A Fresh Look at the Alpha League
The Alpha League, a six‑team circuit that dominates high school football conversation in Orange County, returns for another season of rivalry and growth. Edison, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, San Clemente, San Juan Hills and Yorba Linda will once again battle for league supremacy, each carrying distinct ambitions and roster transformations.
Edison’s Chargers enter the campaign with a mix of optimism and caution. After a winless 0‑3 start in the Alpha League last year, the team rallied to reach the CIF‑SS semifinals. This season the Chargers rely heavily on returning quarterback Sam Thomson, who completed 59% of his passes for 2,120 yards and 18 touchdowns a year ago, and receiver Blaise Burwell, both of whom are expected to shoulder greater responsibility.
Los Alamitos, fresh off a CIF‑SS Division 2 championship and a third‑place league finish, will be led by new head coach Rory Schoonmaker. Schoonmaker, who previously guided El Segundo and Santa Ana programs, replaces Ray Fenton and inherits a strong core that must adapt to a revamped system as the team seeks to defend its title.
Mission Viejo aims for a third consecutive championship, bolstered by standout receivers Jack Junker and Luke Karby, who earned All‑Orange County first‑team honors and co‑offensive player of the year accolades last season. The team’s experience and depth position it as a formidable contender.
San Clemente, which finished 9‑5 overall and advanced to the Division 2 championship game in 2025 before falling to Los Alamitos, returns with a group of senior leaders including quarterback Preston Beck. The senior class hopes to translate past success into another deep playoff run.
San Juan Hills, promoted from the Bravo League for the 2026 and ’27 seasons, faces a steep learning curve. The program endured several forfeits last year due to an ineligible player and now must integrate new starters at quarterback and running back, making the upcoming schedule a critical test of resilience.
Yorba Linda makes its debut in the Alpha League after a strong run in the Bravo League, where Isaiah Trujillo earned co‑MVP honors as part of a historically potent running attack. The team’s new head coach, John Domen, steps in after Jeff Bailey’s departure, bringing a fresh offensive philosophy to the Tigers.
Early Tests and Expectations
The opening weeks will be telling. Edison’s inexperience at the varsity level could test its early chemistry, while Los Alamitos’ transition under Schoonmaker will be measured against the standards set by last season’s championship. Mission Viejo’s title aspirations will hinge on how quickly its star receivers click with the quarterback, and San Clemente’s senior‑laden squad will look to maintain momentum from its recent championship game appearance.
Meanwhile, San Juan Hills’ newcomers will need to adapt rapidly to a higher competitive tier, and Yorba Linda’s shift to a new coaching staff may bring both opportunities and growing pains. The league’s blend of seasoned contenders and hungry newcomers promises a season filled with dramatic turnarounds and unexpected breakthroughs.