Plotting the Prep Favorites: Wilson, Dominguez and La Mirada : Football: As the season enters its second week, The Times looks at how area teams are shaping up.

Most teams are listed in the predicted order of finish in their leagues.

MOORE LEAGUE

1. WILSON--The defending champion has one of the area’s best defenses. The Bruins should repeat if their wing-T offense, featuring running back Kevin McKenzie, takes off.

2. POLY--The Jackrabbits gave third-ranked Eisenhower a battle before losing, 25-14. If tradition is any indicator, the Jackrabbits will be ready when the league race begins. Poly won or shared eight consecutive league titles before finishing second last year.

3. LAKEWOOD--Tailback Joe Nuez, who carried the ball for 172 yards in a 20-13 victory over Warren, should run the Lancers into the playoffs.

4. JORDAN--The Panthers like the preseason to be tough, and that could affect their play by the time they get to the league race. After a 19-10 loss to fifth-ranked Division II power Edison, they take on Loyola, No. 3-ranked in Division I, Friday. Games with always-tough Santa Barbara, Anaheim Esperanza and La Puente Bishop Amat follow.

5. MILLIKAN--No offense, but the Rams fumbled four times and gained only 85 total yards in a 27-0 loss to Peninsula last week. Defensively, the Rams did not allow Peninsula to complete a pass.

6. COMPTON--With a rebuilt, on-campus stadium fully operational, all the Tarbabes need is someone to upset. Winning has been tough lately. Pomona took the opener, 20-7.

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY LEAGUE

1. DOMINGUEZ--A balanced offense gives the Dons a slight edge over Downey. Dominguez crushed hapless Centennial, 48-0, last week.

2. DOWNEY--Multipurpose senior quarterback Johnny Macon continues to impress. He ran for one score and passed for another in a 21-3 win over Huntington Beach last week.

3. LYNWOOD--The Knights went to town and beat Granada Hills of the City Section, 28-7, last week. Two transfers, linebacker Kelron Sykes, formerly of Pius X, and lineman Derrick Chandler, formerly of Compton, are expected to give the Knights a big boost.

4. PARAMOUNT--This is not the overpowering team of the past, but the Pirates will be thorns in the side of the front-runners. Paramount lost its opener to Sacramento Johnson, 7-6, when a two-point conversion try went awry.

5. GAHR--An unfavorable schedule may put the Gladiators out of the league race by late October. In successive weeks beginning Oct. 9, Gahr plays Lynwood, Downey and Paramount. Gahr last week edged California, 14-12.

6. WARREN--The hard-luck Bears, 2-8 last year, have never been a football power. They had Lakewood down 13-0 in the opener last week but lost, 20-13. The league is too tough to surrender a lead like that and remain in the hunt for long.

7. CERRITOS--This team is looking to the future. Sophomore Ryan Mathews has won the quarterback slot, but eight players went both ways last week in a 14-8 loss to Glenn and they tired in the fourth quarter.

SUBURBAN LEAGUE

1. LA MIRADA--Mike Moschetti’s foot--he had a 42-yard field goal in a 21-10 loss to Fullerton Sunny Hills--will come in handy. Defensively, however, the Matadors need some work. Sunny Hills overcame a 10-0 deficit and gained 345 yards in total offense.

2. BELLFLOWER--The year of the Bucs? Quarterback Jay Young, who rushed for 122 yards in a 21-6 victory over Cypress Brethren, leads a senior team that also recorded eight sacks. They may be ranked too low.

3. ARTESIA--The “Airtesia” offense of quarterback Aaron Flowers and his father, Coach Norm Flowers, may hinge on its untested offensive line. Aaron Flowers was sacked seven times and was hit eight other times while releasing the ball in a 41-27 loss to North Torrance. “We have potential, we’re just young on the offensive line,” Norm Flowers said.

4. GLENN--The Eagles struggled but beat Cerritos, 14-8, in their opener. Ten starting players from last year have returned. Defense and ball control will be the norm under Coach Willie Norman.

5. NORWALK--There is just not enough oomph in the offense. The Lancers, 5-4-1 in 1991, opened with a 6-6 tie against Sierra Vista last week.

