By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
Following is the 14th in a series previewing the high school football leagues in California. Today is the Southern Division and the Southwest Division of the Southern Section.
SOUTHERN SECTION
SOUTHERN DIVISION
Pacific Coast
Laguna Hills (9-2-1) gained the No. 1 ranking in the preseason polls, thanks in part to the return of all-league running back Reece Ludwig and all-league QB Ryan Wertenberger. Corona Del Mar (7-5), Beckman (6-4) and University (5-5-1) all made the top 10 in the preseason rankings, making the Pacific Coast League the deepest league in the division.
Team to Beat: Laguna Hills
Top MVP Candidate: Reece Ludwig, Laguna Hills
Players to Watch: Reece Ludwig, Laguna Hills, RB, All-League; Ryan Wertenberger, Laguna Hills, QB, All-League; Jake Alleman, Irvine, FB, All-League; D.J. Crumlich, Irvine, DB, All-League; Ethan Weisrock, Irvine, DE, All-League; Harris Aslami, University, QB, All-League; JoJo Galvez, University, DB, All-League; Matthew Cortez, Beckman, S, All-League; Christian Mejia, Beckman, DT, Jr., All-League; Blake Miller, Beckman, CB, All-League; Erik Rask, Corona del Mar, LB, All-League, 109 tackles; Kevin Rask, Corona del Mar, LB, 114 tackles.
Garden Grove
The preseason polls don't think much of the Garden Grove League as it did not have a single team in the preseason top 10 rankings. Rancho Alamitos (6-5) is the favorite with a solid returning defense that includes all-leaguers Omar Madrid at DL and Octavio Flores at LB.
Team to Beat: Rancho Alamitos
Top MVP Candidate: Tyler Madrid, Garden Grove
Players to Watch: Tyler Madrid, Garden Grove, DL, Jr., All-League, league MVP, All-Southern Division; Omar Majid, Rancho Alamitos, DL, All-League; Octavio Flores, Rancho Alamitos, LB, All-League; Greg Gonzalez, Los Amigos, LB, All-League, 90 tackles; Jonathon Motuga, Los Amigos, DB, All-League, 76 tackles; David Laloulu, Garden Grove, OL, All-League; Aaron Nelson, Garden Grove, LB, All-League; Alkeem Flowers, Santiago, DL, Jr, All-League; Gary Lopez, Santiago, DB, All-League, 502 yards receiving; Diep Huynh, Rancho Alamitos, OL, All-League 2nd team; Danny Rujchanarong, Rancho Alamitos, RB, Jr, All-League 2nd team; Jesus Nieto, Rancho Alamitos, DL, All-League 2nd team; Julius Aiono, Rancho Alamitos, LB, All-League 2nd team; Fanua Takataka, Rancho Alamitos, LB, All-League 2nd team; John Au La, Quinta, DL, All-League 2nd team; George Martinez, La Quinta, LB, Jr, All-League 2nd team; Nathan Do, La Quinta, DB, Jr, All-League 2nd team, 75 tackles; Ryan Huff, Garden Grove, WR, All-League 2nd team; A.J. Cummings, Garden Grove, RB, All-League 2nd team; Ryan Russomano, Garden Grove, LB, All-League 2nd team; Loleni Taufetee, Santiago, OL, All-League 2nd team.
Orange Coast
Laguna Beach (5-5) returns running backs Devin Hands and Zach Smith along with linebackers Justin Lendahl and Mitchell Scott. That should be enough for a drastic improvement in 2007.
Team to Beat: Laguna Beach
Top MVP Candidate: Mike Morley, Estancia
Players to Watch: Devin Hands, Laguna Beach, RB, All-League; Zach Smith, Laguna Beach, RB, Jr, All-League; Justin Lendahl, Laguna Beach, LB, All-League; Mitchell Scott, Laguna Beach, LB, All-League; Mike Morley, Estancia, QB, All-League, 1,665 yards passing; Alex Machuca, Estancia, DL, All-League; Conner McKendry, Estancia, DE, All-League; Robbie Gemayel, Costa Mesa, RB, Jr, All-League; Juan Garces, Costa Mesa, OL, Jr, All-League; Brandon Snook, Calvary Chapel, LB, All-League; Dany Panduro, Laguna Beach, 2nd team all-league; John Snedegar, Laguna Beach, Jr, 2nd team all-league; Jason Colloday, Laguna Beach, Jr, 2nd team all-league; Sean Ulrich, Estancia, Jr, 2nd team all-league; Justin Rodriguez, Costa Mesa, WR, Jr, 2nd team all-league; Rene Swank, Calvary Chapel, DL, 2nd team all-league; Cameron McPhie, Calvary Chapel, DL, 2nd team all-league; Jim Martin, Calvary Chapel, RB, Jr, 2nd team all-league; Charley Bowman, Laguna Beach, QB, 1,165 yards passing.
