LEAGUE PREVIEWS : TRI-VALLEY

Teams appear in order of finish predicted by Times staff writers. Carpinteria

COACH: Lou Panizzon, 13th year

LAST SEASON: 6-5; second in league, 3-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Carpinteria, ranked sixth in the Inland Conference in the Southern Section preseason poll, is the top contender for the league title. Thirteen players and seven starters return from last season’s team that lost in the first round of the playoffs to St. Genevieve. John Keiser (5-9, 190) gained more than 1,000 yards last season as a sophomore and was an all-league selection as a linebacker. Senior Chris Ames was all-league last season as a defensive back and plays running back. Tyler Whitney (5-10, 160), who was the backup quarterback last season, moves into a starting role this season. Whitney will be throwing to a pair of experienced receivers, seniors Ray Martinez (5-7, 155) and Greg Rogers (5-11, 165). Two juniors, Steve Cummings (6-0, 190) and Robbie Durtche (6-3, 185), will split time at tight end. “Our offense should score a lot of points,” Panizzon said. “Our kicking game will be excellent.” Ames does the kicking for the Warriors and senior punter Kent Smith was all-league last season.

OUTLOOK: “This league is going to be very balanced this season,” Panizzon said. “I’m excited because we have a good group of kids, but there is no reason to get overconfident because this year everyone is capable of getting beat by everyone else.”

Santa Ynez

COACH: Larry Popkin, first year

LAST SEASON: 9-3; first in league, 5-0

PLAYERS TO WATCH: After coaching various sports at Santa Ynez over the past 25 years, Popkin inherits a talented team that is ranked 10th in the Inland Conference in the Southern Section preseason poll. The Pirates have nine starters back from last season’s league champs, including senior Sean Layer (5-11, 265), an offensive/defensive tackle who was all-league last season. Senior all-league fullback/linebacker Craig Little (6-0, 190) also returns. Senior Nick Baldacchino (5-10, 165) will be the quarterback after spending last season as backup. Senior wide receiver Tim Prince (6-1, 185) and senior tight end Gentry Long (6-2, 200) give Baldacchino two experienced targets. Joining Little in the offensive backfield will be senior Scott Laird (6-0, 185). The Pirate defense is led by senior linebackers Dave Veino (6-2, 175) and Jason Groshart (5-9, 175). They will be playing off the line behind sophomore nose guard Brent Messer (6-0, 205), who Popkin said could become one of the league’s dominant players before he graduates.

OUTLOOK: “I think we’ll be representative,” Popkin said. “I think the whole league is going to be up, so we’re going to have to avoid mistakes and take advantage of every opportunity we’re given.”

St. Bonaventure

COACH: Paul Spinner, fourth year

LAST SEASON: 6-5; second in league, 3-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: St. Bonaventure, which lost to Agoura in the first round of the playoffs last season, will have to replace some key players to win the league this season. Senior Mike Harrison (5-10, 160) and junior Steve Dominguez (6-0, 160) are competing to start at quarterback. Senior wide receiver Gene Scampone (5-11, 160) was all-league last season and will be one of the team’s primary receivers along with tight ends Robert Donahue (6-1, 190), Andy Wagner (6-6, 235) and Ray Mere (6-0, 170). Spinner plans on alternating four running backs, including seniors Mike Luna (5-11, 180), Joey Acuna (5-11, 170) and Robbie Davison (5-10, 170), and junior Sid Kim (5-11, 190). The Seraph defense will once again be anchored by senior defensive tackle Walt Williams (6-1, 220), who was all-league last season. Junior Tom Mooney (6-1, 180) and senior Frank Castro (6-1, 175) will be starting linebackers for the Seraphs.

OUTLOOK: “Realistically, we’re looking at third place,” Spinner said. “It’s been a real strong league in the past and Santa Ynez and Carpinteria are going to be strong again. We’ll contend if we can avoid injuries because we’re not that deep.”

Oak Park

COACH: Mark Jacobs, third year

LAST SEASON: 1-9; fifth in league, 1-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Ron Veres, who was the offensive coordinator at Cal State Northridge last season, has joined the Oak Park coaching staff, and he has brought the run-and-shoot offense with him. Sixteen players return from last season’s team and if junior quarterback Chris Hall can get the hang of the team’s new offensive approach, the Eagles may surprise some people. Jason Stein, a sophomore wide receiver, is expected to make an immediate impact on the Eagle offense, as will returning receivers such as junior split end Joe Gerty and senior slot-backs Mark Avitissian and Jason Ornstein. Joining Hall in the offensive backfield is senior running back Tim Brown, who was second-team all-league last season and who also plays linebacker. Every starting offensive lineman has at least one year of varsity experience except for junior guard Mike Lobitz. Senior tackles David Smets and David Bond, junior guard Scott Hastings and junior center John Sloan give the Eagles a solid front. The Eagles defense revolves around all-league linebacker Ryan Braddock.

