Preview: Tons of football talent returns to North County Conference

Editor’s note: The Union-Tribune is previewing the CIF San Diego Section’s football teams, conference by conference, as we build up to the start of the 2025 season. High school football games begin Thursday.

North County Conference 

Avocado East League

Del Norte

Last season: 7-5

Coach: Nick Barnett, third season

Key players: Gio Limon (RB-LB), Sebastian Galvan (OL-DL), Chase Jurgens (WR-KR), Mateo Orosco (PK-P), Kruz Barnett (WR-DB), Maddox Romans (RB-DB), Hudson Kelly (OL), Rylin Battle (WR-DB), Caden Whiddon (WR-KR), Kaden Williams (QB), Detroit Taylor (WR), Riley Farrokhi (WR), Noah Harris (LB), Jaiden Samuels (OL-DL), Jackson Aune (OL), Douglas Spillane (LB), Yousif Adnan-Bondugje (OL-DL), Jackson Hensley (WR-DB), Phoenix Taylor (QB)

Scouting report: The Nighthawks return nine starters, including all-leaguers Limon and Samuels. Limon had 105 tackles a year ago, while Samuels had 18 tackles and six tackles-for-loss. Both players also play on the O-line, joining Kelly and Aune. Romans, who had 41 tackles, also returns. Williams, who played in two games last season, is the QB. He had a big summer, as did receiver Kruz Barnett. Jurgens (19 catches, 289 yards in 2024) is the top returning receiver.

El Camino

Last season: 6-6

Coach: Michael Hobbs, ninth season

Key players: Alejandro Avila (OL), Georgie Faasua (DB), Kingston Filo (RB-LB), Aaron Garcia (DL), Aden Gilliam (OL-DL), Earl Johnson (WR), Steven Munoz (OL), Anthony Sega (WR-DB), Micah Sega (WR-DB), Blake Sega (QB-LB), Matai Tapuloa (OL-DL), Isaiah Toluao (WR-DB), Gavin Wasserman (QB-LB)

Scouting report: The Wildcats used three QBs last season; two — Wasserman and Blake Sega — return this season. Filo, who has committed to Northern Arizona, is a key player on both sides of the ball. Munoz and Gilliam anchor the O-line. Micah Sega and Gilliam have multiple college offers. The Wildcats are talented, but thin.

Oceanside

Last season: 7-4

Coach: Fale Poumele, third season

Key players: Lincoln Mageo (OL-DL), Jameson Garrisson (OL-DL), Mykah Faletoi (WR-DB), SJ Poumele (WR-KR), Kymani Nua (WR-DB), EZ Tokio (TE-LB), Keelan Underwood (OL-DL), Akil Hearn (WR-DB), Exodus Taele (LB), Neke Letuli (RB-LB), Hezekiah Wells (TE-DL), Anthony Barquinero (QB), Lotu Seumalo (OL), Wyatt Gulley (LB), Kesane Barrington (RB)

Scouting report: The Pirates return 14 starters and are poised to make some noise. Tokio has committed to Washington. He’s equally skilled on both sides of the ball. Mageo has 18 college offers. Nua, who had 15 catches for 242 yards and six TDs a year ago, has committed to Army. Seumalo, a transfer from El Camino, checks in at 6-foot-5 and 330 pounds and has multiple college offers. Wells had 41 tackles and nine sacks a year ago and is a team leader. Faletoi was the team’s Defensive MVP. Barquinero will start at QB, and Letuli, another sophomore, looks to build on last year’s 608-yard showing. Hearn had 21 tackles last season. The Pirates have seven transfers from El Camino; all could make an impact.

