By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
Following is the first in a series of stories previewing the upcoming football season in California. Today's previews include the leagues that play in the Northern Section. Tomorrow - Sac Joaquin Section.
NORTHERN SECTION
Butte View League
After finishing behind Gridley (11-1, 5-0) last year, Sutter (8-3, 4-1) looks to return to the top of the Butte View League standings thanks to the return of the team's top players on defense and a strong group of juniors up from a 10-0 JV team. Jordan Lewis, an All-Northern Section linebacker, leads a solid group on defense that includes Anthony Cummins and Tyler Morehead. The offense loses most of the playmakers from last year, but junior QB Jon Garcia should give the Huskies one of the top passers in the league. Gridley won't roll over for the Huskies. The Bulldogs have the top defensive player in the league returning in defensive end/linebacker Spencer Anderson, but the Bulldogs have a lot to replace on offense. Wheatland (6-5, 3-2) also figures to be in the mix with All-Northern Section linebacker Andrew McCleary leading the Pirates on offense and defense. Teammate Alex Pinto, could make his mark as one of the section's best linemen this year.
Team to Beat: Sutter Huskies
Top MVP Candidate: Andrew McCleary, Wheatland
Players to Watch: Spencer Anderson, Gridley, LB, All-League, League Defensive MVP, All-Northern Section 1st team, 120 tackles; Kegan Waite, Gridley, RB, All-League, 61 carries, 540 yards, 6 TDs; Jordan Lewis, Sutter, LB, All-League, All-Northern Section 2nd team, 169 tackles; Max DiPario, Sutter, G, All-League; Alex Pinto, Wheatland, T, All-League; Andrew McCleary, Wheatland, RB, All-League, All-Northern Section 2nd team, 24 TDs, 212 carries, 1,801 yards, 116 tackles; Kaplin Smith, Winters, TE, All-League; John Pack, Las Plumas, DT, All-League; Nick Wilson, Gridley, DB, 83 tackles; Brian Montoya, Sutter, TE, 14 catches, 277 yards; Tyler Morehead, Sutter, DE, 4.5 sacks; Anthony Cummins, Sutter, LB, 71 tackles, 4 sacks, Jake Orlando, Sutter, RB, 45 carries, 246 yards, 5 TDs; Michael Canalin, Wheatland, DB; Kyle Peacock, Wheatland, WR; David Wilson, Wheatland, WR, Jr.; Alex Hernandez, Orland, QB; TJ Torres, Orland, OT
Eastern Athletic League
The Foothill Cougars (11-1, 7-0) fell one game short of their goal of an undefeated season and a Northern Section championship. The Cougars have come close to a title many times in their 15-year existence, but have yet to win a title. That could change in 2007 thanks to the return of two of the more explosive players in the section, brothers Cole and Kyle Johnston. Cole is a dual threat to run or pass the ball at quarterback while Kyle was on the receiving end of many of Cole's passes last year. The Cougars will also be very solid on defense with Teddy and Casey Robertson returning after all-league efforts last year. Pleasant Valley (8-3-1, 5-2) could give Foothill a challenge. The Vikings have a new coach in Bill Haley and he is assisted by Craig Rigsbee, who was a highly-successful coach for Butte Community College for over 15 years. Rigsbee's son, Tyler, has already committed to Cal and is one of the top linemen in Northern California. The addition of Cody McHargue, an all-league runner from Durham, bolsters the backfield. Evan Busby was an all-league runner and linebacker for the Vikings, but he received a baseball scholarship offer to Cal-Poly SLO during his junior year, so we'll wait and see if he plays football for the Vikings. Paradise (11-1, 6-1) also can't be counted out. The Bobcats have won three of the past four Northern Section Division 1 championships. Although the Bobcats have only a handful of returning starters, coach Rick Prinz always has a strong group of JV players moving up.
