Mario Luna “Torta Power” Freshman Highlights: Varsity Starter vs 5-Star Ohio State Signee and Division I Recruits

My freshman year at Orange Lutheran was my first season playing varsity high school football, and it did not take long for me to understand what that meant.

I was a ninth grader lining up against juniors and seniors who were older, stronger and had more varsity experience. Some of them were already being recruited by Division I programs. Others would become nationally ranked recruits after we played them.

I’m Mario Luna, better known as “Torta Power,” #78, Class of 2029 offensive lineman at Orange Lutheran High School. During the 2025 season, I earned a starting role on varsity primarily at offensive guard while also developing at center.

Starting varsity as a freshman meant I could not use my age as an excuse. Once the ball was snapped, I had an assignment just like everybody else.

That is one of the main reasons I keep my freshman film online.

It shows where my high school career started and the level of varsity competition I was learning against from the beginning.

Mario Luna Freshman Varsity Highlights at Orange Lutheran

This film comes from my 2025 freshman varsity season at Orange Lutheran.

The highlights show my early development at offensive guard and center, including run blocking, pass protection, leverage, hand placement, footwork, contact balance, sustaining blocks and finishing.

Watch more of my football film on the Mario Luna Football YouTube channel.

You can also watch my freshman recruiting film on Hudl.

Starting Varsity as a Freshman Offensive Lineman

Making the varsity roster and earning a starting role are two different things.

As a freshman offensive lineman, my coaches had to trust me to know the offense, understand my assignment, communicate with the players next to me and execute against varsity defensive fronts.

On the offensive line, one mistake can affect the entire play.

If I miss a protection, the quarterback can get hit. If I take the wrong angle in the run game, the running back may lose the lane he is expecting. If I stop my feet after contact, a defender can work back into the play.

I had to learn all of that while competing against players who might have been two or three years older than me.

That experience forced me to grow up quickly as an offensive lineman.

Verified 2025 Freshman Matchups From My Varsity Film

The following players are defenders identified from specific jersey numbers and direct blocking reps in my 2025 freshman varsity film.

Freshman Matchup Against 5-Star Ohio State Signee Khary Wilder

One of the biggest matchups we identified from my entire freshman film came against Khary Wilder of Junipero Serra.

Wilder developed into a 5-star Rivals prospect and Ohio State signee.

His final Rivals profile gave him a 98 rating and ranked him No. 22 nationally and No. 6 at his position.

Ohio State's official profile also lists him as a top 50 national recruit, the No. 1 defensive lineman in the Rivals300 and the No. 2 defensive lineman according to On3.

He also earned Defensive MVP honors at the Rivals Five-Star Challenge.

That is significant context for my freshman film.

I was a freshman offensive lineman taking a varsity rep against a player who would eventually finish his recruitment as a 5-star prospect and sign with Ohio State.

That does not mean the star rating automatically determines what happened on the rep. It tells coaches the level of athlete on the other side of the line.

For me, those are the reps I want to study.

Did I stay square?

Did I keep my base underneath me?

Were my hands inside?

Did I stay attached after contact?

Could I recover if the defender tried to separate?

Those are the details that matter when evaluating offensive line film.

View Khary Wilder’s Rivals recruiting profile

View Khary Wilder’s official Ohio State profile

Why the Khary Wilder Rep Matters in My Freshman Film

When people hear “freshman varsity starter,” that gives some context.

But film gives more.

A direct rep against a player who became a 5-star Ohio State recruit allows a coach to evaluate how a freshman offensive lineman responds to high-end length, athleticism, movement and pass rush ability.

It also shows why I keep my freshman film available even though I know I have improved since then.

I want coaches to see where I started.

I was not waiting until junior or senior year to see varsity competition.

I was getting those reps in ninth grade.

Basha Matchup Against Kansas State Commit Anitoni Tahi

Basha gave me a completely different challenge.

Anitoni Tahi #91 is a Class of 2027 defensive lineman listed around 6'2" and 315 pounds.

He later committed to Kansas State.

His current Rivals profile gives him an 87 rating, while 247 lists an 84 rating. His recruiting profile also includes offers from programs such as Arizona State, Illinois, Iowa State, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Washington State and others.

Against a defensive lineman over 300 pounds, the rep becomes a different type of test.

Pad level matters.

Leverage matters.

A wide, balanced base matters.

If I let a bigger defensive lineman get underneath me, I am going backward.

Those reps helped me understand why offensive line technique matters just as much as strength.

