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High Desert Football Preview: 15 players to watch in the Mojave River League this season

jose quintero, victorville daily press
·8 min read

The High Desert has really become a hotbed for prep football talent over the years as we’ve seen plenty of athletes earn scholarships to big-time collegiate programs.

Whether it's the under-the-radar players that find themselves at smaller schools, or junior colleges, athletes throughout the High Desert have continued to shine bright over the years.

That should be especially true this coming season, which is set to kick off on Friday night, for our area teams.

All those throwing, running, catching and tackling abilities will soon be on full display as teams begin their quest towards potentially hoisting a CIF-Southern Section championship come November.

Here’s a look at 15 of the top playmakers, three from each of the five area schools that compete within the Mojave River League, poised to make an impact this fall, listed in alphabetical order by first name.

Adan Torres, Hesperia

Hesperia's Adan Torres hits a tackling sled during a recent summer football practice at the school. Hesperia begins the season at home against Barstow on Aug. 18.
Hesperia's Adan Torres hits a tackling sled during a recent summer football practice at the school. Hesperia begins the season at home against Barstow on Aug. 18.

Adan received a spot on the All-Mojave River League first-team as a junior after a stellar year of leading Hesperia’s defense. Adan was second on the team with 65 total tackles, including 35 solo and a team-high 10 for a loss. Adan also recorded two sacks and recovered two fumbles. He’s back at linebacker for the Scorpions to help patrol the middle of the field.

Anthony Ruiz, Hesperia

Hesperia's Anthony Ruiz lifts weights before a recent summer football practice at the school. Hesperia begins the season at home against Barstow on Aug. 18.
Hesperia's Anthony Ruiz lifts weights before a recent summer football practice at the school. Hesperia begins the season at home against Barstow on Aug. 18.

Anthony returns as the captain of the line after a junior season in which he was named to the All-Mojave River League First Team on both the offensive and defensive lines. Ruiz was a Daily Press All-Area selection as an offensive lineman and has really bulked up over the offseason. He’s going to have a big role for the Scorpions this season on both sides of the ball.

Carlos Amplayo, Serrano

Carlos is ready for a big-time role with the Diamondbacks as a senior. He’s going to start the year as part of a running back committee with Jhasi Edgerson and Trevor Mcsween. Carlos has really bulked up this year and aside from running the ball, he returns to the defense, where he saw limited action last year. Carlos is expected to play all over the field on defense at various positions.

David Green, Serrano

Serrano's David Green participates in a drill during a recent summer football practice at the school. Serrano begins the season at home against Eisenhower on Aug. 18.
Serrano's David Green participates in a drill during a recent summer football practice at the school. Serrano begins the season at home against Eisenhower on Aug. 18.

Still only a junior, David, listed at 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, returns to lead the offensive line for the Diamondbacks this year after an All-Mojave River League first-team selection last year. Serrano ran for 2,065 total yards with David helping lead the way for the ground game.

Diego Lopez, Oak Hills

Oak Hills’ Diego Lopez directs Christian Macias against Bishop Amat on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. Lopez threw to Macias who took the ball up to the one-yard line.
Oak Hills’ Diego Lopez directs Christian Macias against Bishop Amat on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. Lopez threw to Macias who took the ball up to the one-yard line.

We saw glimpses of how Diego could sling the ball in very limited action during his freshman and sophomore seasons. Once given the starting quarterback job last year, it was all fireworks from Diego and the Bulldogs offense. He ended the season throwing for 2,551 yards and 32 touchdowns while leading the Bulldogs to a second-straight Mojave River League title and to the quarterfinals of the CIF-Southern Section Division II playoffs. He was named the MRL’s Offensive Player of the Year, and also named to the Daily Press All-Area team.

Don Henry, Hesperia

Hesperia's Don Henry looks for space after catching a pass against Oak Hills on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.
Hesperia's Don Henry looks for space after catching a pass against Oak Hills on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.

With Sam Parm recently graduating, Don steps up as the No. 1 target in Hesperia’s passing game. As a junior, Don was named to the All-Mojave River League second-team after averaging 15.1 yards per reception year. He caught a team-high 23 catches, which went for 348 yards and three touchdowns. On defense, Henry recorded 19 total tackles, including 11 solo and one for a loss, and also intercepted a pass.

Jacob Higgs, Sultana

Sultana's Jacob Higgs celebrates after scoring a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter against Hesperia in the Key Game on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.
Sultana's Jacob Higgs celebrates after scoring a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter against Hesperia in the Key Game on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.

Jacob’s sophomore season was one for the ages. He was named the Daily Press Offensive Player of the Year after leading Sultana to its first CIF-Southern Section playoffs appearance since 2018 and earned selections on the All-Mojave River League first-team and All-CIF-Southern Section Division VII squad. Jacob completed 153 of 283 passes for 2,854 yards, with 34 touchdowns, and also took 110 carries for 923 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Karson Cox, Oak Hills

Oak Hills' Karson Cox runs the ball up field against Serrano on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022.
Oak Hills' Karson Cox runs the ball up field against Serrano on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022.

Karson is the cream of the crop, not just in the Mojave River League but in the High Desert when it comes to running backs. There’s simply no other way to put it. Karson gave us a small sample of what was in store for his sophomore year after averaging 8.6 yards a carry as a freshman. As the Bulldogs starting running back last year, Karson took 128 carries for 1,215 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Bulldogs. He earned All-Mojave River League first-team, All-CIF-Southern Section Division II, Daily Press All-Area selections last year. Karson has nearly a dozen offers in his back pocket entering his junior season, including the University of Oregon.