Team to Beat: Foothill Cougars
Top MVP Candidate: Cole Johnston, Foothill, QB
Players to Watch: Tyler Rigsbee, Pleasant Valley, OL, All-League, All-Northern Section 1st team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 2nd team; Evan Busby, Pleasant Valley, RB, All-League, 66 tackles; Augie Heath, Pleasant Valley, K-P, All-League, All-Northern Section 1st team; Cody McHargue, Pleasant Valley, RB, All-League, 205 carries, 1,529 yards, 14 TDs (at Durham); Cole Johnston, Foothill, QB, All-League, All-Northern Section 1st team, 56-80, 834 yards, 12 TDs, 95 carries, 872 yards rushing, 12 TDs; Tim Bower, Chico, DL, All-League, All-Northern Section 1st team; Casey Robertson, Foothill, LB, All-League, All-Northern Section 1st team, 146 tackles; Kyle Johnston, Foothill, DB, All-League, All-Northern Section 1st team, 68 carries, 743 yards rushing, 9 TDs, 26 receptions, 375 yards, 8 TDs, 7 int; Teddy Robertson, DL, All-League, All-Northern Section 2nd team, 68 tackles, 4 sacks; Bret Scott, Chico, WR, All-League Honorable Mention, 16 catches, 175 yards; Matt Roi, Foothill, TE, All-League Honorable Mention; 6 rec, 119 yards; Jon Hays, Paradise, QB, 72-118, 998 yards, 14 TDs; Tyler Smith, Foothill, WR, 9 rec., 154 yards; Trevor Crouse, Paradise, DL, 7.5 sacks; Jacob Prinz, Paradise, LB, 7.0 sacks; Greg Kester, Paradise, RB; Jason Walton, Paradise, RB; Kyle Patterson, Pleasant Valley, DB, 76 tackles; Nate Anderson, Chico, QB, Jr, 44-95, 559 yards, 6 TDs; Matt Carter, Chico, RB, 35 carries, 302 yards, 17 catches, 243 yards; Craig Jeffery, Oroville, RB, 23 carries, 330 yards; Jason Wacker, Shasta, LB, 62 tackles; Ben Anderson, Shasta, LB; Anthony Halbersma, Shasta, DB, 52 tackles; Forrest Garner, Red Bluff, DE.
Evergreen League
Expect a three-team race in the Evergreen League this year between Hayfork (8-3, 4-2), Tulelake (7-4, 4-2) and defending Northern Section Division 5 champion Maxwell (12-1, 5-1). Big Valley, a co-champion with Maxwell last year in the Evergreen standings, is playing 8-man football this year. Maxwell will dearly miss the huge offensive line it boasted last year that helped Kane Lausten rush for close to 2,000 yards. However the Panthers have a core of talented players at the skill positions, including all-leaguers Gustavo Rangel, who moves from WR to QB, Hunter Stillwell, who moves from TE to RB, and Brian Hamner. Mitch Barsotti fills in for the departed Lausten at the other RB spot. Tulelake has the speed to match the Panthers. Rey Chavolla is one of the fastest athletes in the Northern Section and looks for a second straight 1,000-yard season. Meanwhile, Hayfork has the experience at quarterback where Nick Gonzales returns for his third straight year to run the Timberjacks' wishbone offense.
