Ventura County, get hyped! The 2026 high school football season officially kicks off on Thursday, August 20, with Buena squaring off against Castaic at Valencia High. But hold up, before that opening whistle blows, The Star unveiled its annual preseason Top 65 players. The kicker? The top two spots are locked down by Pacifica. That’s right, we’re talking about pure dominance right out of the gate.
Pacifica’s Unstoppable One-Two Punch Returns
Coming in at number one is Isaiah Phelps, Pacifica’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year. This dude led the *entire state* in tackles with 232 as a junior! He’s committed to San Diego State and was the driving force behind the Tritons snagging Marmonte League, CIF-Southern Section Division 3, and CIF-State Division 1A regional titles. Don’t forget, he’s also a powerful running back. They ended up losing the CIF-State Division 1-A championship bowl 42-28, so you know Phelps is coming back with a chip on his shoulder.
Right behind him, at number two, is his teammate and quarterback, Taylor Lee. This 6-foot-2, 189-pound passer committed to Portland State in June and absolutely shattered Ventura County records as a junior, throwing for 53 touchdowns in a single season and even 8 in one game! After that tough state title loss, you can bet Lee is ready to light up the scoreboard again and show everyone what Pacifica football is really about.
The Rest of Ventura County’s Incoming Talent Is Stacked
The talent pool runs deep beyond Pacifica. Oaks Christian’s Alifeleti Tuihalamaka, a 6-foot-4, 260-pound defensive lineman, is heading to USC. He racked up a team-high eight sacks and 13.5 tackles for a loss as a junior, helping Oaks Christian win 16-13 in a first-round game. Talk about a disruptive force!
Then there’s Westlake’s dynamic receiving duo. Charles Davis, a 6-foot-5, four-star recruit, caught 11 touchdowns on just 30 passes as a junior. He committed to UC Berkeley, joining his brother, Niles. Imagine him lining up opposite Demare Dezeurn, another Cal commit, who put up 1,372 receiving yards and 27 total touchdowns last year at Palisades High. That’s just unfair for opposing defenses! St. Bonaventure’s Caleb Pasina, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound lineman, is another absolute beast, with 15-plus offers from major programs like UCLA and Texas A&M. He’s one of the most physical linemen in the county. And let’s not forget St. Bonaventure’s electric three-phase playmaker, Tony Dargan. As a freshman, he put up 1,142 all-purpose yards, 10 touchdowns, and two interceptions, plus set the county freshman record in the 100 meters. Offers from Oregon and UCLA? This kid is special. Calabasas’ Kingston Celifie, a 6-foot sprinter with 111 receptions, 1,584 yards, and 19 touchdowns, will also be making some noise.
The season officially kicks off on Thursday, August 20, and St. Bonaventure opens their home schedule against Paraclete on Friday, August 21. With so much incredible talent across the board, Ventura County football is about to explode. You definitely don’t want to miss what these athletes do next!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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