Local high school football players honored at coaches association's Signing Day luncheon

Swirling forces within collegiate athletics, like the transfer portal, may be making it tougher for high school seniors to find opportunities to play college football.

But not if the senior class locally is an example.

The Ventura County Football Coaches Association held its annual celebration of its latest class of future collegiate football players — the Signing Day Luncheon — Wednesday afternoon at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.

“We live in interesting times,” Pacifica High head coach Mike Moon, the president of the VCFCA, told the student-athletes and their guests. “We have a great tradition in this county. The coaches that are here are trying to keep the tradition going. … The reality is every kid that does sign should be celebrated.”

More than 20 local seniors were honored Wednesday, although not all were present at the luncheon.

Pacifica running back Josh Joyner (Washington State), Pacifica High safety Dayday Aupiu, Oaks Christian quarterback Nate Bennett (Baylor) and Newbury Park receiver Landon Bell (Colorado State) are among the members of the class who have already arrived on their collegiate campuses.

The nine signees who were able to attend the event received a valuable crash course in media training.

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“I didn’t think I was going to be on stage talking today,” said St. Bonaventure star DJ Doss, who will play linebacker at Washington State. “But I’ve got to get used to it.”

Portland State and Northern Arizona were the big winners of the day. Both programs added three local stars to their roster.

Pacifica defensive tackle Sonny Aina, St. Bonaventure offensive tackle Shaun Torgeson and Newbury Park defensive tackle T.J. Ford will fortify both fronts in Portland.

“A bunch of guys from the trenches,” said Torgeson.

The VCFCA Lineman of the Year will join former St. Bonaventure teammates Delon Thompson and Joaquin Johnson on the Vikings’ roster, which included 10 locals last fall.

“High school is just the start,” Torgeson said. “I’m ready to go up there and do something great. I’m just starting my career.”

The beefy trio bonded together on their official visit.

“We’re already brothers,” Aina said. “So let’s go.”

Newbury Park offensive lineman Carson Berry and cornerback Jaden Mack will continue to be teammates at Northern Arizona University.

“Most people go to college and have to find new friends,” Berry said, “I already have one of my guys coming with me.”

Said Mack, “It’s going to help for sure.”

Thousand Oaks defensive end Blake Lauritzen will join his former high school rivals in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Calabasas quarterback Alonso Contreras, who threw for 4,597 yards and 54 touchdowns in two seasons with the Coyotes, signed with San Jose State.

“As an undersized guy, you have expectations of being a dual-threat guy, being able to throw different arm angles … using your legs,” Contreras said. “Not being the tallest guy out there, it’s truly a blessing to be picked out of so many people in the country. … Words can’t describe how amazing it feels, but the work doesn’t stop here.”

Both Doss and Ford feel like their experiences as senior transfers to St. Bonaventure and Newbury Park, respectively, will help them acclimate to college campuses.

“It’s going to be an interesting time,” Ford said. “But I feel like transferring my senior year helped me meet new people and express myself better.”

Doss, who reeled in a spectacular one-hand TD catch in the CIF-State Division 2-A championship bowl, will play linebacker in Pullman.

“I now know that, wherever I go, I’m able to adapt to my scenery,” said Doss, who grew up in Lancaster. “Just being able to come out here, learn the whole system, meet everybody and make new friends. … It was good to show I could come out here and be a better version of me than I was.”

Pacifica’s class also included offensive lineman Eric Ochoa (Oklahoma Baptist) and cornerback Vernon Bell (Benedictine).

Oaks Christian and Rio Mesa were among the schools who held their own signing festivities Wednesday.

Oaks Christian signees included Bennett, receiver Chase Farrell (Stanford), receiver Justice Williams (Washington), cornerback Prince Williams (San Diego State), offensive tackle Enzo Hall (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo), and defensive tackle Holden Lee (Brown).

Rio Mesa signees included cornerback Chance Harrison (Colorado State), safety Charlie Neos (Arizona Christian), running back J’Lin Wingo (Benedictine), and cornerback Tayvion Duplessis (Lincoln).

Joe Curley covers high school, collegiate and professional football for The Star. He can be reached at joe.curley@vcstar.com. For more coverage, follow @vcspreps on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Football players honored at coaches association's Signing Day luncheon