Football: Practice begins for Southern Section teams
As Southern Section football teams begin official practice on Monday, early signs indicate that the 2015 prep season will look a lot like 2014. Blame it on the fact that the top teams keep staying top teams.
The Pac-5 Division championship game last season between Corona Centennial and St. John Bosco could be repeated. The two schools are expected to be ranked No. 1 and 2 in Southern California.
Centennial’s offense will be as explosive as ever, especially with a veteran quarterback, Anthony Catalano, a top receiver in Javon McKinley, a top running back in J.J. Taylor and another strong, powerful offensive line.
St. John Bosco will have a much-improved defense, thanks to an outstanding secondary and depth up front. The Braves’ offense returns running back Sean McGrew and some big, intimidating linemen, led by junior Wyatt Davis. There should be no worries about Quentin Davis replacing Josh Rosen at quarterback. He’ll have a talented group of receivers, led by Jared Harrell.
The most intrigue will involve the all-out battle to claim a Pac-5 Division playoff berth in the two two toughest leagues, the Trinity and Mission. Only the top three finishers are guaranteed spots. The two at-large berths last season went to the Trinity No. 4 and 5 finishers helped by strength of schedule. The two leagues will be facing off in several games that could help decide which league is better.
No game may be more important than the opener between Santa Ana Mater Dei and La Puente Bishop Amat. That game could come back to be influential come playoff seeding time. There’s also Crespi-St. John Bosco, Servite-Bishop Amat and Orange Lutheran-Crespi.
New coaches will be trying to take over high-profiled programs. There’s Scott Meyer at Servite, Jim Benkert at Oaks Christian and Tony Henney at Westlake.
Transfers will once again play an important role in influencing competition. Some won’t become eligible until Oct. 5.
An expanded CIF state bowl game format means every Southern Section divisional champion this season will qualify for a bowl game, leading lots of schools to having their longest seasons ever.
Here’s the link to the break down on playoff divisions this season in the Southern Section.
Games begin on Aug. 28.
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