2021 Los Alamitos Game Notes - Santa Margarita Eagles Football

Los Alamitos - Game Notes

SMCHS Eagles (3-1) vs Los Alamitos Griffins (4-0)
at Saddleback JC (Mission Viejo, California)
Saturday, September 17, 2021 - 7:00 p.m.
Original PDF

Last Game Vs. Nolan Catholic

The Eagles made a short trip north to Los Angeles County to the field of their league rival, St. John Bosco. There they squared-off versus Nolan Catholic (Ft. Worth, Texas) at the “Trinity League vs. The USA Football Showcase.” The Vikings came into the game ranked in Texas and had a reputation as a respectable program that has enjoyed success. However, this was not their day at all, falling, 31-13 in a game that wasn’t even that close. SMC led 31-0 going into the fourth quarter and allowed the Vikings two inconsequential scores.

Quarterback Jaxon Potter threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for a score to pace the Eagles to their third win in four tries. He completed 29-of-43 passes (67.4%) and set new season-high marks for passing yards (311), attempts (43), completions (29) and tied for touchdowns (3). Potter connected with fellow junior Niko Lopez, Jalen Jones and Sam Caspino scores. Lopez now has a touchdown reception in all four games this season. Receiver Nick Gallegos finished with six catches for 47 yards. Justin Rivera led the rushing attack with 55 yards.

As good as Santa Margarita’s offense was, the defense was even mightier. It held Nolan to just 35 yards passing, notched 10 tackles-for-loss, forced one fumble and registered five quarterback sacks. The Eagles received sacks from Hero Kanu, LeVar Talley, Noah Sulick, Romen Christensen and Israel Solomon. Blake Wilson handled the kicking duties with perfection, hitting all four PATs and booting a 42-yard field goal in the first half.

It can be said that this was easily the best overall performance by the Eagles this season and the signature win of Coach Anthony Rouzier’s early stint at the helm.

The Eagles are now 4-5 all-time versus out-of-state opponents. They had lost five in succession in that category. Prior to this, SMC had never won against an out-of-state opponent in games played in California -- at home or on a neutral field. Overall, their last victory was in 2012 at Brophy Prep (Phoenix, Arizona) in the only nationally televised game in school history (ESPN).

Weekly Awards

Special Teams Player of the Week: Blake Wilson
Offensive Player of the Week: Eagles Defensive Line
Defensive Player of the Week: Eagles Offensive Line

Most Current Poll Rankings
MaxPreps.com - State: 18 / Southern Section: 14
calpreps.com - State: 18 / Southern Section: 14
calhisports.com - State: 22
yahoo.com / Los Angeles Times - Southland: 8
Orange County Register - 5 (As of 09/07)
Dan Albano (ocvarsity.com) - 6 (As of 09/07)
High School Football America - State: 19 (As of 09/07)

SANTA MARGARITA PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jaxon Potter
#5 | Quarterback | Junior | 6-3, 170

Completed 29-of-43 passes (67.4%) and set new season-high marks for passing yards (311), attempts (43), completions (29) and tied for touchdowns (3) in resounding win over Nolan Catholic. Also rushed for one score
Recognized by PrepRedzone.com for one of the Top Passing Performances for Weeks 0 and 2
Threw for the second-most passing yards ever by an SMC quarterback in debut game in season-opening win versus San Juan Hills -- 294-yards. Connected for three touchdown passes
Ranked the No. 82 overall prospect in the state by PrepRedzone.com for Class of 2023
Cal-Hi Sports Fall 2021 Preseason All-State Second-Team - Offense (QB)
Ranked No. 22 by Orange County Register of Hot-150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2021
Ranked No. 5 quarterback in Orange County for Fall 2021 by the Orange County Register
Cal-Hi Sports 2021 Preseason Hot 100 - No. 71 in state for Class of 2023
Demonstrated poise and confidence in helping lead the Eagles to the championship of the 7-on-7 “Battle at the Beach” Passing Tournament at Edison (Huntington Beach) in July

