of Careers & Exploration

  • Aug. 26 — ACE at Calvary Baptist

  • Sept. 1 — ACE at Lancaster Baptist

  • Sept. 9 — ACE at Lone Pine

  • Sept. 15 — Noli Indian at ACE

  • Sept. 29 — ACE at Hesperia Christian

  • Oct. 6 — ACE at Desert Christian

  • Oct. 13 — PAL Academy at ACE

  • Oct. 20 — University Careers and Sports Academy at ACE

  • Oct. 27 — ACE at Lucerne Valley

Hesperia Christian 

  • Aug. 25 — Hesperia Christian at Mammoth

  • Sept. 1 — Victory Christian Academy at Hesperia Christian

  • Sept. 8 — Hesperia Christian at Desert Christian

  • Sept. 16 — Vista Meridian at Hesperia Christian

  • Sept. 22 — Sage Hill at Hesperia Christian

  • Sept. 29 — ACE at Hesperia Christian

  • Oct. 6 — Hesperia Christian at University Careers and Sports Academy

  • Oct. 21 — Hesperia Christian at Lucerne Valley

  • Oct. 27 — PAL Academy at Hesperia Christian

Lucerne Valley 

  • Aug. 24 — Entrepreneur at Lucerne Valley

  • Sept. 1 — Hillcrest at Christian at Lucerne Valley

  • Sept. 8 — Lucerne Valley at Noli Indian

  • Sept. 15 — Lucerne Valley at Calvary Baptist

  • Sept. 29 — Malibu at Lucerne Valley

  • Oct. 6 — Lucerne Valley at PAL Academy

  • Oct. 14 — University Careers and Sports Academy at Lucerne Valley

  • Oct. 21 — Hesperia Christian at Lucerne Valley

  • Oct. 27 — ACE at Lucerne Valley

Editor's note — The Daily Press is putting together a comprehensive High Desert high school football preview for the 2023 season. This is the first story in a series that will continue until the start of the season. The Daily Press was unable to contact University Careers and Sports Academy for the Agape League preview.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Agape League football preview: Hesperia Christian remains the cream of the crop