SGV/WHITTIER PREP SPORTS ZONE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2022: CHARTER OAK, LA MIRADA
Chargers and Matadores are looking for big seasons in 2022.
Lavar Arrington will be Charter Oak’s new Defensive Coordinator in 2022. (Barretts Sports Media)
Charter Oak High School
Coach: Dominic Farrar
2021 Record: 5-6
2021 Calpreps.com Rating: 13.3
Last Six Year Calpreps.com Avg. Rating: 25.13
Number of Returning Players: 24
Number of All-League Players Returning: 2
OFFENSE
Offensive Coordinator: Brian Tabatabai
Number of Off. Returning Starters: 4
Number of OL Returning: 2
Number of Off Skill Players Returning: 2
Rushing yards: Not available
Passing Yards: Not available
Key Offensive Skills Players Returning
Zakkarii Black, 12, 5-9, 145, RB/WR, All-League - Penn State
Solomon Davis, 12, 6-0, 145. WR/DB
Jayden Alexander, 12, 5-9, 145, WR/DB
Nathan Alvarado, 12, 5-10, 160, WR/DB
Key Offensive Lineman Returning
Evan Walls, 12, 6-2, 280
Nathan Ledesma, 12, 6-0, 260
Alex Gavaghan, 12, 6-4, 250
DEFENSE
Defensive Coordinator: Lavar Arrington
Number of Def. Returning Starters: 4
Number of DL Returning: 2
Number of Def. Skill Players Returning: 2
Key Defensive Skills Players Returning
Solomon Davis, 12, 6-0, 145. WR/DB, All-League, Arizona State
Bishop Turner, 12, 5-11, 175, DB
Darius Gilchrist, 12, 5-11, 175, DB
Jacob Hernandez, 12, 5-8, 140, DB/WR
Key Defensive Lineman Returning
Rak Mubarek, 12 6-1, 215
Nathan Ledesma, 12, 6-0, 260
Alex Gavaghan, 12, 6-4, 250
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER SKILL PLAYERS
Richie Munoz, 12, 6-0, 190, QB
Brandon Garibay, 12, 6-4, 210, DE/TE
Mekhi White, 12, 6-2. 200, LB/TE
LaVar Arrington, 10, 6-3, 185, ATH
Luis Marin, 12, 6-0, 170, Kicker.
COMMENTS FROM DOMINIC FARRAR: “We are proud of our offseason and the positive energy and enthusiasm of our kids and coaching leading into this football season. Everyone is buying in invested and taking ownership and pride in our Charter Oak product and brand. We have some key starters and newcomers entering this football season and with our strong culture built on decades of tradition and success, we are excited to get to compete on Friday nights. We have a healthy respect for our league and each school and looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead. As always, our weakness like every year is lack of depth.”
2022 Schedule (with 2021 season records)
Week 0: BYE
Week 1: (Thurs.) vs. Northview at Covina District Field (CIF-SS Div. 10 Champions, CIF State Regional Champions)
Week 2: vs Glendora (11-1, CIF-SS Div. 3 Quarterfinalists)
Week 3: vs. Chino Hills (8-6, CIF-SS Div. 4 Semfinalists)
Week 4: (Sat.) vs. South Hills at Covina District Field (0-10, 0-3)
Week 5: at West Covina (6-5, CIF-SS Div. 9 1st Round)
Week 6: at Los Altos (2-8, 1-2)
Week 7: vs. Marina (3-7, 1-2)
Week 8: at Ayala (9-2, CIF-SS Div. 3 First Round)
Week 9: vs. Bonita (9-3, Div. 4 Quarterfinalists)
Week 10: vs. Alta Loma (8-4, Div. 7 Quarterfinalists)
CRYSTAL BALL: There are many ways that you can approach this team. Obviously, the motivation shouldn’t be hard to find after a first round upset at home last year to Rio Hondo Prep. The offseason was extraordinarily fascinating. First, Dominic Farrar shakes up the coaching staff by bringing in Lavar Arrington into the mix as the team defensive coordinator. He takes the reins from Justin Perri, who resigned after the 2021 season. Brian Tabatabai will be the play caller this year for the Chargers, but you can be sure that Farrar will have a say or two on offensive game planning. In one of the biggest transfers of the offseason, Richie Munoz trades in his La Salle navy blue for Charter Oak’s royal blue. He makes this team an instant league championship contender. He’ll be joining a league that features Ayala’s Bryan Wilson and Bonita’s Daniel Andrade. The skill guys appear to be solid, (the Chargers have two tight ends, which works right into Farrar’s wheelhouse). The offensive and defensive lines appear fine, and reports indicate that LaVar Arrington will be a game changer at the linebacker position. All the elements are there for a big season. I’ve got the Chargers making the playoffs easily and being in one of the middle-numbered divisions in the Southern Section. I just can’t project them just yet to win the Mountain West. It’s going to take a lot to beat Bonita and Ayala this season.