View Anitoni Tahi’s Rivals recruiting profile

Mater Dei Matchup Against UCLA Commit Montana Toilolo

Against Mater Dei, one of the players identified from my freshman film was Montana Toilolo #50.

Toilolo is a Class of 2027 defensive lineman who developed into a major Division I recruit and committed to UCLA.

His recruiting profile has included offers from programs across the Power Four level.

Mater Dei listed him as a large defensive front player, which created another power matchup for me inside.

That kind of rep tests whether I can maintain my base and leverage instead of trying to overpower somebody with poor technique.

View Montana Toilolo’s Rivals recruiting profile

Basha Matchup Against 3-Star Nevada Commit Caleb Jordan

Another defender we identified from the Basha game was Caleb Jordan #35.

Jordan is a Class of 2027 EDGE listed around 6'3" and 220 pounds who later committed to Nevada.

Basha currently lists offers for Jordan from programs including Air Force, Colorado State, Harvard, Iowa State, Kansas State, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, UNLV, Washington State and Yale.

He developed into a three-star level prospect during his recruitment.

An edge defender creates a different challenge from a 300-pound interior defensive lineman.

Movement becomes more important.

I have to take the proper angle, maintain leverage and avoid lunging when the defender changes direction.

View Nevada’s 2027 recruiting information

Sierra Canyon Matchup Against Senior LB Patrick Hill

Not every meaningful varsity rep needs a star rating.

Against Sierra Canyon, we identified Patrick Hill #36.

Hill was a Class of 2026 senior linebacker and running back listed around 5'11" and 197 pounds.

For me, the important part was working from the offensive line to a moving linebacker.

That requires different movement than blocking a defensive tackle.

I have to take the correct angle, get to the second level under control and adjust to a defender who is moving instead of waiting for me.

View Patrick Hill’s MaxPreps profile

Sierra Canyon Defensive Lineman Chris Smith

We also identified Chris Smith #35 from Sierra Canyon.

Smith was a Class of 2026 senior listed at approximately 6'3" and 230 pounds and played defensive line and offensive line.

I have not verified a major Rivals, 247 or ESPN star rating for Smith, so I would rather leave the rating off than make the matchup sound bigger than it was.

What is verified is that I was a freshman offensive lineman getting varsity reps against another senior defensive lineman.

View Chris Smith’s MaxPreps profile

Servite Matchup Against Senior DE Dalu Akpamgbo

Against Servite, one of the defenders identified from my freshman film was Dalu Akpamgbo #26.

Servite's 2025 roster listed Akpamgbo as a 6'2", 210-pound senior defensive end and outside linebacker.

Again, I have not verified a major national star rating for him, so I am not adding one.

The part that matters to my freshman film is the age and varsity experience difference.

I was a freshman lining up against a senior edge defender.

View Servite’s 2025 varsity roster

Santa Margarita Matchups

Two additional players identified from my freshman film came against Santa Margarita.

Hunter McKinney #23 was a Class of 2027 defensive player. We have not verified a major Rivals, 247 or ESPN star rating for him, so I am leaving that information off rather than guessing.

Warren Klatt #32 was another Class of 2027 linebacker.

Santa Margarita lists Klatt at approximately 6'0" and 185 pounds, while MaxPreps has also listed him around 198 pounds.

View Warren Klatt’s Santa Margarita recruiting profile

Four Major Recruiting Names From My Freshman Film

When I go back through the players we have identified, four names stand out because of where their recruiting eventually went.

Khary Wilder: 5-star Rivals prospect and Ohio State signee.

Anitoni Tahi: Kansas State commit and 315-pound defensive lineman with multiple Power Four offers.

Montana Toilolo: UCLA commit with a major Division I offer list.

Caleb Jordan: 3-star level EDGE and Nevada commit.

That gives my freshman film useful context.

I was not just playing freshman football.

I was starting varsity and taking direct blocking reps against players who would develop into high-level college recruits.

Different Defenders Tested Different Parts of My Game

The biggest thing I learned is that every defender creates a different problem.

A player like Anitoni Tahi brings more than 300 pounds of size inside.

A player like Khary Wilder brings length and athleticism.

A player like Caleb Jordan creates more movement off the edge.

A linebacker like Patrick Hill requires me to move to the second level and make contact in space.

I could not block all of them the exact same way.

The fundamentals stay the same: base, leverage, hands, balance and active feet.

But how those fundamentals are applied changes with the matchup.

What I Learned Playing Guard as a Freshman

Most of my varsity starting experience during freshman year came at offensive guard.

Inside, everything happens immediately.

Your first step matters.

