The top storylines for the 2023 Channel League high school football season
An undersized quarterback who has earned the trust of his teammates?
A dynamic running back bound for a Division I program on the West Coast?
A difference-maker on defense from the Aupiu family?
You don’t have to squint to see similarities between this Pacifica High football team and its famous 2019 edition.
Head coach Mike Moon sees them.
“There’s similarities in that the state championship group started together as freshman and we moved them all up together,” Moon said. “That’s the similarity.”
The class that arrived months after Pacifica became Ventura County’s first public school to win a state football championship begins its long-awaited senior season Friday night at Simi Valley with only one goal.
“A ring,” senior running back Josh Joyner said. “I don’t think anyone one this team wants anything else.”
Said senior safety Dayday Aupiu, “Just trying to get a ring. That’s the main goal.”
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Forecasting what the high school football postseason may look like has never been harder, thanks to the vagaries of the CIF’s “competitive equity” system, the potential — if uncontrollable variables break right — is clear.
Moon embraces the lofty goals, which include competing for another Channel League title. The Tritons shared the 2022 crown with Rio Mesa and Santa Barbara.
“I’ve got a good feeling going into the year,” Moon said. “We have so many returners. We should expect more out of this group. As coaches, we have pretty high expectations. … We feel like there is a little window for us to make a run at it this year.”
After splitting snaps with the departed Tagg Harrison last fall, junior Dominic Duran is the unquestioned starting quarterback.
“He can make every throw,” Joyner said.
Duran threw for 1,215 yards and 14 touchdowns with just four interceptions as a sophomore, completing 62.7% of his passes.
He’s been flipped the keys to an offense full of dynamic weapons.
Joyner, who had 1,597 all-purpose yards and 15 TDs last year, has committed to Washington State. Savion Taylor and Isaiah Dillon, both multisport stars, could make up one of the region’s best receiving tandems. Bruising back Philip Kim earns the tough yards between the tackles.
The offensive line, led by left tackle Aufaga Peapea and center Gabe Ibarra, should be much improved.
The defense is led by Aupiu, the UC Berkeley commit who had six interceptions — including three pick-6s — and two fumble recoveries as a junior. Cornerback Jesse Taylor Jr., linebacker Nick Lavizzo and defensive tackle Sonny Aina, a transfer from Oaks Christian, are among the Division I prospects to lead the defense.
Can the Spartans maintain their level?
Don’t forget just how good Rio Mesa was last fall.
The Spartans handed Pacifica a 24-7 home loss and were just four points away from an unbeaten regular season.
“That was a very good team,” head coach Jim Bittner said. “All the way around. … Good chemistry, good leadership. Everyone knew their role.”
Rio Mesa was a halftime Hail Mary against Saugus in the opener and an overtime conversion at Santa Barbara away from a 10-0 season.
Instead, the season ended with a 34-7 loss in the unusual postseason rematch at league opponent Pacifica.
The offensive line won’t be the same without center Anthony Garcia, who graduated as the best center in Ventura County, but the return of quarterback JJ Bittner and two-way weapon Chance Harrison will help Rio Mesa remain in contention.
“It’s a new team this year,” Bittner said. “A little bit different, but hopefully we can get them all in the right spots.”
Bittner, who already has a scholarship offer from Nevada, threw for 2,161 yards and 18 TDs as a sophomore and looks much improved. J’Lin Wingo, Isaiah Bautista and Bittner combined to run for 1,424 and 16 TDs. Havoc-causing linebacker Dominick Jones had a team-high 12.5 sacks.
All those pieces return, plus tackle Jerry Ayala and guard Branden Lopez up front.
“It’s coming along,” said JJ Bittner. “Our offensive line is coming along and we have some really good returners. … Once we get going, we should be pretty good.”
Harrison, who burst onto the scene as a freshman with four interceptions in five games during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, is looking for a big finish to his high school career.
“I’m trying to leave off on a good note,” said the University of Arizona commit. “I want to just ball out and do something crazy.”
Just how improved will the Cougars be?
This time of year, Tim Garcia usually feels like his team could use some more seasoning.
Not this season.
“This year,” the veteran Ventura High coach said, “I’m ‘Let’s play Game 1.’ ”
Depth of talent across position groups and classes has the Cougars in position to be Ventura County’s breakout team of 2023.
“I’m not saying things are going to be perfect,” Garcia said. “It’s going to be a very tough, physical, demanding season with the schedule we have. If we’re going to be make a playoff run and have a long-lasting season, it’s going to take every one of us to make that happen.”
New offensive coordinator Zac Wasserman has a variety of weapons at his disposal.
Quarterback Logan Scarlett completed 61 of 95 passes for 783 yards and seven TDs in the four games after gaining his eligibility, following his transfer from St. Bonaventure.
“It was a learning experience,” Scarlett said. “It was my first varsity (experience), and I got to actually play the game and visualize it. So I just took it as a learning experience through the good and the bad, and just tried to implement it this year.”
Running back Sawyer Cline, who led the Cougars in rushing (427) and rushing TDs (5), could have a big senior year.
Deep threat Makana Arndt returns after leading the team in receptions (28), receiving yards (442) and receiving TDs (7), as does 6-foot-2 senior Liam Robinson.
Six-foot-3 tight end Josh Woodworth and 6-foot-4 H-back Tristan Phillips gives the passing attack a unique physical dimension.
“Defenses are going to have to try to decide each week on who they have to focus on,” Garcia said.
The addition of Zayne McCulley, who starred at safety for St. Bonaventure last year, boosts both sides of the ball.
