From Off-Season Grind to Playoff Glory: How Dion Myers Jr. & St. Anthony’s Seized Their Moment

The #1 Seed Saints Host El Monte Friday Night – And It All Came Down to One Impossible Throw

By D. Allen | November 6, 2025

The Moment Everything Changed

Dion Myers Jr.

Picture this: Overtime. Season on the line. One play separates St. Anthony’s from the playoffs or going home empty-handed.

Jai’r Condley hands off to Majesty Aupiu, who races toward the line of scrimmage. Defenders converge. Then—in a moment of pure creativity and trust—Aupiu doesn’t run. He launches a jump pass into the end zone.

Waiting there, making the catch that would define St. Anthony’s entire season?

Dion Myers Jr.

13-10. Overtime victory over Harvard-Westlake. Season saved. Playoffs secured.

But here’s what makes this moment so much bigger than just one play: This is exactly what Myers prepared for all off-season long.

Remember that article we published back in October? The one where Myers talked about training twice a day like a college athlete while still in high school? About sacrificing his summer to prepare for moments exactly like this?

This was that moment.

And boy, did he deliver.

The #1 Seed: St. Anthony’s Playoff Dominance Begins Friday

GAME ALERT: This Friday night, the St. Anthony’s Saints (3-7) host El Monte in the opening round of the CIF Division 11 playoffs as the #1 seed in their bracket.

Let that sink in. The #1 seed.

After battling through one of the most brutal schedules in Southern California—a gauntlet that included powerhouse programs designed to test their resolve—the Saints not only survived, they thrived when it mattered most. They secured the third automatic playoff spot out of the Del Rey League and earned top seeding in their division.

This isn’t luck. This is leadership. This is coaching. This is preparation meeting opportunity.

And under Head Coach Jeff Magdaleno, St. Anthony’s has now made the playoffs two consecutive years, proving this program is building something special in Long Beach.

The Evolution of a Star: Dion Myers Jr.’s Breakout Junior Season

Back in early October, we sat down with Dion Myers Jr. and asked him how he separated himself from other athletes during the off-season. His answer?

“I tried my hardest to prepare myself like a collegiate athlete because that’s what I aspire to be. I worked out twice a day while focusing on my studies.”

At the time, it was impressive. A junior with that level of dedication? Rare.

But now? After watching his growth throughout this entire season? It’s downright prophetic.

Here’s what that off-season preparation produced:

Offensive Impact:

  • 26 catches for 270 yards and 1 touchdown
  • Elite route-running and reliable hands when the Saints needed a play

Defensive Dominance:

  • 51 tackles (leading the defense)
  • 8 pass breakups (shutting down opposing receivers)
  • 1 tackle for loss
  • 2 forced fumbles
  • 1 fumble recovery

Let’s be clear: Dion Myers Jr. isn’t just a two-way player. He’s an elite two-way player who impacts winning on both sides of the ball at a level most high school athletes never reach.

When his team needed him on offense? He showed up.

When they needed a defensive stop? He delivered.

And when they needed the play of the season in overtime against Harvard-Westlake to save their playoff hopes?

He caught the game-winner.

This Is What Sacrifice Looks Like

In our October interview, Myers told us:

“I sacrificed to make sure that my goal was at the forefront of my day while trying to maintain a balance of family, football and life.”

That sacrifice just paid the biggest dividend of his young career.

While other athletes took summers off, Myers was grinding through two-a-days.

While others focused on one side of the ball, Myers became elite on both offense and defense.

While others talked about being ready for big moments, Myers trained specifically for them.

And when that moment came—overtime, season on the line, jump pass into the end zone—he was ready.

Because he prepared to be ready.

This is the power of off-season work. This is what happens when a junior trains like a college athlete. This is what separates good players from great ones.

The Ultimate Team Player

Here’s what college recruiters need to understand about Dion Myers Jr.:

He will do ANYTHING for his team.

Need him to play safety? Done.

Need him to play receiver? Done.

Need him to make blocks? He’s got several this season.

Need him to be a leader? His teammates count on his dependability “in times of doubt” both on and off the field.

Need him to make the biggest catch of the season in overtime? Done.

In an era where many high school athletes focus solely on personal stats and highlights, Myers represents something increasingly rare: a selfless, versatile, complete player who prioritizes winning above everything else.

That’s not just valuable for high school success. That’s the foundation of championship programs at the collegiate level.

Coach Magdaleno’s Program: Built Different

Let’s give credit where it’s due: Head Coach Jeff Magdaleno is building something special at St. Anthony’s.

