Midseason football report: Quarterbacks have been

At midseason in high faculty football, the Chaminade High passing duo of sophomore quarterback Jeremy Mellalieu and senior receiver Andrew Cordero has surpassed many of the gamers ranked greater in preseason forecasts. That’s what occurs steadily when it’s time for gauging efficiency over potential.

Mellalieu, who received the beginning job with three video games left in his freshman season, has led the Eagles to a 5-0 start.

“He’s really letting the ball fly and trusting us, and we’re making good catches,” Cordero said. “He’s definitely running a lot harder when he breaks the pocket. He’s confident and when he has to, he’s tucking the ball and running.”

Mellalieu, who is 6 foot and 180 kilos, has handed for 1,071 yards and 12 touchdowns with three interceptions. Cordero, 6-0 and 175 kilos, has shown wonderful pace in breaking away from defenders while catching 20 passes for 455 yards and seven touchdowns.

“I think he’s played on a different level of confidence,” Mellalieu said of Cordero. “I feel he’s really finding himself in being more elusive when he catches the ball and making plays. He’s turning a bubble screen into a 50-yard gain or first down.”

Together, the duo and their teammates have the Eagles prepared for a aggressive Mission League schedule. Sierra Canyon stays the overwhelming favourite, but the Eagles’ enchancment after a 5-6 season in 2026 is noticeable.

Quarterbacks have been the story at midseason, with groups passing a lot more and quarterbacks exhibiting off their means to run and cross. The efficiency of JSerra quarterback Hayes Cloutier last week against Bishop Amat completely explains the pattern. He ran for 124 yards and three touchdowns and handed for 190 yards and two touchdowns.

Star Thomas of Orange, Chase Curren of Crespi, Chris Fields III of Carson, Ryan Rakowski of Palos Verdes, Jaden Jefferson of Corona Centennial, DJ Mitchell of La Habra, Dominik Hardy of Calabasas and Grady Long of La Serna have been exhibiting off their means to cross and run. Among the passers with strong five-week efforts have been Matthew Escobedo of Cantwell-Sacred Heart, Jordan Malikin of Warren, Gerald Torres of King/Drew, Seth Solorio of San Pedro and Nicholas Hoang of Culver City.

With quarterbacks throwing often, receivers are placing up spectacular statistics. Landon Lattimore of Saugus has 11 landing receptions. Owen Martinez of Cantwell-Sacred Heart has 41 receptions. Paul Turner of Birmingham is separating himself from all City Section receivers with his big-play catching means. Gavin Honore has been maintaining the Mater Dei offense afloat. Quentin Hale of Corona Centennial has been close to uncoverable.

For operating backs, AJ McBean of Gardena Serra, Jaxsen Stokes of Sierra Canyon, Adrian Petero of Santa Margarita, William Fredericksen of JSerra, Maliq Allen of St. John Bosco, Gatsbee Gumban of Nogales, Salvador Villa of Simi Valley, Arman Papazyan of Glendale, Brandon Hernandez of Panorama, Tru Warrior Casas of Fairfax and Ceasar Reyes of Garfield have been reliable operating machines. Gumban has 926 yards speeding in 5 video games.

There’s one blocker who has established himself as the best in Southern California. Lucas Rhoa of Orange Lutheran wants to be noticed and copied the way in which he’s utilizing his dimension, strength and agility. If anybody resembles a future NFL participant, it’s him.

It was the battle in the trenches between Orange Lutheran and Sierra Canyon, which received 28-10.

(Craig Weston / For The Times)

When it comes to delivering as anticipated, Sierra Canyon’s line of defense made up of the trio of Kasi Currie, Stephen Harrison and Marcus Fakatou can’t be stopped. They’re distrupting offenses comparable to the lineman group that was at Santa Margarita last season during the Eagles’ profitable Division 1 title run. Junior defensive end Kingston Sula of Carson has recorded 5 sacks.

Sophomore linebacker Eli Zamorano of Sierra Canyon will get sort out against Orange Lutheran.

(Craig Weston / For The Times)

Among linebackers, junior Luke Ulibarri of El Camino Real has been credited with 86 tackles in 5 video games. Sophomore Eli Zamorano of Sierra Canyon and freshman Aydan Steen of Santa Margarita have been the best first-year varsity contributors. Mater Dei’s linebacker group, led by Mike Davis and Dailon Clanton, have led a excellent protection.

Jalen Flowers of Palos Verdes takes off on punt return vs. Carson.

(Nick Koza / For The Times)

Special groups gamers have been coming through, from Tucker Murray of Corona del Mar (one punt return, one kickoff return for touchdowns) to Jalen Flowers of Palos Verdes. Among kickers, Charles Szares of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame is 5 for 5 on subject targets and 23 for 23 on PATs. Mateo Akerman of Corona del Mar got here out from the soccer group and has been booming virtually every kickoff into the end zone for a touchback.

The spectacular two-way contributors embrace sophomore Roshaun Brown of Jefferson. He has 5 interceptions and 5 touchdowns receiving. Nolan Scott of Corona del Mar continues to make influence as a tight end and defensive end.

There are 46 unbeaten groups left. Among the surprises are Harvard-Westlake, San Marino, St. Bernard, Royal, all of which have struggled to get hold of successful information in current years.