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Orange County football: Michael Huntley’s players to watch in Week 5

September 25, 2024

Orange County is filled with talented high school football players, but it takes a special player to earn a spot on our list of the 11 players to watch each week.

These are the players expected to have a big impact and possibly lead their team to victory.

Here are the selections for Week 5:

The Huntley 11

Los Amigos’ Isaac Galindo (30) races past Nogales’ Jordan Cook (44) during a football game at Nogales High School in La Puente on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

Isaac Galindo, Los Amigos: Galindo ran for 206 yards with three touchdowns in Los Amigos’ win over Nogales last week. The Lobos’ opponent, Western Christian, allowed 200 yards rushing in a game earlier this season and over 100 in its last game against Calvary Chapel.

Tyler Schmaltz, Trabuco Hills: The senior defensive lineman had two sacks last week in a win over El Toro. Schmaltz had four tackles and one for a loss last season when Trabuco Hills played its Week 5 opponent, Corona del Mar.

Dorsett Stecker, Corona del Mar: The Sea Kings’ opponent this week, Trabuco Hills, allowed an opposing receiver to tally 166 yards last week. Stecker has had two 100-yard games this season and has five touchdowns through four games.

Daniel Joya, Century: Century coach Lance Neal led this week’s opponent, Loara, to a CIF championship in 2021. Centurions quarterback Daniel Joya threw for 182 yards and ran for 131 last week and could have another big game against Loara.

Troy’s Vander Ploog, hauls in a pass during the game between Sonora vs. Troy in a Freeway League football game at La Habra High on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

Vander Ploog, Troy: The Washington commit averages nearly 130 yards receiving per game and has six touchdowns through four games. This week Troy plays Segerstrom, which allowed 510 total yards in its last game.

Lee Puka Fuimaono, San Clemente: Fuimaono has had at least nine tackles in three games for the Tritons this season. The Arizona State commit had 11 tackles last season when San Clemente played its Week 5 opponent Murrieta Valley.

Jake Dorsi, Savanna: Dorsi has averaged 137 yards rushing in his last three games and has a touchdown in each of those games. This week Savanna plays Pioneer, which allowed over 200 yards in a loss to Kennedy two weeks ago.

Jaden Williams on the Mission Viejo High School football team. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Jaden Williams, Mission Viejo: Chaparral’s offense struggled only once this season and that was when San Clemente put pressure on sophomore quarterback Dane Weber. Williams has 13.5 sacks and Mission Viejo will try to use him to pressure Weber this week.

Charlie Eckl, Dana Hills: St. Margaret’s has a very young offensive line and struggled to protect its quarterback in two losses this season. Eckl has five sacks this season for Dana Hills and is bigger than any edge rusher the Tartans have faced this season.

Devan Parker, Servite: Servite’s opponent, St. Paul, has struggled to defend the pass in its last two games against Damien and Los Alamitos. Parker leads Servite in receiving and is dangerous when he gets the ball in space.

Gunner Dahl, Villa Park: Dahl leads Villa Park in tackles and had a big interception last week against Ayala. Villa Park plays Mira Costa this week and the Mustangs struggled offensively in a loss to San Juan Hills last week.

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