The Union-Tribune has been previewing San Diego’s high school football teams ahead of Thursday’s season opener.

We conclude our series with a look at the North County Conference:

Avocado East League
El Camino

Last season: 1-9

Coach: Stefan McClure, first season

Key players: Ian Wall (RB-LB), Kai Storer (QB), Jordan Cruise (WR).

Scouting report: The Wildcats were outscored 299-152, won only one game and ended the season on a seven-game losing streak. Former Vista High School, Cal and NFL player Stefan McClure was hired as coach to breathe some life into the program. The team is talented, but young. Cruise, who caught 52 passes for 724 yards and four TDs a year ago, is the top returnee. Incoming transfers Wall (Carlsbad) and Storer (Mission Hills) will help.

Del Norte

Last season: 4-7

Coach: Nick Barnett, fourth season

Key players: Kaden Williams (QB), Hudson Kallay (OL), Jackson Aune (OL), Theo Anderson (OL), Ethan Coronel (OL), Jacob Zieroff (OL-DE), Maddox Romans (RB), Rielly Farrok (WR), Detroit Taylor (TE-DE), Kruz Barnett (WR-DB), Jax Thornal (WR), Alex Rubio (RB), Tyce Gingrich (DB), Douglas Spillane (LB), Bryson Steffy (DB), Brady Stockton (DB), Noah Chase (WR), Brady Jundt (FB-LB).

Scouting report: Williams threw for 1,677 yards and 11 TDs a year ago. He has a variety of targets, led by Farrok, Kruz Barnett and Taylor. Romans rushed for 743 yards a year ago. The offensive line is large and experienced, with Kallay (325 pounds), Aune (275), Anderson (325), Coronel (255) and Zieroff (255), who has committed to Army. The defense is boosted by Gingrich, Spillane, Steffy and Chase.

Oceanside

Last season: 7-5

Coach: Fale Poumele, fourth season

Key players: Anthony Barquinero (QB), Neke Letuli (RB-DB), Lincoln Mageo (OL), Spartan Laie (OL-DL), Letoa Wong (OL-DL), Lotu Seumalo (OL-DL), Jameson Garrison (OL-DL), Leviticus Fesili (LB), Wyatt Gulley (LB), SJ Poumele (RB).

Scouting report: The Pirates are ready to challenge for a league title and perhaps more. Barquinero, a junior, threw for 2,048 yards and 24 TDs a year ago. SJ Poumele had 650 yards of total offense and scored 10 TDs. Letuli, a junior, rushed for 1,154 yards. The O-line is huge, with Michigan commit Mageo, Laie, Wong and the 350-pound Seumalo. Fesili had 65 tackles a year ago; Gulley, who carries a legendary name in Oceanside football, figures to have a big season.

Poway

Last season: 5-7

Coach: Ryan Hernandez, first season

Key players: Delonte HilIery OL), Brody Bedard (OL), Justin Julian (OL-DL), Rowan Marcos (LB), Kaiden Scher (DB), Andre Diaz (DB), Tanner Kowalski (OL).

Scouting report: The Titans will be big on the offensive front, but must replace running back Luke Jorgensen and QB Noah Schubert. The defense is led by Marcos, who had 41 tackles; Scher, who had 34 tackles; and Diaz, who had 24.

Rancho Bernardo

Last season: 9-3

Coach: Eric Weddle, fourth season

Key players: Gaige Weddle (QB-DB), Brody Cella (WR), Tyson Wilcox (WR), Sam Martin (OL), Lucas Serrano (OL-DL), Carson Bischoff (TE-DL), Rio Bersamira (DL), Ryan Bieri (DL), Drew Coats (LB), Cal Grandinetti (LB), Gavin Stewart (DB), Brady Burich (DB), Aiden Farrell (RB), Rylin Battle (WR-DB), Andre Mclees Walker (WR-DB), Bennett Sartain (TE-LB), Tristan Stevenson (TE-LB), Yousif Adnan-Bondugije (OL-DL), Kayden Promare (TE-DE), Konner Nackerud (OL-DL).

