Hi, and welcome to another edition of Prep Rally. My name is Eric Sondheimer. This week let’s look at the offensive linemen ready to throw around their weight and muscles this fall.
The big men
You don’t win championships without blockers up front, so let’s examine players to reckon with.
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It starts with Jake Flores of JSerra, a Washington commit who enters the fall season as the No. 1 blocker from the Trinity League. The Trinity League has plenty of contributors up front, including Kodi Greene and Sione Tohi from Mater Dei, Sam Utu and Arion Williams from Orange Lutheran, Matai Jefferson and Matt Perdue from St. John Bosco and USC commit Elijah Vaikona from Santa Margarita.
Drew Nichols from Murrieta Valley leads a big, strong group of Murrieta Valley linemen. He’s a Michigan State commit. Malik White of Rancho Cucamonga is a 320-pound junior. Long Beach Millikan has Arizona State commit Maki Stewart.
Chaminade has several underclassmen to watch in juniors Mateo Bilaver and Shane Katz. Adrian Zarsange of Chatsworth is a 6-3, 255-pound senior who could be best in the West Valley League. Jonah Leaupepetele has received praise at Apple Valley. A healthy Daniel Shipp has high expectations at Corona Centennial after missing last season with an injury.
Blake Graham at Leuzinger, Henry Wonderlick at Villa Park, Sonny Pa’u at Mission Viejo and Ashdon Wnetrzak at Sierra Canyon all can be productive blockers this season.
St. Bonaventure has won several line competitions this summer. Matthew Driver and Mason Badgett return from last season’s championship team and Oxnard transfer Scott Burleigh (6-7, 350) adds to the line’s physicality.
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When best friends unite, the power they unleash can be magical in terms of chemistry, unselfishness and determination. That’s what Mission Viejo’s football team has going for it when the season begins in six weeks.
You could see it and feel it Saturday during the Edison seven-on-seven passing tournament. The two quarterbacks who alternate playing every other series, Luke Fahey and Draiden Trudeau, are like brothers. Trudeau showed up and greeted Fahey’s father by offering a hug and saying, “What’s up, pops?”
The quarterbacks have a great group of receivers. The summer provided some clues for players and teams to watch this fall. Here’s a look.
Montes leads Kennedy
Granada Hills Kennedy went 6-0 in the Valley Mission League last season behind sophom*ore quarterback Diego Montes.
He’s back, and the Golden Cougars look strong again.
Here’s a report.
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Golf
It’s official. Jaden Soong, a 14-year-old incoming freshman at St. Francis, is a golf phenom.
Jaden Soong, the soon-to-be high school freshman got around The Saticoy Club like a seasoned vet. His bogey-free final round 66 was as surgical as it was beyond his years, adding up to the best round of his life that resulted in winning the 125th SCGA Amateur Championship 🎤 pic.twitter.com/kSnz9aN1fZ
— Southern California Golf Association (@thescga) July 12, 2024
He became the youngest winner of the SCGA Amateur Championship in 125 years. It’s the same trophy that Tiger Woods once won.
Here’s the report.
It’s already been a good summer for girls’ golf in Southern California, with Leigh Chien of Santa Margarita winning the Girls High School Golf National Invitational last week in Frisco, Texas. This week the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship will be held at El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana.
Here’s a look at the field for U.S. Girls’ Junior Championships.
Baseball
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Sunday’s opening day of major league baseball’s amateur draft was a day to remember for Harvard-Westlake grad Bryce Rainer.
The standout shortstop who led the Wolverines to a Division 1 title as a freshman pitcher and the final as a senior was rewarded by being taken No. 11 overall by the Detroit Tigers. He joins former Wolverines Pete Crow-Armstrong, Jack Flaherty, Max Fried and Lucas Giolito as a first-round draft pick.
With the 11th pick in the 2024 #MLBDraft, the Detroit Tigers select SS Bryce Rainer. pic.twitter.com/BE0FQNQchy
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) July 15, 2024
Here’s the report.
