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 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.
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.
Associate mug of Kenny Connolly, Anaheim reporter.

Date shot: 12/31/2012 . Photo by KATE LUCAS /  ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

With the start of the high school season quickly approaching, the Register has put together its lists of the top 10 players in the county at each position.

These lists are based on the observations of the Register’s reporters, the input of football coaches around the county and the amount of interest shown by college scouts.

Here is a look at the top kickers and punters going into the season:

1. Blake Johnson, Los Alamitos, Sr.

Regarded as one of the top punters in the country, Johnson accepted an invitation to play in the U.S. Army All American Bowl and committed to Arkansas during the summer. He is consistent with his hang time and pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line on 15 occasions last season. Johnson is also a starting outside linebacker for the Griffins.

2. Sebastian Valerio, Beckman, Sr.

As the Patriots primary kicker the last two seasons, Valerio connected on 17 of 20 field goal attempts, recording a career-long of 48 yards. In addition to nailing all 18 of his extra point tries as a junior, Valerio regularly booted the ball into opposing end zones on kickoffs, forcing offenses to work with a long field.

3. Charlie Beall, St. Margaret’s, Sr.

The Tartans’ offensive efficiency (38 points per game in 2013) ultimately meant few field goal opportunities for Beall. He was automatic, however, on extra points and boomed kickoffs into the end zone with relative ease. His longest field goal last season was a 45-yarder in the quarterfinals of the playoffs.

4. Jason Neiger, Corona del Mar, Jr.

One thing that separates the exceptional kickers from the average ones is the ability to come through in the clutch. Neiger showed that ability last season as he booted two field goals in the second half of Corona del Mar’s victory in the CIF Division III State Championship game. They were the only points scored in the second half. Neiger finished the season 7 for 8 on field goal attempts, and converted 35 of 37 PATs.

5. Justin Matlin, Tesoro, Sr.

His 30-yard field goal in overtime last season gave the Titans a 24-21 victory over Chaparral of Temecula. On the season, Matlin connected on 4 of 6 field goal attempts, and also made 48 of 52 extra points. He’ll be reliable for Tesoro again this season.

6. Michael Schultz, Newport Harbor, Sr.

This will be Schultz’s third season as the Sailors’ starting kicker and punter. As a junior, he put together some quality games, including a two-field goal showing against San Clemente and a three-field goal outing against Edison. He finished the playoffs by making 15 PATs in a row. That streak proved to be especially important in a 49-48 win over La Habra.

7. Elias Deeb, Mater Dei, Jr.

Southern California kicking gurus Brad Bohn and Chris Sailer agree that Deeb could be something special. Sailer listed the junior as one of the legs to watch out for in the class of 2016, while Bohn saw Deeb finish second in the West Coast Kicking Academy Head to Head competition this past summer.

8. Sam Loy, San Clemente, Jr.

Loy steps in to replace Blake Gonzalez, who was one of the county’s finest kickers a season ago. The Tritons junior should fill in nicely this season with a natural kicking stroke that allows him to excel at both field goal kicking and punting.

9. Ethan Worden, JSerra, Jr.

Won the most recent installment of the West Coast Kicking Academy’s Rising Stars Championship. As Bohn put it, “when healthy, he has the tools and leg strength to be one of the county’s best.”

10. Porfirio Hernandez, Laguna Hills, Sr.

The Hawks kicker is the county’s returning leader in field goals made (10). On a team that struggled putting the ball into the end zone (15 points per game in 2013), Hernandez proved to be Laguna Hills’ most reliable source of offense, nailing 10 of 11 field goal attempts.

Others to watch: (listed in alphabetical order): Blake Cuzzupoli, Trabuco Hills, Sr.; Jerry Fitschen, Orange Lutheran, Jr.; Adam Gordon, Capistrano Valley, Sr.; Michael Lugo, Mater Dei, Sr.; Malik Miller, Huntington Beach, Sr.; Chase Walmsley, Northwood, Sr.

RELATED:
OCVarsity rankings: Top quarterbacks

OCVarsity rankings: Top running backs

OCVarsity rankings: Top receivers/tight ends

OCVarsity rankings: Top offensive linemen

OCVarsity rankings: Top defensive linemen

OCVarsity rankings: Top defensive backs

Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com