Poway

Last season: 6-8

Coach: Brandon Harris, second season

Key players: Eli Alsop (WR-DB), Luke Jorgensen (RB-DB), Will Hawkins (WR-DB), Gavin Woods (WR), Rowan Marcos (RB-LB), Miles Wisdom (LB), Logan Hernandez (RB-LB), Brody Bedard (OL), Tanner Kowalski (OL-DL), Colin Raibert (OL-DL), Delonte Hillery (OL-DL), Lukas Estrada (OL-DL), Justin Julian (OL-DL), Derek Green (OL-DL), Matthew Thomas (OL-DL), Caleb Handwerger (OL), Jake Jaworski (OL), James Clifford (TE), Noah Schuback (QB), Nathan Dann (PK)

Scouting report: The Titans have 11 starters back from a team that made a deep playoff run. The leader is Jorgensen, who had 180 carries for 1,201 yards and 19 TDs a year ago. Clifford had 10 catches and 24 tackles. Schuback is the QB. He grew up in Poway, but played in Texas, where he threw for 2,563 yards and 25 TDs last season. He’s a three-star player with multiple college offers. The lines are big and experienced, led by Hillery, Jaworski, Bedard, Thomas and Raibert. Alsop, who had 37 tackles and three interceptions a year ago, leads the defense. Dann, a transfer from Classical Academy, is a four-star recruit as a kicker.

Rancho Bernardo 

Last season: 9-3

Coach: Eric Weddle, third season

Key players: Lucas Winkler (OL-DL), Gaige Weddle (QB-DB), Miles Koustmer (OL), Hugo Gonzalez (WR), Christian Gonzalez (WR), Brady Strachan (WR), Silas Christensen (DB), Gavin Valencia (LB), Brody Cella (WR)

Scouting report: Winkler, a UC Davis commit, and sophomore Weddle key the rushing attack. Weddle threw for 1,115 yards and 12 TDs while rushing for 635 yards and nine TDs; he also had 90 tackles on defense. Three baseball players — Hugo Gonzalez, Christian Gonzalez and Strachan — should make a big impact. Cella, a transfer from Alabama, should see plenty of playing time. Koustmer is a quality lineman. Valencia had 132 tackles last season. The Broncos lack depth, so staying injury-free is a key.

Avocado West League

Carlsbad

Last season: 8-4

Coach: Thadd MacNeal, 20th season

Key players: Eli MacNeal (QB), Ethan Meyerhoff (WR), Alex Park (WR), Rocky Cummings (TE-LB), Kai Brown (RB), Ian Wall (RB), Nathan Allen (OL), Chase Harris (LB), Ashawn Cranford (DL), Trent Kellas (DL), Connor Nichols (DL), Tad Mitchell (DB), Callam McFarland (DB), Skai Shaffer (DB), Trey Stunkel (OL), Darian Webb (RB), Travis Jeffrey (WR-DB)

Scouting report: For most teams, 8-4 would be a good season. For Carlsbad, it was disappointing. So the Lancers, who have 15 starters back, are looking for a major bounce-back year. That starts with MacNeal, a three-star QB who threw for 2,189 yards and 21 TDs a year ago. His main targets are Meyerhoff, who had 26 catches for 333 yards and eight TDs a year ago, and Park, who had 18 catches for 241 yards. The 6-foot-4 Cummings is a big target at tight end; a three-star player, he has committed to Cal. Brown, who had 82 carries for 577 yards a year ago, is the top running back. He’s joined by Webb, a JSerra transfer. Stunkel, a transfer O-lineman from Texas, is a load at 6-4, 270. He’s joined by Allen, a three-star player. Cranford is the leader of the defense after racking up 66 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss and 101/2 sacks.

La Costa Canyon

Last season: 10-1

Coach: Sean Sovacool, 16th season

Key players: Justin Lee (OL), Joe Maggio (OL), Coby Herman (RB-WR), Jackson Maggiore (WR-PK-P), Lennox Marcucci (WR), Quinn Roth (QB), Ford Mitchell (DB), Ian Dunford (DB), Henry Mallory (LB), Ryan Scully (LB), Max Wheeler (DL), Lucas White (DL), George Collins (DB), Jake Rosenfield (OL), Ryan Banse (LS)