After the first round was completed, pitcher Braylon Doughty from Chaparral was taken No. 36 by the Cleveland Guardians and pitcher Levi Sterling from Sherman Oaks Notre Dame was chosen No. 37 by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In the second round, pitcher Boston Bateman from Camarillo was taken by the Padres at No. 52. Corona ace left-hander and UCLA commit Ethan Schiefelbein went No. 72 to the Detroit Tigers. Former JSerra pitcher Gage Jump was taken No. 73 by the Athletics.
USA baseball finalized the 84 players invited to compete for 20 spots for his 18U national team. It’s loaded with top players from Corona, Orange Lutheran, Harvard-Westlake, Warren and Crespi, among others.
Here’s the link to the list of participants.
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Notes . . .
— USABJNT (@usabjnt) July 7, 2024Putting on a show.
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame has gained what some people believe is the best basketball player in the class of 2026, 6-foot-7 Tyran Stokes. He’s transferring after playing for Prolific Prep in Napa the last two years. He won a gold medal for the USA U17 national team averaging 12.3 points and adds to an already strong Mission League lineup of top players. . . .
New beginnings 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/lMHxtjO6Ko
— tyran stokes (@tyran_stokes) July 13, 2024
The National Federation of State High School Assns. softball rules committee has approved allowing softball coaches to use one-way electronic devices in the dugout to speak with the catcher beginning with the 2025 season. Baseball coaches began the practice last year.
Coaches are prohibited from using the device “to communicate with any other team member while on defense or any team member while on offense” and the coach cannot use the device “outside the dugout/bench area.” . . .
Maximo Adams, who played for Narbonne as a freshman and Gardena Serra as a sophom*ore, has transferred to Sierra Canyon for his junior basketball season. His brother, Marcus, a former Narbonne standout, has transferred to Cal State Northridge. . . .
AAU National Championships “Pairs" competition beach volleyball at Hermosa Beach. Premier divisions of 18U and 16U girls championship games the afternoon of July 15. The “Club” championship day will be July 17 and the “Best of the Beach” champions will be crowned on July 19.
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) July 9, 2024
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AAU national championships in pairs beach volleyball have begun in Hermosa Beach. The Redondo Union duo of Cash Essert and Carter Mirabal won the 16 under national boys pairs championship
The AAU Beach Volleyball Champions are Sea Hawks! Congrats to Carter and Cash! @RUHSASB @breezepreps @latsondheimer pic.twitter.com/nti0tp1KNz
— Redondo Athletics (@RUHSAthletics) July 14, 2024
Tasman Thorsness is the new swim coach at Huntington Beach. . . .
Joe Molina is the new boys water polo coach at Orange Lutheran. . . .
Former Glendora star Cameron Murray is the new girls’ basketball coach at Claremont. . . .
Track star Sadie Engelhardt of Ventura was selected as the Gatorade national female athlete of the year. . . .
Mia Gomez of Agoura, the Marmonte League softball player of the year, has committed to Utah. . . .
Jessie Giacomazzi, a lacrosse standout for Agoura, has committed to the University of Tampa. . . .
Mateo Fuerbringer of Mira Costa was presented as the AAU Beach Volleyball National Player of the Year for 2023 after winning 10 titles in 10 events. He was a 6-foot-3 freshman last season at Mira Costa.
From the archives: Northridge Little League
It was 30 years ago, in 1994, when Northridge Little League made it to the Little League World Series, won the U.S. championship but lost in the championship game.
30 years ago, Matt Cassel & Co. helped Northridge Little League to runner-up spot at Little League World Series. My milk bottle keepsake from 1994. pic.twitter.com/vZsCBGq2c9
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) July 4, 2024
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Among the players on that team was future USC and NFL quarterback Matt Cassel.
Here’s a story from 1994.
Here’s a story from 2014 looking back.
Recommendations
From ABC7.com, a story on two teens performing CPR to save a wrestler.
From the Los Angeles Times, a look at the Chargers’ new practice facility in El Segundo.
From Highschool.si.com, a look at top 50 quarterbacks in California.
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From Picketfencemedia.com, a story on former Dana Hills pitcher Hans Crouse being called up by the Angels.
Tweets you might have missed
The past 7 months I’ve been dealing with some difficult medical conditions. Turns out I have a neurological disorder that has caused additional issues. I’ve taken some time from football to address my health. Thanks to everyone that has reached out and RCHS for all the support!