Projected record: 7-3
La Mirada football coach Mike Moschetti. (Escarcega)
La Mirada High School
Coach: Mike Moschetti
2021 Record: 7-5
2021 Calpreps.com Rating: 14.7
Last Six Year Calpreps.com Avg. Rating: 32.46
Number of Returning Players: 40
Number of All-League Players Returning: 2
OFFENSE
Offensive Coordinator: Mike Clark
Number of Off. Returning Starters: 7
Number of OL Returning: 5
Number of Off Skill Players Returning: 3
Rushing yards: 1,857 yards (154.8 YPG, 5.3 AVG.)
Passing Yards: 1,608 (134 YPG, 12.0 AVG.)
Key Offensive Skills Players Returning
Nehuel Garcia 12 6'3" 190 QB; 2021 Stats: 133-211, 1,607 yds, 15 TD’s, 9 INT.
Xavier Hicks 12 6'1, 185 WR/DB All League, All CIF; 2021 Stats: 54 rec. 708, 5 TDs
Josh Gonzales 11 5'7" 160 RB/WR; 2021 Stats: 2 rec. 21 yards. TD
Denver Stillman 12 6'0" 195 RB/DB 2021 Stats: 8 carries, 77 yards, TD
Key Offensive Lineman Returning
Nolan Molina 12 6'3" 310 OL
Troy Hancock 12 6'2" 240 OL
Evan Villa 12 6'3" 285 OL
DEFENSE
Defensive Coordinator: Robert Lan
Number of Def. Returning Starters: 4
Number of DL Returning: 2
Number of Def. Skill Players Returning: 2
Key Defensive Skills Players Returning
Xavier Hicks 12 6'1" 185 DB/WR
Denver Stillman 12 6'0" 195 DB/RB
Key Defensive Lineman Returning
Tanner Roberts 12 6'2" 215 DL/RB/LB
Trevor Cook 12 6'1" 200 DL/LB
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER SKILL PLAYERS
CJ Zackery 12 6'0" 190 RB/LB: 2022 2nd Team All-League - Freeway League at La Habra; 2021 Stats: 63 carries, 355 yards, 5 TDs; 5 rec, 66 yards, TD
Jordan Lauago 9 5'6" 140 DB
Gavin McQuarrie 10 5'11" 185 RB/LB Transfer from Warren
Kimani Tuitasi 9 6'1" 190 LB
COMMENTS FROM MIKE MOSCHETTI: “Returning 5 OL, returning QB, RB, WR. Moving to Gateway League (Warren, Downey, Mayfair, Paramount and Dominguez. Non-league - all Orange County Schools including Mater Dei, Servite, Yorba Linda and Sunny Hills. One of our toughest schedules ever.”
2022 Schedule (with 2021 season records)
Week 0: at El Toro (8-3, CIF-SS Div. 5, First Round)
Week 1: at Yorba Linda (10-1, CIF-SS Div. 2 First Round)
Week 2: vs. Servite (10-3, CIF-SS Div. 1 Finalists)
Week 3: at Mater Dei (12-0, CIF-State Open Division Finalists)
Week 4: at Sunny Hills (7-4, CIF-SS Div. 6 First Round)
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: at Dominguez (10-3, CIF-SS Div. 6, Semifinalists)
Week 7: vs. Mayfair (9-1, CIF-SS Div. 6, First Round)
Week 8: Paramount (2-6, 1-3)
Week 9: vs. Warren (8-1, CIF-SS, Div. 2 First Round)
Week 10: vs. Downey (8-3, CIF-SS Div. 3 First Round)
CRYSTAL BALL: When last we checked in with La Mirada, they were involved in offensive shootout with Pasadena in the first round of the CIF-SS playoffs. Even though they came up short, you could get the feeling from Mike Moschetti that he couldn’t wait for the 2022 season to get started. As he mentioned, Nehuel Garcia returns at QB as does his favorite wide receiving target Xavier Hicks. Very interesting pick up in C.J Zachery from La Habra, which gives the Matadores much needed depth at the running back position. The obvious cause for concern for La Mirada fans will be the front seven on defense. They’ll be thrown into the fire early and will need to see much improvement by the time the schedule hits Gateway League action. As for the schedule, other than Paramount, every game will be a battle. Mater Dei, Servite, Yorba Linda… and that’s just the nonleague. The new league will be no joke either with 562 powerhouses Dominguez, Mayfair, Warren, and Downey. Their projected record could be anywhere. Projecting a best-case theorem.
Projected record: 5-5
Projected League Order of Finish: 1) Warren 2) Mayfair, 3) La Mirada, 4) Downey 5) Dominguez, 6) Paramount