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(PHOTO: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).
A look at Orange County high school football standouts based on OC Sports Zone’s coverage, submissions from coaches and posts on X:
Aidan Tran, Beckman: Tran had 26 touches and 210 yards of offense in the Patriots 42-28 CIF Division 8 playoff victory over Rancho Mirage.
Noam Nam, Beckman: The Patriots quarterback had 211 yards of offense and four rushing touchdowns in the win.
Safeties Sawyer Nickelson and Nathan Garcia, Beckman: The two led in tackles on defense with eight each for Beckman.
Nash Luper, Portola: The Bulldogs quarterback completed 9 of 15 for 100 yards and four touchdowns in the CIF Division 11 first round 31-20 victory over Don Lugo on the road.
Malachi Moore, Portola: Moore had two receptions for 21 yards, a touchdown, two tackles and and two interceptions in the playoff win.
Anthony Riccardi, Portola: Riccardi had three receptions for 30 yards, two touchdowns and three tackles on defense.
Connor Stephens, Crean Lutheran: Stephens kicked two field goals including the game-winner with eight seconds left to lift the Saints to a 20-17 road victory over Long Beach Millikan in the opening round of the CIF Division 3 playoffs.
Dillon Booth, Crean Lutheran: Booth had 13 carries for 71 yards and one touchdown in the playoff win over the Rams.
Ayden Morales, Segerstrom: Morales rushed for 87 yards on five carries including a 45-yard TD that put No. 2-seeded Segerstrom ahead in a 25-12 CIF Division 8 victory over Paramount in the opening round.
Jaden Burke, Irvine: Burke had a 95-yard kick-off return for a TD in Irvine’s 34-32 road victory over Los Osos in the opening round of the CIF Division 8 playoffs.
Deacon Moss, Irvine: Moss had a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown.
Gavin Lounsbury, Northwood: The Timberwolves quarterback completed 10 of 13 passes for 165 yards and two touchdown passes in Northwood’s 34-20 victory over Ayala in the opening round of the CIF Division 6 playoffs.
Cooper Starnes, La Quinta: The Aztecs running back rushed for 166 yards on 24 carries and a TD in a 21-20 victory over Saddleback in the opening round of the CIF Division 14 playoffs.
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
