By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
Following is the 10th in a series previewing the upcoming high school football season. Today we feature the leagues that make up the Central Division and the Eastern Division of the Southern Section.
SOUTHERN SECTION
CENTRAL DIVISION
Pacific
Burroughs (9-2) lost its all-time leading rusher from last year in Justin Wiggins, but the return of Corey Howard at QB (1,487 yards) is enough to cast Burroughs as the favorite again this year. Pasadena has the league's top player in Tyron Crockum (2,050 yards passing) while Mur's Willie Youngblood is the top running threat (1,439 yards rushing).
Team to Beat: Burroughs
Top MVP Candidate: Tyron Crockum, Pasadena
Players to Watch: Tyron Crockum, Pasadena, QB, All-League, 109-188, 2,050 yards, 20 TDs; Willie Youngblood, Muir, RB, All-League, All-Pasadena Star News 2nd team, 155 carries, 1,439 yards, 13 TDs; Michael Harrison, Pasadena, WR, All-League, 42 catches, 712 yards, All-Pasadena Star News Team; Andrew Macapagal, Arcadia, OL, All-League; John Patton Jr., Muir, DE, All-League; Kyel Burdrick, Burroughs, LB, All-League, All-Glendale Area; Jordan Sanders, Burbank, DL, All-League, All-Glendale Area, 5 sacks; Kevan Walker, Arcadia, DB, All-League, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 2nd team, All-Pasadena Star News Team, 38 catches, 571 yards, Forrest Reed, Arcadia, P, All-League; Garrett Rowland, Burroughs, DL, All-Glendale Area; Corey Howard, Burroughs, QB, All-Glendale Area 2nd team, 109-195, 1,487 yards, 14 TDs; Jonathan Mai, Hoover, RB, All-Glendale Area 2nd team; Parker Haleen, Crescenta Valley, TE, All-Glendale Area 2nd team; Casey Picard, Arcadia, LB, All-Pasadena Star News Hon. Mention; Eric Willm, Arcadia, DB, All-Pasadena Star News 2nd team; Raylen Fielder, Pasadena, RB, All-Pasadena Star News Hon. Mention; Rashad McCord, Pasadena, RB, All-Pasadena Star News Hon. Mention; Amere Owens, Muir, WR, All-Pasadena Star News Hon. Mention.
Inland Valley
Three teams figure to battle for supremacy in the Inland Valley with Rancho Verde (9-3), Moreno Valley (8-5) and Canyon Springs (8-5) all having a legitimate shot at the title. Rancho Verde has the league's best QB in Justin Salazar and one of the state's best linemen in Tyron Smith. Canyon Springs figures to be solid on the defensive line with Jonell Hughes and Ryan Robinson returning. Andre Hunt and Steven Broadway lead the Moreno Valley defense at linebacker.
Team to Beat: Rancho Verde
Top MVP Candidate: Justin Salazar, Rancho Verde
Players to Watch: Justin Salazar, Rancho Verde, QB, All-League, All-Central Division, 168-276, 2,270 yards, 22 TDs, All-Riverside County Hon. Mention; Williams Jefferson, Valley View, Jr, RB, All-League; Oliver Petty, Rancho Verde, RB, All-League, 105 carries, 882 yards; Tyron Smith, Rancho Verde, OL, All-League, All-Central Division, All-Riverside County 2nd team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 2nd team; Jonell Hughes, Canyon Springs, DL, All-League; Eric Martin, Rancho Verde, Jr, LB, All-League; Casey Ledbetter, Canyon Springs, LB, All-League, 76 tackles; Andre Hunt, Moreno Valley, LB, All-League, 72 tackles; Daniel Jenkins, Rancho Verde, Jr, DB, All-League; Devyn Miller, Vista Del Lago, RB, All-League, All-Riverside County Honorable Mention, 113 carries, 1,005 yards, 14 TDs; Will Jenkins, Rancho Verde, RB, All-League 2nd team, 38 catches, 544 yards; Myshaun Nevels, Valley View, Jr, WR, All-League 2nd team; Clevonte Dillon, Vista Del Lago, Jr, DL, All-League 2nd team; Lafelton Traxler, Valley View, OL, All-League 2nd team; Steven Davis, Canyon Springs, OL, All-League 2nd team; Ryan Robinson, Canyon Springs, DL, All-League 2nd team; Steven Broadway, Moreno Valley, LB, All-League 2nd team, 78 tackles.
