Stiff tests ahead for emerging football forces in South Coast League
MIssion Viejo quarterback Brock Johnson has plenty of time to unload a pass against Norco in the second quarter of a game Sept. 18.
It has been a long time since a group of public schools in Orange County deserved equal billing with the best private schools in football, but three teams from the South Coast League — Mission Viejo (6-0), San Juan Capistrano San Juan Hills (6-0) and Las Flores Tesoro (5-1) — are giving every indication of being worthy foes.
Each is led by a veteran quarterback operating behind strong line play, and it means there’s going to be some fierce battles ahead when South Coast League action begins next week.
“It’s going to make it extremely competitive, and each week you have to focus on whatever task is in front of you,” Tesoro Coach Matt Poston said. “There’s no rest for the weary.”
In huge games ahead, San Juan Hills hosts Mission Viejo on Oct. 23 and plays at Tesoro on Nov. 6. Mission Viejo hosts Tesoro on Oct. 16. How those three games turn out will greatly influence the seedings for the West Valley Division playoffs. Mission Viejo is ranked No. 1, Tesoro No. 2 and San Juan Hills No. 6.
Devon Modster of Tesoro, Patrick O’Brien of San Juan Hills and Brock Johnson of Mission Viejo give the league a trio of senior quarterbacks with experience, talent and leadership skills. Modster, an Arizona commit, injured his shoulder on Friday night in a 31-22 win over San Clemente but still passed for 295 yards and two touchdowns.
O’Brien, a Nebraska commit, has completed 81% of his passes for 1,389 yards and 15 touchdowns. Johnson has led Mission Viejo to 18 consecutive wins over two seasons. He has passed for 1,371 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The other two teams in the league are Lake Forest El Toro (4-2) and Dana Hills (0-6).
Passing fancy
Will Olvera of Palm Springs set school records for passing with 536 yards and eight touchdowns in a 70-0 win over Coachella Valley.
Los Angeles improved to 5-0 with a 52-8 win over Reseda Cleveland as quarterback Kaymen Cureton completed 21 of 25 passes for 331 yards and four touchdowns. Next week, the Romans open Coliseum League play on the road against Crenshaw. Los Angeles Coach Eric Scott is a Crenshaw grad and former Crenshaw assistant coach.
Anthony Catalano of Corona Centennial completed six of seven passes for 213 yards and four touchdowns in a 59-7 win over Valencia.
Max Gilliam passed for 387 yards and five touchdowns and ran for 117 yards and one touchdown to help Thousand Oaks (6-0) defeat Agoura, 62-34.
Streak stopped
Rosemead Bosco Tech ended a 28-game losing streak with a 36-14 win over Montebello Cantwell-Sacred Heart.
Twitter: @LATSondheimer
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