Daily Pilot Football Dream Team: Espinoza became Corona del Mar’s No. 1 quarterback

Nathaniel Espinoza likes a challenge, and it’s one of the reasons why four years ago he left the school he attended for most of his life for one in Newport Beach as an eighth-grader. Espinoza did not live far from his new campus, Corona del Mar Middle School. Newport Coast is his hometown.

From kindergarten to halfway through eighth grade, he went to Calvary Chapel in Santa Ana. He said he attended the private Christian school for religious reasons. As for why he left the school after the first semester of his eighth-grade year, Espinoza said it had to do with football. The move was to play at Corona del Mar High, for a chance to contribute to one of the top public schools in Orange County.

Espinoza was far from a prized player. He was undersized. And he wanted to play quarterback. Not many at CdM believed he could play the position.

It took him his freshman, sophomore and junior years to develop and show he could play quarterback. As a senior this past season, he earned his chance. He beat out three other quarterbacks for the starting job. The competition began in the spring of his junior year and lasted all the way to Pacific Coast League play in his senior year.

There’s a reason why Espinoza wore No. 1. He proved he was CdM’s No. 1 quarterback all along. Espinoza’s dual-threat ability as a quarterback also made him the top choice for the Daily Pilot Football Dream Team Player of the Year award.

Espinoza beat defenses with his arm and legs. The 5-foot-9, 185-pounder passed for 2,460 yards and an area-best 29 touchdowns, with only four interceptions, and rushed for 803 yards and an area-best 15 touchdowns.

For almost every eighth throw, he was throwing a touchdown. For almost every eighth run, he was running for a touchdown. Espinoza was a touchdown machine, finishing with 44. Keep in mind that in seven of CdM’s 12 games, he did not play in the second half. The Sea Kings brought in the second-, third- and fourth-string quarterbacks in games to challenge Espinoza.

“Never complained once,” Sea Kings coach Dan O’Shea said of Espinoza. “I couldn’t be more happy for [Espinoza], who was not the starting quarterback as a freshman in our program and he spent his sophomore and junior years on the JV team. But to have one shot his senior year and to see him be able to perform so incredibly well for our football team … I could not be more proud of the kid.

“You won’t find a harder working kid. He really willed himself to be a quarterback because I don’t think it was a natural thing by any stretch of the imagination.”

At first, Espinoza admitted that not playing the entire game was difficult. Then the competition fueled him, and he used it to lead the team.

With Espinoza, the Sea Kings claimed their sixth straight 5-0 Pacific Coast League crown. They made it to the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 4 playoffs because of Espinoza. He threw a game-winning, 26-yard touchdown to wide receiver TaeVeon Le, who made a one-handed catch near the pylon with 14 seconds left to lift No. 4-seeded CdM to a dramatic 42-35 come-from-behind win over Eastvale Roosevelt at Newport Harbor High.

“Roosevelt was an emotional game,” said Espinoza, who passed for 224 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed for 182 yards and three touchdowns in the first-round game. “It had ups and downs. It was hard hitting. It was my first playoff win [as the starter].”

Winning in the playoffs is what Espinoza wanted the most.

When Espinoza transferred to CdM Middle School, the high school’s football team was coming off an historic season in 2013. The Sea Kings went 16-0, winning their third consecutive CIF Southern Section Southern Division title and first CIF State Division III title.

The success is what brought Espinoza to CdM. He arrived at the middle school in the spring semester of the 2013-14 school year.

“We wanted to play for a better high school,” said Espinoza, who had to wait for his turn to start as CdM’s signal caller. “It was a long journey to get here.”

Espinoza credits his success to his coaches, O’Shea and Kevin Hettig, the offensive coordinator. He said they taught him how to be a man. Hettig played a vital role in turning Espinoza into one of the top quarterbacks in the county.

Espinoza, the Pacific Coast League MVP, also thanks his teammates for supporting him, as well as his father and brother, who both go by Lorenzo. It was his brother who played catch with him when Espinoza needed someone to throw to and it was his dad who told him he could be CdM’s quarterback one day.

He just needed to believe in himself. In his final year, he played with confidence right out of the gate, despite CdM losing 45-27 in the season opener to JSerra. After that, the Sea Kings won 10 in a row.

The next setback ended the Sea Kings’ season. They lost at home to Downey 49-42 in the quarterfinals, denying the Sea Kings from returning to a section final for the second straight time. Even then, Espinoza almost brought CdM (10-2 overall) back, throwing a Hail Mary at the end, but it was intercepted at the goal line. The pick marked his third of the game. He went into the game with only one interception.