Scouting report: Led by Gaige Weddle, one of the most dynamic players in the state, the Broncos are going to make some noise. Weddle passed for 2,224 yards and 19 TDs as a sophomore, running for 679 yards and another 10 scores. A two-way player, he has more than 30 college scholarship offers. Cello and Wilcox return at recevier, and the Broncos have added transfers Farrell (La Jolla), Battle (Del Norte), McLees Walker (Lincoln) and Sartain (Oklahoma). McLees Walker has several college offers. Martin,Serran, Nackerud and Adnan-Boudugije should lead the O-line. Coats (71 tackles in 2025) leads the defense, along with fellow returners Burich, Bischoff, Bersamira, Stewart and Grandinetti.

Avocado West League
Carlsbad

Last season: 10-2

Coach: Thadd MacNeal, 21st season

Key players: Reese Spakousky (OL), Elijah Quebedeaux (OL), Archer Provo (OL), Trent Kellas (TE-DL), Mario Anguiano (TE-DL), Jackson Junge (TE-LB), Travis Jeffrey (WR-DB), Nehemiah Bynoe (WR), Elijah Fudge (WR), Brendan Prasuhn (WR), Darian Webb (RB), Cash Redman (RB), Antonio D’Alessandro (QB), Connor Nichols (DL), Maxx Maine (DL), Dylan Sims (LB), Parker Thorne (LB), Colt Hobgood (LB), Colt Rocha (DB), Kyle Prycal (DB), Cruz Castillo (DB).

Scouting report: The coaches feel D’Alessandro, a junior, will be special. Three of five O-linemen return, led by Spakousky. Fudge, a transfer from Bakersfield, will make an impact. Sims (70 tackles in 2025), Nichols (40 tackles) and Quebedeaux (22) lead the defense. Coaches believe the front-seven is elite.

La Costa Canyon

Last season: 9-2

Coach: Sean Sovacool, 17th season

Key players: Diego Botron (TE), Jacob Hopper (TE-LB), Grady Barton (OL), Blake Larson (WR), Nate Taylor (WR-RB-DB), Luke Labrum (QB), Jackson Miller (QB).

Scouting report: Labrum is a 6-foot-5 sophomore with a rocket arm who already has an offer from San Diego State. Miller is a senior who has earned the right to play. The QBs were dead even at the start of practice. Botron has already committed to SDSU. Taylor is a threat every time he touches the ball, but may be a better defender. The Mavericks are big and fast, but lack experience at some positions.

Mission Hills

Last season: 9-2

Coach: Thomas Altieri, first season

Key players: Jackson Fader (OL), Ryan MacKenzie WR), Brayden Roberson (WR), Rafael Naranjo (OL), Xavier St. John (WR), Demariye Stephen (LB), Grant Kuykendall (DL), Nathan Brawner (OL), Anthony Stalzer (WR-DB), Jordan Herrera (WR-DB), Rhodes Relatores (RB), Kai Taitano (TE-LB), Aiden Dl Gatto (WR-DB), Owen Imoto (TE-LB), Wyatt McKinley (TE-DL), Aadan Lucio (DL), Sayed Mehran Nazimi (RB-LB), Furian Inferrera (QB).

Scouting report: Inferrera transfers in from Santa Ana Mater Dei. He has already committed to Minnesota. Roberson and St. John are big-time receivers. Relatores will get the bulk of the carries. The line is anchored by Fader. The defense is led by Kuykendall and St. John.

San Marcos

Last season: 7-5

Coach: Tom Carroll, fifth season

Key players: Ezekiel McIntyre (WR-DB), Xzavier McIntyre (WR-DB), Ty Westenberger (OL), Edris Waziri (OL), Lucas Swillens (WR-DB), Jordan Roa (QB), Moise Henderson (RB), Mateo Ramos (RB-DB), Mason Fisher (DE), Steven Rodriguez (DE), Alonzo Rodriguez (LB-DE).

Scouting report: Six starters return, but there is talent. Ezekiel McIntyre caught 34 passes and had 74 tackles in 2025. Swillens is ready for a big year and Henderson, a transfer from Madison, figures to be the No. 1 rusher. Roa, a transfer from Lincoln, will be the QB. Westenberger, a 6-6, 275-pound junior, is drawing major college interest. Swillens had 43 tackles and Fisher 40 a year ago. Steven and Alonzo Rodriguez transfer in from Madison.