Empire
Kennedy (10-4) will attempt a repeat performance after winning the division title last year. Eli Tekurio (DL) and Ryan See (LB) return to lead the defense. Valencia (7-5) might be the team to beat, however, thanks to the return of league MVP Wes Fletcher, who ran for 2,074 yards last year. Pacifica (8-4) should also be solid with Tyler Ortiz returning at WR along with fellow receivers Nick Mahler and Richie Williams.
Team to Beat: Kennedy
Top MVP Candidate: Wes Fletcher, Valencia
Players to Watch: Wes Fletcher Valencia, Jr., All-League, league MVP, All-Southern Division, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass Hon. Mention; Michael Lien, Valencia, All-Los Angeles Daily News Hon. Mention, 2,074 yards rushing, 152 points; Tyler Ortiz, Pacifica, WR, All-League, All-Southern Division, 897 yards receiving; Raphael Huizar, Pacifica, DB, All-League, All-Southern Division; Jeremy Hensley, Kennedy, OL, All-League, All-Southern Division; Corey Smith, Kennedy, WR, All-League; Eli Tekurio, Kennedy, DL, All-League; Ryan See, Kennedy, :LB, All-League; Zach Johnson, Valencia, DL, All-League; Chase Packard, Cypress, DL, 2nd team all-league; Richie Williams, Pacifica, WR, 2nd team all-league; Nick Mahler, Pacifica, WR, 2nd team all-league; Mason Schmidt, Valencia, RB, 2nd team all-league; Mike Alvarez, Valencia, LB, 2nd team all-league; Steve Salazar, Kennedy, WR, 2nd team all-league; Pasquel Jones, Kennedy, DL, Jr, 2nd team all-league; Moylon Criddle, Katella, WR, 2nd team all-league; Fernando Castorena, Katella, LB, 2nd team all-league; Marc Lopez, Loara, OL, 2nd team all-league; Va Mataia, Loara, DL, 2nd team all-league; Marcus Beckman, Valencia, QB, 1,115 yards passing.
Orange League
Anaheim (12-2) has another solid team this year, which explains the No. 3 preseason ranking. Besides QB Vince Gomez, Anaheim should also be solid on defense with linebackers Chris Camacho and Gilbert Ceballos leading the way. Magnolia has one of the league's best in Rap Dantic, who ran for 1,701 yards last year.
Team to Beat: Anaheim
Top MVP Candidate: Vince Gomez, Anaheim
Players to Watch: Eric Rodriguez, Anaheim, OL, All-League; Chris Camacho, Anaheim, LB, All-League, All-Southern Division, 60 tackles; Gilbert Ceballos, Anaheim, LB, All-League, 79 tackles; Mike Linden, Anaheim, OL, All-League; Edgar Vergara, Century, DB, All-League; Uriel Mora, Century, LB, Jr, All-League; Rap Dantic, Magnolia, RB, All-League, 1,701 yards rushing; Taylor Faoa, Magnolia, DL, Jr, All-League; Marc Thomas, Savanna, RB, All-League; Stephen Jones, Savanna, RB, All-League; Uriah Siliga, Western, LB, All-League; Jose Varela, Anaheim, WR, 2nd team all-league; Vince Gomez, Anaheim, QB, 2nd team all-league, 1,499 yards passing; David Diaz, Anaheim, LB, 2nd team all-league; Eddie Vega, Magnolia, DB, 2nd team all-league; Robert Cruz, Magnolia, RB, Jr, 2nd team all-league; Etisone Fa'atili, Magnolia, OL, 2nd team all-league; Dominique Williams, Savanna, WR, 2nd team all-league; Juan Gonzalez, Santa Ana Valley, RB, 2nd team all-league; Morris Griffin, Western, TE, 2nd team all-league; Allan Dean, Western, DB, 2nd team all-league; Johnny Trujillo, Western, DB, 2nd team all-league.
SOUTHWEST DIVISION
Suburban
Mayfair (10-1) went undefeated in the regular season but lost to West Covina in the first round of the division playoffs. Rueben Willis (LB) and Bradley Henderson (DL) both return to lead the defense. Mayfair starts the season as the No. 2 team in the preseason rankings behind defending champion El Dorado.
Team to Beat: Mayfair
Top MVP Candidate: Donnay Ragland, Artesia
Players to Watch: Donnay Ragland, Artesia, QB, Jr., 1,089 yards passing; Mac Levao, Artesia, LB, 106 tackles; Onochi Nwofor, Artesia, DL, 11 sacks; Marshawn Friloux, Bellflower, RB, 765 yards rushing; Miguel Martinez, Norwalk, RB, 1,110 yards rushing; Moses Alvidrez, Mayfair, OL, All-Southwest Division, Long Beach Dream Team; Rueben Willis, Mayfair, LB, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 2nd team; Chad Prusha, Mayfair, K, Long Beach Dream Team 2nd team; Bradley Henderson, Mayfair, DL, Long Beach Dream Team 2nd team.
San Antonio
West Covina (7-5) pulled off the stunner last year in the first round of the playoffs and hopes to use that momentum to win the league title this year. West Covina returns one of the league's best linebackers in Shaun Rosenthal. South Hills won't be a pushover, especially on defense with Evan Heard (DB) and Chris Bowden (LB) returning.
