Mission League Football 2023: Sierra Canyon Leads a Deep, Talented Field as New Faces Arrive at Notre Dame

The Mission League heads into the 2023 high school football season with talent at nearly every position and no shortage of intensity. Sierra Canyon is chasing league, CIF Southern Section and state championships, but its local rivals are expected to put up a strong challenge.

The Trailblazers, who won the 2022 CIF Southern Section Division 2 title, have not forgotten that they stumbled to a 2-4 record through their first six games last year. Senior Carnell Ferguson said a fast start is a priority this time. "Now we got people scared of us and scared to play us," he said. Coach Jon Ellinghouse said the team will lean on its defense, which he called "really special," with a "phenomenal" defensive backfield. That unit includes senior Jaylen'dai Sumlin, a Stanford commit, sophomore Madden Riordan, junior Jae'on Young and senior transfer Marquis Gallegos.

On offense, Sierra Canyon should be balanced. Junior running back Dane Dunn, last season's Daily News Player of the Year, returns alongside senior Terrell Cooks, a San Diego State commit, and both topped 1,000 rushing yards a year ago. Junior Wyatt Becker, a transfer from Notre Dame, takes over at quarterback after throwing for 2,192 yards and 23 touchdowns, while senior Oklahoma commit Eugene Brooks anchors the line. The Trailblazers open against JSerra on Aug. 18 and face Oaks Christian on Aug. 25.

Chaminade brings back four starters, including its kicker, but coach David Machuca said the group's leadership has set the tone. "It's the same standard, the expectations don't change," he said. Senior linebacker Cody Franck is a vocal presence, as is three-year starter and Oregon commit David Abajian at left tackle, who now has younger linemen, including sophomores and a freshman, working alongside him.

Kicker and punter Ryon Sayeri, a senior chosen for the All-American Bowl this summer and described as one of the best in the country, will serve as captain when the Eagles open against Oaks Christian on Aug. 18. Last season he made 12 of 14 field goals, with a long of 49 yards, and converted all 53 of his extra-point attempts.

Notre Dame begins a new era under first-year head coach Evan Yabu, who brought seven assistants with him from Thousand Oaks. Yabu said the past six months have built a solid foundation and that the school imposes no limits on what the program can achieve. "Our vision is to compete to be the best team in California," he said. Senior cornerback Xavier Perry, who started every game last season, junior defensive back Ehimen Oyamendan and senior defensive end Jonathan Kanaley anchor the defense.

Oyamendan will also line up at receiver with Erikas Puodziunas. Samson Malu leads an offensive line that will protect junior quarterback Steele Pizzella, who threw for 2,286 yards and 22 touchdowns at Simi Valley last season, completing 160 of 285 passes, and added 296 rushing yards and seven scores.

Alemany is young after a three-win season in which it went winless in league play yet still reached the playoffs and won its first-round game. Six to eight freshmen are expected to play, and coach Casey Clausen likes his offensive and defensive lines. The Warriors lost their starting quarterback to injury early last year and now turn to sophomore Laird Finkel, a transfer from Santa Barbara whom Clausen called "really talented" with a "really bright future."

Seniors Paden White and Michael Lindsay, juniors Nigel Epperson and Luvon Nolan, and sophomore linebacker Darrin Coleman are among other contributors. White, Epperson and Nolan are options at running back, while Lindsay is set to play both receiver and defensive back.