By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
Butte View League
Defending Champion: The Sutter Huskies swept through the Butte View League last year, posting a 12-0 record for the fourth time in school history. Perfect season No. 5 could come this year, but it won’t be easy. The Huskies have a senior class that has never lost in 33 games at the freshman, junior varsity and varsity level. That total includes a 38-9 win over Ferris of Texas last week in the first-ever meeting between a Northern Section school and a team from Texas. Sutter is led by QB John Garcia, a mobile all-around athlete who also ranks as one of the best wrestlers in the state. Garcia threw for 1,117 yards last year and also ran for 607. The Huskies have a tough schedule that also includes a matchup with Central Catholic of Modesto, a team that reached the CIF State Division 3 Bowl Game last year.
Top Contender: Wheatland will give the Huskies a run for the league title when they meet on Nov. 7. The one team that has always given Sutter trouble is the Pirates, coached by Javier Lopez. The Pirates return some outstanding athletes, including QB/DB Malcolm Webb, who was one of the leading interceptors in the state last year with 11. The Pirates are also solid on the line with Corey Amsbaugh and Matt Rasmussen returning. Having a target like David Wilson (6-5) at tight end will also help Webb, who makes the transition from running back to quarterback.
Rebuilding Mode: After struggling to a 2-8 record last year, the Winters Warriors are looking to rebound under new head coach Daniel Ward. The all-time leading passer at Winters, Ward replaces Brad Burton as head coach after serving time as an assistant. The Warriors figure to be improved with Kyle Tobler taking over quarterback duties this year and standout baseball player Ray McIntire providing a target at wide receiver. Back after a year’s absence is lineman Jesse Hellinger, a national freestyle wrestling champion who did not play football last year.
Bidding for Bowl: Sutter might have the best chance of any Northern Section team of making the CIF bowl games. The Huskies will likely have to go 12-0, however, to gain a berth.
MVP Nominee: John Garcia, Sutter – The Huskies don’t generally like to throw the ball too much, but Garcia gives coach Scott Turner a good reason to open up the offense. However Garcia can also keep the ball on the ground, making him a valuable dual threat.
Players to Watch: John Garcia, Sutter, QB, all-league; league offensive MVP; Corey Amsbaugh, Wheatland, T, all-league; Matt Rasmussen, Wheatland, G, all-league; Malcolm Webb, Wheatland, DB, all-league, All-Northern Section first team; Anthony Ramirez, Orland, WR, all-league; Ricardo Ramirez, Orland, QB, all-league.
Eastern Athletic League
Defending Champion: Foothill had one of the best seasons in Northern Section history, posting a 12-0 record and defeating Pleasant Valley for the Northern Section Division 1 championship. The Cougars were in contention for a berth in the CIF Division 2 Bowl Game, but were eventually passed over for Novato. The Cougars lost the bulk of the talent from last year’s team, including brothers Cole and Kyle Johnston, who provided most of the scoring over the past two seasons. The Cougars will have to find able replacements in the skill positions, but should still be able to match up in the trenches where they have plenty of size. Leading the way is returning All-Northern Section pick Adam Boales, a 6-2, 320-pound junior.
Top Contender: The Eastern Athletic League figures to be very competitive this year with Shasta, Enterprise and Pleasant Valley all expected to be in the mix for a title along with Foothill and Paradise. Shasta returns the league’s top passer in Brooks Beaudette (1,654 yards) and rusher in junior Evan Taylor (1,216 yards). Meanwhile Enterprise will have a young, but talented team that includes the athletically gifted twin combination of James and Anthony Williams (WR and QB respectively) and junior RB Bryan Coleman, a returning varsity letterman. Meanwhile Pleasant Valley lost just twice last year, both times to Foothill, and returns standouts like Patrick Randolph at QB and Brandon Nickas at RB.