San Andreas
Colton (9-3) has two of the league's top players in receiver Daniel Sorensen and defensive lineman Damien Holmes. Colton is ranked just slightly ahead of Cajon (6-5) in the preseason Southern Section Central Division poll. Cajon returns junior all-league running back Walter Kazee, who ran for 1,907 yards last year. San Bernardino QB Robert Fuller looks for another huge year after throwing for 3,027 yards last year.
Team to Beat: Colton
Top MVP Candidate: Robert Fuller, San Bernardino
Players to Watch: Daniel Sorensen, Colton, WR, All-League, league offensive MVP, All-Central Division, All-San Bernardino County, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 2nd team, 21 catches, 528 yards, 6 TDs, 84 tackles, 7 Int; Damien Holmes, Colton, DL, All-League, league defensive MVP, All-Central Division, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 2nd team, 14 sacks, All-San Bernardino County 2nd team; Robert Fuller, San Bernardino, QB, All-League, All-San Bernardino County, 202-320, 3,027 yards, 24 TDs, 84 carries, 526 yards; Walter Kazee, Cajon, RB, Jr., All-League, All-Central Division, All-San Bernardino County, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomores, 259 carries, 1,907 yards, 19 TDs; Michael Phillipp, Arroyo Valley, OL, Jr.; Ray Wilburn, Cajon, OL, All-League, All-San Bernardino County, 2nd team; Chris Haberman, Cajon, DB, All-League, All-San Bernardino County Hon. Mention; Nick Reyes, Colton, RB, 2nd team all-league, 84 carries, 977 yards, 11 TDs; Dwayne Stallion, Colton, RB, 2nd team all-league; Travell Washington, Colton, RB, 2nd team all-league, All-San Bernardino County Hon. Mention; Donyale George, Arroyo Valley, WR, 2nd team all-league; Fred Locke, Cajon, WR, 2nd team all-league; Daniel Bernard, Colton, OL, 2nd team all-league, All-San Bernardino County Hon. Mention; Ben Monzrrez, Cajon, OL, 2nd team all-league; Jeffrey Patterson-Moore, Colton, DL, 2nd team all-league; Mark Salaiz, Cajon, DL, Jr, 2nd team all-league; Cosme Urbina, San Gorgonio, LB, 2nd team all-league; Miles Palomino, Arroyo Valley, DB, 2nd team all-league; Darius Hooker, San Bernardino, WR, 53 catches, 760 yards, 6 TDs; Marcus Williams, San Gorgonio, QB, 126-245, 1,802 yards, 16 TDs, All-San Bernardino County Hon. Mention.
Mt. Baldy
Colony (12-2) is the top-ranked team in the preseason Southern Section Central Division polls, edging out Colton for the top spot. Colony has a solid returning QB in Jeff Ginolfi, along with all-division lineman Josh Andrews and all-area linebacker Bobby Wagner. Don Lugo (5-6) has some weapons with Charlie Hinojosa (2,036 yards) back to throw the ball.
Team to Beat: Colony
Top MVP Candidate: Jeff Ginolfi, Colony
Players to Watch: Bobby Wagner, Colony, LB, All-Inland Valley Team; Josh Andrews, Colony, OL, all-Central Division; Jeff Ginolfi, Colony, QB, 106-163, 1,793 yards, 18 TDs; Nick Homan, Chaffey, OL, All-Inland Valley Team; Bryan Sanchez, Chaffey, LB, All-Inland Valley Team, 136 tackles; Justin Orona, Montclair, 88-203, 1,397 yards, 8 TDs; Charlie Hinojosa, Don Lugo, QB, 116-247, 2,036 yards, 20 TDs, All-Inland Valley Team; Andre Pickens, Don Lugo, 120 carries, 808 yards, 10 TDs; 21 catches, 316 yards, 3 TDs; Brandon James, Don Lugo, DL, 147 tackles, 5.5 sacks; Gabe Aquino, Don Lugo, DB, 136 tackles.