— Brian Hildebrand (@BHildebrandRCHS) July 8, 2024
— NFL (@NFL) July 8, 2024Cooper Kupp talks about the mindset that took him from a high school kid with no college offers to a Super Bowl champion.
"I'm going to go earn it again, every single day." 💯 (via @CooperKupp) pic.twitter.com/ChvxBFoEpJ
— MaxPreps (@MaxPreps) July 8, 2024MaxPreps National Junior of the Year Seth Hernandez headlines the Junior All-America baseball team. ⚾️🔥
Full story ⬇️https://t.co/xgd75FHoem pic.twitter.com/UvDCsypGq3
Shoutout to Senior Tyler Larsen for passing 3 AP Tests this Spring while maintaining a 4.0 gpa mixed in with all of his responsibilities at home and on the field. Student-Athlete! Great job representing your family, your school and the program.
— Ray Rivera (@TheeRayRivera32) July 8, 2024
Coach is proud of you! pic.twitter.com/Pn7dIKN0hp
It's truly getting interesting the college commitments coming fast and furious because many who committed earlier now will face competition. In other words, expect the "please respect my decision" I'm decommitting. It's a game like bingo. Few want competition.
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) July 9, 2024
Reminding high school football coaches everywhere: Your uniforms this season must clearly show jersey numbers. They can't be invisible or blend into jerseys. 2024 rule makes them illegal. May the officials call as many flags as they want against schools that violate the rule.
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) July 9, 2024
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From the CIF: A violation of the new national jersey rule in football requiring numbers to clearly contrast with jersey color will result in a 15-yard penalty and a report filed by the officials to the section office.
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) July 10, 2024
Effective with 2025 season, races in high school track and field will be recalled in the first 50 meters when a competitor falls due to contact with another competitor. This change relates to races not run in lanes, or when two or more competitors are assigned to a single lane.
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) July 9, 2024
Bryce Rainer is ready to become first-round MLB draft pick https://t.co/jVEN0SkqAy
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) July 9, 2024
Notre Dame High grad. https://t.co/T91XxlOhHA
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) July 9, 2024
. We can’t thank @UchennaN_42 enough. He helped fund an athletic training room and a full-time athletic trainer at #NarbonneHigh, his alma mater. In giving back, he’s setting a high standard for others to follow. @Seahawks @latsondheimer @DamianCalhoun pic.twitter.com/zkYT6abpd1
— Region South (@LAschoolsSouth) July 9, 2024
Friday night lights are right around the corner!
— Oaks Christian Lions (@OaksChrstnLions) July 10, 2024
The defending Marmonte League champs kick off their season Aug. 23 at Chaminade. The Lions home opener is slated for Sept. 6 when they host Eleanor Roosevelt High at Thorson Stadium. #LionPride #OneOaksChristian pic.twitter.com/aY5XWbKYsA
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Jordan Houegban has graduated from Brentwood and made it to UCLA as a student. Will try to make basketball team as walk on. He’s on his way to a good life. https://t.co/VbdEK1BZaP
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) July 9, 2024
Patience and hard work pays off for the former Harvard-Westlake and UCLA standout. https://t.co/Z7qKpF0RZx
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) July 12, 2024
One thing I don’t appreciate is coaches screaming out profanities in summer passing tourneys. Not needed.
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) July 13, 2024
The bomb for Los Alamitos. Griffins have a 13-12 win over Bosco. pic.twitter.com/8um7qqISBq
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) July 13, 2024
Sorry but if this isn’t pass interference football needs to change. Lol. It wasn’t called. pic.twitter.com/Me0QWehqLc
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) July 13, 2024
Future NFL linebacker. Madden Faraimo. JSerra. pic.twitter.com/V1YgnjGplB
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) July 13, 2024
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🏈 The One Tournament highlights 🏈💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥@USAFootball @SoCalReignFF @ERHighSchool @ERHSgFlag @nxt1sports @esn_media23 @NELASportsOne @latsondheimer pic.twitter.com/W7uMUBcaNq
— Haylee Weatherspoon (@HayleeWeathers2) July 14, 2024
Until next time...
Have a question, comment or something you’d like to see in a future Prep Rally newsletter? Email me at
eric.sondheimer@latimes.com, and follow me on Twitter at
@latsondheimer.
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