For most of the season, Espinoza was accurate. He completed 139 of 226 passes, at a 61.5% clip.

While CdM had Chase Garbers airing it out for 7,970 yards and 90 touchdowns from 2014-16, Espinoza was more like Cayman Carter in 2012. Carter was the last CdM quarterback to create problems for the defense because of his physical play. Espinoza was not only tough to bring down, he was benching 235 pounds, squatting 385 pounds and power cleaning 205 pounds during the season, he was the team’s fastest player.

Espinoza averaged 6.5 yards per carry. He had 124 carries, running almost as many times as he completed passes. Espinoza hopes to play in college. O’Shea said Espinoza has the assets as an athletic thrower and runner, and he believes there’s a place for him to play on the next level. O’Shea said Espinoza recently visited the University of La Verne, an NCAA Division III program.

“I truly believe in a spread offense I could be super-efficient,” Espinoza said. “I would like to play quarterback in college. That would be the ideal situation. But wherever I can go [on] the next level would be great.”

Coach of the Year

Jimmy Nolan

Fountain Valley

Nolan, in his second year at Fountain Valley, turned things around with the Barons. Fountain Valley went from a 1-9 team in 2016 to a 7-5 team making the CIF Southern Section Division 6 playoffs this past season. A year after going winless in the Sunset League, the Barons shared third at 2-3. Nolan guided the Barons to a 38-23 win against Wildomar Elsinore at Huntington Beach High in the first round, marking their first postseason win since 2003. Nolan had Fountain Valley one victory away from reaching the semifinals for the first time since 1993.

Co-Offensive Player of the Year

Griffin O’Connor

QB | Edison | Sr.

O’Connor passed for an area-best 2,486 yards to go with 26 touchdowns, with 11 interceptions. The Sunset League MVP, who completed 169 of 297 passes, turned it on in his final eight games by throwing for 1,813 yards and 21 touchdowns, with only five interceptions. O’Connor, a senior, led the Chargers to a runner-up finish in league and the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 3 playoffs. The Yale-bound quarterback holds Edison’s career passing records for yards (7,205) and touchdowns (73). O’Connor shared the Dream Team Offensive Player of the Year award for the second straight year.

Co-Offensive Player of the Year

TaeVeon Le

WR | Corona del Mar | Sr.

Le leaves the Sea Kings as their career receiving leader in yards (2,751) and touchdowns (43), and his touchdowns rank No. 2 all-time in Orange County. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Le, bound for Stanford as a preferred walk-on player, finished his senior year with 52 catches for 1,084 yards and 14 touchdowns, earning him first-team All-Orange County and first-team All-Pacific Coast League accolades. He caught the game-winning, 26-yard touchdown with one hand in CdM’s 42-35 win over Eastvale Roosevelt in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 4 playoffs. Le shared the Dream Team Offensive Player of the Year award for the second straight year.

Defensive Player of the Year

Mateo Gallego

LB | Edison | Sr.

Gallego was all over the field for the Chargers. The senior outside linebacker shared the Sunset League Defensive Back of the Year award after he finished with 55 tackles, one interception, eight passes defensed, one forced fumble and two blocked punts. First-year head coach Jeff Grady called Gallego a complete football player and a difference maker, consistently delivering big plays. Gallego also played wide receiver, catching 39 passes for 518 yards and three touchdowns. He started one game at quarterback, throwing for 145 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for a touchdown in Edison’s 38-0 win against Canyon.

Co-All-Purpose Player of the Year

John Humphreys

WR-SS | Corona del Mar | So.

Humphreys showed he was one of the area’s best two-way starters, lining up at wide receiver and strong safety. The 6-foot-5 sophomore led the area in receiving yards (1,100) and receiving touchdowns (16), and his 55 receptions ranked No. 3. The Pacific Coast League Defensive MVP finished with 72 tackles, one tackle for loss, two interceptions and five passes defensed. Humphreys, a member of the All-Orange County second team, returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown. Humphreys already has an offer from Duke, where his older brother, Ben, is a linebacker. Humphreys will be one of the most sought-after recruits in Orange County.

Co-All-Purpose Player of the Year

David Atencio

WR-FS-PR | Edison | Sr.

Atencio stood out as a wide receiver and free safety for the Chargers, showing no signs of the knee injury that sidelined him in the summer of 2016. The senior shared the Sunset League Offensive Player of the Year award and made the All-Orange County first team, finishing with 58 receptions, tying the top mark in the area, for 1,077 yards and 15 touchdowns. Atencio’s career catches (135) rank No. 1 in Edison’s history and his receiving touchdowns (24) rank No. 2. On defense, Atencio made 33 tackles, intercepted five passes and recovered one fumble. He averaged 19.8 yards per punt return. Atencio made the Dream Team first team for the second straight year.

