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    Orange County football preview 2025: Delta League
    • August 8, 2025

    OCVarsity will be previewing every Orange County high school football league and every team before the season begins.

    DELTA LEAGUE PREVIEW

    The Delta League is a six-team league that includes Capistrano Valley, Cypress, El Modena, Trabuco Hills, Tustin and Western

    Capistrano Valley wide receiver Talon Spencer, left, gets ahead of Foothill safety Preston Smith to pull down a pass in a non-league football game in Santa Ana on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
    Capistrano Valley wide receiver Talon Spencer, left, gets ahead of Foothill safety Preston Smith to pull down a pass in a non-league football game in Santa Ana on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    CAPISTRANO VALLEY

    Top players: Damon Epstein, OL/DL, Sr.; Talon Spencer, QB, Jr.

    What to expect: The Cougars have a high-scoring group that could match last year’s team that finished 8-3 overall and 4-1 in league. Talon Spencer, who was an all-league first-team receiver last season, moves to quarterback where his athletic skills make him a two-way threat. One of his chief targets will be junior tight end Colin Hooper, who had six touchdown receptions last year. Two-way lineman Damon Epstein was all-league second team last season when he had seven sacks. He leads a Cougars defense that brings back all-league, second-team linebackers Trey Schild and Jack Schwenn.

    Cypress' Bryson Busbee (5) picks up some yardage during a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School.....(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
    Cypress’ Bryson Busbee (5) picks up some yardage during a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

    CYPRESS

    Top players: Tynoa Allen, TE/DE, Sr.; Jaiden Anthony, RB/WR/DB, Sr.; Bryson Busbee, RB/DB, Sr.; Mekaih Felix, WR, Jr.; Matt Rodriguez, WR/DB/KR/PR, Jr.

    What to expect: The Centurions likely will be better than last year’s team that finished 2-9 overall and 0-5 in the Delta League. But that improvement might not be enough to keep up with the top teams in this strong league. Cypress has a good set of offensive skill-position players, including running back Bryson Busbee, who was all-league first team last year when he rushed for 715 yards and eight touchdowns. Tynoa Allen was all-league second team last season when he recorded 53 tackles including 13 tackles for loss. This will be a young team that might be building a solid foundation for a fine 2026 season.

    EL MODENA

    Top players: Andrew Alvarez, OL/DL, Sr.; Lincoln Irvin, TE/LB, Sr.; Sam Jackett, WR/DB, Sr.; Jeremy Russell, WR/DB, Sr.; Thomas Sheehan, WR/DB, Jr.

    What to expect: With only four returning starters on offense and two on defense, the Vanguards have plenty of new players in key roles. Ethan Sorenson, a junior, is the starting quarterback after being the junior varsity starter last year. Andrew Alvarez, All-Delta League second-team last year, leads the young offensive and defensive lines. Receiver Sam Jackett will be leaned upon heavily on offense. It might be difficult for El Modena (9-3 overall and 3-2 in league in 2024) to keep up with the high-powered offenses in this league. The Vanguards’ nonleague schedule is a tough one, too, with Crean Lutheran, Dana Hills and Troy in the mix, so 2025 will be a heavy challenge.

    TRABUCO HILLS

    Top players: Joshua Fitch, WR/DB, Sr.; Fearghus Gray, K/P, Sr.; Landon Pompey, RB/LB, Sr.; Trey Webber, OL, Jr.; Tristan Zale, QB, Sr.

    What to expect: The Mustangs will be dynamite offensively. Senior quarterback Tristan Zale threw for 2,908 yards and 30 touchdowns last season when he was named All-Delta League first team. He is No. 9 in our ranking of the top 10 quarterbacks in Orange County. Trabuco Hills will have a strong ground game, too, featuring senior Landon Pompey, who was all-league first team last season when he rushed for 1,027 yards. Among the five returning starters on offense is junior lineman Trey Webber, who was all-league second team last year. The Mustangs, who went 5-6 overall and 1-4 in the league last season, have no returning starters on defense, which could be an issue given the superb offenses in the Delta League.

    TUSTIN

    Top players: Taven Epps, WR/LB, Jr.; Jon Ioane, OL/DL, Jr.; Tim Ioane, LB, Sr.; Khalil Terry, DB, Jr.; Jeremiah Williams, RB/DL, Jr.

    What to expect: The Tillers are the favorites to win the league again. They bring back five returning players on offense and eight returning players on defense from last year’s team that finished 9-2 overall and 5-0 in league. Jon Ioane (6-3, 290) and Jeremiah Williams (6-2, 305) were the league’s co-linemen of the year last season. Ioane, who is No. 21 on our Hot 150 ranking of the county’s top football players, was All-Orange County second team and Williams was All-County third team. Khalil Terry was all-league and All-County first team and is No. 23 on the Hot 150. Senior receiver/linebacker Taven Epps (6-4, 220), who committed to Texas, is No. 25 on the list. Ayden Edwards, a 6-4 sophomore, shared time at quarterback last season but is the bona fide starter this season.

    WESTERN

    Top players: Skylar Lendsey, RB, Sr.; Ernest Nunley, DB, Sr.; Jacob Taylor, RB/LB, Sr.; Chance Thomas, QB, Jr.; Maxwell Young, WR, Sr.

    What to expect: Western never has a problem scoring points. It averaged 27 points a game last year and should be formidable again this year. The Pioneers defense gave up 36 points a game last season when they finished 5-6 overall and 2-3 in league. It’s the defensive unit that needs to improve if Western is to contend for the league championship. The Pioneers have a couple of fine players, led by Cal-committed defensive back Ernest Nunley and linebacker Jacob Taylor, who was All-Delta League second team last season. The offense will be led by junior quarterback Chance Thomas (6-2, 200), who has several college offers and was all-league second team last year.

    Western quarterback Chance Thomas scrambles out of the pocket as he tries to avoid being sacked by Huntington Beach defenders in the CIF-SS Division 5 first round playoffs in Huntington Beach on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
    Western quarterback Chance Thomas scrambles out of the pocket as he tries to avoid being sacked by Huntington Beach defenders in the CIF-SS Division 5 first round playoffs in Huntington Beach on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

     Orange County Register 

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