Sunbelt
Elsinore (9-5) came on strong in the playoffs and returns Brian Alvarado at wide receiver and John Mendez at defensive tackle. Lineman Hamani Stevens of Hemet (8-3) is the top player in the league, earning preseason accolades from the Los Angeles Times and Cal-Hi Sports. Zach Hubert will keep Paloma Valley (7-4) in the thick of things after passing for 1,476 yards last season.
Team to Beat: Elsinore
Top MVP Candidate: Hamani Stevens, Hemet
Players to Watch: Hamani Stevens, Hemet, OL, All-League, All-Central Division, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 1st team, 5 sacks; Joe Palomino, Paloma Valley, DL, All-League, 10 sacks; Zach Hubert, Paloma Valley, QB, Jr., 2nd team all-league, 118-198, 1,476 yards, 10 TDs; Jonathon Esparza Lakeside, RB, 2nd team all-league, 197 carries, 1,164 yards, 5 TDs; Parker Morris, Lakeside, WR, 2nd team all-league; Tyrone Richardson, West Valley, WR, Jr., 2nd team all-league; Gage Niemeyer, West Valley, WR, 2nd team all-league; Tama Hugo, Perris, WR, 2nd team all-league; Brian Alvarado, Elsinore, WR, 2nd team all-league; Michael Buckel, Paloma Valley, K, 2nd team all-league; John Mendez, Elsinore, DL, 2nd team all-league; Kyle Patterson, West Valley, DL, Jr., 2nd team all-league; Charlie Kent, Paloma Valley, DL, 2nd team all-league; Jack McKnight, West Valley, DB, 2nd team all-league; Trevor Nordin, Lakeside, DB, 2nd team all-league.
EASTERN DIVISON
Ivy
After going 14-0 last year and missing out on a shot at the CIF Division 1 Bowl Games, J. W. North will likely have something to prove this year. Led by LB John Wright, RB Cedric Foster and WR James Calhoun, North has lots of talent returning on both sides of the ball. North easily claimed the No. 1 preseason ranking in the Southern Section Eastern Division polls. Martin Luther King (6-5) and Arlington (8-4) are farther down in the preseason rankings, but have some key players returning. King has Travis Carter and Conrad tousey back at running back while Arlington has a pair of talented wideouts in Damion Stafford and TJ Davis.
Team to Beat: J.W. North
Top MVP Candidate: John Wright, North
Players to Watch: John Wright, North, LB, All-League, league MVP, All-Eastern Division, 14 sacks; Jason Soto, Ramona, RB, All-League; Cedric Foster, North, RB, All-League, All-Eastern Division, All-State Underclass Hon. Mention, All-Riverside County Hon. Mention, 190 carries, 1,582 yards 19 TDs, 8 sacks; James Calhoun, North, WR, All-League, All-Eastern Division, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass, All-Riverside County, 33 catches, 765 yards, 7 TDs; Tommy Curry, North, WR, All-League; Daniel Lincoln, Arlington, OL, All-League; Pat McGinley, King, OL, All-League; Mike Gama, North, DL, All-League; Enrique Samuelu, Riverside Poly, DL, All-League; Zack Longoria, Riverside LaSierra, LB, All-League, All-Riverside County Hon. Mention; Mo Cox, North, Jr, LB, All-League; Jake Marisnick, Riverside Poly, Jr, DB, All-League, All-Riverside County Hon. Mention; Jeremy Stuart, North, DB, All-League, 87 tackles; Travis Carter, King, RB, 2nd team all-league; Cody Garza, LaSierra, RB, 2nd team all-league; Conrad Tousey, King, RB, 2nd team all-league; Damion Stafford, Arlington, WR, Jr., 2nd team all-league; Zach Hagerty, Riverside Poly, WR, 2nd team all-league; TJ Davis, Arlington, WR, 2nd team all-league; Jordan Thomas, North, WR, 2nd team all-league; Donald Morely, Ramona, OL, 2nd team all-league; Chris Rivas, LaSierra, OL, 2nd team all-league; Sean Dougherty, Riverside Poly, OL, 2nd team all-league; Colin Munro, King, OL, 2nd team all-league; DJ Singh, North, OL, 2nd team all-league; Richard Johnson-Dorsey, Riverside Poly, OL, 2nd team all-league; James Rodriguez, King, K, Jr., 2nd team all-league; Terrance Williams, North, DL, Jr., 2nd team all-league, 9 sacks; Carsten Scheele, King, LB, 2nd team all-league; Trevor Lopez, Riverside Poly, LB, 2nd team all-league, 131 tackles; Travis Leach, Arlington, LB, 2nd team all-league; Lester White, North, DB, Jr., 2nd team all-league; Jacey Naea, King, DB, 2nd team all-league; Joe Salazar, King, DB, 2nd team all-league; James Ackel, Arlington, DB, 2nd team all-league; Chris Hall, Riverside Poly, DB, 2nd team all-league.