First-team offense

Nick Welch

QB | Fountain Valley | Sr.

Welch transferred from Huntington Beach and he turned the Barons into instant winners. The first-team All-Sunset League selection was the epitome of a dual-threat quarterback. The senior completed 150 of 279 passes for 2,370 yards and 19 touchdowns, with 10 interceptions, and rushed 128 times for 1,031 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Trevor Pacheco

RB | Estancia | Jr.

Pacheco got his chance to play for Estancia after a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his right knee forced him to miss the 2016 season. The junior running back had 218 carries for an area-best 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns. Pacheco, a first-team All-Orange Coast League pick, rushed for 200-plus yards three times.

J.T. Murphy

RB | Corona del Mar | Sr.

Murphy could have posted crazy stats, but the Sea Kings pulled the first-team All-Pacific Coast League running back in the second half of seven blowout games. The senior, who is heading to Colorado as a preferred walk-on player, ­rushed 107 times for 742 yards and 12 touchdowns, and had 17 receptions for 266 yards and two touchdowns.

Kishaun Sykes

WR | Fountain Valley | Jr.

Sykes was a playmaker wherever he lined up, especially at wide receiver. The junior speedster averaged an area-best 23.4 yards per catch, finishing with 25 receptions for 585 yards and five touchdowns. His longest score went for 80 yards against rival Edison. The first-team All-Sunset League pick also rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns.

Adam Armstrong

WR | Laguna Beach | Sr.

Armstrong’s 58 receptions tied for the No. 1 spot in the area, and he had 706 yards and six touchdowns. The senior wide receiver garnered the Orange Coast League Offensive MVP award for the second straight year. He also averaged 30.3 yards per kickoff return and had 86- and 85-yard kickoff returns for touchdowns.

Mark Redman

TE | Corona del Mar | So.

Redman, a 6-foot-6, 230-pounder, provided quarterback Nathaniel Espinoza with another big target. The sophomore caught 23 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns. Redman, a first-team All-Pacific Coast League pick, is one of the best blocking tight ends coach Dan O’Shea has seen. Redman will be a highly recruited player in the next two years.

Griffin Kosick

OL | Edison | Sr.

Kosick, a senior center, anchored the Chargers’ offensive line. The 6-foot, 211-pounder communicated all the calls and directed traffic. The first-team All-Sunset League selection moved to center from guard, taking over for standout Michael Saffell, who is a freshman at Cal.

Sean Owens

OL | Corona del Mar | Jr.

Owens, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound center, paved the way to CdM’s sixth straight undefeated Pacific Coast League championship. The junior made the All-Pacific Coast League first team, helping the offense average 266.3 passing yards and 209.2 rushing yards per game.

Ryan Osterkamp

OL | Edison | Sr.

Osterkamp was often the most athletic offensive lineman on the field, and some of that had to do with the senior’s ice hockey background. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound left tackle made a huge impact for the Chargers, earning first-team All-Sunset League honors.

Nathaniel Wight

OL | Fountain Valley | Sr.

Wight never allowed a sack while protecting quarterback Nick Welch’s blindside as a left tackle. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound senior received first-team All-Sunset League recognition. Wight allowed the Barons’ balanced attack to average 203.3 passing yards and 178.1 rushing yards per game.

Colston Chacon

OL | Corona del Mar | Sr.

Chacon, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound left guard, was one of the biggest offensive linemen in the area. The senior helped the Sea Kings average 44.2 points per game. Chacon has offers from Stetson, Delaware State, the University of San Diego and Columbia.

Jack Morrell

PK-P | Edison | Sr.

Morrell was the most reliable kicker in the area. The senior converted 12 of 14 field-goal attempts, the longest was a 45-yarder. He made 42 of 46 extra-point kicks. Morrell was named the Sunset League Kicker of the Year and to the All-Orange County second team. He also handled the punting duties for the Chargers. Morrell made the Dream Team first team for the second straight year.

First-team defense

Hunter Griggs

DL | Edison | Sr.

Griggs, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound transfer from Pinnacle High in Phoenix, Ariz., played the run extremely well and harassed quarterbacks. The senior defensive end made the All-Sunset League first team after totaling 62 tackles, eight sacks, five pass deflections and one forced fumble.

Connor Reid

DL | Corona del Mar | Sr.