Scouting report: A playoff loss to Cathedral Catholic spoiled a dream 2024 season. The Mavericks have the talent to take things a step or two further this season. Roth, the Avocado League Offensive MVP a year ago, is the key. He threw for 2,235 yards and 31 TDs a year ago. Herman is one of the most versatile players in the county. He rushed for 879 yards, had 611 receiving yards and 158 yards on kick returns and scored 18 TDs a year ago. Maggiore is equally as versatile with 33 catches for 897 yards and eight TDs a year ago. Plus, he handles all the kicking duties. Marcucci is a big-time target. Up front, Lee, Maggio and Rosenfield are returning starters. Scully, who had 58 tackles and four sacks a year ago, leads the defense. Banse is a standout long snapper.

Mission Hills

Last season: 8-3

Coach: Chris Hauser, 22nd season

Key players: Troy Huhn (QB), Brayden Roberson (WR-DB), Myzael Quackenbush (WR-DB), Perrin Blankenship (TE), Carson Dollard (OL), Xavier St. John (DB), Jackson Fader (OL), Josh Gonzales (WR), Grant Kuykendall (TE-DL), TJ Baker (WR-PK)

Scouting report: Huhn has committed to play for Penn State. He threw for 2,051 yards last season with 19 TDs against just six interceptions. Roberson was impressive last season, catching 34 balls for 466 yards. Quackenbush had 39 catches for 424 yards. Gonzales transferred from Escondido, where he caught 68 passes for 1,358 yards and 21 TDs. Kuykendall was a first-team all-league player, while Fader was a second-team pick. Blankenship carries a 4.33 GPA. Dollard and St. John are the leaders on defense.

San Marcos

Last season: 11-2

Coach: Tom Carroll, fourth season

Key players: Kreet Makihele (QB), Zamar Reese (RB-DB), Wyayy Britt (OL), Cooper Meyer (OL), Parker Allred (OL), Judah Reese (OL), Conrad Post (OL), Ezekiel McIntyre (WR-DB), Ty Sagaser (DE), Colton Walker (DE-LB), Ethan Martinez (DB), Cutter Vorhees (DB), Carson Hackett (PK)

Scouting report: Makihele is one of the top returning QBs in the state, throwing for 3,452 yards and 44 TDs a year ago. He’s closing in on several San Diego Section career passing records. McIntyre, a transfer from Escondido, is the top receiver. As a junior, he caught 42 passes for 461 yards. Zamar Reese, who had 20 carries for 162 yards, is the top returning running back. All five starters return on the offensive line, led by Britt, a two-time, first-team all-leaguer. Sagaser was an All-CIF pick on defense after finishing 2024 with 55 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss and 11 sacks. He has committed to Navy. Hackett had 54 PATs, a pair of field goals and logged touchbacks on 79 kickoffs last year.

Torrey Pines

Last season: 5-7

Coach: Scott Ashby, third season

Key players: Blake Miller (QB), Kevin Jackson (TE-LB), Ansu Perez (OL-DL), Henry Kendall (TE) Logan Bonneau (WR), Kingston Bankston (WR), Corde Keeler (OL), Jakob Kreiss (WR-RB), Kevin Jackson (TE-LB), Rueben Johnson (DL)

Scouting report: The Falcons are talented but young, and must navigate perhaps the toughest league in the county. Miller is the QB as the Falcons may move away from the Wing-T. He has Kreiss, Bankston and Bonneau as targets. Tight end is a strength. Jackson is getting college offers. Perez and Keeler are the Falcons’ best linemen. Perez has college offers from MIT and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

Palomar League

Escondido

Last season: 7-5

Coach: Stephen Dixon, third season

Key players: Bowyn Cannon (QB-RB-LB), Cainan Whitaker (OL-DL), Jorge Martinez (WR-DB), Isaiah Cabrera (WR-LB), Allen Tarula (WR-DB), JJ Bejar (RB-DB), Nehemiah Brittingham (OL-DL), Adan Espinosa (DB), Brandon Reyes (OL)

Scouting report: Four of the team’s best offensive players transferred out. But Dixon is happy with his young, eager team. Cannon, who is recovering from knee surgery, moves to QB. He rushed for 235 yards and had 116 yards in receptions in seven games last season. Martinez had 14 catches. Whitaker is the key to the offensive line. Cabrera and Tarula had 16 tackles apiece last season, while Brittingham logged 15.