Most Passing Yards in First Career Game at SMCHS - All-Time
Quarterback	Yards	Opponent	Date	Class
Peter Costelli	325	Downey	08/16/18	Sophomore
Jaxon Potter	294	San Juan Hills	08/20/21	Junior
K.J. Costello	243	@ Bishop Amat	08/30/13	Sophomore
Josiah Norwood	243	@ Downey	08/25/17	Senior
Ryan World	222	@ Mater Dei	10/19/07	Junior

Nicholas “Niko” Lopez
#0 | Tight End | Junior | 6-4, 210

Tallied a receiving touchdown for the fourth-straight game in win over Nolan Catholic
Tied career-high in receptions with nine versus St. Augustine, including a touchdown
Tallied a team-high six receptions and scored one touchdown in loss @ Norco
Recognized by PrepRedzone.com for one of the Top Receiving Performances for Weeks 0 and 2
Achieved new career-highs in pass receptions (9) and yards receiving (96) in season-opening win versus San Juan Hills
Ranked the No. 178 overall prospect in the state by PrepRedzone.com for Class of 2023
Ranked No. 63 by Orange County Register of Hot-150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2021
Los Angeles Times Potential Breakout Star in the Southland for Fall 2021
A significant contributor in the Eagles’ championship run at the 7-on-7 “Battle at the Beach” Passing Tournament competition at Edison (Huntington Beach) in July. Named event Most Valuable Player by PrepRedzone.com
Spring 2021 All-Trinity League Second-Team - Offense
Had 14 receptions for 164 yards (11.7 average) and two touchdowns in Spring 2021 season
Called-up to varsity for the CIF-Southern Section Division 2 playoff game at Sierra Canyon in 2019 and had one catch for 11 yards
A member of the Eagles basketball program who is described as having sound basketball instincts that transfer to the football field, especially when going after and securing the ball

Nick Gallegos
#7 | Wide Receive/Defensive Back | Senior | 5-11, 175

Led team with 94 yards receiving in loss @ Norco
Named to OCVarsity.com Orange County “Bonus List of Top Contenders & Overlooked Players”
Hauled-in 6 receptions for 106 yards (17.7 average) in season opening win against San Juan Hills. Also scored one touchdown. This included his longest reception -- 52-yards
Recognized as an outstanding player at the 7-on-7 “Battle at the Beach” Passing Tournament at Edison (Huntington Beach) in July by PrepRedzone.com

Ben Durham
#9 | Defensive Back | Junior | 5-11, 195

Registered a team-high 12 tackles (tied with teammate Donovan Comestro) in loss @ Norco
Spring 2021 Letterman
Listed on PrepRedzone.com’s “Watch List” of state prospects for Class of 2023

Ryan Zolnick
#10 | DE/LB | Senior | 6-1, 215

Registered a team-high 1 1/2 sacks in win over St. Augustine
Ranked No. 85 by Orange County Register of Hot-150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2021
Spring 2021 All-Trinity League First-Team - Defense
Registered 17 total tackles and two sacks in spring 2021 season

Levar Talley
#11 | Defensive Line | Sophomore | 6-3, 205

Had one quarterback sack in win over Nolan Catholic
Named No. 4 “Defensive Riser” for Class of 2024 selection by PrepRedzone.com fro California
Spring 2021 Letterman
Ranked No. 84 overall prospect in the state by PrepRedzone.com for Class of 2024

Ranked No. 132 by Orange County Register of Hot-150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2021
Recognized as an outstanding player at the 7-on-7 “Battle at the Beach” Passing Tournament at Edison (Huntington Beach) in July by PrepRedzone.com
Spring 2019 Empire League Co-Defensive Player of the Year at Tustin High School - Strong Safety
Saw significant action at quarterback and strong safety for the Tillers who finished in a three-way tie for the Empire League title with Pacifica (Garden Grove) and Cypress
As a quarterback, completed 63.8% of pass attempts and threw 10 touchdowns. Rushed for three touchdowns and added one receiving
Connected for four touchdown passes in each of the final two games of spring 2021 season for the Tillers versus Kennedy (La Palma) and Valencia (Placentia)