Rebuilding Mode: The Paradise Bobcats and the Red Bluff Spartans are both looking to re-establish themselves among the elite teams in the EAL in 2008. Paradise was an uncharacteristic 5-5 last year and missed the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade. Dillon Orlando will take over as the starting QB and he will have one of the league’s best running backs in Tanner Moyse (847 yards), who came on strong at the end of last year. Meanwhile Red Bluff can’t be overlooked despite its 3-7 mark last year. The Spartans have the league’s top returning receiver in Cole McKenzie (978 yards) and the second-leading QB in Collin Ramirez (1,581 yards).
Bidding for Bowl: It will be much tougher for an EAL team to earn a bowl berth this year, due to the fact that the league will be extremely competitive and the league champion will likely have at least one league loss.
MVP Nominee: They don’t pick a league MVP in the EAL, but if they did, there’s a good bet a junior running back will win the award. Evan Taylor of Shasta (1,216 yards), Bryan Coleman of Enterprise (466 yards), Tanner Moyse of Paradise (847 yards) and Zack Schwabauer of Red Bluff (815 yards) are all poised for big seasons after playing well as sophomores on the varsity last year.
Players to Watch: Cole McKenzie, Red Bluff, WR, all-league, All-Northern Section first team; Richard Stevenson, Shasta, Jr, all-league, All-Northern Section first team; Kayhan Karatekeli, Chico, LB, all-league, All-Northern Section second team; Adam Boales, Foothill, DL, Jr, All-Northern Section first team.
Evergreen League
Defending Champion: The Maxwell Panthers won their first 11 games last year and had a 19-game winning streak come to an end in the Northern Section Division 5 championship game against Fall River. Despite heavy losses, the Panthers figure to be a solid favorite in an Evergreen League that will have a much different look this year. Gone to the 8-man ranks are Greenville, Westwood and Dunsmuir. Moving into the Evergreen are former Mid-Valley League member Mercy and newcomer University Prep, which is fielding its first ever varsity team. The Panthers have the most returning experience, with the likes of all-leaguers Gerardo Parra (LB) and John Davis (DE), however the skill positions could be manned by an athletic group of sophomores that includes QB Steven Perry, who was the North Valley League baseball MVP as a freshman last year.
Top Contender: Hayfork may be low in numbers, but the Timberjacks always seem to be in the thick of things. The fact that sophomore Scott Harrison, the son of coach Randy Harrison, is running the wishbone offense at QB should be enough to keep the ‘Jacks competitive. The elder Harrison was a league MVP while leading Hayfork to a pair of league championships in the mid-1980s and he’s likely shown his son a thing or two about running the wishbone. In a season-opening win over Chiloquin, Harrison carried 14 times for 93 yards and a touchdown.
Rebuilding Mode: The Tulelake Honkers have competed for the league title the past few seasons, but the loss of league MVP Rey Chavolla and a total of just 13 players on the roster could put the Honkers at a disadvantage this year. Spencer Greenback returns to direct the offense, but could move to running back this year to replace Chavolla.
Bidding for Bowl: No bowl contenders in the Evergreen League, but Maxwell could meet Fall River in the Division 5 championship game again this year.
MVP Nominee: Gerardo Parra played tight end for the Panthers last year, but he moves to fullback this year. He was the leading rusher in a 30-0 loss to Portola with 76 yards. He will also likely be one of the league’s top tacklers.
Players to Watch: Gerardo Parra, Maxwell, LB, Jr, all-league; John Davis, Maxwell, DE, all-league; Spencer Greenback, Tulelake, QB; Scott Harrison, Hayfork, QB, Soph.