Mt. Carmel

Last season: 6-5

Coach: Drew Westling, fifth season

Key players: Trevor Tamoepeau (QB), Kelle Leuck (QB-RB-DB), Atticus Enriquez (RB), Mason Medlock (RB), Tristan Abrena (RB), Connor Gibbons (WR), CJ Gomes (OL-DL), Andrew Kcomt (DB), Gavin McMullen (OL-LB)

Scouting report: Most teams struggle to find one good QB; the Sundevils have two. Leuck stepped in last season and threw for 1,953 yards and 15 TDs. But Tamoepeau, who missed most of last season with a broken leg, is back. And it’s his job to lose, so Leuck will see action as a running back and defensive back. The versatile Enriquez rushed for 121 yards and had 42 catches in six games before he was hurt last season, while Gibbons had 24 catches for 313 yards in seven games. McMullen, who had 34 tackles, leads the defense. Gomes had 30 tackles and Kcomt 29.

Ramona

Last season: 2-9

Coach: Damon Baldwin, 21st season

Key players: Wyatt Mallison (TE-DE), Ryan Shaw (QB), Deion Askew (WR-DB), Braden Jordison (DE), Zarius Pascual (RB-DB), Noah Bedia (QB-WR), Ty Drews (FB-LB), Colton Simpson (RB-LB), Tom Paredes (RB), Logan Barrera (DB), Vinny Hayes (OL), Dominic Lutz (WR), Ryan Peck (LB), Liam Cavaness (TE-DL), Trale Kelly (WR-DB), Andrew Nolan (DL)

Scouting report: The Bulldogs suffered through an uncharacteristic 2-9 season. But the junior class is strong and a number of sophomores will contribute in 2025. Shaw returns at QB and has improved tremendously. Paredes, the No. 1 ballcarrier, is also back. And Pascual has the talent to win games. Bedia was an all-league player last season. Hayes anchors the O-line. Drews is probably the team’s best player: He and Simpson are both three-year starters. Mallison was a first-team all-leaguer at defensive end. Askew, who plays free safety, can take over a game.

San Pasqual

Last season: 7-6

Coach: Tony Corley, 19th season

Key players: Robert Renteria (QB), Marcos Rocha (WR), Cooper Marquez (RB), Dylan Bachoua (RB-WR), Shawn Bachoua (OL), Gavin Bannister (OL), Marcus Gonzalez (OL), Landen Lockwood (DB), John Leon (DB), Ryan Hodgins (LB), Ben Luke (DB), Trevor Bennett (DL), Tyler Hodgins (DL), Jayden Montz (DL), Isaiah Caldwell (DL), Devin Gainey (OL-DL), Jordan Simmons (WR), Jared Brecht (WR), Chris Shamshoum (DB), Christian Quintero (LB)

Scouting report: No longer are the Eagles a 3-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust team. Renteria threw for 2,338 yards and 21 TDs a year ago, and didn’t throw an interception after Week 5. He played the last two games on a broken leg. Rocha had 83 receptions for 1,367 yards and 12 TDs, and had 10 catches in a playoff semifinal win over Central Union and 14 vs. St. Augustine in the Division 4 title game. Brecht, a sophomore, has sprinter’s speed. Simmons, a transfer from Classical Academy, has college potential. Dylan Bachoua and Marquez return at running back. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Gainey, a transfer from Escondido, gives the Eagles some punch on the O-line, where all-leaguers Shawn Bachoua, Bannister (6-4, 245) and Gonzalez return. Lockwood, a junior safety, had 140 tackles last season.