Donovan Comestro
#13 | Defensive Back | Junior | 6-0, 160

Had one quarterback sack in win over Nolan Catholic
Registered a team-high 12 tackles (tied with teammate Ben Durham) in loss @ Norco
Collected one interception in win over San Juan Hills in season-opener
Spring 2021 All-Trinity League Second-Team - Defense
Notched 16 total tackles (4 for loss), a half sack, one interception, three pass defenses and forced two fumbles in Spring 2021

Jalen Jones
#18 | Wide Receiver | Senior | 5-10, 180

Receiving touchdown versus Nolan Catholic was his fourth of the season
Ranked No. 58 by Orange County Register of Hot-150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2021
Listed on PrepRedzone.com’s “Watch List” of state prospects for the Class of 2022
Spring 2021 All-Trinity League Second-Team - Offense
Caught 15 passes for 195 yards (13.0 average) and two touchdowns in Spring 2021
Has received offers from Valparaiso and Davidson
A speed-burner, has run 10.9 in the 100-meters
A member of the Eagles track team, participating in the 100, 200 and 4x100 meter relay

Ian Grogan
#19 | Wide Receiver | Senior | 6-0, 185

Rushed four times while appearing at running back in Spring 2021, scoring two touchdowns. Also added one receiving
2019 All-Trinity League Second-Team - Offense
Team leader with 511 receiving yards (21.3 average) in 2019 with two touchdowns
Notched career highs with five receptions along with 113 yards receiving in loss at Cherry Creek in 2019

Romen Christensen - #24 | Linebacker/Punter | Senior | 5-10, 180

Had one quarterback sack in win over Nolan Catholic
Selected Team Special Teams Player of the Week vs. San Juan Hills - 08/20/21
Led the team with 9 total tackles in season-opening win against San Juan Hills

Blake Wilson - #34 | Defensive Back | Junior | 5-11 , 170

Connected for a successful 42-yard field goal in a win against Nolan Catholic.
Successfully kicked 4 kickoffs into the endzone and was Special Teams Player of the week against Nolan Catholic
Connected for a successful 46-yard field goal in loss @ Norco
Recognized by PrepRedzone.com as one of the Top Defensive Performances for Week 0
Selected Team Defensive Player of the Week vs. San Juan Hills - 08/20/21
Registered 2 interceptions in win over San Juan Hills in season-opener -- first two of his career
Spring 2021 All-Trinity League Second-Team - Defense
Second on team in Spring 2021 in total tackles with 32
Handles the team’s kick-off duties

Jake Foye
#42 | Running Back | Junior | 5-10, 190

Named to OCVarsity.com Orange County “Bonus List of Top Contenders & Overlooked Players”
Selected Team Offensive Player of the Week vs. San Juan Hills - 08/20/21
Rushed for a career-high 181 yards on 21 attempts (8.6 average) in season opening win against San Juan Hills. Also scored one touchdown.

Noah Sulick
#43 | Linebacker | Sophomore | 5-10, 180

Enjoyed the best game of his young career against Nolan Catholic: four tackles, three tackles-for-loss and one-and-a-half QB sacks

