California High School Sports: Rising Stars in Football

Categories: EducationHigh School SportsSchool News

Athletes prepare for the upcoming high school football season under the California sun.

News Summary

As the high school football season approaches, standout running backs from California, including transfers and commitments to major universities, are gaining attention. Athletes like Edward Rivera, Ceasar Reyes, and Journee Tonga showcase their talents, while teams adjust their rosters in anticipation of an exciting season. The California landscape also sees developments in coaching changes and emerging talents in other sports, such as girls’ flag football and baseball, contributing to a dynamic atmosphere in school sports.

Los Angeles, CA – As the 2024 high school football season approaches, several standout running backs from California are gaining attention for their performances and preparations over the summer. Notable among them are Edward Rivera from South East and Ceasar Reyes from Garfield, both of whom had remarkable sophomore seasons and are currently focusing on enhancing their speed and strength. The introduction of a new all-weather field at Garfield may provide further benefits for Reyes as he continues his training.

Deshone Redeaux from Oaks Christian has also been emphasizing weight training to bolster his performance. His teammate, Brian Bonner from Valencia, has committed to Washington, while Redeaux has chosen to commit to USC, both schools recognized for their emphasis on speed and agility.

In an impressive display of athletic ability, Journee Tonga from Leuzinger rushed for over 2,000 yards and accumulated 29 touchdowns during his junior year, highlighting his talents as a leading running back. Another promising athlete is AJ McBean from Mira Costa, a 205-pound junior who is working on increasing his speed and power on the field.

Maliq Allen at St. John Bosco also drew attention after rushing for 1,003 yards as a sophomore. Meanwhile, Jaxsen Stokes of Sierra Canyon is emerging as a developing big-play threat, which could significantly impact his team’s offensive strategy this coming season.

Several players are making moves to new schools, which may shake up team dynamics. Justin Lewis, previously from Thousand Oaks, has transferred to Mater Dei, while Sean Morris is switching from Loyola to Orange Lutheran after committing to Northwestern. Noah Penunuri from Rio Hondo Prep, who rushed for an impressive 1,965 yards last season, will be looking to continue his successes in the upcoming season.

Zander Lewis is another notable transfer, moving from Ontario Christian to Corona Centennial, which is expected to bolster the running game. Jorden Wells is being promoted from the freshman team to varsity at Servite; he is particularly noted for his speed, making him a potential game-changer. Kevika Martinez from La Habra gained 1,021 yards and scored 16 touchdowns last season, adding to the competitive landscape of running backs in the area.

Champ Brown of Aquinas also shined with 1,212 rushing yards as a sophomore, further proving the abundance of talent in California high school football. As teams prepare for the upcoming season, many are adjusting their rosters, with various players seeking eligibility through transfers pending paperwork.

Amid these developments, Mission Viejo won the Edison seven-on-seven tournament with an impressive 7-0 record, positioning them as a team to watch this fall. Santa Margarita, led by first-year coach Carson Palmer, is expected to showcase a promising team in the 2024 season, with eyes set on their highly anticipated opening game against Mission Viejo scheduled for August 22.

Meanwhile, Hamilton High is looking to rebound after a challenging 2-9 season, with the hope of improvement centered around freshman quarterback Thaddeus Breaux, nicknamed “The Franchise.”

In a disheartening turn of events, Narbonne will have to vacate its 2024 title due to rules violations, and reports have surfaced suggesting that their perpetual trophy is missing again, casting a shadow over their past achievements.

Excitement is also building around the NFL Flag Championships, which will spotlight Southern California’s top girls’ flag football players, including key performers like Madi Lam, Hayli McIlroy, and Shelby Nguyen representing the Chargers all-star club.

Looking beyond football, the baseball spotlight in California shines on three players from Corona High, who were first-round MLB draft picks. In coaching changes, Kevin Smith has been named the new head coach at Los Altos, while Mike Voelkel has stepped down from Palisades after 18 seasons, signaling a shift in coaching leadership within various teams.

As the summer training progresses and players adjust to new schools and teams, the California high school football landscape is set to evolve, building anticipation for another exciting and dynamic season.