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EPSILON LEAGUE PREVIEW
The Epsilon League is a six-team football league that includes Aliso Niguel, Brea Olinda, Foothill, Newport Harbor, Tesoro and Trabuco Hills.
ALISO NIGUEL
What to expect: Fred Gambrell takes the coaching reins as the Wolverines climb one league in the Orange County Football Conference. Last season, Aliso Niguel finished with an 8-4 record, including 3-2 in the Foxtrot League. Gambrell, formerly of Sunny Hills, will coordinate the offense and partner with Noa Serpa to run the defense. Aliso Niguel returns four starters on offense and two on defense. The team looks deep at wide receiver despite an injury. Brandon Levine and Doni Galpin are returning starters who combined for 29 catches last season. First-team all-league wide receiver Brody Blasing is recovering from offseason surgery, Gambrell said. Running back Nick Bisaccia and center Boden Van Dijk are the other returning starters on offense. Aiden Sidenstecker and Ryan Maguire are quarterbacks to watch. Maguire also plays wide receiver. On defense, first-team All-Foxtrot League defensive end Cash Jackson and nose guard Xavier Parris are returning starters. Jackson (6-5, 195) led the team in tackles (61), tackles for loss (17) and sacks (six) last season. Aliso Niguel will be strong on special teams. Kicker/punter Asher Youderian is one of the best in the county.
BREA OLINDA
What to expect: The Wildcats jump three leagues in the Orange County Football Conference after finishing as the Kappa League and CIF-SS Division 8 runner-up in 2025. Brea Olinda placed second to Segerstrom in league and lost in overtime to Beckman in the CIF-SS final. “Huge jump,” Brea Olinda coach Justin Villasenor said of the Wildcats’ league placement. “We are looking forward to the challenge.” Dual-threat quarterback Gavyn Nicholson leads six returning starters on offense. The senior passed for 1,329 yards and rushed for 1,092 yards last season. Nicholson will team in the backfield with running back Brandon Bartell, who rushed for 426 yards last season. Brea Olinda’s ground attack could be tough to slow with the return of four of its five offensive linemen, including all-league tackles Austin Elder (6-2, 305) and Nick Major (6-2, 285). One key on offense will be developing a receiver to complement Jio Kang (20 catches for 369 yards last season). Linebacker Nolan Santana (5-10, 175) returns to anchor the defense. The senior led the unit in tackles last season with 123, including an eye-popping 27 for loss. Fellow linebacker Nick Davis finished as the No. 2 tackler with 78. Brea Olinda also returns experience in the secondary with corner Jaxon Simmons and safety Logan King. The uncertainty lies in the defensive front, which features no returning starters.
FOOTHILL
What to expect: The Knights remain in the Epsilon League after posting a combined 4-6 record in the league the past two seasons. In 2025, Foothill finished 3-7, including 2-3 in league, and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Second-year coach Jason Jellerson returns four starters on offense and defense. The centerpiece of the group is Aidan Faraj, one of the top running backs in Orange County. Last season, the senior rushed for 749 yards and eight TDs and added 25 receptions en route to first-team all-league honors. Senior Fysher Jamieson and junior Ford Wooton form a quarterback-receiver duo to watch. Wooton also plays defensive back. Linebacker Quinn Mulkerin is another returning all-league player. The senior finished second on the team last season with 55 tackles. “Our strength is balance and teamwork,” Jellerson said.
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NEWPORT HARBOR
What to expect: The Sailors drop two leagues in the Orange County Football Conference after finishing 3-7 last season, including 1-4 in the Bravo League. Their first four losses were by six points or less. If Newport Harbor bounces back this season, its offense and senior leadership could be big reasons why. The Sailors return seven starters on offense, including several seniors. They look strong at wide receiver with the return of three-year starters Jackson Stremick and Shane McKibbin. The seniors combined for 65 catches for 984 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Newport Harbor also returns senior wide receiver Ryan Palmer, who had 32 receptions for 467 yards in 2025. Senior Jordan Spigarelli (6-3, 200) could be the quarterback after gaining valuable experience last season. Senior offensive lineman Presley Taylor is a two-year starter with the versatility to play multiple spots. Newport Harbor returns four starters on defense. Senior defensive end Owen Baldikowski recorded five sacks in the Bravo League last season en route to first-team all-league honors. Defensive lineman Ryder Godbold and defensive back Luke Garrido are two other seniors to watch. Stremick and McKibbin also play defense.
TESORO
What to expect: The Titans join Newport Harbor in dropping two leagues in the Orange County Football Conference from the Bravo League. Tesoro finished 3-7 last season, including 1-4 in league, and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year. The Titans return four starters on offense and three on defense. “Ninety percent of our team is underclassmen,” third-year coach Michael Zangl said. “We’ll be very young.” Tesoro’s strength will be the offensive and defensive lines. Senior Giovanni Turner (6-6, 295) anchors an offensive line that includes senior Fisher Hatch (5-11, 235) and senior James Heppenstall (6-0, 235). Senior Owen Stirrat (6-1, 215) is a defensive lineman to watch, along with Hatch, Heppenstall and in some scenarios, Turner. At quarterback, junior Brody Bevan and sophomore Jayden Hansen are competing, Zangl said. Junior linebacker Emmett Owens (6-0, 210) is the team’s leading returning tackler (38 in 2025) and will also play running back. Junior Sam Kennedy (6-1, 170) is a wide receiver/defensive back to watch.
TRABUCO HILLS
What to expect: The Mustangs drop one league in the Orange County Football Conference. Last season, they finished 4-6, including 1-4 in the Delta League, and missed the playoffs for the first time under coach Mark Nolan. Trabuco Hills returns seven starters on offense and six on defense. The Mustangs’ strength appears to be defensive line with the return of all-league linemen Andrew Davis, a senor, and Zack Taylor, a junior. The offense features two returning all-league players in lineman Trey Webber and running back Luke Hoffman, who also plays linebacker. Both are seniors. Sophomore Jackson Verplancke is a quarterback to watch. In limited action last season, he completed 59 of 88 passes for 618 yards and eight TDs. Other players to watch are offensive lineman Jonah Cummings, wide receiver/defensive back Nate Davis and wide receiver/defensive back Beckham Nolan, the son of the coach.