OCVarsity Kickoff ’15 preview: Mission Viejo

Mission Viejo's Zach Aylor, Brock Johnson and Mike Califano, from left, will be among the key players for the Diablos this season.
Mission Viejo's Zach Aylor, Brock Johnson and Mike Califano, from left, get some energy from the Saddleback Valley Pop Warner Junior Peewee Diablos as they prepare for the 2015 season.
Mission Viejo quarterback Brock Johnson is ready for the 2015 season to begin.
Mission Viejo's Zach Aylor, Brock Johnson and Mike Califano, from left, are ready for the 2015 season to begin.
Mission Viejo's Zach Aylor, Brock Johnson and Mike Califano, from left, are three of the key players for the Diablos this season.
Mission Viejo quarterback Brock Johnson is ready for the 2015 season to begin.
Mission Viejo's Zach Aylor, Brock Johnson and Mike Califano, from left, get some energy from the Saddleback Valley Pop Warner Junior Peewee Diablos as they prepare for the 2015 season.
Mission Viejo offensive lineman Zach Aylor is ready for the 2015 season.
Mission Viejo safety Mike Califano is ready for the 2015 season.
Mission Viejo's Zach Aylor, Brock Johnson and Mike Califano are ready for the 2015 season.
Mission Viejo quarterback Brock Johnson is ready for the 2015 season to begin.

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By Steve Fryer | sfryer@scng.com | Orange County Register

August 25, 2015 at 5:15 p.m.

OCVarsity preview for the 2015 season:

MISSION VIEJO DIABLOS

Coach: Bob Johnson

Last season: 12-2 overall, 4-0 league

Scouting report: The Diablos have a good nucleus of players back from last year’s West Valley Division championship team. It starts with senior quarterback Brock Johnson. He was All-CIF last year and should be even better this year. Coach Bob Johnson, Brock’s grandfather, likes the team’s group of receivers. The offensive line returns only one starter, but he’s a good one – senior tackle Zack Aylor (6-4, 300) who was All-CIF in 2014. On defense, Mission Viejo brings back four starters. “That group really runs hard to the football,” Johnson said. “No jump-at-you stars there, but it’s an athletic group.” Transfers improved Mission Viejo. Among them are sophomore linebacker Christian LaValle, who last year was the best player on the freshman team at Orange Lutheran, according to Lutheran coach Chuck Petersen. Also hopping on board are two brothers, Brenden (defensive back) and Colin Schooler (linebacker). Both were All-CIF at Trabuco Hills last season.

Bottom line: The Diablos have won 29 South Coast League games in a row and should be good enough to go undefeated in league again – and perhaps win another CIF championship.

Players to watch: Zach Aylor, OL, Sr.; Mike Califano, DB, Sr.; Neff Haleakala, OL/DL, Sr.; Carter Hartmann, OL/DL, Sr.; Brock Johnson, QB, Sr.; Isaiah Miller, RB, Sr.

Contact the writer: sfryer@ocregister.com