Hero Kanu
#45 | Defensive Tackle | Senior | 6-5, 300

A Top-100 national and Top-10 California 5-star prospect currently with 24 offers from Division 1 Power Five conference schools. On July 9, officially narrowed down to ten: Alabama, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Clemson, LSU, Oklahoma, USC, Georgia, Washington and Texas
Registered first full quarterback sack of the season in victory over Nolan Catholic
Television / Web feature interview on Bally’s Sports West / SoCal Prep Zone: From Germany to So Cal High School Football
Web feature interview on Spectrum News 1: Santa Margarita Eagles Build New Culture Centered on Diversity, Family
scorebooklive.com Fall 2021 State Defensive Player of the Year nominee
Recognized by PrepRedzone.com for one of the Top Defensive Performances for Week 2
Led team with three tackles-for-loss in win over St. Augustine (Also notched 1/2 sack)
Featured in four 247Sports.com online highlight videos in 2021
Ranked No. 1 Top Prospect for Class of 2022 by Europe’s Elite / europeselite.com
Ranked No. 1 Prep Prospect from Germany for Class of 2021 / 2022 by Europe’s Elite / europeselite.com
MaxPreps.com Fall 2021 Preseason All-State Team - Defense (DL)
Ranked No. 6 by USA Today High School Sports in Top 25 Class of 2022 High School Players from California
Ranked No. 6 by yahoo.com Sports in Top 25 Class of 2022 High School Players from California
Cal-Hi Sports Fall 2021 Preseason All-State First-Team - Defense (DL)
Cal-Hi Sports Fall 2021 Preseason All-Orange County First-Team - Defense (DL)
scorebooklive.com Fall 2021 Preseason All-State Team - Defense (DL)
scorebooklive.com Fall 2021 Preseason All-CIF - Southern Section Team - Defense (DL)
SI.com All-American Watch List - Top Interior Defensive Linemen - “Notable”
Ranked No. 10 by Orange County Register of Hot-150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2021
Ranked No. 1 defensive lineman in Orange County for Fall 2021 by the Orange County Register
Los Angeles Times Top 10 Defensive Linemen to Watch in Fall 2021
Los Angeles Times Prep Rally: “Big Men to Watch” in Fall 2021
MaxPreps.com compares to Kanu to Cameron Hayward of the Pittsburgh Steelers
Ranked No. 8 overall prospect in the state by MaxPreps.com
Ranked No. 1 prospect in the state and No. 7 in the nation at defensive tackle by MaxPreps.com
Ranked No. 9 overall prospect in the state and No. 1 at defensive tackle by PrepRedzone.com for Class of 2022
Cal-Hi Sports Fall 2021 Preseason Hot 100 - No. 11 overall in state for Class of 2022
Orange County Register’s - “Juniors Who Will Reign in the Fall of 2021”
2022 San Antonio Sports All-Star Football Game invitee -- January 8, 2022: Will announce college selection
Spring 2021 All-Trinity First-Team League - Defense
Ranked No. 8 defensive lineman in the state after Spring 2021 season by scorebooklive.com
scorebooklive.com Spring 2021 All-State Football Team (DL)
Cal-Hi Sports Spring 2021 All-State Second-Team - Defense (DL)
Cal-Hi Sports Spring 2021 All-State First-Team - Defense - Junior Team (DL)
MaxPreps.com Spring 2021 All-State Second-Team - Defense (DL)
Los Angeles Times Spring 2021 All-Star High School First-Team - Defense (DL)
Class of 2022 “Stock Risers” selection by PrepRedzone.com for California
Cal-Hi Sports Winter 2021 Class of 2022 Top-100 recruit

Taurian Nash
#47 | Running Back | Freshman

Gained 68 yards rushing and scored his first-career touchdown on a 46 yard romp in win over St. Augustine

Jalani Liva
#62 | Offensive Line | Junior | 6-4, 320

Recognized as a “Lineman on the Rise” in Orange County for Fall 2021 by the Orange County Register
Spring 2021 Letterman
Ranked the No. 124 overall prospect in the state by PrepRedzone.com for Class of 2023 and Outstanding Newcomer

Kilian O’Connor
#67 | Offensive Line | Senior | 6-2 , 285

Has received an offer from Columbia
Cal-Hi Sports Fall 2021 Preseason All-State Second-Team - Offense (OL)
Ranked No. 5 offensive lineman in Orange County for Fall 2021 by PrepRedzone.com
Ranked No. 61 by Orange County Register of Hot-150 Top Impact Players for Fall 2021
Ranked No. 6 offensive lineman in Orange County for Fall 2021 by the Orange County Register
Listed on PrepRedzone.com’s “Watch List” of state prospects for the Class of 2022
Spring 2021 All-Trinity League Second-Team - Offense
Cal-Hi Sports Winter 2021 No. 63 state prospect for Class of 2022
Cal-Hi Sports Summer 2020 No. 59 state prospect for Class of 2022
2019 All-Trinity League First-Team - Offense

