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First-year Yorba Linda football coach John Domen arrived at a crossroads early in his tenure.
He felt the Mustangs needed more practice as the calendar seemed to race toward the start of fall camp.
Domen acted.
“I canceled like four of our passing leagues and the Battle at the Beach (passing tournament),” he recalled Monday. “We just weren’t ready as a team yet and we couldn’t waste any time not getting better at practice.”
“The 7-on-7 stuff and one-on-one is all fun. It’s a break for the kids and you go out there and work on the timing,” he added. “(But) there isn’t a pass rush and a lot of teams will run an offense or defense that they don’t necessarily use in the season.”
Domen’s foresight and understanding of his team looks superb.
Yorba Linda (4-0) is ranked No. 11 in Orange County and is ranked No. 38 in the state by hsratings.com entering a marquee clash at Huntington Beach (4-0) on Friday.
The Oilers are No. 12 in the county and No. 42 in the state.
Yorba Linda’s resume is highlighted by victories against Laguna Beach and Long Beach Poly.
The Mustangs notched the wins while starting 14 underclassmen, including several sophomores.
With another strong performance Friday, they’ll appear well-prepared for their promotion to the Alpha League next month.
For a squad that lost longtime coach Jeff Bailey and wide receiver Troy Roberts (transfer to Crean Lutheran) in the offseason, Yorba Linda has made impressive strides by keeping its head down and grinding.
“Bumping up (a league), (we’ve) got to be a lot tighter at practice,” Domen said. “The Alpha League is loaded with incredible talent and some really good coaching. … but (our previous) Bravo League is pretty competitive as well. Some of those teams in the Bravo League have a lot of Power 4 talent.”
Domen, 36, learned how to guide Yorba Linda while coaching and playing under Bailey, now the coach at Beverly Hills High.
Domen played for Bailey as a lineman at El Dorado and joined Bailey’s staff at Yorba Linda in 2013.
Domen’s coaching staff includes key Bailey assistants such as Gary Bowers, Steve DiTolla and Rich Burrell. Tommy Storing is the defensive coordinator.
Several of Yorba Linda’s sophomores have flourished with the extra practice.
Insider linebacker Taj Lagraffe (6-0, 205) ranks second to senior Andrew Maldonado in tackles with 28. He also plays running back and fullback.
“Boy is he special,” Domen said of Lagraffe.
Other sophomores who have emerged are defensive end Logan Seib, right tackle Colt Pace, wide receivers Connor Mackay and Kolt Holcomb and quarterback Andrew Churney.
Churney started for the first time last week to fill in for Noah Trujillo (shoulder). He passed for 317 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-7 victory against Esperanza.
Domen said Trujillo will be a “game-time decision” to play against the Oilers.
Trujillo’s brother Isaiah leads the junior class.
The running back/linebacker has rushed for 238 yards and six TDs, and has 18 tackles.
Defensive tackle Landon Pearson, left guard Carter Uvalle and wide receiver Maddex Schroeder are other top juniors.
Maldonado has emerged as a standout at safety. The senior leads the team in tackles (33) and interceptions (three).
Maldonado anchors a revamped secondary that will be tested by Huntington Beach quarterback Brady Edmunds, who is committed to Ohio State.
The Mustangs’ secondary includes cornerbacks Tanner Melvin and Dylan Newsom, and safety Braden Walker. The group has been working especially hard with DiTolla, Domen said.
“They’re good,” Domen said of Huntington Beach. “They have a great quarterback. Four receivers who can all make plays. They’re big up front. … It’s going to take a lot of discipline (to win).”
“I try to steer away from having (our players) focus on who we’re playing and have the focus be on preparation and what we can do each day to get better,” the coach added.
Mater Dei’s Paytyn Guess (13) escapes the grasp of Centennial’s Chase Wallner (11) during a high school football game between Centennial of Corona and Mater Dei in a non-league contest at Santa Ana Stadium.
September 11, 2026.(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
MATER DEI’S PAYTYN GUESS RISING
Mater Dei freshman quarterback Paytyn Guess continued to flash his potential in a 10-9 win against Centennial last week.
Guess helped seal the victory with an 18-yard completion to Gavin Honore with about 1:30 left in the fourth quarter.
In the first half, Guess scrambled on fourth down before launching a 28-yard pass to Honore that moved the Monarchs to the Huskies 1. Centennial’s defense answered by forcing a turnover but Guess’ ability remained clear.
“I prepare for moments like this,” he said. “I may not get it all the time but I got to make the most of my opportunities.”
Guess shared time at quarterback with senior Cameron Pooley and junior Russell Sekona.
The day before the Centennial game, Guess starred for Mater Dei’s freshman team. He has played for the varsity and freshman teams throughout the season.
“Thursday is the preparation, make sure my mind is right and just perfect my craft,” Guess said. “Friday is when the big stage comes up.”
Mater Dei coach Raul Lara said the quarterback position remains a work in progress for the Monarchs.
“I’m really looking a guy to take control in getting the other 10 guys together and doing (well),” Lara said. “They got to stay positive, rally the guys and not make the simple mistakes.”
SHORT ROUTES
Brea Olinda (4-1) will receive a forfeit win for this week’s game against Victor Valley, Wildcats coach Justin Villasenor confirmed. Victor Valley’s players and coaches were reportedly suspended for this week’s game for conduct during a 20-7 win against Apple Valley last week. …
The Orange County all-star football game is scheduled for Feb. 6 at Newport Harbor High, organizer Frank Albers of Costa Mesa United said. …
Irvine running back Seamus Hoffman enters this week’s game with 641 rushing yards. He ran for 202 yards in a victory over Laguna Hills last week.