Team to Beat: Maxwell Panthers
Top MVP Candidate: Nick Gonzales, Hayfork
Players to Watch: Gustavo Rangel, Maxwell, WR, All-League, 10 catches, 157 yards; Hunter Stillwell, Maxwell, LB, All-League, 110 tackles; Brian Hamner, Maxwell, DB, All-League, 108 tackles; Nick Gonzales, Hayfork, QB, All-League, 117 carries, 805 yards, 18 TDs, 122 points, 39-69, 750 yards, 9 TDs; Kevin Byrd, Hayfork, OL, All-League; Joseph Doshier, Hayfork, RB, All-League, 109 carries, 512 yards; Rey Chavolla, Tulelake, All-League, 118 carries, 1117 yards, 17 TDs; Luke Woodson, Tulelake, DE, All-League, 98 tackles, 17 sacks; Dale Jorgensen, Westwood, QB, All-League; Kyle Johnson, Westwood, OL, All-League; Mitch Barsotti, Maxwell, RB, 67 points; Javier Reyes, Tulelake, QB, 18-38, 336 yards, 4 TD; Nick Baley, Tulelake, QB, 17-45, 328 yards, 8 TD; Cody Campbell, Dunsmuir, DB, 83 tackles
Mid-Valley League
The Hamilton Braves (10-2, 6-0) dominated the Mid-Valley League last year and nearly won the Northern Section Division 4 championship. Bad news for the rest of the MVL - the Braves will be even better this year. The Braves return nearly every key player from last year's team, including QB Jeff Cavins, RB Craig Lohse and WR Jayson Ware. On defense, DE Adam Blessing, DE Jace Knight and LB Ryan Schimke all return giving the Braves plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. A return to the section championship game will be a tougher task this year, though, as the Braves move up to Division 3 this year. Williams (7-5, 5-1) gave the Braves their toughest challenge last year and should make some noise again this year. The Yellowjackets went 7-2 under coach Dan McDonald, who took over during the fourth week of the season. Williams' only losses were to Hamilton and East Nicolaus, the two teams that reached the Division 4 championship game. Williams isn't deep, but it does have some quickness in the backfield and size on the line with Giovanni Muniz and Matt Rolen both tipping the scales at over 260 pounds. Esparto (4-6, 4-2) has the league's most explosive player in Suavae Cook, a WR/DB who can score from anywhere on the field.
Team to Beat: Hamilton Braves
Top MVP Candidate: Ryan Schimke, Hamilton
Players to Watch: Jeff Cavins, Hamilton, QB, All-League, 86-170, 1,176 yards, 10 TDs; Ryan Schimke, Hamilton, LB, Jr, All-League, 134 tackles; Adam Blessing, Hamilton, DE, All-League, 23 catches, 331 yards, 3 TD, 79 tackles, 10 sacks; Craig Lohse, Hamilton, RB, All-League, 150 carries, 926 yards, 8 TDs; Jayson Ware, Hamilton, WR, All-League, 25 catches, 400 yards, 4 TD; Giovanni Muniz, Williams, OL, All-League, 53 tackles; Suavae Cook, Esparto, WR, All-League, 23 catches, 437 yards, 6 TDs; Josh King, Esparto, LB, All-League, 103 tackles; Andrew Gomez, Biggs, OL, All-League; Jamisson Parker, Hamilton, RB, 76 carries, 356 yards, 8 TDs; Jace Knight, Hamilton, DL, 82 tackles, 10 sacks; Josh Hernandez, Hamilton, WR, 11 catches, 190 yards; Andy Haley, Los Molinos, DB, 102 tackles; Paul Brownfield, Los Molinos, RB, 5 TDs; Ema Martinez, Williams, RB, Jr., 90 carries, 471 yards; Matt Burt, Chester, DB, 3 Int; Nick Delucchi, Chester, LB, 73 tackles; Scott Peck, Biggs, QB, Jr., 77-162, 1,185 yards, 9 TDs; Neil Lawley, Mercy, QB, 33-106, 508 yards, 3 TD; Isaac Morgan, Mercy, DB, 4 Int
Northern Athletic League
Anderson (10-2, 5-0) surprised everyone last year with its unbeaten league mark and Northern Section Division 2 championship under first-year head coach Lance Gosch. However the Cubs graduated nearly every starter from last year's team, and will rely on underclassmen to carry the load this year. West Valley (6-6, 3-2) and Central Valley (4-7, 2-3) slumped a bit last year after spectacular seasons in 2006. Look for both of those to rebound in 2007. Lassen (7-4-1, 4-1) also can't be counted out thanks to the return of Josh Baum, who ran for 1,190 yards last year.
