OC All-Star Football nominations feature 17 locals

Corona del Mar High quarterback Brent Lawson, Costa Mesa running back Mario Smith, Newport Harbor all-purpose threat Titus Hasson and Estancia defensive tackle Alipa Peters highlight four of 17 seniors from Newport-Mesa Unified School District schools nominated to play in the Brea Lions Club’s 53rd annual Orange County North-South Prep All-Star Charity Football Game at Orange Coast College on July 6.

The local players, if selected, will be members of the South All-Stars.

Lawson, the Daily Pilot Newport-Mesa Dream Team Player of the Year, helped the Sea Kings (12-2, 4-1 in Pacific Coast League) in December claim the CIF Southern Section Southern Division title, the program’s first section crown in 22 years.

Lawson, who earned the All-CIF Southern Section Southern Division and Pacific Coast League Offensive MVP awards, threw for 2,519 yards and 27 touchdowns, both CdM single-season school records. He completed a school-best 153 passes.

Four CdM teammates, linebacker Aaron White (17 sacks, 98 tackles), the Dream Team Defensive Player of the Year and All-CIF Southern Section Southern Division Defensive MVP, running back Erik Fisher (1,697 yards and 18 touchdowns), a Dream Team and All-CIF pick, wide receiver Josh Giger (56 catches for 946 yards and 10 touchdowns), a Dream Team and All-CIF pick, and cornerback Cole Cottrell (one interception, 41 tackles), a Dream Team and All-CIF pick, are also nominated.

Smith, a Dream Team and All-CIF selection, who’s bound for Southwestern Oklahoma State University, rushed for 2,155 yards and 28 touchdowns in his only season with the Mustangs (8-3, 4-1 in Orange Coast League).

Smith, the Orange Coast League MVP, set Costa Mesa single-season records for touchdowns in a game with seven and for the season with 30.

Costa Mesa receiver Jordan Walden (44 catches for 708 yards and eight touchdowns), a Dream Team and All-CIF pick, quarterback Nathan Alvis (1,310 yards and 13 touchdowns, two interceptions), receiver Trace Curet (29 catches for 426 yards and four touchdowns) and offensive lineman Charles Mankin received nominations.

Hasson, the Dream Team All-Purpose Player of the Year, led Newport Harbor (5-6, 3-2 in Sunset League) to the CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division playoffs after rushing for 1,023 yards and 11 touchdowns. Hasson, who also played safety, earning the Sunset League Defensive Back of the Year award, averaged 32.3 yards per kickoff return and returned one 90 yards for a touchdown.

Newport Harbor defensive end Steve Michaelsen (46 tackles, eight sacks), who earned Dream Team and All-CIF honors and a share of the Sunset League Defensive Lineman of the Year award, cornerback Kory Cablay (36 tackles, two interceptions), a Dream Team pick, and quarterback Cole Blower (1,212 yards and 14 touchdowns, five interceptions), a Dream Team pick, are also nominated.

Peters, a Dream Team and All-CIF selection, helped Estancia (10-3, 5-0 in Orange Coast League) win back-to-back undefeated Orange Coast League titles for the first time and reach the semifinals of the playoffs for the first time.

Peters, who shared the Orange Coast League Defensive Player of the Year award, finished with 104 tackles, four sacks, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.

Estancia defensive end Andy Ugalde (13 sacks, 105 tackles) and offensive lineman Zach Bateman, both Dream Team picks, received nominations.

The final roster will be released later this month.

— From staff reports