Kayden Struebing, Apple Valley

Kayden is set for a key role for the Sun Devils after being named to the All-Mojave River League second-team as a defensive back. He also earned a Daily Press All-Area selection after logging 43 total tackles, including 10 solo and three for a loss, two interceptions and causing a fumble. Kayden is expected to have a key role in the passing game after establishing a strong connection with quarterback Noah Celie during summertime 7-on-7 action.

LaMason Waller, Sultana

Sultana’s LaMason Waller celebrates after recovering an Apple Valley fumble during the first half Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.
Sultana’s LaMason Waller celebrates after recovering an Apple Valley fumble during the first half Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.

LaMason, nicknamed Threezy, proved last season that the hype surrounding his name is without a doubt real. With 43 offers to his name, ranging from the University of Alabama, the University of Georgia and the University of Oklahoma, LaMason is back for his junior season with the Sultans. As a sophomore, LaMason caught 64 passes last year, which went for 1,057 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was named to the All-Mojave River League first-team and the Daily Press All-Area squad as a sophomore. He’s also been named an All-American, by MaxPreps.com, ever since his freshman year.

Noah Celie, Apple Valley

Apple Valley’s Noah Celie throws a pass against Murrieta Valley on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022.
Apple Valley’s Noah Celie throws a pass against Murrieta Valley on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022.

Abruptly given the keys to the offense as a sophomore, Noah has since solidified himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the High Desert. As a starter for his entire junior season, Noah completed 115 passes for 1,621 yards and 23 touchdowns. He was able to move around a bit in the pocket as well, scrambling for 259 yards and seven touchdowns. Noah looks poised for another big season slinging the ball as he’s progressed into one of the true leaders for the Sun Devils.

Odis Hamer, Serrano

Serrano's Odis Hamer sacks Adelanto's Komari Lewis during the first half Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022.
Serrano's Odis Hamer sacks Adelanto's Komari Lewis during the first half Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022.

Odis returns to the Diamondbacks for his senior season as one of the players that had a key role on the 2021 CIF-Southern Section Division VIII championship squad. Odis earned a spot on the All-Mojave River League first-team and was a Daily Press All-Area selection at defensive end as a junior. He tallied 36 tackles, including 21 solo and 13 for a loss, while also logging eight sacks and a fumble recovery. Odis is also expected to line up at fullback for Serrano to complement the trio of athletic tailbacks.

Paki Finau, Oak Hills

Oak Hills' Paki Finau participates in drills during a recent summer football practice at the school. Oak Hills begins the season at home against Aquinas on Aug. 18.
Oak Hills' Paki Finau participates in drills during a recent summer football practice at the school. Oak Hills begins the season at home against Aquinas on Aug. 18.

Standing at 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds of pure muscle, Paki isn’t hard to miss and is a nightmare for opposing rushers in the trenches. According to 247sports.com’s player ratings, he’s listed as the 22nd-best senior in the state. He’s got 26 offers, according to his profile, and is committed to the University of Washington. As a junior, Paki received nods on the All-Mojave River League first-team, Daily Press All-Area squad as well as the All-CIF-Southern Section Division II team.

Rome Thomas, Sultana

Sultana's Rome Thomas, center, participates in a drill during a recent summer football practice at the school. Sultana begins the season on the road against Lancaster on Aug. 18.
Sultana's Rome Thomas, center, participates in a drill during a recent summer football practice at the school. Sultana begins the season on the road against Lancaster on Aug. 18.

Rome brings a physical intensity to the middle of the field for the Sultans and is just entering his junior season. As a sophomore, Rome was named to the All-Mojave River League first-team, along with the Daily Press All-Area squad. Rome ended his sophomore year leading Sultana’s defense averaging 9.7 tackles a game. He tallied 87 total tackles, including 56 solo, five for a loss. Rome is also expected to see some time on offense for the Sultans this year in the backfield.

Zyron Belcher, Apple Valley

Apple Valley's Zyron Belcher participates in a drill during a recent summer football practice at the school. Apple Valley begins the season at home against Eastlake on Aug. 18.
Apple Valley's Zyron Belcher participates in a drill during a recent summer football practice at the school. Apple Valley begins the season at home against Eastlake on Aug. 18.

Zyron enters his senior season as one of three running backs, along with Xavier Salazar and Aiden Sanchez, that the Sun Devils will utilize to establish the ground game. Zyron has a bit of experience as he averaged 5.8 yards per carry, taking 13 totes for 76 yards as a junior. He also caught 18 passes for 165 yards and three touchdowns last year. He’s also going to slot in at cornerback, as the Sun Devils will rely on several two-way players this year.

Players to keep an eye on

Apple Valley — Jonah Leaupepetele, Beau Lloyd, Kyler Peters, Xavier Salazar, Aiden Sanchez, Jarod Soria, Jacob Wilkerson

Hesperia — Anthony Lopez, Zamar Malveaux, Aden Nolen, Maddox Rodriguez, Devin Watson, Da’lon Williams

Oak Hills — Kevin Close, Gabriel Garcia, DJ Hall, Jeffrey Johnson, Charles King, Peyton Metzger, Maurice Parker, Shaylon Young

Serrano — Jhasi Edgerson, JJ Kavanaugh, Josh Martin, Trevor McSween

Sultana — Brayden Booth, Joey De Leon, Rico Juarez, Cameron Ortega, Jordan Ortega, Caleb Pele, Donovan Shaw

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: 15 prep football players to watch in the Mojave River League this season