The Foothill League is a seven-team league that includes Canyon, Castaic, Golden Valley, Hart, Saugus, West Ranch, and Valencia.
Canyon
Top players: Semaj Richardson, RB, Sr.; Keyshawn Wooten, RB, Sr.
Canyon will be trying to turn things around after a tough season in which they finished 3-7 overall and 1-5 in Foothill League play. The Cowboys have used a run-heavy attack in the past and they figure to use it again with the running back tandem of Semaj Richardson and Keyshawn Wooten. Richardson ran for just over five yards per carry last season and rushed for a total of 585 yards and three touchdowns on the year. For his part, Wooten ran for 259 yards and two scores. Senior Carson Soria will take the helm at quarterback in 2025 after primarily playing tight end on varsity last season. Head coach Ken Holsenbeck said of Soria that “he’s worked hard to own that position as a dual threat player, both pass and run,” so it will be intriguing to see how he’s utilized in the Cowboys’ offense.
Castaic
Top players: Aidan Mojica, QB, Jr.; Grayson Gonzales, DB, Sr.
Castaic finished fourth in the Foothill League last season and just missed out on a CIF-SS playoff berth with a 4-6 record and 2-4 mark in league. That was an impressive finish, though for a program that competed in just its third season of varsity football in 2024. With that said, things could be much harder for the Coyotes in 2025, due to both the overall strength of the Foothill League and team depth issues that head coach Sirr Guy Shakir acknowledged.
He praised his group of players that will take the field this season, giving them the nickname “The Dirty 30” due to their toughness, but it’s largely a new group that will represent Castaic High School.
That group includes junior quarterback Aidan Mojica, who will be playing his first season at quarterback after playing tight end and defensive end in the past. Senior Grayson Gonzales is a talented defensive back, according to Shakir, and he will have an opportunity to prove that on the field this season after playing sparingly last year.
Golden Valley
Top players: Ace Frias, WR/OLB/DB, Sr.; Evan Nye, OL/DL, Sr.
Golden Valley performed well in 2024, finishing with an 8-2 regular season record and 4-2 in Foothill play, good for a third-place finish in league and a berth in the CIF-SS Division 7 playoffs. They fell to Warren in the second round of the postseason, but it was a great finish for a program that has been inconsistent over the years.
The Grizzlies will be looking to replicate their success of last season, and they are primed to do that with an experienced group. Golden Valley will have 24 seniors this season, something that head coach Dan Kelley said will make a big impact.
Two of those seniors are the notably versatile Ace Frias and OL/DL Evan Nye. Frias played all over the field for Golden Valley last season, mainly at safety and outside linebacker but also at receiver. Frias had three interceptions in a win over Castaic last year, and he should get more playing time at receiver, per Kelley.
Nye could be one of the more intriguing players in the Foothill League. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound lineman has been a solid run stopper for Golden Valley and an impactful offensive lineman, and they’ll need the 2nd team All-Foothill League player to again play a big role for them. Overall, the Grizzlies could be a team to keep an eye on this year.
Hart
Top players: Jacob Paisano, QB, Sr.; Matix Frithsmith, WR, Jr.
Hart is one of the most dangerous teams in the Foothill League. They finished with an 8-2 regular season record and were second place in league play with a 5-1 mark. However, their season ended abruptly with a first-round upset loss to Rancho Verde in the CIF-SS Division 6 playoffs.
One major factor Hart has going in their favor is continuity. Head coach Jake Goossen-Brown is heading into his second season in charge, and he’ll be led by some notable returners.
Senior quarterback Jacob Paisano is one of those, and he’s coming off an efficient season. Paisano threw for 2,222 yards in nine regular-season games and threw 22 touchdowns with just seven interceptions.
Frithsmith made a name for himself in 2024, proving to be one of the most versatile players in the Foothill League both in the running game and as a receiver.
The junior hauled in 36 receptions for 501 yards and two touchdowns last year, and he’ll get most of his playing time at receiver this season. Additionally, both Paisano and Frithsmith were named 2nd team All-Foothill League.
When looking at the Hawks, they’re an excellent, well-rounded team and should be one of the top contenders in the league.
Saugus
Top players: Jake Nuttall, QB, Sr.; Landon Lattimore, WR/DB, Jr.
Saugus is looking to take a step forward after a difficult 2024 season that saw them finish 2-8 overall and 1-5 in league play, but they do have some returners who can make an impact.
Senior QB Jake Nuttall heads into his final high school season after throwing for 2,287 yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and he’ll be key for Saugus to move up the Foothill League ranks.
11 of Nuttall’s touchdowns went into the hands of now-junior Landon Lattimore, who will try to build off of a breakout sophomore campaign. Lattimore was one of the most underrated receivers in the league last season, and he hauled in 57 receptions for 1,046 yards on his way to 2nd team All-Foothill League honors.
It could be tough for the team this season, but they’ll surely have some fireworks along the way.
West Ranch
Top Players: Aidan Lynch, RB, Sr.; Max Piccolino, DE, Sr.
West Ranch is coming off a down year last season, as they missed the playoffs with a 4-6 overall record and 2-4 league mark. Notably, TJ Yonkers takes over as head coach and he’ll try to make his mark on a program that looks to get back to its usual success.
Aidan Lynch could be a key player for the Wildcats in 2025 as he’ll take over the starting running back spot. He’ll be replacing Luke DePerno, who was one of the best running backs in the Foothill League over his career.
On defense, senior defensive end Max Piccolino is in line to be an impact player for West Ranch after a 44-tackle junior season, and their defense may go a long way toward determining West Ranch’s fate in 2025.
For Yonkers’ part, he’s looking forward to his first season as a head coach after previously being an assistant for West Ranch and he’s gotten advice from some coaches as well, including his predecessor Chris Varner.
Valencia
Top Players: Brian Bonner, RB, Sr.; Brady Bretthauer, QB, Sr.
Valencia heads into this season looking to repeat after winning the Foothill League in 2025.
After a tough non-league stretch that saw them start the season 0-5, they rattled off six straight wins to win the league and make the playoffs, where they fell to Lakewood in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 5 playoffs.
They’ll have plenty of star power on their roster, most notably running back Brian Bonner and quarterback Brady Bretthauer.
Bonner was named the Foothill League Offensive Player of the Year after he became one of the best running backs in the state.
The senior back, who verbally committed to Washington in July, ran for 1,493 yards and 25 touchdowns last season, and he was the focal point of a potent Vikings offense.
Bretthauer threw for 2,566 yards, 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions on a 68 percent completion percentage, marks that earned him Foothill League Player of the Year honors.
Additionally, two key transfers join the fold in receiver Elias Holloway – who comes from Chaminade – and tight end/defensive end Caleb Larsen – who comes from Mountain View High School in Arizona.
Even though the Vikings’ defense was shaky in that winless non-league start, Valencia should be the favorites to win the Foothill League in 2025.