Your second step matters.

Your hands have to arrive on time.

You have to stay balanced enough to react if the defender counters.

And once contact happens, you cannot stop your feet.

Facing varsity defensive linemen every week accelerated that learning process for me.

Developing at Center

I also developed at center during my freshman season.

Center adds another level of responsibility because the play begins with you.

I had to continue learning communication, defensive fronts and how the offensive line works together while still being ready to block immediately after the snap.

That experience helped me understand the offensive line as a unit instead of only thinking about the defender in front of me.

What College Coaches Can Evaluate From My Freshman Film

When I watch these highlights now, I do not expect every rep to look perfect.

I was a freshman playing varsity football.

What I want coaches to evaluate is the foundation.

Watch my movement.

Watch my base.

Watch whether my hands stay inside.

Watch my leverage against bigger defensive linemen.

Watch whether I stay attached after contact.

Watch how I react when a defender counters.

Watch me work to linebackers in space.

Watch whether I keep competing through the rep.

Then remember that these were ninth-grade varsity reps.

Freshman Varsity Football in the Trinity League

Playing varsity football as a freshman at Orange Lutheran also meant learning what it took to prepare every week for a Southern California varsity schedule and the Trinity League.

I could not wait until junior or senior year to experience varsity size and varsity speed.

I was learning it immediately.

That experience is one of the biggest things I took from my freshman year.

Orange Lutheran's Playoff Win Over St. John Bosco

One of the biggest moments from my freshman season came when Orange Lutheran defeated St. John Bosco in the playoffs.

That season also became part of the story of my journey from Baja California to Orange Lutheran.

Read more about my freshman season and Orange Lutheran’s playoff win over St. John Bosco .

Trinity League Scholar Athlete

Football was only part of my freshman year.

I also earned recognition as a Trinity League Scholar Athlete.

That meant learning how to balance varsity football, practice, film, lifting, recovery, travel and academics.

For me, being a student athlete means both sides matter.

From Baja California to Starting Varsity at Orange Lutheran

Starting varsity as a freshman meant even more because my football journey did not begin at Orange Lutheran.

My roots are in Baja California, Mexico.

I played football in Mexico before getting opportunities to compete in the United States, and eventually that journey brought me to Orange Lutheran.

Read my journey from Mexico to Orange Lutheran High School .

Representing Baja California Before High School

Before entering high school, I also had the opportunity to represent Baja California at the U17 level.

Competing against older players before high school helped prepare me mentally for what I would eventually face as a freshman varsity lineman.

Read about my Baja California U17 football experience .

My Early College Football Recruiting Journey

I was fortunate to receive college interest before entering high school.

My first Division I offer came from Sacramento State.

Read about my first Division I offer from Sacramento State .

Georgia State became another early opportunity.

Read about my Georgia State football offer .

Texas State followed.

Read about my Texas State football offer .

I am grateful for every coach who saw potential in me early.

Freshman year was where I started putting varsity film behind that potential.

Why I Keep My Freshman Film Online

I could remove old film and only show newer highlights.

I do not want to do that.

The freshman film is part of my recruiting story.

It shows a Class of 2029 offensive lineman earning a varsity starting opportunity and immediately facing older players.

It also includes direct reps against defenders who eventually developed into players like 5-star Ohio State signee Khary Wilder, Kansas State commit Anitoni Tahi, UCLA commit Montana Toilolo and Nevada commit Caleb Jordan.

That creates a starting point coaches can use when evaluating my development.

What Does Torta Power Mean?

If you found this article searching for Mario Luna football, Torta Power, Orange Lutheran offensive lineman, Class of 2029 OL, freshman varsity offensive lineman or Khary Wilder matchup, the nickname connects football with my Mexican roots.

Offensive linemen call it a pancake when they put a defender on the ground.

For me, it is a torta.

Read the full story behind Torta Power .

Freshman Year Was the Foundation

When I look back at the 2025 season, I do not see a finished offensive lineman.

I see where I started.

I was a freshman earning varsity starts, learning guard and center and getting direct reps against older players.

Some of those players would eventually become nationally ranked recruits.

One of them became a 5-star Ohio State signee.

Others committed to Kansas State, UCLA and Nevada.

That does not make every rep perfect.

It gives the film context.

Freshman year taught me that I could compete at the varsity level.

It also taught me how much work was still ahead.

Better feet.

Better hands.

Better leverage.

Better balance.

Better communication.

Better understanding of the game.

The goal is to keep developing and let the film show it.

Puro Torta Power. 🇲🇽🏈