6. MAYFAIR--The perennial cellar-dweller, 1-7-2 last year, is loaded with seniors and may be ranked too low.

WHITMONT LEAGUE

1. EL RANCHO--A winning tradition rates this lone league school from outside the Whittier school system a slight favorite. The Dons dropped their opener, 21-6, to Los Altos of Hacienda Heights. But returning players from last year’s 11-2 team should prepare the Dons for league play.

2. WHITTIER--Known as slow starters, the Cardinals may overtake El Rancho, a team they had success against in the old Whitmont League. Coach Mike Fitch inherited a 2-8 team three years ago and has gone 15-6 in league play since. “We’re coming up,” he said.

3. LA SERNA--A power in the early to mid-1980s, the Lancers are 2-19 over the past three years in league play under Coach Wayne Manzo. A 29-15 loss to Mayfair, a team that usually struggles, doesn’t bode well for the Lancers.

4. SANTA FE--The Chiefs, under Coach Jack Mahlstede, showed some offensive prowess by defeating Montclair, 27-7, last week.

5. PIONEER--The Titans are young. They pride themselves on defense, but gave up scads of yardage in a 37-13 loss to Montebello.

6. CALIFORNIA--Losing to Gahr by only a couple of points in the opener was a moral victory. Only one starter returned when summer drills began under new Coach Martin McWhinney.

ALMONT LEAGUE

BELL GARDENS--The team had an easy time with Bell last week, winning, 23-0, although four players sat out for disciplinary reasons. Look for the Lancers to be one of the dominant teams in this new league, if a controversial $60 sports transportation fee imposed by Montebello school officials doesn’t disrupt the season.

MONTEBELLO--More performances like those from fullback Tony Reza and quarterback Robert Orozco and the Oilers will begin league play as the favorite. Reza ran for 204 yards and three touchdowns and Orozco passed for 142 yards and two scores in a 37-13 victory over Pioneer.

SCHURR--Coach Ken Davis, a 21-year veteran, has resigned to become athletic director, but the always scrappy Spartans have playoff hopes. “There’s a lot of good talent out there,” Davis said. However, Schurr lost its opener to Damien, 14-12. Tim Salter is the coach.

Other teams--Alhambra, Alhambra Keppel and San Gabriel.

DEL REY LEAGUE

ST. JOHN BOSCO--In this tough league, which features third-ranked Loyola, it could be a long season for the Braves. Running back Ryan Williams, who rushed for 203 yards and a touchdown, was the lone bright spot in a 42-6 loss to Rancho Santa Margarita last week.

ST. PAUL--Second-year Coach Ron Henke put together the most difficult preseason schedule in the area, hoping it will prepare the Swordsmen for league play. Week one: Wilson 23, St. Paul 0.

Other teams--L.A. Loyola, Crespi of Encino, Bishop Amat of La Puente, Alemany of Mission Hills.

CAMINO REAL LEAGUE

PIUS X--The Warriors, under first-year Coach Larry Manfull, lost their opener to Bishop Montgomery, 37-13. Only 18 players turned out for the team.

ST. ANTHONY--Although 11 starters return, veteran Coach Dave Radford says his team is inexperienced. The Saints lost, 23-13, to Valley Christian. “By league we’ll be on target,” Radford said.

The league favorite is Serra of Gardena. Others include Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary from Montebello, Mary Star of San Pedro and St. Monica of Santa Monica.

OTHERS (Independents, teams in leagues outside the area.)

VALLEY CHRISTIAN--Only 27 players went out for the team, but the defending Olympic League champions are favored to repeat. Coach Mike Wunderley expects trouble from Whittier Christian of La Habra and Orange Lutheran. Other teams are Calvary Chapel/Santa Ana, Ontario Christian and Cypress Brethren.

CENTENNIAL--The Apaches, 1-9 last year, lost their opener to Dominguez, 48-0. Second-ranked South Torrance and third-ranked North Torrance are the favorites in the Pioneer League. West Torrance, El Segundo and Torrance complete the group.

LIFE CHRISTIAN--Formed when Leffingwell Christian folded, the Downey-based Lions will play as an independent. Former Leffingwell Coach Lyn Lumley is the coach.