Two consecutive playoff appearances. A culture that produces players like Dion Myers Jr. A schedule that doesn’t shy away from elite competition. A team that fights, bonds, and accomplishes goals together.

Watch Dion Myers play, and you see Coach Magdaleno’s leadership bleeding through every snap. The discipline. The preparation. The refusal to quit. The belief that every player can be something more than they thought possible.

This isn’t just about one player’s success. This is about a program that develops players the right way.

And for college recruiters evaluating Southern California programs, St. Anthony’s under Coach Magdaleno should be a priority stop every season.

🚨 RECRUITING ALERT: He’s STILL Only a Junior 🚨

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room for college recruiters:

DION MYERS JR. IS STILL A JUNIOR.

That dramatic overtime catch? Junior year.

Those 51 tackles and 8 pass breakups? Junior year.

That elite two-way production? Junior year.

That Kyle Hamilton-style versatility we wrote about in October? Junior year.

Which means you have an ENTIRE SENIOR SEASON to watch this kid develop even further.

Based on his current trajectory, work ethic, and production, the ceiling for Dion Myers Jr. is limitless. And the programs that recognize this now—that start building relationships during this playoff run—will be the ones celebrating conference championships with him in 2-3 years.

Why Recruiters Can’t Sleep on This Prospect:

✅ Elite Two-Way Production – Impacts winning on offense and defense
✅ Clutch Gene – Makes plays when everything is on the line
✅ Versatility – Can play multiple positions like his role model Kyle Hamilton
✅ 3.4 GPA – Student-athlete who will qualify and stay eligible
✅ Trains Like a College Athlete – Already preparing at the next level
✅ Ultimate Team Player – Will sacrifice personal stats for wins
✅ Battle-Tested – Survived brutal schedule and delivered in playoffs
✅ Still a Junior – Another full year to develop before signing day

BOTTOM LINE: If you’re a college coach and you’re not actively recruiting Dion Myers Jr. right now, you’re making a mistake. This is a program-changing prospect who just proved everything we wrote about him in October was accurate.

From Preparation to Playoffs: A Season of Growth

Dion Myers Jr

It’s been a privilege to watch Dion Myers Jr.’s growth this season.

We interviewed him at the beginning of the year when he was talking about off-season preparation and collegiate aspirations.

We watched him evolve into one of the most complete players in Southern California.

We saw him make the play of the season to send his team to the playoffs.

And now we get to watch him and the Saints make a playoff run as the #1 seed in Division 11.

This is why we cover high school sports.

This is why we tell these stories.

Because moments like Dion catching that overtime touchdown aren’t just about football—they’re about preparation, sacrifice, family, growth, and seizing the moment when everything is on the line.

Looking Ahead: Playoff Run & Future Stardom

This Friday night, St. Anthony’s hosts El Monte in what promises to be an electric playoff atmosphere. The Saints earned the #1 seed. They’ve got momentum. They’ve got a coach who knows how to win. And they’ve got players like Dion Myers Jr. who are ready to do whatever it takes.

Beyond this season? We can’t wait to continue following Dion’s journey as he finishes his junior year and enters his senior season. The goal remains clear: earn a D1 scholarship, graduate from college, and potentially reach the NFL.

Based on everything we’ve seen—the work ethic, the production, the clutch performances, the growth—that goal is absolutely within reach.

Final Thoughts: When Preparation Meets Opportunity

In October, Dion Myers Jr. told us he trained like a college athlete all off-season to prepare for moments exactly like the one he experienced in overtime against Harvard-Westlake.

He wasn’t lying.

That dramatic catch wasn’t luck. It was the result of hundreds of hours of preparation. Two-a-day workouts. Film study. Mental conditioning. Physical development. All of it culminated in one perfect moment that sent St. Anthony’s to the playoffs as the #1 seed.

For college recruiters, this is your reminder: The best prospects aren’t just talented. They’re prepared. They’re mentally tough. They’re selfless. And they deliver when everything is on the line.

Dion Myers Jr. checks every single box.

And he’s only a junior.

GAME INFO:

St. Anthony’s Saints (3-7) vs. El Monte
CIF Division 11 Playoffs – Opening Round
Friday Night | St. Anthony’s High School
#1 Seed vs. #16 Seed

The playoff run begins Friday. Don’t miss it.

That’s it for RepMax Media. Stay tuned for playoff coverage and continued updates on Dion Myers Jr.’s journey toward D1 football and beyond.

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