Mid-Valley League
Defending Champion: The Hamilton Braves posted the best season in school history with a 13-0 record that included eight shutouts and a Northern Section Division 3 championship. Despite the loss of a number of starters, the Braves should be the team to beat in the Mid-Valley League again this year, but the road to the title should be much tougher. Colusa, East Nicolaus (the Div. 4 champion in 2007), Quincy and Portola all join the league while Chester, Mercy and Los Molinos exit. The added teams give the Braves a 7-game league schedule they will have to navigate in order to repeat. The return of All-Northern Section linebacker Ryan Schimke will help the Braves remain one of the top defensive teams in the league. The Braves should also have the section’s best kicking game with Oscar Pineda returning from an all-section junior season.
Top Contender: East Nicolaus was the Division 4 champion last year but moves into Division 3, and the MVL, this year. The Spartans figure to have one of the best passing games in the Northern Section with all-league QB Andrew Rubalcava throwing to the likes of all-leaguer Brian Johnson and Jessee Gardner. Esparto also can’t be counted out thanks to the return of defensive standouts Josh Buatheir and Sam Foster.
Rebuilding Mode: Portola is the team to watch. After not fielding a team two years ago, the Tigers have an excellent group of young players to go with returning standouts like all-league QB Spencer Brubaker.
Bidding for Bowl: Another undefeated season by the Braves might be enough to give Hamilton a shot at the Division 4 Bowl berth. What works in Hamilton’s favor is a head-to-head matchup with East Nicolaus,which also has a head-to-head matchup with Ferndale, a team currently favored by CalPreps to earn the Division 4 NorCal bowl berth.
MVP Nominee: Ryan Schimke is bigger and stronger this year, which does not bode well for opposing ballcarriers. With over 100 tackles as a sophomore and a junior, Schimke could finish with close to 400 tackles for his career.
Players to Watch: Ryan Schimke, Hamilton, LB, all-league, All-Northern Section second team; Sam Foster, Esparto, LB, all-league; Josh Buathier, Esparto, OL, all-league; Brian Johnson, East Nicolaus, WR, all-league; Andrew Rubalcava, East Nicolaus, QB, all-league, All-Northern Section second team; Jason Acuff, East Nicolaus, LB, all-league; Spencer Brubaker, Portola, QB, all-league; Alberto Martinez, Portola, RB, all-league; Kurtis Fambrough, Portola, OL, all-league; Tra Ross, Quincy, WR, all-league; Oscar Pineda, Hamilton, K, All-Northern Section first team.
Northern Athletic League
Defending Champion: The West Valley Eagles have been the team to beat in the Northern Athletic League for much of the 21st century. That doesn’t figure to stop in 2008. The Eagles have a strong defense led by Nick Johnston and Bobby Guyton and a three-year starter at QB in Josh Barrett (810 yards).
Top Contender: Yreka made huge strides last year and will try and continue to play at that high level in 2008. Having all-league RB Manny Barragan back will help. Meanwhile Lassen could be a team to watch thanks to the return of the league’s top QB from last year, Quinton Perry (1,626 yards).
Rebuilding Mode: Both Central Valley and Anderson will try to rebound after disappointing 2007 seasons. The Falcons, undefeated champions of the Northern Section three years ago, fell to 4-7 last year. Meanwhile Anderson, the 2006 Division 2 section champ, dropped to 2-8 in 2007. Both teams figure to be improved thanks to a solid group of juniors.
Bidding for Bowl: West Valley has been to the section finals four of the past five seasons and has a shot at bowl consideration if it can knock off defending Division 2 champion Sutter.
MVP Nominee: Quinton Perry, Lassen, is one of the top two-sport athletes in the section. He competed in the Area Code Games as a catcher in August and is the top returning passer in the league.
Players to Watch: Nick Johnston, West Valley, LB, all-league; Bobby Guyton, West Valley, LB, all-league; Al Doiron, West Valley, T, all-league; Quinton Perry, Lassen, QB, all-league; Jeremy Bowles, Lassen, DB, all-league; Manny Barragan, Yreka, RB, all-league.