Team to Beat: West Valley Eagles
Top MVP Candidate: Josh Baum, Lassen
Players to Watch: Josh Baum, Lassen, RB, All-League, 123 carries, 1,190 yards, 12 TDs; Ethan Ostrom, West Valley, WR, All-League, 12 catches, 369 yards, 4 TD; Andy Miller, West Valley, LB, All-League Honorable Mention, 81 tackles; Bobby Owens, West Valley, TE, All-League Honorable Mention, 9 catches, 254 yards, 3 TD; Jeremy Turner, Yreka, LB, All-League Honorable Mention, 129 tackles; Jake Smith, Anderson, QB; Phillip Allegretto, Anderson, DB; Josh Barrett, West Valley, QB, Jr., 21-39, 504, 6 TDs; Scott Kinyon, West Valley, LB, 55 tackles, 3 sacks; Kurtis Bodner, Central Valley, LB, 102 tackles; Kody Hill, Central Valley, LB, 73 tackles; Andrew Leedy, Central Valley, OT; Ethan Nooner, Corning, RB, 61 carries, 528 yards, 8 TDs; JT Minto, Corning, DT; Patrick Bixby, Corning, QB; Clint Lacy, Corning, DB; Kyson Culp, Yreka, QB, 59-133, 954 yards, 7 TDs; Jimmy Kutzer, Yreka, WR, 22 catches, 310 yards, 3 TDs, 93 tackles; Ethan Garrett, Yreka, DB, 5 Int; Nick Timmons, Anderson, DB.
Sacramento Valley League - Large
The Live Oak Lions (9-3, 4-1) came within two points of winning the Northern Section Division 3 championship last year, falling to SVL champion Mt. Shasta 8-7. The Lions figure to be the favorite this year, despite losing Paul Nevarez (2,278 yards rushing), because they return just about everyone else from last year's second-place team. Meanwhile Mt. Shasta (9-1, 5-0) loses Patrick Lunney, the section's all-time leading rusher, along with most of the line and skill position players. Durham (5-5, 2-3) also lost its top rusher, Cody McHargue, to Pleasant Valley. Willows (6-6, 2-3) battled through the tragic loss of teammate Brian Parks, son of coach Curtis Parks, who died on the practice field prior to the start of the season last year. This year, the Honkers have a young, but talented group that should finish toward the top of the league standings.
Team to Beat: Live Oak Lions
Top MVP Candidate: James Fox, Live Oak
Players to Watch: Kent Thayer, Willows, LB, All-League, 68 carries, 311 yards, 18 catches, 290 yards, 3 TD; 85 tackles; Shane Galbraith, Durham, RB, All-League, 48 carries, 374 yards, 81 tackles; Derik Noah, Durham, RB, All-League, 75 tackles; Ernie Caratachea, Live Oak, C, All-League, 63 tackles; James Fox, Live Oak, RB, All-League, 108 carries, 544 yards, 6 TDs, 78 tackles; Justin Epperson, Live Oak, T, All-League; Brandyn Harned, Live Oak, RB, All-League, 44 carries, 265 yards, 60 tackles, 7 sacks; Dallas Brooks, Mt. Shasta, RB, All-League, 56 carries, 367 yards, 5 TDs; Daniel Gonzalez, Live Oak, DB, 7 int; Luis Fregoso, Live Oak, WR, 9 catches, 151 yards; Matt Candelaria, Willows, LB, Jr., 92 tackles; Tyler Kormos, Willows, LB, Jr., 46 tackles; Quintin Dolci, Trinity, LB, 103 tackles; Dimitri Dolci, Trinity, LB, 69 tackles; Zack McKnight, Trinity, DT, 7 sacks; Matt Vedo, Colusa, QB, 64-154, 908 yards, 3 TDs; Raul Mojica, Colusa, RB, 5 TDs, 44 points, 80 tackles; Cody Bailey, Colusa, LB, 67 tackles
Sacramento Valley League - Small
The SVL was extremely balanced last year. Case in point, Pierce (8-3, 5-0) edged East Nicolaus (10-2, 4-1) for the league title, but lost to third-place Rio Vista (7-5, 3-2) in the first round of the playoffs. East Nicolaus went on to win the Division 4 championship. The Spartans lose the bulk of last year's squad, including the section's leading passer Fielding Uhland (1,831 yards) and the league's leading rusher Jon Limary (1,552 yards). The Rams have the top returning running back tandem in Chris Davis (1,243 yards) and Pedro Ruiz (976 yards) and they both played on Rio Vista's section championship team two years ago. Pierce will be young, but does have talent in the backfield with Jose Vera (1,107 yards). Quincy (5-6, 2-3) and Delta (3-7, 1-4) both figure to be improved with nearly every skill player returning for both teams.
