Scouting report: Los Alamitos

Top seniors on the Los Alamitos defense this year include, from left, outside linebacker Blake Johnson, middle linebacker Matt Locher and safety Denzal Brantley.
Matt Locher, Los Alamitos High School.
Denzal Brantley, Los Alamitos High School.
Blake Johnson, Los Alamitos High School is a linebacker and a punter committed to Arkansas.
Blake Johnson, Los Alamitos High School is a linebacker and a punter committed to Arkansas.
Matt Locher, Los Alamitos High School.
Denzal Brantley, Los Alamitos High School.
Blake Johnson, Los Alamitos High School
Los Alamitos' Blake Johnson starts the season at No. 1 in the OCVarsity rankings of the top kickers and punters in the county. He is committed to Arkansas. He pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line on 15 occasions last season.

By Dan Albano | dalbano@scng.com | Orange County Register

August 27, 2014 at 3:10 a.m.

LOS ALAMITOS GRIFFINS

Coach: John Barnes (36th year, 308-94-6)

Last season: 9-3 overall, 3-2 league

Scouting report: The Griffins might have their most talent in four or five years, Coach John Barnes said. Los Alamitos last won the league outright in 2010. The Griffins’ schedule is demanding with San Diego contender Eastlake of Chula Vista and L.A. City section power Narbonne looming in nonleague. Los Alamitos’ offense should be improved thanks to a collection of running backs and four returning starters on the line. Two-way standouts Matt Locher, Schuyler Whitehead, Denzal Brantley and Darian Cornay will share carries, while Tesoro transfer Jack Telenko solidifies the quarterback spot. The defense looks strong at tackle, linebacker and safety. Brantley will split between safety and linebacker, but when he’s at linebacker with Locher and Blake Johnson, the Griffins’ might have the best trio in the league. If Los Alamitos stays healthy, which has been a challenge the past two seasons, it could contend for the league title.

Players to watch: Denzal Brantley, Sr.; Blake Johnson, Sr.; Matt Locher, Sr.; Schuyler Whitehead, Jr.; Joe Wysocki, Sr.

PROJECTED LINEUP

Offense

QB: Jack Telenko, Jr.

RB: Schuyler Whitehead, Jr., Denzal Brantley, Sr.

RB: Matt Locher, Sr., Darian Cornay, Jr.

FB: Zach Iknadosian, Sr.

WR: Jacob Gasser, Jr.

WR: Connor Iris, Sr.

WR: Joe Wysocki, Sr.

LT: Emil Graves, Sr.

LG: Jacob Keller, Jr., Andres Barrera, Sr.