OCVarsity football: Michael Huntley’s 11 impact players for Week 8
Orange County is filled with talented high school football players, but it takes a special player to earn a spot on Michael Huntley's list of 11 players to watch each week.
These are the players expected to have the biggest impact and possibly lead their team to victory.
Here are the players to watch in Week 8:
The Huntley 11
JJ Amezcua, Western: Amezcua is the second-leading receiver in the state with 1,054 yards and 15 touchdowns. This week Western plays Cypress, which allowed four passing touchdowns against Capistrano Valley last week.
Makhi Czaykowski, Beckman: This week Beckman plays Kennedy, which allowed over 300 rushing yards against Valencia recently. Czaykowski has run for two touchdowns in each of Beckman's last two games.
Jackson Raguse, Los Alamitos: Los Alamitos plays former Sunset League foe Edison in an Alpha League game this week. Last season, the Griffins held Edison to just 10 points. Raguse leads Los Alamitos' defense with 62 tackles and has two forced fumbles.
Ryan Armenta, Pacifica: Pacifica plays Buena Park this week in a game that might decide the Omicron League champion. Buena Park is running the ball a ton this season and Armenta leads Pacifica in tackles with 49.
Jayden Hill, Mission Viejo: Earlier this month Hill had seven tackles with three sacks against Long Beach Poly and its speedy quarterback. Mission Viejo's opponent this week, San Clemente, has a speedy quarterback, so Hill might rack up more big tackles.
Nathan Gouvion, Foothill: Gouvion ran for 160 yards with two touchdowns last week in Foothill's win over Laguna Hills. The Knights play Huntington Beach this week and the Oilers allowed 368 rushing yards in a loss to La Habra last week.
Vanden Dugger, Dana Hills: Dugger threw three touchdown passes last week against Orange. The Dolphins play a Fountain Valley team that allowed six touchdown passes against Laguna Beach last week.
Elias Rodriguez, Esperanza: Esperanza plays St. Margaret's this week and the Tartans allowed nine sacks against Brea Olinda last week. Rodriguez leads Esperanza in sacks and will be a tough matchup for the Tartans' offensive line.
Semi Taulanga, Mater Dei: Mater Dei plays JSerra this week and the Lions allowed six sacks against Orange Lutheran last week. Four of those sacks were from interior defensive linemen and Taulanga might be the best interior defensive lineman in the county.
Carl Oldham, University: Oldham is University's leading receiver with 597 yards with five touchdowns. When University played its Week 8 opponent, Portola, last season, the Trojans had four receiving touchdowns.
Luke Anderson, Santa Margarita: Anderson had a team-high 10 tackles last week for Santa Margarita in a defensive battle against St. John Bosco. The senior safety had 13 tackles when the Eagles played its Week 8 opponent, Orange Lutheran, last season.
This story was originally published October 16, 2024, 11:10 AM.