Team to Beat: Rio Vista Rams
Top MVP Candidate: Alex Daddow, East Nicolaus
Players to Watch: Jose Vera, Pierce, RB, All-League, 182 carries, 1,017 yards, 10 TD; Michael Barber, Pierce, DB, All-League, 5 catches, 114 yards, 3 TDs; Chris Davi, Rio Vista, RB, All-League, 201 carries, 1,243 yards, 10 TDs, 59 tackles, 12 sacks; Pedro Ruiz, Rio Vista, RB, All-League, 146 carries, 976 yards, 10 TDs, 79 tackles; Kyle Hemsley, Quincy, RB, All-League, 63 carries, 252 yards, 24 catches, 433 yards; Tra Ross, Quincy, DB, Jr., All-League, 31 catches, 524 yards, 6 TDs; George Daly, Delta, WR, All-League, 28 catches, 462 yards; Ryan Elliott, Delta, TE, All-League, 12 catches, 157 yards; Clint Wagner, Delta, QB, All-League, 58-126, 782 yards, 5 TDs; Alex Daddow, East Nicolaus, FB, 70 carries, 528 yards, 149 tackles; Justin Jerome, East Nicolaus, QB-K; Brandon Cascayan, Rio Vista, DB; Aaron Kimmel, Quincy, QB, 91-190, 1,364 yards, 12 TDs; Joe Ellison, Quincy, DE, 55 tackles
Shasta Cascade League
Modoc (7-4, 5-0) dominated league play last year, averaging 50 points a game, and there's no reason to believe it won't happen again this year. All-league QB Trent Schmidt returns and he has a solid line in front of him with Josh Wood and Jacob Ketler. Finding a replacement for league MVP Jesse Harer will be the key. Etna (4-6, 3-2) could return to prominence this year after four years of tough times. QB Clint Johnson (1,482 yards) and LB Logan Dysert give the Lions two of the league's best athletes. Fall River (4-7, 2-3) also should improve with RB Garrett Barnett (1,113 yards) returning.
Team to Beat: Modoc Braves
Top MVP Candidate: Logan Dysert, Etna
Players to Watch: Jacob Ketler, Modoc, OL, All-League; Josh Wood, Modoc, DL, Jr, All-League, 101 tackles, 6 sacks; Trent Schmidt, Modoc, QB, All-League, 53-99, 689 yards, 6 TDs; Logan Dysert, Etna, LB, All-League, 108 carries, 614 yards, 6 TDs, 139 tackles; Clint Johnson, Etna, QB, All-League, 111-220, 1,482 yards, 4 TDs; Garrett Barnett, Fall River, RB, All-League, 183 carries, 1,113 yards, 16 TDs; Brad Kyle, Fall River, LB, All-League, 44 tackles; Lane Strickland, Fall River, DB, All-League, 71 tackles; Cody Aquila, Weed, LB, All-League, 108 carries, 577 yards; Skylar Schneider, Etna, 36 catches, 768 yards, 7 TDs; Trevor Eastlick, Etna, 20 catches, 185 yards; Cody Wagner, Fall River, QB, 36-73, 437 yards, 3 TD; Nick Lakey, Fall River, RB, 161 carries, 857 yards, 5 TDs; Jose Robles, Weed, QB, 29-64, 647 yards, 5 TDs; Cody Grayson, Weed, LB, 80 tackles; Willie Lyons, Burney, LB, 70 tackles; Bobby Wilson, Bishop Quinn, LB, 80 tackles; Brandon Hernandez, Bishop Quinn, DT, Jr., 6 sacks
