Oceanside Collegiate Academy is once again positioned as the favorite to capture the AAA state football championship in 2026, aiming for a fourth straight title.
At the helm of the high‑powered offense is senior quarterback Aiden Manavian, who seized the starting role as a freshman during the playoffs and has since amassed nearly 10,000 career passing yards and 42 touchdowns last season alone.
The returning receiving corps includes seniors Jaiden Kelly-Murray and Anthony Williams, both of whom have committed to Power 4 programs, while Cooper Webb and Tyler Garner combined for 73 catches and 1,100 yards a year ago.
Running back James O’Connor, who has bounced back from injury, will anchor the ground game, and versatile lineman Jaxson Bean could see action on either side of the line.
Spring Preparations
Head coach Brent LaPrad has used the offseason to focus on developing new starters and building team cohesion, taking the squad to 7-on-7 events in June that included showcase tournaments in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Defensively, the team retains key pieces in the secondary, with Michael Strickler posting nearly 100 tackles and Cole Gaspar recording five interceptions last season.
The coaching staff also benefits from the experience of veterans such as David Shelton, Mark Meyer, Allie Siebert and Terry Hamlin, who contribute across multiple facets of the program.