Mojave River
Serrano (6-5) takes over the favorite role this year from Apple Valley (9-2), although the two figure to be neck and neck for the league title. Defensive lineman Josh Smart leads Serrano while lineman Cody Martin and Jordan Bernal anchor the Apple Valley front wall along with Alex Gordan and Joe Johnson.
Team to Beat: Serrano
Top MVP Candidate: Josh Smart, Serrano
Players to Watch: Cody Martin, Apple Valley, OL, All-League; Josh Smart, Serrano, DL, All-League; Jordan Bernal, Apple Valley, DL, All-League; Danny Reyes, Hesperia, LB, Jr, All-League; Dominick Reyes, Hesperia, DB, All-League; Anthony Alexander, Hesperia, WR, Jr., 2nd team all-league; Alex Gordan, Apple Valley, OL., 2nd team all-league; Joe Johnson, Apple Valley, DL., 2nd team all-league; Michael Datuin, Hesperia, DL., 2nd team all-league; Joshua Luster, Sultana, DL., 2nd team all-league; Casey Hayes, Apple Valley, LB., 2nd team all-league.
Desert Valley
LaQuinta (12-2) is one spot behind J.W. North in the Eastern Division preseason rankings. LaQuinta is led by all-league defensive back Komani Harper. Palm Desert (7-3) will also be in contention behind the play of WR Cody Romness.
Team to Beat: LaQuinta
Top MVP Candidate: Kamani Harper, LaQuinta
Players to Watch: Kamani Harper, LaQuinta, DB, All-League; Cody Romness, Palm Desert, WR, All-League; DeAndre Gore, Palm Springs, LB, Jr, All-League; Theo Murrell, Palm Springs, CB, All-League; Marcus Martinez, Indio, RB, All-League.
Desert Sky
With All-Division pick Dominic Bonetpels back to anchor the offense and the defense, Silverado (11-2) ranks as the team to beat in the Desert Sky and is ranked third in the Eastern Division preseason polls. Bonetpels will get help from linebackers Herbert McCook and Dante Jones and QB Kevin Lewis.
Team to Beat: Silverado
Top MVP Candidate: Dominic Bonetpels, Silverado
Players to Watch: Robert Mattingly, Barstow, OL; Elia Fuimaona, Barstow, LB; Troy Spargo, Burroughs, QB, 1,412 yards passing; Brandon Teasley, Burroughs, RB, 718 yards rushing; Alex Dominguez, Burroughs, C; Robert Flack, Burroughs, G; Ryan Madrid, Granite Hills, DL, 8 sacks; Dominic Bonetpels, Silverado, WR, All-Eastern Division, 92 tackles; Kevin Lewis, Silverado, QB; Herbert McCook, Silverado, LB; Dante Jones, Silverado, LB; Nick Delgado, Victor Valley, OL; Bryce Dettorre, Victor Valley, LB; Joe Ramirez, Victor Valley, OL; Steve Rodriguez, Victor Valley, QB.
