Oceanside won it all last season in the San Diego Section and is the top team in the section, according to our Fab 5.
Photo by Steven Silva
Head coach: John Carroll
2012 finish: 12-1, Division II champion
Team previewThe Pirates will be athletic at receiver, so that should once again put them in contention for playoff glory. Of course, just making the playoffs isn't enough for this proud program that has made it to the semifinals in 19-straight seasons. Oceanside must replace two SDS Player of the Year winners (quarterback Tofi Paopao and linebacker William Gulley) but other than that has a great stable of athletes coming back. Stanford commit
Alijah Holder (6-foot-2, 175 pounds) is back in the defensive backfield and he is joined by San Diego State commit
Mikah Holder (6-2, 175, also a wide receiver). Senior and Arizona commit
Jace Whittaker (5-11, 175) is another athlete back as part of 11 returning starters. Don't forget that
Thai Cottrell is San Jose State-bound, an All-San Diego Section wide receiver. Carroll also thinks his defensive front and athletic offensive line will have great seasons.
See California's Top 15 high school football dyansties2. Mission Hills (San Marcos)
Head coach: Chris Hauser
2012 finish: 10-3, Division I finalist
Team previewPutting up points shouldn't be much of a problem for the Grizzlies, so long as they get some decent protection up front.
Connor Wynn is back at quarterback for his senior year after a second team All-San Diego Section honor,
Fred Warner (6-3, 200) will work from the tight end spot (and play linebacker) and
Ricky Liuchan (6-2, 205) is a returning running back/linebacker who was a first team All-Section player on defense. They graduated a load of seniors and a lot of maturity from the offensive line left. Hauser also touts his team's depth at wide receiver. They'll need to start hot, with Desert Vista of Arizona to open the schedule.
See which California teams have the most wins since 20083. Helix (La Mesa)
Head coach: Troy Starr
2012 finish: 10-1, Division II semifinalist
Team previewThe Highlanders have the unenviable task of replacing four All-San Diego Section Team players, one each at wide receiver, running back, defensive line and linebacker. They do have
Jalen Davis returning, a second team performer at defensive back. Coach Troy Starr took this program to a state title in 2011 and took the team into the playoffs with an undefeated record last season, so thought talent has left, he has a way with making teams win. Defensive lineman
Forrest Hanlon (6-2, 200) was a first team all-league performer last season as a freshman and linebacker
Rueben Leasau (6-2, 215) was as well in his junior campaign.
See all the players from California on NFL rosters last year4. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego)Head coach: Sean Doyle
2012 finish: 0-10 (8-2 on the field)
Team previewThe Dons were set to defend their section title last year and had the No. 2 seed in the playoffs when it was discovered that an ineligible player competed in all 10 games. They were barred from the postseason after self-reporting the issue, and will look to put it behind them this season. The JV team was 10-0 last year and the varsity team was still prolific on the field, but a horde of all-league players graduated.
Aaron Mitchell was a second team offense pick for the all-league team, as were
Kyle Davis and linebacker
Xavier Ulutu (6-0, 220).
Chris Moliga (5-11, 195) is also back to play running back and strong safety. Inexperience may hinder this squad, but there are also plenty of positives that lead to the thought that the Dons can contend.
See last season's San Diego Section rankings, presented by the Army National Guard5. Madison (San Diego)
Head coach: Rick Jackson
2012 finish: 14-1, Division III state champion
Team previewThe Eagles bring back 11 players from a team that beat Marin Catholic in a thrilling state title game, a 38-35 win. It's certainly a plus to bring back a quarterback and depth on the offensive/defensive lines, plus a pair of solid wide receivers.
Michael Garner (5-10, 170) and
Vincent Parrish (6-2, 175) return at receiver and they will haul in passes from junior
Kareem Coles, who led the run-oriented offense last year. On the line,
Tiasamo Savusa (6-2, 270),
Dotun Ogundeji (6-1, 245) and
Samuel Vermillion (6-5, 245) all come back in the trenches after all-league honors. The defense could be a liability in some spots, but a repeat trip to the state title game appears very possible.
