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Los Alamitos was mentioned as one of the top public high school football teams in Southern California during the spring season.
This fall, nearly everyone from the defending Sunset League championship team is returning for the Griffins and they have added a handful of excellent transfers.
Junior Deandre Moore Jr., a standout receiver and defensive back who grew up in the Los Alamitos area, transferred 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 in Arizona.
This has added a level of competition to practice that few teams can replicate.
“I go out and compete with guys like Deandre, Ethan (O’Connor), Makai Lemon and we have a bunch of guys who get me better. We get each other better,” receiver Alec Wills said. “We are always trying to beat each other.”
Los Alamitos, ranked No. 6 in the state by MaxPreps.com, is led by its two University of Oklahoma commits: Lemon and quarterback Malachi Nelson, who is one of the top junior quarterbacks in the country. But what makes the Griffins a championship contender is the team’s depth all over the field.
All five starting offensive linemen from the spring are back, including co-Sunset League Offensive Lineman of the Year Cash Koepke and all-league tackle David Main.
“Our offensive line is one of our best positions,” Nelson said. “Returning all of them is extremely helpful for me and the team.”
The Griffins have three running backs who are all capable of making big plays. Brian Jurado is back and was the team’s leading rusher in the spring. Osborne can make plays out of the backfield in the passing game and Josiah Murray returns after missing the spring season due to injury.
Los Alamitos’ defense has three players returning who had at least three sacks in the spring. Sinn Brennan transferred in from Santa Margarita last spring and had six sacks. He is a 6-foot-5 junior who doubles as a tight end. Adam Tomczyk leads the defensive line and is committed to Utah State.
Lane Broderick is a returning safety who had three sacks and 21 tackles last season. He has an offer from Kansas.
One intriguing storyline regarding the Griffins this season is that this is the first time this core group of players will be able to compete for a CIF championship. In the new CIF playoff format, the playoff divisions will not be determined until after the regular season.
If Los Alamitos has an undefeated regular season, there is a chance it will be in the Division 1 playoffs with teams like Mater Dei and St. John Bosco.
“We are excited because everyone is talking about us having these top guys,” Lemon said. “We are excited to step out, compete with these high-level teams and see how good we are.”
“With our strength of schedule, we might be in the Division 1 playoffs if we win out, which is obviously our plan,” Nelson said. “I’m excited to show everybody what I know this team can do.”
The Griffins open the season Friday, Aug. 20 at Cerritos College against Bakersfield, ranked No. 26 in the state by MaxPreps.