Sunkist
Kaiser (10-3) is the returning champion, but Bloomington (6-5) got the nod among the pollsters in the Eastern Division preseason poll. Bloomington is ranked fourth in the division while Kaiser is fifth. Bloomington returns three all-leaguers in WR Sean Evans, OL Pete Perez and LB Eric Munoz. Kaiser has LB Simon Martinez, an All-Division pick, to lead the defense along with LB Julian Martinez.
Team to Beat: Bloomington
Top MVP Candidate: Wayne Soliai, Norte Vista
Players to Watch: Wayne Soliai, Norte Vista, WR, All-League, All-Eastern Division, 620 yards receiving; Pedro Madrigal, Kaiser, WR, All-League; Sean Evans, Bloomington, WR, All-League; Pete Perez, Bloomington, OL, All-League; William Hernandez, Norte Vista, DL, All-League; Anthony Cardenas, Rubidoux, DL, All-League; Julian Martinez, Kaiser, LB, All-League; Sami Latuhol, Norte Vista, LB, All-League; Eric Muniz, Bloomington, LB, All-League, 80 tackles; Simon Martinez, Kaiser, LB, Jr. All-League, All-Eastern Division; Eddie Shepherd, Rubidoux, LB, All-League, 81 tackles; Demourya, Jackson, Rubidoux, DB, All-League; Nick Hartman, Jurupa Valley, DB, All-League; Kyle Skipworth, Rubidoux, RB, 2nd team all-league, 1,240 yards passing; Jayson Allmond, Bloomington, RB, Jr., 2nd team all-league; Junior Pena, Fontana Summit, RB, So., 2nd team all-league; Adam Ramirez, Kaiser, RB, Jr., 2nd team all-league; Marquise Boyd, Kaiser, RB, Jr., 2nd team all-league; Daian Lewis, Summit, WR, So., 2nd team all-league; Sonny Caballero, Rubidoux, WR, Jr., 2nd team all-league; Paul Cabrera, Norte Vista, WR, 2nd team all-league; Demetrius Watson, Summit, OL, So., 2nd team all-league; Everett Herrill, Jurupa Valley, OL, 2nd team all-league; Jose Rodriguez, Jurupa Valley, OL, 2nd team all-league; Paul Vasquez, Norte Vista, OL, 2nd team all-league; Cesar Cortez, Kaiser, OL, 2nd team all-league; Jesse Cervantes, Rubidoux, K, Jr., 2nd team all-league; Ryan Smith, Summit, K, Jr., 2nd team all-league, 926 yards passing; Nathan Hughes, Jurupa Valley, DL, 2nd team all-league; Nathan Bradshaw, Summit, DL, Jr., 2nd team all-league; Pedro Ochoa, Kaiser, DL, 2nd team all-league; Brandon Zuniga, Summit, DL, Jr., 2nd team all-league; Adam Nunez, Norte Vista, DL, 2nd team all-league; Saul Plascencia, Jurupa Valley, LB, 2nd team all-league; Josh Chan, Rubidoux, LB, 2nd team all-league; Jesse Arredondo, Bloomington, LB, 2nd team all-league; Brandon Borders, Jurupa Valley, LB, 2nd team all-league; Marcus Pallares, Norte Vista, LB, 2nd team all-league; Kurt Warner, Bloomington, LB, 2nd team all-league; Eric Loving, Norte Vista, LB, 2nd team all-league; Ryan Holland, Jurupa Valley, LB, 2nd team all-league; Dekri Moore, Summit, LB, Jr., 2nd team all-league; Andrew Ramirez, Kaiser, LB, 2nd team all-league; Noel Martinez, Bloomington, LB, 2nd team all-league; Joseph Randolph, Bloomington, DB, 2nd team all-league; Eric Hooker, Bloomington, DB, Jr., 2nd team all-league; Eric Bradshaw, Summit, DB, Jr., 2nd team all-league.
Players to Watch determined by 2006 all-league and all-area teams. Some players may have transfered or were misidentified as underclassmen.
