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HUNTINGTON BEACH — As Edison’s football team dueled Centennial in the semifinals of the Battle at the Beach passing tournament, a pointed question was heard on the turf late in the game.
“What division are they?” someone asked curiously about Edison.
Yes, the Chargers not only played above their weight class Saturday, they impressed by going toe-to-toe against Centennial for a coveted spot in the finals at Edison High.
USC-committed wide receiver Quentin Hale caught a late touchdown in the corner of the end zone to lift the Huskies — the CIF-SS Division 1 runner-up last season — to a 20-19 victory against the Chargers, a Division 3 semifinalist last fall.
“Competing is always great, especially with teams of this caliber,” Edison quarterback Sam Thomson said. “You really find out who your dudes are and who you are as a unit and I’m really proud of what I saw today.”
“We got to keep getting better,” the four-year starter added. “We didn’t even feel like we played our best ball today. Our energy was great. We were making plays when we had to but we can execute better at all phases.”
Orange Lutheran also reached the semifinals. The Lancers fell to eventual champion St. John Bosco 21-9.
The Braves finished 7-0 on the day by defeating Centennial 31-21 in the championship.
Edison erased an early 7-0 deficit to take a 13-7 lead on touchdown passes by Thomson to Logan Hampton and McKenn Pierce.
Hampton, a senior wide receiver slowed by injury last season, caught a 15-yard TD pass in the front corner of the end zone to help highlight a breakout day.
“He’s ballin’ out,” Thomson said of Hampton, who caught at least one score in five of the Chargers’ six games. “He’s really good on versatility, different routes and winning at the catch point.”
After Centennial regained a 14-13 lead, Thomson rolled to left and tossed a 6-yard touchdown to Drake Sunga, a sophomore who made a leaping catch in the end zone.
Edison’s defense then stopped Centennial on a deflection by linebacker Kiedis Estrada but Hale’s jumping grab proved decisive.
Thomson and Hampton pointed to the Chargers’ chemistry as major reason for their success. The close friends are among several Edison players who have competed together in 7-on-7 since the sixth grade with SoCal Elite.
“We play as a team,” Hampton said of the Chargers, who beat Tustin and reigning SoCal champion Cathedral Catholic in group play. “We love to compete.”
Edison’s contributors also included Dawson Steward, who caught a touchdown and extra point in a 20-14 win against Capistrano Valley in the quarterfinals.
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On defense, the Chargers received strong play from cornerbacks Pierce, Gavin Tahmoush and Dominic Harrison, and safeties Steward and Brennan Vares.
In the semifinals, a deflection by Tahmoush sparked the touchdown by Pierce.
Edison’s defense performed well despite playing without Colorado State commit Blaise Burwell (recovering from injury).
“We competed and that’s who we have to be,” Edison coach Jeff Grady said. “We play a tough schedule (and) really tough league.”
“Our guys are bought-in,” the coach added. “We’re getting better physically and we just have to keep on that trend.”
ORANGE LUTHERAN DEBUTS UNDER RAY FENTON
Orange Lutheran made a strong 7-on-7 debut under first-year coach Ray Fenton.
On the Lancers’ first play against Mission Viejo in group play, quarterback Reagan Toki threw a long touchdown to Chris Flores Jr. The Trinity League team went on to collect a 26-13 triumph and finished 4-0 record in the group.
In the quarterfinals, Orange Lutheran defeated Palos Verdes 39-13.
Toki rotated with Ezrah Brown at quarterback.
“He can escape and create like nobody’s business,” Fenton said of Toki’s versatility. “Ezrah reminds me a lot of Malachi Nelson. A lot. They look alike. They play alike.”
Fenton’s son TJ is serving as offensive coordinator, the same role he performer for his father at Los Alamitos. Former Mater Dei defensive coordinator Eric Johnson is running the Lancers’ defense.
“It’s been fun,” Ray Fenton said. “Nothing like jumping right in the fire and playing Mission.”
New-look Orange Lutheran impressing at BATB pic.twitter.com/gW7rjdXYPv
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) July 11, 2026
NOTES
Tustin and quarterback Ayden Edwards defeated JSerra in the silver bracket final 20-6. Jackson Perez highlighted the game with an aerobatic reception off a deflection. Hayden Koo added a TD catch. …
Reigning CIF-SS Division 1 and state champion Santa Margarita showed some intriguing looks. The Eagles’ quarterbacks — Matthew Smith and Fletch Palmer — played under center as they continue to compete, coach Carson Palmer said.
Running back Jaion Smith, the team’s leading rusher last season, played outside linebacker. And wide receiver Ryan Clark, who caught six TDs last season for a share of the team lead, played safety.
“We’ve transitioned to more under-center play,” Carson Palmer said of the offense. “We lost 10 guys on defense last year … so we’ve had a bunch of moving parts and moved guys around a bunch. Always preaching, the more you can do, the more you can help.” …
First-year JSerra coach Hardy Nickerson, who was an All-Pro linebacker in the NFL, coordinated the Lions’ offense. He said his knowledge of defense helps him call plays. “You understand how to manipulate the defenses. You understand the soft spots, where to hit,” he said. …
JSerra played freshman wide receiver Rhett Gabriel, the grandson of legendary Rams quarterback Roman Gabriel.
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