McCulley’s game-saving, last-minute conversion stop against Bishop Diego was one of the biggest plays of last season.
“Zayne can play receiver, he can play running back,” Garcia said. “He’s an explosive and smooth athlete with great body control.”
Strong safety Mylan Walker and cornerback Ryder Koontz headline a deep secondary. Phillips and middle linebacker Nick Thomas lead a strong linebacking corps. The return of nose tackle Bronson Seiler after a year away from football boosts the defensive line.
A league title push and deep playoff run is possible for Ventura, which hasn’t won double-digit games since 2014.
“We’re excited to see if our guys can live up to what’s on paper,” Garcia said.
Can the Bulldogs turn the page?
It wasn’t easy for Ryan Bolland to wave goodbye to last year’s senior class.
Quarterback Zane Carter, receiver Colin Guenther and their classmates helped earn Buena consecutive playoff appearances and its first sectional final appearance.
But the Bulldogs, who return just three starters total, are starting over.
“We’ve lost a lot of talent,” Bolland said. “We’re inexperienced.”
Offensive tackle Moises Lantigua, Buena’s lone returning offensive starter, is recovering from an injury suffered in the offseason.
Six-foot-4 defensive end Caleb Jones and safety Erick Guzman return on defense.
“We’ll play a good amount of juniors,” Bolland said. “There are some kids who can certainly step up.”
Junior running back James Blanks brings size and speed to the backfield. Junior receiver Tyler Hoff is competitive and elusive.
“He will have a lot of touches for us,” Bolland said of Hoff.
Can experience up front lead the Yellowjackets?
Lonnie McCowan understands what his players are going through.
The first-year Oxnard head coach was a sophomore safety when Mark Beckham was hired as the Yellowjackets head coach in 1999.
“I understand change isn’t easy,” McCowan said. “I experienced it first-hand.”
But the former Ventura College coordinator has been pleasantly surprised by his roster’s offseason commitment.
“I’m really proud of this group,” McCowan said. “There’s a lot I’m asking them to do. They’re really buying in.”
Inheriting experience up front also helps. Oxnard will return three starters on both lines.
Six-foot-2, 260-pound senior Anthony Mata is a leader on the offensive line.
“The guys really follow his lead,” McCowan said. “He’s really dedicated himself this offseason and it really shows.”
Scott Burleigh, a 6-6, 330-pound junior tackle who also plays basketball, has already drawn recruiting attention from Utah, Washington and UCLA.
Defensive tackle Luis Aguilera returns after leading the team in sacks (4) and tackles for losses (13) as a junior. Nose tackle Isaiah Padilla and defensive end Christopher Galvan are also returning starters on the defensive line.
There is also experience returning at quarterback. Andrew “Poni” Maria threw for 1,651 yards and 21 TDs as a sophomore. He’s been pushed by senior Caleb Stremcha, who quarterbacked the JV last year after transferring from St. Bonaventure.
McCowan has been pleased with Maria’s attitude.
“Having started last year, there’s a level of confidence you can’t just substitute,” McCowan said.
But both quarterbacks could play.
“They both brings different things to the table,” McCowan said. “It may be a situation where we use both of them.”
While Oxnard has lost a wealth of skill position talent to graduation, a unique transfer has arrived to help. McCowan’s son Alonzo III, aka “Trey,” has arrived from rival Pacifica with Moon’s blessing.
When will the Raiders turn things around?
Like McCowan across town, Channel Islands’ new head coach has been inspired by his players.
“I’ve actually been surprised by the way that they’ve responded,” Rashad Dunn said. “The kids are pretty resilient. … There’s a lot of hope here.”
The Raiders are coming off their third winless season in the past four years. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. A long-awaited league change arrives next fall, when Channel Islands is scheduled to join Grace Brethren, Nordhoff and Carpinteria.
Dunn is laying down a foundation this fall.
“They’ve responded well to how hard we’ve been pushing them,” said Dunn, who was an assistant coach at Camarillo last season.
Dunn has hired Keith Matautia as his offensive coordinator and former Hueneme High star Leslie Lee as his defensive coordinator.
“I’ve got a pretty knowledgeable and passionate coaching staff, which has been a blessing coming in as a new coach,” Dunn said. “It’s been huge in understanding the culture, the history and the legacy of Channel Islands football.”
Athletic junior Aaron Byrd, who started for the JV last fall, will take over at quarterback. Senior Jorge Vazquez will anchor both lines.
Middle linebacker Juan Perez will lead the defense.
Predicted order of finish
1. PACIFICA: The Tritons haven’t looked this good since their 2019 state championship run.
2. VENTURA: The Cougars return their leading passer, runner, receiver, tackler and interceptor from last year’s 5-5 team.
3. SANTA BARBARA: Head coach JT Stone is gone, but the Dons return QB Abel Renteria, the Channel League’s reigning Offensive Player of the Year.
4. RIO MESA: The skill position group headlined by J.J. Bittner and Chance Harrison will lead the Spartans’ title defense.
5. OXNARD: Lonnie McCowan’s first team looks tough up front.
6. BUENA: The Bulldogs are resetting after the graduation of Zane Carter, Colin Guenther and company.
7. SAN MARCOS: After consecutive 4-6 seasons, the Royals look to take a step forward.
8. DOS PUEBLOS: Senior QB Ryan Marsh returns for coach AJ Pateras.
9. CHANNEL ISLANDS: The Raiders begin anew under new coach Rashad Dunn.
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: The top storylines for the 2023 Channel League football season
