By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
This is the 11th in a series of stories previewing high school football in California. Following is a preview of the Inland, Mid-Valley and Northern Divisions of the Southern Section.
SOUTHERN SECTION
INLAND DIVISION
Mountain View
The Mountain View League features two of the top running backs in the Southern Section in Ryan Bass (2,351 yards) of Centennial (11-1) and Joshua Nakamoto (2,386 yards) of Norco (12-2). Nakamoto has a formidable running mate in Joshua Foley (1,166 yards) while Centennial can also depend on QB Matt Scott (1,703 yards). Norco may have the better offensive line with the likes of Kyle Johnson and Brandon Anglin returning. Centennial is ranked No. 1 in the preseason Southern Section Inland Division poll while Norco is No. 2.
Team to Beat: Centennial
Top MVP Candidate: Ryan Bass, Centennial
Players to Watch: Ryan Bass, Corona Centennial, RB, All-League, league MVP, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 1st team, All-Inland Division, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Large Schools 2nd team, 2,351 yards rushing, 236 points; Joshua Nakamoto, Norco, RB, All-League, All-Inland Valley, All-Inland Division, 2,386 yards rushing, 154 points; Matt Scott Centennial, QB, All-League, 1,703 yards passing; Joshua Foley, Norco, RB, All-League, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 2nd team; All-Inland Valley, 1,166 yards rushing, 116 points; Benny Kruse, Corona Santiago, QB, All-League, 1,311 yards passing; Jeff Willie, Corona, WR, All-League; Max Tuloti-Mariner, Corona, OL, All-League, Cal-Hi Sports All-Underclass 1st team, All-Inland Division (injured, out for season); Damion Whittington, Norco, LB, All-League, 116 tackles; Anthony Dye, Santiago, DB, All-League; Dallas Kelley, Norco, DB, All-League; Richie Lopez, Norco, RB, Jr, 2nd team all-league; BJ Iverson, Santiago, RB., 2nd team all-league; Kyle Johnson, Norco, OL., 2nd team all-league, Cal-Hi Sports All-State 3rd team; Ryan Turner, Corona, OL., 2nd team all-league; Edward Fusi, Corona, OL., 2nd team all-league; Jason Koontz, Santiago, OL., 2nd team all-league; Henry Asuega, Corona, DL., 2nd team all-league; Bryce Green, Santiago, DL., 2nd team all-league; John Montez, Corona, LB., 2nd team all-league; Shelly Lyons, Centennial., LB, 2nd team all-league; Eric Hicks, Norco, LB., 2nd team all-league; Evan Ruiz, Norco, DB., 2nd team all-league; Mychael Legere, Norco, DB., 2nd team all-league; Brandon Anglin, Norco, OL, All-Inland Valley 2nd team; Brandon McGee, Centennial, LB, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass Hon. Mention.
Baseline
Expect a lot of competition in the Baseline League this year between Los Osos (7-4), Etiwanda (6-5-1) and Upland (6-4). Etiwanda has the league's best player in Marvin Jones, who had 1,309 yards receiving last year. Upland and Los Osos will be formidable in the backfield thanks to thereturn of Josh Nunes (1,388 yards passing) and Richard Brehuat (999 yards passing) respectively.
Team to Beat: Los Osos
Top MVP Candidate: Marvin Jones, Etiwanda
Players to Watch: Jesse Ruvalcaba, Alta Loma, QB; Anthony Moore, Alta Loma, RB; Scott Robinson, Alta Loma, LB; Mike Harris, Alta Loma, LB; Kyle Forbes, Los Osos, OL, All-Inland Valley 2nd team; Richard Brehuat, Los Osos, QB, Jr., 999 yards passing; Arby Fields, Los Osos, RB, Jr.; William Scudder, Rancho Cucamonga, DB; Artese Spicer, Rancho Cucamonga, DB; Bobby Collins, Rancho Cucamonga, RB; Charles Saseun, Rancho Cucamonga, WR, So; Kyle Hughlock, Upland, P, All-Inland Valley, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass; Josh Nunes, Upland, QB, Jr., Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomores, 1,388 yards passing; Davion Fleming, Upland, LB; Tre'Shawn Robinson, Upland, LB; Tim Hanson, Upland, RB, 856 yards rushing; David Kessler, Claremont, QB; Marvin Jones, Etiwanda, WR, All-Inland Valley, All-Inland Division, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass, 1,309 yards receiving; Stephen Baker, Etiwanda, OL; Deandre Clemons, Etiwanda, CB.