Sacramento Valley League
Defending Champion: The Live Oak Lions are the defending champions after posting a 5-0 record, 9-3 overall. However much has changed with the Lions and the Sacramento Valley League. Longtime coach Jim Arostegui has stepped down and was replaced by Mike Ziegenmeyer. The Lions also lost a ton of talent from last year’s group, including leading rusher James Fox. The league also adds Rio Vista and Pierce to the mix while losing Colusa to the Mid-Valley League.
Top Contender: The Willows Honkers returns just about every starter from last year’s team that advanced to the Division 3 semifinals before losing to the Lions. The Honkers also return senior linebacker Matt Candelaria, a tackling machine who missed his entire junior year with a knee injury. With Candelaria and returning all-leaguers Tyler Kormos and Brian Wunsch, the Honkers have the best linebacking group in the league. The return of WR/CB Cody Pastorino gives Willows a sure-handed receiver on offense and a ballhawk on defense.
Rebuilding Mode: Trinity (5-5), Mt. Shasta (2-7), Durham (2-8) and Pierce (1-9) all saw their records drop from previous seasons. The Wolves have the best chance of making it back to the top thanks to the return of QB Dane Hagen and WR Kurtis Cartwright.
Bidding for Bowl: It will be difficult for any SVL teams to reach a bowl due to the fact that most of the teams would qualify for the Division 3 bowl due to enrollment. The winner of the SVL would likely have to beat out a team from the BVL or NAL in order to gain a berth.
MVP Nominee: Fabian Gutierrez of Willows has the quickness and the line in front of him in order to make a splash in the SVL this year. The Honkers return nearly ever starter on the offensive front. Last year, Gutierrez had several big games while starting RB Kent Thayer missed time due to injury.
Players to Watch: Armando Martinez, Rio Vista, OL, all-league; Tyler Wilcox, Rio Vista, LB, all-league; Cody Pastorino, Willows, DB, all-league; Tyler Kormos, Willows, LB, all-league; Brian Wunsch, Willows, G, all-league.
Shasta Cascade League
Defending Champion: Fall River loses Garrett Barnett, the leading scorer from last year’s Division 5 championship team that went 11-0, but nearly everyone else returns to help the Bulldogs make a run toward another unbeaten season. Nick Lakey, who missed the playoffs last year due to injury, is back to wreak havoc on opposing defenses while QB Taylor Sloat will likely become more of an offensive threat.
Top Contender: Modoc always figures into the Shasta Cascade League race and this year is no different. With Josh Wood, one of the top wrestlers in the state, returning to terrorize opposing teams on defense and newcomer Matt Mayes expected to be among the team’s top tacklers, the Braves should be solid on defense. Returning all-league and 1,000-yard rusher Justin Estes also returns. Meanwhile all-league receiver Dee Hunsaker will move over to play QB.
Rebuilding Mode: The Lions will have to find replacements for the likes of Logan Dysert and Skylar Schneider, a pair of all-league standouts from last year’s playoff team, but the Lions are already off to a good start with a big win over Weed.
Bidding for Bowl: Fall River has a chance to contend for the Division 4 berth if it can complete another undefeated season.
MVP Nominee: Nick Lakey of Fall River had 1,248 yards rushing last year with 14 touchdowns before injuring his leg. Look for him to surpass those numbers this year.
Players to Watch: Nick Lakey, Fall River, RB, all-league; Layn Strickland, Fall River, DB, all-league; Ryan Stephenson, Fall River, RB, all-league; Wes Wadsworth, Fall River, T, all-league; Taylor Sloat, Fall River, QB, Jr, all-league; Trevor Kendrick, Etna, C, all-league; Alex Case, Etna, LB, all-league; Danny Casorla, Weed, RB, all-league; Tye Andrews, Weed, T, all-league; Kevin Seuasoukseng, Weed, G, all-league; Justin Estes, Modoc, RB, all-league; Josh Wood, Modoc, TE, all-league; Dee Hunsaker, Modoc, WR, all-league; Coby Frazier, Burney, QB, all-league.