Reid, a senior defensive tackle, played a vital role to CdM only allowing 7.4 points per game in the Pacific Coast League. The 6-foot-3, 260-pounder finished with 42 tackles, eight tackles for loss and two forced fumbles, earning him first-team All-Pacific Coast League honors.

Parker Thomas

DL | Edison | Sr.

Thomas, a senior defensive end, created havoc for the Chargers’ defense with his 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame. The first-team All-Sunset League pick recorded 53 tackles with five sacks, four fumble recoveries, four passes defensed, one forced fumble and one blocked field goal.

Spencer Blake

DL | Newport Harbor | Sr.

Blake, a 6-foot-2, 263-pounder, was a load at defensive tackle, making the All-Sunset League first team. He had 55½ tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and 14 quarterback hurries. Blake helped the Sailors make a late push for the CIF Southern Section Division 6 playoffs.

Luke Hoggard

LB | Edison | Jr.

Hoggard amassed an area-best 121 tackles with 1½ sacks, one interception and three passes defensed. Edison coach Jeff Grady said the junior inside linebacker is receiving interest from Ivy League schools. Hoggard shared the Sunset League Linebacker of the Year award.

Jack Fairon

LB | Corona del Mar | Sr.

Fairon was one of the best leaders the Sea Kings have had under coach Dan O’Shea. The senior linebacker finished with 58 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and two passes defensed. Fairon received first-team All-Pacific Coast League honors.

John Gosney

LB | Huntington Beach | Jr.

Gosney shared the Sunset League Linebacker of the Year award. The junior middle linebacker totaled 100 tackles, 82 of which were solo. He had 14 tackles for loss, eight sacks, 22 quarterback hurries, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one blocked punt.

Brandon Moradian

DB | Edison | Sr.

Moradian shared the Sunset League Defensive Back of the Year award and made the All-Orange County second team. The senior strong safety made 54 tackles and intercepted three passes, returning one 33 yards for a touchdown. Moradian had six passes defensed and one sack.

Arick McLawyer

DB | Huntington Beach | Jr.

McLawyer was an all-around threat. The junior free safety finished with 50 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions (returning one 50 yards for a touchdown), four passes defensed, two forced fumbles and a blocked field goal. McLawyer made the All-Sunset League first team.

McCade Barrett

DB | Edison | Sr.

Barrett excelled as a two-way starter, but he earned a spot on the Dream Team as a defensive back. The senior cornerback finished with 22 tackles, three interceptions and six passes defensed. Barrett made the Dream Team first team for the second straight year.

Ian Green

DB | Marina | Sr.

Green was one of the most versatile players in the area, playing quarterback, receiver, safety, punter and returner. The senior made the Dream Team as a defensive back. Green, a first-team All-Sunset League selection, had 32 tackles with four passes defensed and one forced fumble.

Kyle Petrucci

LS | Corona del Mar | Sr.

Petrucci is considered one of the country’s best long snappers. Long-snapping specialist Chris Rubio, a former long snapper at UCLA, ranks the 6-foot-5, 235-pound Petrucci as the No. 11 long snapper in the nation. Petrucci has offers from Air Force, UC Davis, Columbia and Brown.

Second-team offense

Position, Name, School, Year

QB Sam Barela, Newport Harbor, Jr.

RB Benn Vallier, Fountain Valley, Sr.

RB Noah De Loera, Ocean View, Sr.

WR Brandon Krause, Fountain Valley, Jr.

WR Jake Bashore, Newport Harbor, Sr.

WR Nathaniel Washington, Ocean View, Sr.

OL Jake Berkey, Corona del Mar, Sr.

OL Zach Fields, Laguna Beach, Sr.

OL Andrew Helmer, Ocean View, Sr.

OL Jovanni Page, Edison, Jr.

OL Steven Razo, Los Amigos, Sr.

AP Sean Nolan, Laguna Beach, Jr.

PK Max Casper, Corona del Mar, Sr.

Second-team defense

Position, Name, School, Year

DL Billy Ngo, Fountain Valley, Sr.

DL Cameron Prudhomme, Corona del Mar, Sr.

DL Seth Bontrager, Marina, Sr.

DL Jackson Weddle, Fountain Valley, Jr.

LB Cameron Eden, Edison, Jr.

LB Chad Koste, Newport Harbor, So.

LB Deshandre Kerkhoff, Estancia, Sr.

DB Jeremiah Flanagan, Huntington Beach, Jr.

DB Isaiah Palmer, Edison, Jr.

DB Jack Elliot, Corona del Mar, Jr.

DB Brandon Gonzalez, Costa Mesa, Jr.

P Andy Martinez, Estancia, Sr.