Southwestern
This league is loaded with offensive talent. At Vista Murietta (11-1), there's Kevon Seaton, the returning league MVP who threw for 1,499 yards and ran for an additional 707. At Chaparral (11-3), Tyler Hansen returns after throwing for 2,248 yards. At Temecula Valley (6-3-1), Taylor Centell is back at running back after gaining 1,581 yards. Meanwhile Temescal Canyon (8-5) returns Jonathan Warzeka, who ran for 1,589 yards last year.
Team to Beat: Vista Murietta
Top MVP Candidate: Kevon Seaton, Vista Murietta
Players to Watch: Kevon Seaton, Vista Murrieta, QB, All-League; league offensive MVP, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 2nd team, All-Inland Division, 1,499 yards passing, 707 yards rushing; Tyler Hansen, Chaparral, QB, All-League, 2,248 yards passing; Taylor Centell, Temecula Valley, RB, All-League, 1,581 yards rushing, 132 points; Alex Cartwright, Vista Murrieta, WR, All-League, 599 yards receiving; Erik Quinones, Temescal Canyon, OL, All-League; Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 2nd team, All-Inland Division; Sol Sangio, Chaparral, OL, All-League; TJ Tahti, Vista Murietta, K, All-League; Jonathan Warzeka, Temescal Canyon, DB, All-League, 1,589 yards rushing; Brandon Trujillo, Vista Murietta, RB, 2nd team all-league; Beau Lewis, Temecula Valley, WR, 2nd team all-league, 528 yards receiving; Staki Cravens, Temecula Valley, WR, 2nd team all-league; Brent Pyles, Temescal Canyon, OL, 2nd team all-league; Jake Carr, Vista Murrieta, DL, 2nd team all-league; Chris Mandis, Murrieta Valley, LB, 2nd team all-league.
Citrus Belt
Redlands (12-1) gets the early nod in the Southern Section preseason polls, but Redlands East Valley (7-4) could be the league champion when all is said and done. Redlands lost a bulk of talent from last year's squad, although standout linebacker Brandon Phillips returns. REV, meanwhile, has talented performers on offense, WR Chris Polk, T Daniel Cherpin, and defense, DE Josh Scott, LB Dylan Cruz.
Team to Beat: Redlands
Top MVP Candidate: Chris Polk, Redlands East Valley
Players to Watch: Ashtun Williams, Carter, WR; Khalid Wooten, Carter, QB, 522 yards passing; Brandon Phillips, Redlands, LB, 92 tackles; Chris Polk, Redlands East Valley, WR, All-Inland Division, 1,167 yards receiving; Quentin Toailoa, Redlands East Valley, DL; Josh Scott, Redlands East Valley, DE; Daniel Cherpin, Redlands East Valley, T; Dylan Cruz, Redlands East Valley, LB, 693 yards receiving; Nik Embernate, Yucaipa, OL; Jeff Cuaron, Yucaipa, RB; A.J. Springer, Miller, QB, 1,108 yards passing, 776 yards rushing; Joe Cuccia, Miller, WR, 533 yards receiving;
Sierra
Chino Hills (8-3) and Diamen (9-3) are the teams to beat in the Sierra League this year. Chino Hills is very solid on defense, with Cory Harkey (DE), Tracy Pugh (DE), Jesse Kirkland (DL) and Vince Aguilar (DL) all returning. Michael Harris, who gained 1,450 yards rushing last year, gives Chino Hills the league's best offensive weapon. Damien will rely on QB Danny Pertusatito lead the way.
