MaxPreps 2013 Preseason Xcellent 25 Football preview: No. 11 Serra

If you're an aspiring young athlete, why not head to Serra (Gardena, Calif.)?

From NFL draft picks to MLB draft picks, more than ever the small Catholic school has a reputation for being the home of truly elite talent.

That is especially true this fall, as Serra will likely boast several future NFL players across its roster.

Human highlight reel Adoree' Jackson is the team's marquee player on both sides of the ball. He's a stud cornerback and an electric receiver. But with an injury to starting running back Malik Roberson this spring, Jackson figures to see time at running back.



Linebackers Dwight Williams and junior John Houston give Serra two premier players at their position. Rasheem Green, also a junior, lines up at defensive tackle. He already has offers from Florida, USC and others.

Quarterback Jalen Greene, a Boise State commit, will once again commandeer the team's offense. He threw for 2,443 yards and 25 touchdowns a year ago.

He may need to make some plays on his own, as the team returns only two starters on the offensive line.

Roberson, an ultra-fast running back who impressed as a sophomore last year, tore his ACL in the spring.

Not that Serra has a shortage of athletes, but Roberson's injury, coupled with a green offensive line, will put more pressure on Greene and Jackson.

Local look: "Serra has as much college-level talent as any football program in California. An injury to their top running back is the only question, but all that means is Adoree' Jackson will probably play some running back."
- Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times (@latsondheimer){PAGEBREAK} School size: Division II




Enrollment: 700 (approx.)


2012 finish: 14-2, CIF Division II Bowl Game champion


Head coach: Scott Altenberg


Career record: 140-44-1


Years at school: 14


Notable players coached:
WR Robert Woods (USC, NFL)



WR Marqise Lee (USC)

WR George Farmer (USC){PAGEBREAK} No. of returning starters: 7 (offense), 8 (defense)

Key losses:

OL Emerald Faletuipapai

RB Marques Rodgers

WR Darrell Fuery




Key returners:

QB Jalen Greene

WR/DB Adoree' Jackson

LB Dwight Williams

LB John Houston

DT Rasheem Green




Key newcomers:

WR/DB Brandon Burton

LB Blake Walls{PAGEBREAK} Toughest game: A September road game against Narbonne will provide Serra an opportunity to exact revenge for last year's 22-9 defeat.

Question mark: Who replaces Malik Roberson? He was primed for a monster season, but there's no clear replacement for him. Can the backfield put together enough to compensate for the lost production?

Local outlook: Serra likely has more talent on its roster than any other team in the area. Still, it's much smaller than most of the other teams that will likely vie for a potential Open Division Bowl bid.

Overall outlook: With an embarrassment of talent riches, there's a very good chance Serra rolls through the regular season unscathed. Altenberg's program has played in CIF Bowl Games in two of the last three seasons. They will likely make another trip to the Home Depot Center, potentially representing Southern California in the Open Division game.



Coach quote: "When he touches the ball, it's like anything can happen."
- Scott Altenberg on Adoree' Jackson{PAGEBREAK}