By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
Following is the 12th in a series featuring previews of the Mid-Valley Division and the Pac-5 Division of the Southern Section.
SOUTHERN SECTION
MID-VALLEY DIVISION
Rio Hondo
Despite the loss of some key seniors, Temple City (10-2) will have to make do this year. That would be William Do, a linebacker/running back who was in on 110 tackles last year and should be the lead back on the offense this year as well. Temple City figures to get some competition from Monrovia (9-3) with the return of OL Bobby Garrett and WR Fernando Gonzalez.
Team to Beat: Temple City
Top MVP Candidate: William Do, Temple City
Players to Watch: John Trawick, San Marino, RB, All-Pasadena Star News Hon. Mention, 667 yards rushing; William Do, Temple City, LB, All-Pasadena Star News Hon. Mention, 110 tackles; Nick Fry, Temple City, OL, All-Pasadena Star News Hon. Mention; Chris Tosello, LaCanada, T, All-Pasadena Star News Hon. Mention; Bobby Garrett, Monrovia, OL, All-Pasadena Star News Hon. Mention; Fernando Gonzalez, Monrovia, WR, All-Pasadena Star News Hon. Mention, 389 yards receiving; Eric Becher, Temple City, LB, All-League; Joe Reasner, Temple City, LB, 111 tackles; David Allen, South Pasadena, LB, 104 tackles.
Montview
Duarte (10-3) easily has the league's top two offensive talents in RB Chris Harris, who ran for 2,146 yards last year, and QB Austin Goldsmith, who threw for 2,113 yards. Duarte claimed the No. 8 preseason ranking in the Southern Section Mid-Valley Division preseason poll and was the only Montview school in the top 10.
Team to Beat: Duarte
Top MVP Candidate: Austin Goldsmith, Duarte
Players to Watch: Chris Harris, Duarte, RB, 2,146 yards rushing; Austin Goldsmith, Duarte, QB, 2,113 yards passing; Desmond Hayes, Duarte, LB, Jr., 98 tackles; Richie Gurrola, Gladstone, RB, 619 yards rushing; Carlos Rios, LaPuente, WR, 364 yards receiving;
Olympic
The top three teams in the league all return their starting quarterback from last season. Village Christian's Rex Reinhard (1,105) is back to lead his team, which is ranked No. 5 in the Mid-Valley Division preseason polls after going 9-3 last year. Los Angeles Baptist's Jimmy Augur has the top stats after throwing for 1,408 yards last year. LA Baptist was 6-5 last year. Valley Christian (5-5) returns Matt Peters, who threw for 546 yards.
Team to Beat: Village Christian
Top MVP Candidate: Rex Reinhard, Village Christian
Players to Watch: Jimmy Augur, Los Angeles Baptist, QB, 1,408 yards passing; Eric Granger, Los Angeles Baptist, LB, 83 tackles; Kyle Swanson, Paraclete, LB, Jr., 83 tackles; Matt Peters, Valley Christian, QB, 546 yards passing; Landon Haagsma, Valley Christian, LB, 76 tackles; Wade Struiksma, Valley Christian, DB, 4 Int; Colin Adams, Village Christian, DL, All-Mid-Valley Division, 9 sacks; Rex Reinhard, Village Christian, QB, 1,015 yards passing; Khalil Bass, Village Christian, DL, Jr., 5 sacks.
Camino Real
Verbum Dei (12-3) gets the high ranking in the preseason division poll, holding down the No. 3 spot behind Bishop Diego and Santa Clara of the Frontier League. Verbum Dei will have to do it with mostly underclassmen this year as nearly every starter and skill position player from last year's squad has graduated. LaSalle (8-6), ranks right behind Verbum Dei and will have David Baier (1,218 yards) returning in the backfield. Meanwhile Cantwell (7-3), with QB Pedro Olivares and RB Joseph Loera, is ranked No. 6.
Team to Beat: Verbum Dei
Top MVP Candidate: David Baier, LaSalle
Players to Watch: Pedro Olivares, Cantwell, QB, 990 yards passing; Joseph Loera, Cantwell, RB, Jr., 1,102 yards rushing; David Baier, Lasalle, RB, All-Mid-Valley Division, All-Pasadena Star News Hon. Mention, 1,218 yards rushing; Peter Ciaramitaro, Mary Star of the Sea, QB, 1,592 yards passing; Johnny Cigliano, Mary Star of the Sea, C; Troy Fiamengo, Mary Star of the Sea, S;
Frontier
It should be a great battle this year between Bishop Diego (9-4) and Santa Clara (10-2) in the Frontier League. The two teams are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the preseason Mid-Valley Division polls while Fillmore (7-2) is No. 9. Bishop Diego has two of the league's top talents in RB Aaron Skinner and QB Christian Winnewisser, but Santa Clara has the league's top player in junior Cierre Wood, who ran for 1,407 yards last year.