Torrey Pines

Last season: 4-7

Coach: Scott Ashby, fourth season

Key players: BIake Miller (QB), Logan Bonneau (WR-DB), Jacob Kriess (RB), Kash Kinney (OL), Bryson Waterhouse (DL), Dominic Principi (RB-LB), Nolan Steelhorst (WR-DB), Dylan Goldberger (WR-DB), Camden Nishnick (TE), Logan Miller (WR-DB).

Scouting report: Blake Miller threw for 1,625 yards and 14 TDs in 2025. Bonneau and Kreiss lead the receivers. Principi (87 tackles) and Golberger (38 tackles) lead the defense.

Palomar League
Escondido

Last season: 2-9

Coach: Ian Kelly, first season

Key players: Cainan Whitaker (OL-DL), Christian Solis (DB), J.J. Bedar (RB-LB), Levi Huish (OL), Josiah Washington (OL), Ernie Nuno (Ath), Chance Villanueva (Ath), Nick Evans (Ath), Eian Romero (QB).

Scouting report: Gone is do-everything back Bowyn Cannon. Bejar, who had 302 rushing yards in 2025, is the top returnee. Whitaker, Huish and Washington return on the O-line. Romero, a transfer from La Jolla, figures to be the QB. Kelly says there is some speed and a high IQ on defense. The once-proud Cougars have had 13 losing seasons since 2009.

Mt. Carmel

Last season: 4-7

Coach: Drew Westling, 11th season

Key players: Jayden Llantada (QB), Ethan Muttoni (WR-DB), Caleb McNickle (LB), Raul ValeCruz (LB), Gavin McMullen (DL), Mark Scott (DL), Nate Godbold (DB), Mason Medlock (RB), Gabe Solomon (RB), Nate Donohue (RB), Rhys Sixt (QB).

Scouting report: McNickle, who had 137 tackles in 2025, leads the defense. He’s joined by returnees ValeCruz, Godbold, McMullen and Scott. Running back is loaded, with Donohue, Solomon and Medlock. Llantada and transfer Sixt (La Jolla) are the QBs; Sixt can also play DB. Adams caught 38 passes and is the team’s kicker.

Ramona

Last season: 5-6

Coach: Damon Baldwin, 22nd season

Key players: Ryan Shaw (QB), Liam Cavaness (TE-DL), Trake Kelly (WR-DB), Noah Bedia (WR-DB), Nolan Andrew (DL), Braden Jordison (LB), Ryan Peck (RB-DB), Ashten Geiser (LB), Tallon Ogilvie (LB), Francisco Gomez (LB), Jordan Howard (WR(, Dominic Lutz (WR), Zarius Pascual (RB), Keegan McElwee (RB), Jonah Vargas (OL).

Scouting report: Shaw is a three-year starter at QB. Peck could be special at running back, while Kelly and Bedia are talented and experienced receivers. Cavaness, Geiser and Ogilvie could make an impact at tight end. Most players go both ways, so the Bulldogs must stay away from the injuries that have marred past seasons.

San Pasqual

Last season: 7-4

Coach: Andrew Clark, first season

Key players: Cameron Pereira (QB), Jared Brecht (WR), Jordan Simmons (WR), Dylan Bachoua (RB), Davian Gainey (OL), Caeden Phillips (OL), Landen Lockwood RB-LB), Ryan Hodgins (LB), Christian Quintero (LB), Jonathan Leon (DB), Max Gallegos (DE), Xadan Wilde (WR-DB), Carter Stubblefield (RB-DB).

Scouting report: Gone are the days of run-it-down-your-throat football at San Pasqual. Pereira is a transfer from The Meadows School in Las Vegas, where he threw for 2,810 yards and 29 TDs. Brecht caught 34 passes for 711 yards and 12 TDs and Simmons had 18 catches in seven games. Orange Glen transfer Wilde will get a ton of touches at receiver. Gainey, who stands at 6-5 ½ and 325 pounds, anchors the line alongside Phillips. Lockwood is one of the top defenders in the county. Quintero had 32 tackles and Hodgins 30.