Team to Beat: Chino Hills
Top MVP Candidate: Michael Harris, Chino Hills
Players to Watch: Matt Baca, Ayala, QB, 1,836 yards passing; Andrew Yaroma, Ayala, RB; Kyle Hargrove, Chino, DL; David Hargrove, Chino, DL; Taylor Fallon, Chino, QB; Brett Hobbs, Chino, DL; Ramel Rose, Chino, RB, 466 yards receiving; Cory Harkey, Chino Hills, TE, All-Inland Valley, All-Inland Division, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 2nd team, 6.5 sacks; Michael Harris, Chino Hills, RB, All-Inland Valley, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass Hon. Mention, 1,450 yards rushing, 132 points; Tracy Pugh, Chino Hills, DE; Jesse Kirkland, Chino Hills, DL; Vince Aguilar, Chino Hills, DL; Wade O'Neal, Chino Hills, LB, 87 tackles; Ben Jackson, Chino Hills, DB; Sammy Reyna, Chino Hills, DB; DeJon Miller, Damien, K, All-Inland Valley; Jonathan Rabe, Damien, DL, All-Inland Valley, 7 sacks; Danny Pertusati, Damien, QB; Westley Galaz, Damien, OL; Carl Schmidt, Damien, OL; Hunter Warren, Diamond Bar, QB; Adrian Thomas, Diamond Bar, LB, 91 tackles; Jake Vega, Glendora, RB, 659 yards rushing.
NORTHERN DIVISION
Channel
Coach John Mack is gone for St. Bonaventure (10-2), but the transfer of All-American candidate Darrell Scott from Moorpark will help cushion the blow. Scott ran for 3,194 yards last year and reaped numerous awards. He's joined in the backfield by all-league juniors Tony Macarena (QB) and Patrick Hall (RB). Add in all-state candidates Ryan Panapa at LB and Vaughn Dotsy at OL and it's easy to see why some consider the Seraphs the top team in the state.
Team to Beat: St. Bonaventure
Top MVP Candidate: Darrell Scott, St. Bonaventure
Players to Watch: Ryan Panapa, St. Bonaventure, LB, All-League, All-Ventura County 2nd team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass Hon. Mention, 98 tackles; Darrell Scott, St. Bonaventure, RB, (at Moorpark), All-League, Marmonte League MVP, All-Ventura County, All-Los Angeles Daily News, All-Northern Division MVP, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Large Schools, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass, 3,194 yards rushing; Vaughn Dotsy, St. Bonaventure, OL, All-League, All-Ventura County, All-Northern Division, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass; Patrick Hall, St. Bonaventure, RB, Jr., All-League, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomores, 701 yards rushing; Ryan Medina, St. Bonaventure, OL, All-League; Tony Macarena, St. Bonaventure, QB, Jr., All-League 2nd team, 1,412 yards passing; Casey Serna, St. Bonaventure, WR, All-League 2nd team; Andrew Sims, St. Bonaventure, OL, All-League 2nd team; Loren Powers, St. Bonaventure, DL, All-League 2nd team; Blake Kreutz, Ventura, QB, All-League, 1,905 yards passing; Brandon Dore, Ventura, DB, All-League; Michael McFadden, Ventura, RB, All-League 2nd team; John Tuschka, Ventura, DL, All-League 2nd team; Christian Savala, Ventura, DB, All-League 2nd team; Vince McCowan, Buena, RB, All-League 2nd team; Ronnie Arias, Dos Pueblos, LB, All-League; Gary Braun, Dos Pueblos, LB, All-League 2nd team; Aki Franklin, Dos Pueblos, DB, All-League 2nd team; Paul Samario, San Marcos, DB, All-League; Juan Carlos Toral, San Marcos, DL, All-League; Michael Hodson, San Marcos, K, All-League 2nd team; Bryson Lloyd, Santa Barbara, WR, All-League; Angel Tamayo, Santa Barbara, WR, All-League 2nd team, 445 yards receiving; Greg Dominguez, Santa Barbara, LB, all-League 2nd team; Tad Staff, Santa Barbara, DB, All-League 2nd team; Tyler Madden, Santa Barbara, QB, 1,344 yards passing.