Team to Beat: Bishop Diego
Top MVP Candidate: Cierre Wood, Santa Clara
Players to Watch: Aaron Skinner, Bishop Diego, RB, All-League, All-Santa Barbara County, 1,062 yards rushing; Christian Winnewisser, Bishop Diego, QB, Jr., All-League, All-Santa Barbara County, 1,582 yards passing; Donald Deaile, Bishop Diego, OL, All-League; Tucker Stein, Bishop Diego, LB, All-League; Jeremy Kjar, Bishop Diego, WR, All-League 2nd team; David Renick, Bishop Diego, DL, All-League 2nd team; Joe Yonke, Bishop Diego, DL, All-League 2nd team; John Uribe, Bishop Diego, DB, All-League 2nd team, 4 Int; Cierre Wood, Santa Clara, RB, Jr., All-League, All-Ventura County, All-Mid-Valley Division, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Small Schools Team; Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomores, 1,407 yards rushing, 595 yards receiving; Randi Vines, Santa Clara, TE, All-League, 472 yards receiving, 96 tackles; Artie Lopez, Santa Clara, DL, All-League; David Ortiz, Santa Clara, LB, All-League, 162 tackles, 6 sacks; Daniel Garcia, Santa Clara, LB, All-League, 171 tackles, 9 sacks; Ramon Diaz, Santa Clara, OL; All-League 2nd team; David Cortez, Santa Clara, OL, All-League 2nd team; Mike Chavez, Santa Clara, OL, All-League 2nd team; Matt Torres, Santa Clara, OL, All-League 2nd team; Svando Bradley, Santa Clara, DL, All-League 2nd team; Doug Nelson, Santa Clara, LB, All-League 2nd team, 105 tackles, 8 sacks; James Wilder, Santa Clara, DB, All-League 2nd team; Michael Hellmuth, Villanova, RB, All-League 2nd team; Dusty Kramer, Malibu, RB, Jr., All-League; JP O'Fallon, Malibu, WR, All-League 2nd team;
PAC-5 DIVISION
Serra
Notre Dame (11-1) has a wealth of talent returning from a team that lost just one game last year. Dayne Crist will be one of the top quarterbacks in the country this year while defensive standouts Wes Horton (DE) and Anthony McDonald (LB) are all-state candidates in their own right. RB Thaddeus Brown (1,316 yards) makes Notre Dame a threat on the ground as well. Crespi (6-5) can't be overlooked. After a strong start last season, the Celts faltered down the stretch. However athletic Austin Shanks and QB Kevin Prince make Crespi a team worthy of contending for the crown.
Team to Beat: Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks
Top MVP Candidate: Dayne Crist, Notre Dame
Players to Watch: Mark Watley, Crespi, LB, All-Los Angeles Daily News Hon. Mention, 86 tackles; Karim Williams, Crespi, All-Los Angeles Daily News Hon. Mention; Kevin Prince, Crespi, QB, 1,422 yards passing, Austin Shanks, Crespi, 1,025 yards rushing; Anthony McDonald, Notre Dame, LB, All-Pac-5 Division, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 2nd team, All-Los Angeles Daily News 2nd team; Dayne Crist, Notre Dame, QB, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass, All-Los Angeles Daily News Hon. Mention, 1,270 yards passing; Wes Horton, Notre Dame, DE, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass Hon. Mention, All-Los Angeles Daily News; Jordan Barrett, Notre Dame, TE, Jr., Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomores Hon. Mention; Thaddeus Brown, Notre Dame, Jr., All-Los Angeles Daily News Hon. Mention, 1,316 yards rushing; Dominique Austin, Bishop Amat, OL, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass Hon. Mention, All-San Gabriel Valley; Sheldon Price, Bishop Amat, DB, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomores Hon. Mention; Dorian Wells, Bishop Amat, WR, 498 yards receiving; Brian Rios, Loyala, RB, 772 yards rushing.
South Coast
Mission Viejo (9-3) will find out just how well it stacks up this year when it has its now annual meeting with De La Salle (Concord). Mission Viejo already headed back east to the Kirk Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA challenge and knocked off its opponent from the Buckeye state. A win over the Spartans would help MV push for a spot in the CIF Bowl Games, although it would have to get through the rugged Pac-5 Division playoffs unscathed in order for that to happen.