Valley Center

Last season: 9-6

Coach: Bill Dunckel, fourth season

Key players: Mitch Stehly (RB-DB), Jonathan Tetter (QB), Casen Dunham (QB-DB), Conner Vose (WR-DB), Gauge Wright (WR-DB), Brandon Revelas (RB-LB), Joaquin Stehly (WR-DB), Chace Paxton (QB), Mason Lawton (WR-DB), Cooper Chaney (RB-LB), Brody Lane (OL-LB), Max Stehly (RB-LB), Jack Stehly (OL-DL), Lucas Helfrick (OL-DL).

Scouting report: State champions a year ago, the Jaguars have plenty back. Tetter, who tore his ACL last season, will battle Dunham at QB. Mitch Stehly, who had 105 tackles, is a “special player,” according to Dunckel. Vose had 18 catches and 36 tackles, Wright had 653 receiving yards, Chaney had 38 tackles and 4 interceptions, Lane had 31 tackles and Max Stehly had 55 tackles and 4 1/2 sacks.

Valley League
Fallbrook

Last season: 4-8

Coach: John Hollcraft, second season

Key players: Hudson Quinn (WR), Junior Hernandez (RB-DB), Quinn Pinkney (OL), Nathon Moss (DL), Mason Mendoza (DE), Caleb Way (RB), Aiden Jiminez (QB), Jayden Peet (OL), Anthony Hendon (OL), Randy Salmeron (OL), Jerry Diaz-Perez (DE), Kendhal Collings (LB), Joell Crespin (LB), Makhi McDonald (DB), Justin Ruiz (DB), Judd Van Elfin (DB), Brady Merry (TE-DE).

Scouting report: Fallbrook returns 21 lettermen and 14 starters. Jiminez will be the QB. Quinn had 27 catches for 430 yards in 2025; Hernandez and Way are back at RB. The lines are solid. Merry, a transfer who comes from Massachusetts, is the real deal.  There is hope at Fallbrook, which has 19 losing seasons in the last 22 years.

Rancho Buena Vista

Last season: 6-4

Coach: Terrence McKinnie, second season

Key players: Van Piercy (QB), Sean Richard (WR), Brodie Berghaus (WR), Rami Farias (LB), Kaleb Munoz (LB), Kaipo Gutierrez (RB), Madsen Smith (WR), Isaiah Richardson (LB).

Scouting report: The Panthers will count on Piercy, who threw for 1,128 yards and 10 TDs while running for 268 and 6 TDs in 2025. Gutierrez ran for 755 yards and 10 TDs. Richard had 30 receptions. Smith is the key to the defense, alongside Farias, Richardson, Munoz and Berghaus. This is a veteran-heavy team with 27 seniors.

Vista

Last season: 0-10

Coach: Ryan McHale, second season

Key players: Jairo Rivera (RB), Brian Campuzano (PK), Irvin Garcia (WR-DB), Caleb Bean (RB-LB), Dylan Solberg (WR-DB), Issac Estrada (RB-LB), Dilan Solis (OL-DL), Logan Trevino (TE-LB), Mario Mejia (OL-DL).

Scouting report: With a small senior class, McHale will build with sophomores and juniors. Rivera broke his leg last season, but is back now and ready to run. Garcia had 16 tackles in 2025; Mejia is a load at 6-4, 350 pounds.

Westview

Last season: 7-5

Coach: Mitch Donnelly, sixth season

Key players: Miles Miranda (WR), Barrett Osquist (OL), Lawson Cahill (OL), Charles Klingkammer RB), JJ Vargas (TE-DL), Gavin Bibler (DL), Malachi Fabian (LB), Scotty Stearns (DB), Colin Ison (DB), Micah Davis (WR-DB), Jackson Munford (QB), Brody Mongold (RB).

Scouting report: Munford is a transfer from Mater Dei Catholic, where he threw for 1,173 yards and 13 TDs. Miranda (28 catches) and Klingkammer (442 rushing yards) will help lead the offense. The defense is built around Bibler, Fabian, Ison and Davis.

JOHN MAFFEI