MaxPreps 2014 Southern Section Preseason Fab 5
Servite starts the season as the top team in the Southern Section.
Photo by Heston Quan
6-6
Head coach: A.J. Gass
Team previewA 6-6 team from last season gets ranked above a state champion that was regarded as perhaps the best team ever from the Southland? That just shows how high expectations are at Servite, where the returning cast is giving hope to those who want to return to a CIF Bowl Game. Oregon commit
Travis Waller comes back as a dual-threat quarterback, and he'll have stud receiver
Equanimeous St. Brown, and USC commit
Clayton Johnston on the offensive line. On defense,
Jack Savage will be the big name. Servite has Bishop Gorman and De La Salle on the schedule ahead of the Trinity League schedule, so we'll find out just how good the Friars are, ranked 10th in the preseason Xcellent 25.
See the Top 20 most dominant Southern Section football teams in the MaxPreps era2. St. John Bosco (Bellflower)2013 finish: 16-0, Open Division state champion
Head coach: Jason Negro
Team previewThe Braves finished a dream season last year, and certainly come in as contenders to win another state title. Quarterback
Josh Rosen (UCLA commit) and dynamic running back
Sean McGrew are back to provide fireworks on offense.
Zachary Robertson and
Matthew Katnik return on the offensive line as well. Where the change will come is on defense, as just one starter returns. Still, if the offense rolls like it did last year, the defense's faults could still be small enough to equal another title chase. It's wrong to assume that Bosco should be as good as last year, as it was a rarity in history, but the Braves will still be a force, as they are No. 11 in the Xcellent 25.
See MaxPreps Southern Section football photo galleries3. Serra (Gardena) 2013 finish: 13-1
Head coach: Scott Altenberg
Team previewThe Cavaliers were undefeated entering the section title game but lost to Chaminade, and in their attempt to get back this year, they will do so with a very talented defense.
John Houston returns at linebacker,
Rasheem Green is back on the defensive line and
Stanley Norman is a defensive back. Jalen Greene is gone from the quarterback spot and do-everything Adoree' Jackson also graduated, so athleticism at skill positions has taken a hit. Washington State commit
Deontay Burnett will be back as a wide receiver and
Caleb Wilson will step in at quarterback. Serra is No. 19 in the Xcellent 25.
See MaxPreps California football playoff brackets4. Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 2013 finish: 11-3
Head coach: Bruce Rollinson
Team previewThe Monarchs experienced two of their three losses last season to St. John Bosco. Though they have a question of experience at quarterback, they have some some impact names returning. Wisconsin commit
Kyle Penniston returns at tight end,
Malik McMorris comes back on the defense line and
Ben Humphreys (Duke commit) is a two-way threat at receiver and the defensive backfield. The defense will be this team's strength, which was also true last season.
See MaxPreps Southern Section football computer rankings5. Alemany (Mission Hills)2013 finish: 10-3
Head coach: Dean Harrington
Team previewThe Warriors are looking quite impressive at the skill positions on offense, with Washington State commit
Dominic Davis at running back and USC commit
Desean Holmes at receiver.
Tyree Thompson comes back at linebacker to lead what should be the strong point of the team's defense. The Warriors move to the Mission League and will face Serra and Chaminade - a very good measure of how good this team should be regarded as.
