Local high school football teams are set to open the 2022-2023 season this week, with their eyes set on the Foothill League title.

The 2022-2023 high school football season is set to get underway this week, as the local teams begin their season with non-league matchups. We preview the opening games for each Foothill League team and what to expect throughout the year.

Saugus @ Rio Mesa – Aug. 18, 7 p.m.

After going undefeated in league play last year and winning their second straight Foothill League title in the process, Saugus is looking to make it a three-peat in 2022. Last year’s team was built on a strong running attack that averaged 129.5 yards per game, and a stout defense that gave up just 7.66 points per game. Both fronts were led by 2021 Foothill League Player of The Year, Jacob Viger, who appeared both as a running back in the team’s offense and on defense as a linebacker. While Viger returns, the team will look to senior TJ Cataldi and junior Trent Johnson to fill the void left at quarterback by 2022 graduate Brady Welch. The Centurions will open their season with Rio Mesa who finished (7-4) last season and (4-1) in the Channel League, good for 2nd overall. Jason Bornn enters his 19th season as head coach of the program, currently riding an 11-game winning streak in Foothill League matchups dating back to 2019.

West Ranch vs. St. Francis – Aug. 19, 7 p.m.

West Ranch had a strong season in 2021, finishing second in the Foothill League including an upset victory over Valencia. Chris Varner enters his seventh season after the team finished (8-3) overall and (4-1) in league play. A big reason for that was the breakout season for Ryan Staub, who led the Foothill League with over 2,400 passing yards and rushed for an additional 324 yards. The team did see lead running back Dylan Roof graduate, but have high hopes for returning defensive end Griffin Nibarger who led the team with eight sacks and 38 tackles last season. The team will open the season when they host St. Francis on Friday, a team that finished (10-3) in 2021, placing first in the Angelus league though they only competed in three league games.

Valencia @ Bishop Amat – Aug. 19, 7 p.m.

Valencia had perhaps the quirkiest season of any of the Foothill League teams in 2021. The team lost their starting quarterback, was forced to forfeit their game with Saugus later in the season, and then were the beneficiaries of a coin flip that granted them a playoff spot. The team went on to become CIF Division 5 Champions, just one win short of competing for a state title. This year, the team hopes to see more growth from quarterback Trey Ericson who took over for the injured Tyler Voss last season. While Ericson returns, a glut of the Vikings primary contributors from the receiving corps have since graduated. The team will have their eyes on the Foothill League title this year but will first begin with a non-league matchup on the road at Bishop Amat. Bishop Amat finished (8-4) last year and 2nd in the Mission League with a (4-1) record.

Golden Valley vs. Newbury Park – Aug. 19, 7 p.m.

The Grizzlies placed fourth in the Foothill League last year with a (2-3) league record and (4-6) overall. Golden Valley is expected to have six different “two-way” players that will be featured both on offense and defense. One such player from last year, Chris Melokian, will now solely play quarterback for the Grizzlies in the 2022-2023 season. However, the team will have its growing pains from the wide receiver corps, one that returns just two players with five or more receptions from last year. The team performed well in 7v7 and other tournaments this summer and look to take that confidence into their opening matchup with Newbury Park who finished (3-6) last season.

Hart @ Camarillo – Aug. 19, 7 p.m.

The quest to end their Foothill League title drought enters year 15 for Hart High School. The program previously never went more than four years without that distinction, but after a 2-3 league record last season, the team hopes to change that this year. They’ll have their work cut out for them with Saugus, Valencia, and West Ranch all placing ahead of them in 2021, but the team will see the return of quarterback Tim Larkins. Larkins threw for 10 touchdowns last season but an equal amount of interceptions. Older brother Daniel Larkins- who was Tim’s favorite receiving target- has since graduated, but the Indians expect to have a loaded receiving corps including Shawn Irwin. The team will open the season with a road game at Camarillo High School who finished (8-5) overall last year and placed second in the Camino League.

Canyon @ Canoga Park – Aug. 19, 7 p.m.

It was a tough 2021 campaign for Canyon who finished winless in five Foothill League games last season. The team, now under the stewardship of first-year head coach Ken Holsenback who previously served as the schools athletic director and as an assistant coach for the team, will look to turn things around for the program. The team failed to rush for a single touchdown in league play last year, a big reason for their miniscule 9.3 average points per game. The Cowboys will look to at the very least end their 21 game losing streak in Foothill League matchups, but first will open the season on the road at Canoga Park who won three playoff games last year out of the Valley Mission League.

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