Team to Beat: West Covina
Top MVP Candidate: Shaun Rosenthal, West Covina
Players to Watch: Thomas Flores, West Covina, K, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomores Hon. Mention, All-San Gabriel Valley; Shaun Rosenthal, West Covina, LB, All-San Gabriel Valley; Kebin Umodo, South Hills, DL, All-Southwest Division, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass Hon. Mention; Evan Heard, South Hills, DB, Jr., Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomores Hon. Mention; Chris Bowden, South Hills, LB, Jr., 106 tackles; Wayne Goss, South Hills, DL, 6 sacks; Dorian Wells, South Hills, WR;
Century
El Dorado (13-1) won the title last year and begins the season in the top spot. The defense should be solid with Trace Wilson (DE) and Scott Galvar (LB) both returning. Canyon (9-2) also ranks high in the preseason polls, placing third. Canyon has the legue's top returning quarterback in Jordan Thomas. Ray Holley of El Modena will contend for MVP honors after running for 1,257 yards last year.
Team to Beat: El Dorado
Top MVP Candidate: Ray Holley, El Modena
Players to Watch: Ray Holley El Modena, RB, All-League, 1,257 yards rushing; Nathan Digheva, El Dorado, All-League 2nd team; Scott Galvar, El Dorado, :LB, All-League 2nd team; John Domen, El Dorado, OL, All-League 2nd team; Trace Wilson, El Dorado, DE, All-League 2nd team; Devin DeLeon, El Dorado, RB, All-League 2nd team; Brian Klein, Villa Park, DB, All-League 2nd team; Sean Kurtz, Canyon, LB, All-League 2nd team, 83 tackles; Christian Daniel, Canyon, WR, All-League 2nd team; Jordan Thomas, Canyon, QB, All-League 2nd team, 1,468 yards passing; John Boyd, Canyon, LB, All-League 2nd team; Ezekiel Young, Brea, DB, All-League 2nd team; Anthony Laurenzi, El Dorado, DE, All-League 2nd team; All-Southwest Division, 16 sacks; Lucas Farrell, El Modena, QB, 1,082 yards passing.
Sea View
Foothill (9-3) has the league's best player, Chad Miller, a two-way star who was the league's defensive MVP and also threw for 1,178 yards. He has some defensive teammates in Jordan Winger and James Song who should excel at linebacker. Trabuco Hills (8-5) is right behind Foothill in the preseason rankings, indicated a close race is expected in the Sea View League.
Team to Beat: Foothill
Top MVP Candidate: Chad Miller, Foothill
Players to Watch: Chad Miller Foothill, Jr., All-League, league defensive MVP, 1,178 yards passing; Jai Morris, El Toro, RB, All-League; Ruurd Amelete, Foothill, DT, All-League, All-Southwest Division, Justin Niuapuai, Huntington Beach, DL, All-League; Jonathan Han, Trabuco Hills, DT, All-League; Vince D'Amato, El Toro, K, Jr, 2nd team all-league; Aaron Grey, El Toro, LB, 2nd team all-league; Sparrel Honaker, El Toro, DL, 2nd team all-league; Tim Raby, El Toro, RB, 2nd team all-league; Michael Camacho, Foothill, RB, 2nd team all-league, 963 yards rushing; James Song, Foothill, LB, Jr, 2nd team all-league; Jordan Winger, Foothill, LB, Jr, 2nd team all-league; Johnny Olive, Huntington Beach, LB, 2nd team all-league; Keith Roberts, Huntington Beach, :LB, 2nd team all-league; Sean Karol, Northwood, DL, 2nd team all-league; Stanton Sharpe, Northwood, DE, 2nd team all-league; Christian Lepore, Trabuco Hills, K, 2nd team all-league, All-Southwest Division; Mickey Miela, Trabuco Hills, DB, Jr, 2nd team all-league; Mike Zupancic, Trabuco Hills, T, 2nd team all-league; Kyle O'Mara, Woodbridge, DE, 2nd team all-league; Sammy Shekarchi, Woodbridge, G, 2nd team all-league.
Miramonte
Charter Oak (10-4) and Los Altos (8-5) are the top two teams in the Miramonte League, ranking No. 4 and 5 in the preseason division rankings. Diamond Ranch (5-7), however, has the league's best player in running back Aubrey Haynes.
Team to Beat: Charter Oak
Top MVP Candidate: Aubrey Haynes, Diamond Ranch
Players to Watch: Mikey Harrell, Charter Oak, WR; Chris Allen, Charter Oak, QB; Ray Rodriguez, Los Altos, WR, All-Southwest Division, All-San Gabriel Valley; Aubrey Haynes, Diamond Ranch, RB, All-Inland Valley 2nd team, All-Southwest Division; Bryce Mahmoud-McBride, RB; Tim Gilmore, Wilson, RB.
Players to Watch derived from all-league and all-area teams from 2006. Some players may have transfered or were misidentified as underclassmen.