Pac-7
Atascadero (9-2) got the nod in the preseason Northern Division poll, taking the No 7 slot in the overall rankings. It was the only Pac-7 school to make the top 10. Atascadero returns all-league LB Jack Robinett alon with OL Brett Hiatt and Thomas Siler. San Luis Obispo (9-3) has one of the top returning skill players in Brian Lewelling.
Team to Beat: Atascadero
Top MVP Candidate: Brian Lewelling, San Luis Obispo
Players to Watch: Steven Alurac, Righetti, OL, All-League, All-Santa Maria Area; Sean Dubois, SLO, TE, All-League; Brett Wise, Paso Robles, WR, All-League, 718 yards receiving; George Lopez, Arroyo Grande, RB, All-League, Jack Robinett, Atascadero, LB, All-League; Jesse Aragon, Righetti, LB, All-League, All-Santa Maria Area, 95 tackles; Brett Hiatt, Atascadero, OL, 2nd team all-league; Thomas Siler, Atascadero, OL, 2nd team all-league; Jason Fitzsimmons, SLO, OL, 2nd team all-league; JR Reynolds, Paso Robles, OL, 2nd team all-league; Brian Lewelling, SLO, RB, 2nd team all-league, 913 yards rushing; Nate Egan, SLO, DL, 2nd team all-league; Zack Thorne, SLO, LB, 2nd team all-league, 105 tackles, 5 Int; Robert Rose, SLO, DB, 2nd team all-league; Matt Remington, Paso Robles, Jr, 2nd team all-league; Heath Palmer, Atascadero, DB, 2nd team all-league; Bobby Nadalsky, Lompoc, P, 2nd team all-league.
Foothill
Hart (8-5) hopes to bounce back from a solid 2006 to have a spectacular 2007. Ranked No. 2 in the Northern Division preseason poll, Hart will have to get past Canyon (12-2), the winner of the inaugural CIF Division Bowl championship. However the Cowboys no longer have coach Harry Welch, who resigned a took a job at St. Margaret's. Hart has the league's top offensive player in Delano Howell (1,491 yards rushing) and possibly the top defensive player in LB Patrick Larimore (138 tackles).
Team to Beat: Hart
Top MVP Candidate: Delano Howell, Hart
Players to Watch: Mike Spagnola, Canyon, DL, All-Northern Division, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 2nd team, 7 sacks; A.J. Wallerstein, Canyon, OL, Cal-Hi All-State Underclass 2nd team, All-Los Angeles Daily News Hon. Mention; Spencer Stone, Golden Valley, QB; Delano Howell, Hart, RB, All-Northern Division, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass, All-Los Angeles Daily News 2nd team, 1,491 yards rushing, 222 points; Patrick Larimore, Hart, LB, All-Los Angeles Daily News 2nd team, 138 tackles; Ryan Zirbel, Saugus, RB, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomores, All-Los Angeles Daily News Hon. Mention; Justin McKillop, Saugus, LB, 93 tackles; Ryan McKillop, Saugus, LB, 91 tackles; Graham Wilbert, Valencia, QB, 1,907 yards passing; Michael Lien, Valencia, DL, 6 sacks; LJ McGee, West Ranch, RB; Ross Bacon, West Ranch, RB.
Marmonte
Darrell Scott is no longer around for Moorpark (10-4), but it is still considered one of the league's top teams along with Westlake (1-21), Thousand Oaks (7-4) and Newbury Park (4-6). In fact the Marmonte League has more teams in the division preseason poll than any other league in the division. Westlake is No. 4 thanks to the return of K Jordan Mannisto, DB Justin Lilley and DL Tyron Dunan. Meanwhile Moorparks still has QB Adam Berry (1,553 yards passing). Newbury Park has the league's top offensive weapon in QB Colby Cameron (2,398 yards passing).