Kyle Brody
#88 | Tight End | Sophomore | 6-4 , 230

Ranked No. 84 overall prospect in the state by PrepRedzone.com for Class of 2024

THIS WEEK’S OPPONENT: Los Alamitos

SMCHS Season Game No. 5 / Non-League Game No. 5
Game Day / Date: Friday, September 17, 2021 @ Saddleback College (Mission Viejo), 7:00 p.m.
School Location: Los Alamitos
Nickname: Griffins
Head Coach: Ray Fenton (39-17-1, .693) -- 6th Season
2021 Fall Record: 4-0
Last Week: Won @ Buchanan (Clovis), 34-31
2021 Spring Season: 6-0 Overall | 5-0 Sunset League (1st)
2019 Season: 4-7 Overall | 3-2 Sunset League (3rd) | 0-1 CIF-SS Division 3 Playoffs
All-Time Series: Series Tied 3-3. Last Game / SMCHS Win: 38-27 in 2011 @ Veterans Memorial Stadium (Long Beach)
Players to Watch:

Malachi Nelson | Junior | Quarterback
Makai Lemon | Junior | Wide Receiver / Defensive Back
Deandre Moore, Jr. | Junior | Wide Receiver / Cornerback
Nygel Osborne | Junior | Running Back
Cash Koepke | Senior | Offensive Tackle
Sinn Brennan | Junior | Tight End / Defensive End
Connor Mclachlan | Sophomore | Place Kicker
Brian Jurado | Senior | Strong Safety / Running Back
Alec Wills | Senior | Wide Receiver / Defensive Back
David Main | Senior | Offensive Tackle / Linebacker / Defensive End
Adam Tomczyk | Senior | Defensive Lineman
Gavin Porch | Junior | Running Back / Wide Receiver / Cornerback
Josiah Murray | Senior | Running Back

In Brief: The reigning Sunset League champion Griffins may be even stronger this fall than the spring squad that was a perfect 6-0 and outscore their league opponents by an average of 34-points. The incredible tandem of quarterback Malachi Nelson and receiver Makai Lemon may be the best in the state or even the nation. Both are juniors and have committed to Oklahoma. They ignited an offense that averaged 51 points a game during the spring. In May of this year, Gatorade announced Nelson as its 2020-21 “California Football Player of the
Year.” Nelson joins recent award winners from the Southern Section (all Trinity League): Bryce Young (2019-20, Mater Dei), D.J. Uiagalelei (2018-19, St. John Bosco) and J.T. Daniels (2017-18 & 2016-17, Mater Dei), among the state’s list of former award winners. All five starting offensive linemen return, including co-Sunset League “Offensive Lineman of the Year” Cash Koepke and all-league tackle David Main. Los Als’ defense has three players who had at least three sacks in the spring. That includes Sinn Brennan (six sacks) -- a 6-5 junior who doubles as a tight end. Adam Tomczyk leads the defensive line, while all-league linebacker Brian Jurado returns, as well. Observers say that with this talent, Los Al might have the best public school team in the Orange County. Talented transfers include junior Deandre Moore, Jr., a standout receiver and defensive back who grew up in the Los Alamitos area and has transferred back in from Nevada. Running back Nygel Osborne and cornerback Kevin Overstreet came in from nearby St. John Bosco and Jordan Ginnis came from Saguaro High School in Arizona.

NEXT WEEK’S OPPONENT: JSERRA CATHOLIC (AFTER BYE WEEK)

SMCHS Season Game No. 6 / Trinity League Game No. 1
Game Day / Date: Friday, October 1, 2021 @ JSerra Catholic Stadium, 7:00 p.m.
School Location: San Juan Capistrano
Nickname: Lions
Head Coach: Scott McKnight (1-2, .333) -- 1st Season
2021 Fall Record: 1-2
Last Week: Lost vs. Centennial (Corona), 48-0
2021 Spring Season: 0-5 Overall | 0-5 Trinity League (6th)
2019 Season: 6-5 Overall | 2-3 Trinity League (4th) | 0-1 CIF-SS Division 1 Playoffs
All-Time Series: SMC Leads Series 9-6. Last Game / SMCHS Win: 42-0 in Spring 2021 @ Santa Ana Bowl (SMC Home)
Players to Watch:

Chase Barry | Senior | Punter / Kicker
David Tuliau | Junior | Defensive Lineman
Zach Pua | Senior | Fullback / Middle Linebacker
Luke Berry | Senior | Linebacker / Defensive End
Justin Joiner-Greer | Junior | Offensive Lineman / Defensive Lineman
Dylan Mills | Sophomore | Quarterback

In Brief: The Spring 2021 season saw JSerra Catholic field a squad that was an extremely young and mostly inexperienced group. The Lions now turn to longtime assistant Scott McKnight as the new Head Coach who is tasked with guiding the stable of young talent and rebuilding the foundation of a contender. McKnight has been an assistant coach for 10 seasons and has a tremendous reputation when it comes to special teams. McKnight has also coached at Tesoro (Los Flores) and Mater Dei (Santa Ana). The reins of the offense fall to sophomore quarterback Dylan Mills, who eventually took control of the starting job during his freshman season. Mills is said to have the ability to extend plays with his feet and throws a great deep ball. Perhaps the most talented player the Lions have is punter / kicker Chase Barry. One outlet has ranks the 6-5, 215-pound senior as the No. 5 punter in the nation for the class of 2022. He is categorized as a “big-time punting prospect.” Barry averages 45-plus yards per punt, with 4.5-plus (seconds) hang time. The reigning Trinity League “Punter of the Year” has offers from all three service academies: Army-West Point, Navy and Air Force. Despite facing some struggles, the new CIF-SS Playoff division system could give the Lions the opportunity to play in a lower division as an at-large team, primarily due to its strength of schedule in the mighty Trinity League. The Lions will start non-seniors at many key positions.

HEAD COACH Anthony Rouzier

Anthony Rouzier begins his second season as the Head Varsity Coach at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. Prior to taking the reigns of the program in the spring of 2021, Rouzier coached at SMC for three seasons, first serving as the linebacker coach and then as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator. The path to Head Coach started on August 27, 2020 when Rouzier was named on an interim basis. He replaced Tim Walsh after his resignation from the position to focus on a medical issue. On February 5, 2021, Rouzier was named fulltime Head Coach by school President Andy Sulick.

Rouzier played collegiately at the University of Connecticut in 2005. There he was the first true freshman walk-on to start in the Division-era of the school. He then transferred to the University of Massachusetts as a scholarship athlete and was a member of two Colonial Athletic Conference championships teams. In the classroom, Rouzier earned All-Academic All-Conference honors in 2007 and 2008.

After his collegiate playing days, in 2014, Rouzier coached at Amherst Regional High School (Massachusetts) where he started as the linebacker coach and was promoted to Defensive Coordinator mid-season. Rouzier then proceeded to coach the outside linebackers at Winston-Salem State University (North Carolina) in the spring of 2015. Shortly after that, he returned as a graduate assistant at his Alma Mater, the University of Massachusetts. There he worked with the defensive backs in 2015 and linebackers in 2016.

Rouzier then found his way to Europe to coach with the Hamburg Huskies of the German Football League. There, in 2017, he was the interim Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator. For his success, Rouzier was promoted to and accepted the Head Coaching position. Rouzier was also the Defensive Coordinator for the Under-17 Hamburg State All-Star team and worked with a recruiting service that helped European prospects earn Division 1 college scholarships in the United States. One of the other German coaches was current SMC assistant coach Sean Embree. It was Embree who convinced Rouzier that coaching at SMC would be worth his while and he soon found his way to South Orange County.

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Rouzier married his wife Elwira, who he met in Germany in 2018. He holds Juris Doctor and Master’s of Business Administration degrees from Florida International University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts. He is the co-creator of a children’s book and non-profit organization that promotes health and wellness.

Compiled by Chuck Nan
Statistics by Shane Mielke

2021 EAGLES

Last Game Vs. Nolan Catholic

SANTA MARGARITA PLAYERS TO WATCH

THIS WEEK’S OPPONENT: Los Alamitos

NEXT WEEK’S OPPONENT: JSERRA CATHOLIC (AFTER BYE WEEK)

HEAD COACH Anthony Rouzier