Team to Beat: Mission Viejo
Top MVP Candidate: Brad Curtis, San Clemente
Players to Watch: Konrad Reuland, Mission Viejo, WR, All-League, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 1st team; Ross Williams, Mission Viejo, DE, All-League; Kevin Murphy, San Clemente, DB, All-League; Sean Schroeders, Dana Hills, QB, Jr., 2nd team all-league; Jeff Baca, Mission Viejo, OL, 2nd team all-league, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 3rd team; Brice Milano, Capistrano Valley, OL, 2nd team all-league; Harold Williams, Tesoro, RB, 2nd team all-league, 832 yards rushing; Anthony Kaspar, Dana Hills, DL, Jr, 2nd team all-league; Taylor Patton, San Clemente, LB, 2nd team all-league; Matt McCloskey, Dana Hills, DB, 2nd team all-league; Nick Maurillo, Dana Hills, DB, 2nd team all-league; Allen Bridgeford, Mission Viejo, QB, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomores; Alex Mascarenas, Mission Viejo, DB, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomores, All-Pac-5 Division; Brad Curtis, San Clemente, QB, 1,844 yards passing.
Moore
The Jackrabbits opened their season in Ohio for the Kirk Herbstreit Challenge and captured a win over Glenville, Ohio. Long Beach Poly (11-2) is ranked No. 2 in the Pac-5 Division in the preseason Southern Section polls. Poly has a talented group returning from last year's squad, including all-state candidate Jurrell Casey (DL) and Vaughn Telemaque (DB).
Team to Beat: Long Beach Poly
Top MVP Candidate: Jurrell Casey, Long Beach Poly
Players to Watch: Jurrell Casey, Long Beach Poly, DL, All-Pac-5 Division, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass, Long Beach Dream Team, 104 tackles, 10 sacks; Randall Cox, Long Beach Poly, WR, All-League; Jonathan Benze, Long Beach Poly, K, All-League 2nd team; Douglas Spacht, Long Beach Poly, All-League 2nd team; Vaughn Telemaque, Long Beach Poly, DB, All-League 2nd team; Kevin Williams, Cabrillo, DL, All-League; Erik Morgan, Cabrillo, DL, All-League 2nd team; Frank Keil, Cabrillo, TE, All-League 2nd team; Donald Green, Compton, RB, All-League, 1,022 yards rushing; Fuifatu Laumea, Compton, OL, All-League; Datone Jones, Compton, DT, All-League; Finis Hardnett, Compton, LB, All-League 2nd team; Bernard Griffin, Compton, DB, All-League 2nd team; Chris Metcalf, Compton, S, All-League 2nd team; Kurt Puletasa, Jordan, DL, All-League; Taniela Maka, Jordan, LB, All-League 2nd team; Dalton Jasso, Lakewood, OL, All-League, Long Beach Dream Team 2nd team; Alex Fletcher, Lakewood, RB, All-League; Trevor Erro, Lakewood, LB, All-League; Brian Diaz, Lakewood, WR, All-League 2nd team; Cedric Moore, Lakewood, DB, All-League 2nd team; Vincent Abbott, Lakewood, DL, All-League 2nd team; Jeramey Cutler, Lakewood, DL, All-League 2nd team; Simon Sauni, Lakewood, DL, All-League 2nd team; Roderick Cohn, Millikan, DB, All-League; Marco Villicana, Millikan, OL, All-League 2nd team; Daniel Miller, Millikan, DL, All-League 2nd team; Michael Willie, Wilson, WR, All-League, 810 yards receiving; Randall Hook, Wilson, RB, All-League 2nd team; Jemari Roberts, Wilson, WR, Jr., All-League 2nd team; Austin Kaesman, Wilson, OL, All-League 2nd team; CJ Harris, Wilson, LB, All-League 2nd team; Ayton Bates, Wilson, S, All-League 2nd team;
Trinity
Quite possibly the toughest league in the state, four of the top 10 teams in the Southern Section preseason Pac-5 poll come from the Trinity League, including No. 1 ranked Mater Dei (8-3). Matt Barkley, a starter as a sophomore, returns at QB for Mater Dei along with all-state linebacker nominee Khaled Holmes. Meanwhile No. 4 Orange Lutheran (14-1), which won the CIF Division 2 Bowl Game last year, sports one of the nation's best tight ends in Blake Ayles. No. 7 Servite (8-4) has all-american candidate Matthew Kalil on the offensive line and D.J. Shoemate, who missed most of last year, at receiver. Santa Margarita (10-3), which is ranked No. 8, returns one of the league's top defensive linemen in Logan Harrell.
