Chargers out in front

The Edison Chargers get a jump on 2016 season on the other local prep football teams by opening their campaign Saturday in Hawaii.

Dave White, a few days removed from beginning his 31st year as head coach of the Chargers, has 10 starters — including six returning all-league players, back from a team that last year went undefeated in Sunset League play en route to winning the league championship, and reached the CIF Southern Section West Valley Division playoffs (first round).

“I think we have a pretty good team on our hands,” White said. “We have some talented players and some really good skill position players.”

Edison currently is in Maui to open its season. The Chargers will face the Baldwin Bears at 9 p.m. (PT) Saturday. White said that part of the Edison entourage in Maui will be 96-year-old Chargers “super fan” Jim Collins.

Baldwin already has started its season. The Bears launched their campaign Saturday and fell to Honolulu Kamehameha, 38-14.

Edison and Baldwin have met on two previous occasions (2011, 2014), and the Chargers hold a 2-0 series lead on the Bears.

Edison Chargers

League: Sunset

CIF Division: 3

Head Coach: Dave White (31st year)

Coaching Staff: Rick Justice (defensive coordinator/defensive backs); Mike Walters (linebackers/running backs); Bruce Belcher (defensive ends); Dave Grace (quarterbacks); Greg Campbell (offensive line); Al Granado (defensive line); Hunter White (special teams); Fred Marquez (JV coach); Jimmy Flanagan (JV coach); Braydon Wilson (JV coach); Dave Yonts (kickers/punters); Marcus Trujillo (kickers).

2015 Record: 7-4 overall; 5-0 league (champion)

Offensive Scheme: Spread

Defensive Scheme: 4-3

Returning starters: 6 offense/4 defense

Returning with Honors: Mike Saffell (OL/DL, 2015 Sunset co-Lineman of the Year, Sr.); Shaun Colamonico (WR/DB, first-team all-league, Sr.); EJ Ginnis (WR/DB, first-team all-league, Sr.); Ken Carmichael (DE, first-team all-league, Sr.); Griffin O’Connor (QB, Jr.); Bowen Blake (QB/DB, Sr.).

Key Newcomers: Spencer Bazer (DL, Sr.); Chad Fisser (WR, Sr.); Garrett Weichman (OL, Sr.); Jon Moreida (LB, Sr.); Parker Thomas (DE, Jr.); Mateo Gallego (LB, Jr.).

Coach’s Take: “We have good athletes with quickness and we are tying to repeat as league champs,” White said. “A great group of young men who have worked very hard.”

CIF Division: The Chargers are part of Division 3 (19 schools) for the playoffs and are one of only five Orange County teams (Los Alamitos, Villa Park, Buena Park, San Juan Hills) in the division.

The Schedule: The Chargers never shy away from nonleague competition, as is reflected in this year’s slate which features games against four CIF teams that were in the playoffs last year: Tesoro (West Valley Division second round), Canyon/Anaheim (Southern Division champion), San Juan Hills (West Valley Division first round), and Mater Dei (Pac-5 Division semifinalist). Their first nonleague opponent, Maui Baldwin, reached the Division 1 quarterfinal round of the Hawaii State Football Championships last November.

Season Opener: Saturday, at Baldwin (Maui, Hawaii)

Chargers Schedule

Saturday: at Baldwin (Maui, HI., 9 p.m. PT)

Aug. 27: Tesoro, 7 p.m. (Huntington Beach High, 7 p.m.)

Sept. 9: at Canyon/Anaheim (Fred Kelly Stadium, 7 p.m.)

Sept. 16: at San Juan Hills, 7 p.m.

Sept. 23: Mater Dei (at Orange Coast College, 7 p.m.)

Oct. 6: *Newport Harbor (Huntington Beach High, 7 p.m.)

Oct. 14: at *Los Alamitos (Veterans Stadium, 7 p.m.)

Oct. 21: *Marina (Huntington Beach High, 7 p.m.)

Oct. 28: at *Fountain Valley (Orange Coast College, 7 p.m.)

Nov. 4: *Huntington Beach (Huntington Beach High, 7 p.m.)

(*denotes league game)