Team to Beat: Westlake
Top MVP Candidate: Colby Cameron, Newbury Park
Players to Watch: Adam Berry, Moorpark, QB, All-League 2nd team, All-State Underclass Hon. Mention, All-Los Angeles Daily News Hon. Mention, 1,553 yards passing; Pat Carter, Moorpark, OL, All-League; Garrett Meadows, Moorpark, DL, All-League 2nd team; Michael Grimaud, Moorpark, DBs, All-League 2nd team; Kevin Graff, Agoura, OL, Jr., Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomores; Doug Shumway, Agoura, QB, All-League 2nd team, 1,429 yards passing; Eric Bailey, Agoura, K, All-League 2nd team; Matt McGinnis, Agoura, LB, All-League 2nd team; Patrick Rohn, Agoura, DB, All-League 2nd team; Colby Cameron, Newbury Park, QB, All-League, All-Los Angeles Daily News Hon. Mention, 2,398 yards passing; Tim Ketaily, Newbury Park, OL, All-League; David Gru, Newbury Park, RB, All-League 2nd team; Chance Flaaten, Newbury Park, LB, All-League 2nd team, 89 tackles; Cameron Flye, Royal, LB, All-League, All-Los Angeles Daily News Hon. Mention, 150 tackles; Jake Mittel, Royal, DB, All-League; Langston Jackson, Simi Valley, RB, All-League, 988 yards rushing; John Lister, Thousand Oaks, Ut, All-League, 1,191 yards rushing; Evan Yabu, Thousand Oaks, DB, All-League; Jordan Allred, Thousand Oaks, WR, All-League; Scott Luff, Thousand Oaks, DB, All-League; Jordan Mannisto, Westlake, K, All-League, All-Ventura County, All-Los Angeles Daily News, All-Northern Division, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass; Justin Lilley, Westlake, DB, Jr., All-League, All-Ventura County 2nd team, All-Northern Division, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomores Hon. Mention; Tyron Duncan, Westlake, DL, All-League; Tommy Stuart, Westlake, OL, All-League 2nd team; Curtis Petersen, Westlake, WR, All-League 2nd team, 748 yards receiving; Cooper Shockley, Westlake, RB, All-League 2nd team; Tommy Doupe, Westlake, DL, All-League 2nd team; Kyle Oglesby, Westlake, DB, All-League 2nd team.
Pacific View
Defense could be the key for Rio Mesa (10-2), which returns four all-league players on that side of the ball. Ina Liaina and Quentin Greenlaw return at linebacker while Jerrell Thomas is back at defensive back and Gustavo Uribe returns on the line. Rio Vista will also be solid on offense with Ricky Black (OL) and Jordan Aupiu (WR) returning.
Team to Beat: Rio Mesa
Top MVP Candidate: Vince Moraga, Pacifica
Players to Watch: Travon Nixon, Hueneme, DB, All-League, All-Ventura County 2n team, 868 yards receiving; Anthony Pinedo, Camarillo, WR, All-League 2nd team; Wade Whitaker, Camarillo, DL; Derrick Shutt, Oxnard, DL, All-League, All-Ventura County 2nd team, All-Northern Division; Sean Blevins, Oxnard, DL, All-League; Bryant Jones, Oxnard, LB, All-League, 98 tackles; Sam McCowan, Oxnard, DB, Jr., All-League; Rudy Perez, Oxnard, OL, All-League 2nd team; Victor Singh, Oxnard, OL, All-League 2nd team; Carlos Martinez, Oxnard, DL, All-League 2nd team; Dillon Romero, Oxnard, DB, All-League 2nd team; Vince Moraga, Pacifica, QB, All-League 2nd team, 1,365 yards passing; Daniel Torres, Pacifica, DB, All-League 2nd team; Jordan Aupiu, Rio Mesa, WR, All-League, 460 yards receiving; Ina Liaina, Rio Mesa, LB, All-League; Jerrell Thomas, Rio Mesa, DB, All-League, 6 Int; Fernando Raygoza, Rio Mesa, RB, All-League 2nd team; Ricky Black, Rio Mesa, OL, All-League 2nd team; Gustavo Uribe, Rio Mesa, DL, All-League 2nd team; Quentin Greenlaw, Rio Mesa, LB, All-League 2nd team, 89 tackles.
Players to Watch based on 2006 all-league and all-area teams. Some players may have transfered or were misidentified as underclassmen.