Team to Beat: Mater Dei
Top MVP Candidate: D.J. Shoemate, Servite
Players to Watch: D.J. Shoemate, Servite, WR (injured in 2006); Austin Niklas Servite, LB, All-League, league defensive player of the year; Matthew Kalil Servite, OL, All-League, league lineman of the year, All-Pac 5 Division, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 1st team, All-Orange County, All-Los Angeles Times, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Large Schools; Stuart Hein, Servite, DL, All-League; Blake Ayles, Orange Lutheran, TE, All-League, All-Pac 5 Division, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 1st team, All-Orange County, All-Los Angeles Times, 616 yards receiving; Ricky Pemasa, Orange Lutheran, LB, All-League, All-Pac 5 Division, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 3rd team; Alex Pemasa, Orange Lutheran, LB, All-League; Khaled Holmes, Mater Dei, LB, All-League, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 1st team, All-Orange County, All-Los Angeles Times, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Large Schools 2nd team; Cameron Meredith, Mater Dei, DL, All-League; Lawrence Doss, St. John Bosco, RB, All-League, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass Hon. Mention, 974 yards rushing; Greg Protis, Servite, RB, Jr, 2nd team all-league; Andrew Ostergaard, Servite, WR, 2nd team all-league; Anthony Hannon, Servite, LB, 2nd team all-league; Tyson Seneca, Orange Lutheran, RB, 2nd team all-league, 909 yards rushing; Lance Barker, Orange Lutheran, OL, 2nd team all-league; Hayden Shaw, Orange Lutheran, DB, 2nd team all-league; Don Williams, Orange Lutheran, DL, 2nd team all-league; Logan Harrell, Santa Margarita, DL, 2nd team all-league, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 1st team, All-Orange County; Matt Barkley, Mater Dei, DB, Jr, 2nd team all-league, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomores, 1,349 yards passing; Andrew Abbott, Mater Dei, DB, 2nd team all-league; Kelly McMinn, J-Serra, LB, 2nd team all-league; Kapono Asuega, Orange Lutheran, DL, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomores; Jeremiah Pemasa, Orange Lutheran, RB, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomores Honorable Mention; Robbie Boyer, Mater Dei, WR, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass Hon. Mention, 623 yards receiving.
Sunset
Edison (11-3), ranked No. 5 in the Southern Section preseason Pac-5 rankings, has one of the top quarterbacks in the country calling signals. Nick Crissman returns after throwing for 3,094 yards last year. Los Alamitos (7-4), which just missed the top 10 rankings, returns a QB of its own in Clark Evans, who threw for 1,341 yards as a sophomore last year.
Team to Beat: Edison
Top MVP Candidate: Nick Crissman, Edison
Players to Watch: Brady Lucas, Esperanza, LB, All-League; Charles Orrisen, Marina, LB, All-League, 94 tackles; T.J. Tafaoga, Fountain Valley, LB, All-League; Earnie Sagiao, Edison, LB, All-League, 143 tackles; Eric Smith, Edison, OL, All-League; Blake Poole, Esperanza, DE, 2nd team all-league; Sean Avila, Esperanza, DT, Jr, 2nd team all-league, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomores; Sam Albrecht, Esperanza, OL, 2nd team all-league; Kyle Grosky, Esperanza, OL, 2nd team all-league; Jimmy Irvin, Marina, WR, 2nd team all-league; Brandon Kula, Newport Harbor, LB, 2nd team all-league; Nathan Castillo, Newport Harbor, OL, 2nd team all-league; Dustin Campbell, Newport Harbor, TE, 2nd team all-league; Bryse Blake, Fountain Valley, QB, 2nd team all-league, 1,372 yards passing; L.J. Little, Fountain Valley, RB, 2nd team all-league; Adam Castellon, Fountain Valley, LB, 2nd team all-league; Kameron Jones, Los Alamitos, DE, 2nd team all-league; Clark Evans, Los Alamitos, QB, Jr, 2nd team all-league, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomores, 1,341 yards passing; Blayne Anderson, Edison, DL, 2nd team all-league; Michael Bogard, Edison, DB, 2nd team all-league; Troy Bosiljevac, Edison, DB, 2nd team all-league; Nick Crissman, Edison, QB, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 2nd team, 3,094 yards passing.
Players to Watch based on all-league and all-area teams from 2006 season. Some players may have transferred or were misidentified as underclassmen.