The Times’ football lineman of the year: Braiden McKenna of Los Alamitos
From the first drive to the last, Braiden McKenna was the true leader of the Los Alamitos offense live. It was his job to help a young group in its first season start to develop with each game.
McKenna led the way, playing center and helping guide a line that consistently opened lanes for running backs Lenny Ibarra and Kamden Tillis, who both reached 1,000 rushing yards during a 12-3 season. It was a key part of the Griffins winning the Southern Section Division 2 championship, their first title since 2002.
The 6-foot-2, 290-pound senior was selected lineman of the year by the Times.
He was a three-year starter and was asked to make calls from the start with his intelligence, vision and instincts.
Coach Ray Fenton said he earned a 93 percent grade thanks to a coaching staff that maintains high expectations for its blockers.
“He physically dominated the line of scrimmage,” Fenton said.
There was an opponent who said about McKenna: “You are incredibly strong. »
