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Yorba Linda players take the field in a playoff game last season. (Photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).
Yorba Linda High School’s football team had a memorable 2022 season winning the CIF Division 3 championship.
The Mustangs are hoping to continue their success this year and will be looking for some players from that team and new starters to contribute. Yorba Linda was 14-1 overall last year and 3-0 atop the Crestview League standings.
The Mustangs defeated Upland 9-6 in the CIF Division 3 championship game then lost to Liberty of Bakersfield 41-28 in the CIF State Regional Division 1A game.
Yorba Linda fans watched their team win 14 games in a row.
“We had a really good senior class last year and we are replacing 16 starters,” said Coach Jeff Bailey. “Experience is going to be an issue this season. But we have some really good returning players. Dylan Gardner was the MVP of the Crestview League last year and and will be our main receiver and free safety. Jason Escovar will be returning as our corner and running back this year and we have very high expectations for him.
“We are also retuning two offensive linemen Rory Mosier and Matson Ochoa. They will be anchoring the offensive line. On defense we returning our two inside guys on the defensive line. Jon Silvestri and Josh Grethem will be good players.
“We are only returning one linebacker Blake Herrin who will be moving inside this year. Our strength will be our secondary which we are returning our whole group. Along with Gardner and Escovar we are also retuning our other corner Ryan Gary.”
The newcomers include quarterback Holden Nagin.
“He will be a junior and we have very high expectations,” Bailey said.
There are also top talented players coming up from other squads.
“Both of our lower levels only had one loss combined so if these young players develop into the fine players we expect them to be, we could be a extremely competitive team this year,” Bailey said. “They have worked extremely hard so far and it has been a lot of fun so far to coach them.”
2023 SCHEDULE
Friday, Aug. 18, (H) vs. Damien
Friday, Aug. 25, at La Mirada
Thursday, Sept, 7, (H) vs. Charter Oak
Friday, Sept. 15, (H) vs. Simi Valley
Friday, Sept. 29, at Canyon
Friday, Oct. 6 (H) vs. El Modena
Friday, Oct. 13, (H), vs. Brea Olinda
Friday, Oct. 20, at Villa Park
Friday, Oct. 27, at Foothill (Tustin)
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
