Channel League preview

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Whew! It was close, but Todd Therrien came away with that big ol’ win in his first game as Head Coach at St. Bonaventure. But wasn’t it supposed to be easier than that? After all, the Seraphs are regarded as one of the best teams in Southern California and have someone by the name of Darrell Scott, arguably the best running back in the nation.

I know, it’s easy to pick on a perennial powerhouse like St. Bonny when it has one of those rare slip-ups. However, even though they almost coughed up a big one in the opener, call it a hunch if I feel like a tough nonleague schedule will force the Seraphs to overcome their little stumble-out-of-the-gate and win their seventh divisional title in nine years.

The Seraphs are just too darn good – they’ve got Vaughn Dotsy anchoring one of the strongest offensive lines in the Northern Division and a strong receiving unit spearheaded by WR Casey Serna and TE Raphael Washington. Tony Macarena is improving at QB and a lot of teams are going to forget about first-team all-league RB Patrick Hall. Defensively, the Seraphs are solid with linemen Ryan Panapa and Ryan Medina.

And, did I mention that 6-foot-2, 225-pound transfer from Moorpark, Darrell Scott? You know, the guy who rushed for 3,194 yards and 46 TDs in 2006. I did? Just double checking, because HE’S DA MAN!

Enough on the Scott fellow. On to Ventura, which looks good to finish second with returning QB Blake Kreutz and RB Michael McFadden. Sure, the Cougars had some opening night jitters last week, but they’ll easily make the playoffs again.

As for third place, I think Dos Pueblos has the edge over San Marcos because of the number of returning players on offense, including QB Gary Braun and WR Derek Martinez. But the Chargers do have a lot of inexperience on the offensive line.

Oh, one last thing: There’s this great running back on St. Bon… oops, never mind.

Here’s my prediction: 1. St. Bonaventure, 2. Ventura, 3. Dos Pueblos, 4. San Marcos 5. Buena, 6. Santa Barbara

Must-see games:

• Sept. 14 – Canyon at St. Bonaventure, 7 p.m.
• Sept. 14 – Ventura at Moorpark, 7 p.m.
• Sept. 21 – Oaks Christian vs. St. Bonaventure at Ventura HS, 7:30 p.m.
• Sept. 28 – St. Bonaventure vs. Crespi at Pierce College, 7 p.m.
• Oct. 12 – St. Bonaventure vs. Ventura at Buena, 7 p.m.
• Oct. 12 – Dos Pueblos at San Marcos, 7 p.m.

- Austin Knoblauch