OUTLOOK: “To be successful this season, we’re going to have to execute our new offense with consistency,” Jacobs said. “Defensively, we’re much more talented than we were last season. I’m not expecting any miracles, but we have a chance this year to beat some people.”

Bishop Diego

COACH: Sam Cathcart and Paul Heudner,

first year

LAST SEASON: 3-7; fifth in league, 1-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: If Cathcart and Heudner can translate what they have in coaching experience, the Cardinals would be assured a playoff spot. Cathcart retired from Santa Barbara High 10 years ago, and Heudner coached for more than 20 years at Carson High. Both are 62 and were named co-coaches in July. The late start has handicapped preparation for this season, but both coaches say there is plenty of talent. Twenty players return, including senior quarterback Ted Tangney (6-4, 180). He will be joined in the backfield by senior running backs Mark Boddeker (5-9, 150) and Nathan Limjoco (5-10, 165). Tangney will have senior split end Anthony Borgatello (6-2, 150) and senior tight end Alan Lash (6-2, 180) to throw to. Lash was all-league last season. Senior tackle Robert Boddeker (6-2, 225) anchors the offensive line. On defense, the Cardinals will be strong at linebacker with seniors David Cervantes (5-11, 180) and Joe Volk (5-7, 155). The defensive line features senior ends Danny LaFlamme (6-1, 180) and Steven Gorsuch (6-0, 185). The Cardinals will also have an experienced secondary with senior defensive backs Jeff Venegas (5-11, 160) and Bill Patrini (5-6, 140).

OUTLOOK: “We’re just going to try and do better than last year,” Cathcart said. “We have a lot of seniors, but a lot of them are behind on technique. We have a lot of experience coaching, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to tear up the league.”

Moorpark

COACH: Bob Noel, third year

LAST SEASON: 5-5; third in league, 2-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Musketeers made the playoffs last season when they tied for third in the league, but the going may be a bit tougher this season unless the team’s offensive line comes of age. Jeff Orford, a senior offensive guard/linebacker and Ralph Velador, a senior guard/defensive tackle, were all-league last season. Moorpark is counting on two untested quarterbacks to get them back to the playoffs. Lloyd Thomas (6-2, 190), who started at tight end last season, will be taking snaps along with David Romero, a senior who did not play last season, but had some experience on the sophomore team two years ago. Seniors Benny Guttierez and Ronnie DelGado are the wide receiver and tight end, respectively. Todd Rothanzl, Rodrigo DeLeon and Andre Green will all see action at running back. The offensive line features seniors Jeff Quintall and Romy Higaz at tackle with Orford and Velador at guard. Senior Jesse Stanley will start at center.

OUTLOOK: “The key for us is how fast the offensive line comes together,” Noel said. “This team has a lot of potential if we can get some game savvy before we get to league.

Fillmore

COACH: Dave Wilde, third year

LAST SEASON: 0-10; sixth in Frontier League, 0-6

PLAYERS TO WATCH: After a year in the Frontier League, Fillmore returns to the Tri-Valley League with hopes of gaining respect if not reaching the playoffs. The team is led by Larry Roberts (6-0, 170), a senior running back who played quarterback last season. Roberts gained more than 300 yards last season before breaking his foot in the fourth game. Junior Todd Ingils (6-0, 155) and sophomore Brad Edmonds (6-1, 155) are competing for the vacated quarterback position. The Flashes do have an experienced offensive line to help Roberts and protect whoever ends up doing the passing for Fillmore. Key linemen are senior tackle John Chessani (6-0, 215), senior guards Mario Morales (5-7, 170) and Mark Nunez (5-11, 195), and junior center Mark Dollar (5-11, 205). Fillmore’s defense is strong in the secondary with junior Lawrence Bouchee (5-7, 150) and Ingils at the cornerback positions, and Roberts and Jose Tarango (5-8, 155) at safety. Other defensive starters include senior nose guard Heath Lynch (6-0, 215), senior tackle Pat Askren (6-1, 205), junior linebacker Rod Peck (6-2, 180) and sophomore linebacker Rory Maus (6-0, 185).

OUTLOOK: “We’re really optimistic,” Wilde said. “We need to keep Roberts healthy. If we can do that and one of our quarterbacks matures into the position, we could surprise some people.