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IOTA LEAGUE PREVIEW
The Iota League is a six-team league that includes Cypress, Kennedy, Laguna Hills, Marina, Northwood and Pacifica.
CYPRESS
Top players: Matt Rodriguez, WR/S, Sr.; Garrison Manzanarez, DE/TE, Sr.; Justin Hall, QB, Jr.; Alijah Ashcraft, LB, Sr.; Jaiden Anthony, CB, Sr.
What to expect: The Centurions are optimistic. After posting a combined record of 5-16 the past two seasons while part of the Delta League, Cypress returns starters at 18 positions. The Centurions built momentum over the summer by winning two passing tournaments and a linemen competition. “Hopefully we’ll bounce back this year,” said Cypress coach Rick Feldman, whose teams went a combined 0-10 in the Delta League. One of Cypress’ strengths appears to be balance. Hall (5-10, 170) emerged during the summer as the No. 1 quarterback and exceled with wide receivers Rodriguez (5-10, 175) and Mekaih Felix (6-2, 190). The defense returns Manzanarez (6-2, 235), an edge who is committed to Wyoming, leading-tackler Ashcraft (6-0, 210) at linebacker and Anthony (5-9, 165) at cornerback. Cypress will fill the running back position by committee, which fits the theme of balance. That group will include Kennedy transfer Jacob Pineda.
KENNEDY
Top players: Cash Chavira, RT, Jr.; Angel Reyes, RB/MLB, Sr.; Kameron Harris, WR/OLB, Sr.; Jimmy Ahomana, DE, Sr.; Paxton Gatewood, QB, Jr.
What to expect: The Fighting Irish climb two leagues in the Orange County Football Conference after finishing 5-5 as part of the Lambda League last season. They tied for third place in the league at 2-3 and missed the playoffs. On offense, Kennedy doesn’t return a starter but coach Toa Siatunu’u sees the unit “coming together well.” Chavira (6-3, 275) anchors the offensive line at right tackle. First-year QB Gatewood (6-0, 174) features a pair of 6-foot-4 wide receivers in Harris and Brandon Angeli. The defense returns several starters. Reyes and Kamryn Wilson (5-8, 155) are two of the team’s top returning tacklers and will also play running back. The defensive line could be the strength with ends Ahomana (6-1, 220) and Brody McCollum (6-2, 220), and tackle Cole Stewart (5-11, 210).
LAGUNA HILLS
Top players: Jaxson Vanderbeek, QB, Jr.; Nate Medina, WR, Sr.; Andrew Austin, TE/OLB, Jr.; Drew Meyers, Sr., RB/OLB; Logan Logan Yoast, S, Jr.
What to expect: The Hawks drop two leagues in the Orange County Football Conference to the Iota League, which coach John Lester believes is a better competitive fit. The team finished a combined 0-10 the past two seasons in the Epsilon League and missed the playoffs. Laguna Hills returns several skill players. First-team all-league quarterback Vanderbeek (6-0, 170) will feature his top three wide receivers from last season. The dual-threat QB passed for 1,078 yards last season and rushed for 536 yards and nine TDs in 2025. Medina (5-7, 150) led the Hawks with 47 catches for 460 yards. Lester believes the passing game is rising but also views Meyers (5-9, 185) as a breakout candidate at running back. The team leader has been waiting for his chance to carry the ball after focusing on outside linebacker last season. Six starters return on defense, an area that Laguna Hills is aiming to improve. The Hawks allowed 37.8 points per game last season. Yoast (5-10, 180) leads three returning staters in the secondary.
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MARINA
Top players: Carson Hunnicutt, WR/SS, Sr.; Ben Ramos, RB/OLB, Sr.; Bishop Sherwood, SS/TE, Sr.; Maverick Coverick, QB, Jr.; Lucas Ingrao, C/DT, Sr.
What to expect: The Vikings look solid as they rise two leagues in the Orange County Football Conference from the Lambda League. Marina returns several key players. The list includes record-setting wide receiver Hunnicutt, leading rusher Ramos and safety/rover Sherwood. Marina coach Charlie TeGantvoort believes Hunnicutt (6-0, 180) is headed toward another outstanding season after hauling in 69 receptions for a school-record 1,026 yards and seven TDs in 2025. Ramos led the ground attack with 835 yards. The Vikings’ top quarterback is Coverick, a transfer from Huntington Beach. The 6-foot-1 junior teams with new offensive coordinator Brett Brown, the former Huntington Beach coach. Marina defensive coordinator Eric Johnson departed for Orange Lutheran but mentored assistants Steven Santana and Franky Nares, who will now help guide the unit.
NORTHWOOD
Top players: Xayn Ali, MLB/RB, Jr.; Caden Jacobs, QB, Sr.; Bert Chubb, WR/DB, Sr.; Jacob Harper, OL/DL, Sr; Elliot Kwon, WR/DB/ATH/, Jr.
What to expect: Former Long Beach Poly and St. Margaret’s coach Stephen Barbee takes the reins for the Timberwolves, who finished 4-6 last season as part of the Foxtrot League. Barbee was an assistant at Northwood last fall as it finished 1-4 in league and missed the playoffs. Northwood drops one league in the Orange County Football Conference with five returning starters on both sides of the ball. The Timberwolves don’t return a prolific offensive player from last season but have an excellent two-way linemen in Jacob Harper. The brother of former Northwood standouts Adam and Joseph Harper, Jacob Harper made first-team all-league last season on defense. The defense also returns Ali as its leading tackler with 53, including 10 for loss. Ali earned first-team all-league on defense. Chubb, a second-team all-league player in 2025, finished second on the team with 49 tackles. Barbee has been pleased with the players’ “buy in” to each other and trusting the team’s approach.
PACIFICA
Top players: Joseph Pham-Ngoy, QB, Sr.; Max Salas, WR/CB, Sr.; Daniel Sanchez, RT, Sr.; Brayden Adams, C, Sr.; Zack Dickison, RB/SS, Sr.
What to expect: The Mariners rise three leagues in the Orange County Football Conference after capturing consecutive undefeated Omicron League titles and reaching the CIF-SS semifinals the past two years. Fourth-year Pacifica coach Kyle Murphy calls the jump an exciting challenge. “It’s the only way you get better,” he said. The Mariners will be retooling on offense after graduating their top quarterback, running back and wide receiver. Pham (6-2, 205) takes the reins as a dual-threat QB. Salas (6-3, 170), a first-team all-league selection in 2025, is a top target after finishing last season with 29 receptions for 347 yards and six TDs. Sanchez (6-3, 250) and Adams (6-0, 235) are returning all-league offensive linemen who the Mariners can build around. Dickison, another first-team, all-league player, is the team’s top returner tackler at safety. He will also play running back. Linebacker looks like a strength with the return of Michael McGuigan (four sacks) among others.
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