Valley Center

Last season: 7-4

Coach: Bill Dunckel, third season

Key players: Braylen Mitchell (QB), Daniel Stehly (RB-LB), Michael Bray (LB-LS), Jesse Morales (WR-DB), Josiah Tirado (RB-LB), Gauge Wright (WR), Mitchell Stehly (DB), Lucas Hellerich (OL), Dilan Gonzalez (OL-DL), Jack Stehly (OL), Maxwell Stehly (LB), David Villalobos (OL-DL), Tyler Frye (DL)

Scouting report: Mitchell, who threw for 1,755 yards and 19 TDs last season, is in his fourth year running the offense. He has a great target in Morales, who had 32 catches for 573 yards last year. Tirado figures to get the bulk of the carries. The O-line is in good shape with Jack Stehly, Maxwell Stehly, Hellerich, Villalobos and Gonzalez starting. Tirado had 44 tackles a year ago, while Mitchell Stehly — who may play a major role on offense — had 48.

Valley League

Fallbrook

Last season: 0-11

Coach: John Hollcraft, first season

Key players: Camden Hoff (OL), Carter Sanchez (WR-DB), Teague Lucy (WR-DB), Blake Robinson (LB), Dylan Glatt (WR-DB), Riley Cable (WR), Hudson Quinn (WR-DB), Titus Hansen (WR-DB), Waylon Puikunas (LB), Carter Sanchez (LB), Grant Hall (RB)

Scouting report: A number of young players got quality playing time during the Warriors’ winless season. Hall had 110 carries for 571 yards and five TDs, but got injured and didn’t play after the fifth game. Lucy, a sophomore, is one of the blocks upon which a winning team could be built. Hoff is the key to the lines. Glatt, Cable, Quinn and Hansen are all playmakers. Robinson was the team’s Defensive MVP after logging 72 tackles. Puikunas and Sanchez give the team a good core of linebackers.

Rancho Buena Vista

Last season: 1-9

Coach: Terrence McKinnie, first season

Key players: Jonathan Cruz (PK-P), Julian Richard (WR-DB), Lars Acosta (OL), Jose Garcia (LB), Jasias Gonzales (WR), Collin Grey (OL-DL), Jose Longa (WR-DB), Eric Morales (RB), Urial Morales (DL), Gage Piercy (DE), Isaac Ortega (DL), Josiah Stacco (OL-DL), Cannon Starritt (QB), Jayden Valverde (Ath), Cole Vandervort (WR-DB), Jacob Weston (OL)

Scouting report: Grey and Acosta give the Longhorns some size up front. Cruz, Acosta, Morales and Valverde are all offensive returning starters. Richard, Grey and Piercy are returning defensive starters.

Vista

Last season: 4-8

Coach: Ryan McHale, first season

Key players: Keoki Becerra (TE-DE), William Calderon (QB), Francisco Garcia (OL-DL), Broc Schweikhard (RB-LB), Mario Mejia (OL-DL), Preston Schrieber (DL)

Scouting report: McHale is the Panthers’ third coach in five years. The team is 8-34 in the last four seasons. But there is hope: Becerra, Schrieber and Schweikhard are all receiving college interest. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Becerra had 54 tackles a year ago. Schweikhard rushed for 505 yards and had 71 tackles. Calderon returns at QB after throwing for 886 yards a year ago.

Westview

Last season: 6-8

Coach: Mitch Donnelly, fifth season

Key players: Matty Guimond (QB), Evan Levine (WR-DB), Josh Haney (WR-DB), Kyler Brown (WR), Danny O’Connell (WR), Miles Miranda (WR), Micah Davis (WR), Brogan Ford (TE), JJ Vargas (TE-DL), Barrett Osquist (OL), Allen Goldenfeld (OL), Charles Jaskowiak (DB), Jackson Magnis (P)

Scouting report: Guimond, who played in seven games as the backup last year, will start at QB. He has some good receivers in Brown, Miranda and Levine. Osquist is a sophomore with unlimited potential. The defense needs to replace eight starters. Look for Jaskowiak (33 tackles in 2024) and Haney (17) to stand out at DB.

JOHN MAFFEI