Johnell Jackson (6) led the Guachos into battle last season and he's back looking for another deep postseason run.
Photo by Louis Lopez
Manuel Douglas
2012 finish: 14-1, lost in Open Division Regional Final
Team previewThe Gauchos breezed through to the section title, and beat state champ Serra, state runner up Serra and Pac-5 finalist Mater Dei. But Centennial (Corona) got the best of them in the regional final and they finished 24th in the final Xcellent 25. The firepower on offense appears to be sufficient with seven returning starters, but they must replace nine starters from a defense that was prolific. On offense, dynamic quarterback Troy Williams (City MVP) and receiver A.J. Richardson (City Offensive Player of the Year) have moved on but the running game will feature senior and second-team all-city selection
Johnell Jackson (6-0, 185) and junior receiver/athlete
Jon'tae Roberson (5-11, 185).
Khalil Rashad-Brown (6-0, 190) is back at defensive back and will be one of the few returners on that side of the ball. The defense lost City Defensive Player of the Year Paolo Leua.
See California's Top 15 high school football dyansties2. Venice (Los Angeles)
Head coach: Angelo Gasca
2012 finish: 10-3, Division I semifinalist
Team previewThe Gondoliers are a trendy pick to do extremely well this season with four senior all-city players coming back. They were ousted in the semifinals in a blowout loss to Crenshaw. Running back
Alijah Lee (5-8, 175), offensive lineman
John Baez Dewig (6-3, 270), linebacker
Tayon Blockmon (6-1, 210) and quarterback
Alexander Diamont (6-2, 170), a second team choice, will lead the charge for the program that was won the Western League going back every year to at least 2003. That's a nice distribution of talent, and the Gondoliers will need to start fast, as they play a brutal nonleague slate with games against Chaminade and Oaks Christian.
See last season's L.A. City Section playoff brackets3. Crenshaw (Los Angeles)Head coach: Robert Garrett
2012 finish: 12-2, City finalist
Team previewThis perennial power is set to take on a murderer's row of nonleague opponents. It will either pay off, or ruin the Cougars' chances in the section playoffs. Oaks Christian, St. John Bosco and Long Beach Poly are on the list. Returning quarterback
Ajene Harris was a first team All City quarterback last year and linebacker
Corey Walker was a first team linebacker. Second team choice
Kenneth Davis is back on the defensive line as well. Depth is an issue at Crenshaw, but last year's team didn't let that slow it down on the way to the city title game.
See which California teams have the most wins since 2008
4. Carson
Head coach: Kevin McCall
2012 finish: 6-7, Division I semifinalist
Team previewThe Colts are on their third coach in three years, and a once dominant program has come back down to Earth a bit. But coaching turnover is really nothing new (McCall is coach No. 5 in 10 seasons), and winning isn't either (71-45 record over nine seasons). This year, the schedule is extremely tough in the nonleague portion (just the teams above), as Mater Dei, Centennial and Narbonne come calling.
Manoah Pearson (6-1, 225) returns as a first team all-city linebacker and so does defensive lineman
Shalom Tupua (6-1, 265).
Manu Enesi (5-10, 210) is a junior on the defensive line who was a second team choice last year. The defense looks to be the strength, but
Justin Collins was just a sophomore at quarterback last year as a dual threat.
See all the players from California on NFL rosters last year5. San Fernando
Head coach: Robert Garcia
2012 finish: 12-2, Division II champion
Team previewThe Tigers won it all last season as Garcia turned around the program's fortunes in his first season at the helm and won Coach of the Year for Division II. This year, they can expect to air it out with success even though Division II Player of the Year Daemon Thomson has graduated.
Cristian Solano (6-2, 180) is back at quarterback after a first team all-city selection and
Jose Camargo (5-8, 165) comes back at tight end after a first team selection.
Johnny Nunez was a first team choice at linebacker.
Charles Bell was a second team winner at wide receiver as well. While the throwing game should go well, there are young players at some key spots, so the Tigers will need to figure things out as the season rolls along.
