HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL / SEASON PREVIEW : Players to Watch

A look at the top returning football players in the Southland by position.

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK

Player: Kevin Feterik School: Los Alamitos Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 180 Yr.: Jr. Comment: Inherits one of the area’s most sophisticated passing attacks.

RUNNING BACK

Player: Jerry Brown School: Woodland Hills Taft Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 190 Yr.: Sr. Comment: Gained more than 1,000 yards each of last two seasons.

Player: Daylon McCutcheon School: LP Bishop Amat Ht.: 5-10 Wt.: 175 Yr.: Sr. Comment: A two-way standout who used to play receiver.

WIDE RECEIVER

Player: Billy Miller School: Westlake Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 207 Yr.: Sr. Comment: Third in state last season with 82 receptions for 1,356 yards.

Player: Sirr Parker School: Locke Ht.: 5-10 Wt.: 171 Yr.: Sr. Comment: One of the fastest players in the state; also a running back.

LINEMEN

Player: Kane Cullum School: Encino Crespi Ht.: 6-5 Wt.: 248 Yr.: Sr. Comment: Pivotal player on inexperienced offense.

Player: Mark Manskar School: Canyon Country Canyon Ht.: 6-5 Wt.: 260 Yr.: Sr. Comment: Rated by many scouts as top lineman in area.

Player: Matt Motherway School: Santa Ana Mater Dei Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 248 Yr.: Sr. Comment: Key blocker for a young rushing attack.

Player: Matt Pentecost School: Loyola Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 260 Yr.: Sr. Comment: Leader on a offense that favors the run.

Player: James Sherman School: Whittier Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 283 Yr.: Sr. Comment: Being recruited by most major colleges.

KICKER

Player: Mark McDonald School: Loyola Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 185 Yr.: Sr. Comment: Made 14 of 19 field-goal attempts last season, including 53-yarder.

DEFENSE

LINEMEN

Player: Kory Minor School: La Puente Bishop Amat Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 230 Yr.: Sr. Comment: Led team as junior with 94 tackles and 10 sacks.

Player: John Toavalu School: Wilmington Banning Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 283 Yr.: Sr. Comment: Another in a long line of talented linemen for Pilots.

Player: Steve Zirnite School: Simi Valley Royal Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 270 Yr.: Sr. Comment: A key on both sides of the line for an improved team.

LINEBACKER

Player: Marvin Powell Jr. School: Van Nuys Birmingham Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 193 Yr.: Sr. Comment: Father was a lineman for USC and New York Jets in 1970s.

Player: Lester Towns School: Pasadena Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 235 Yr.: Sr. Comment: Quick back who was in on almost 100 tackles as a junior.

Player: Joey Trampush School: Santa Ana Mater Dei Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 224 Yr.: Sr. Comment: Strong athlete who will also see action at fullback.

Player: Aaron Williams School: Lawndale Leuzinger Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 228 Yr.: Sr. Comment: Good student who might top a talented class of linebackers.

DEFENSIVE BACK

Player: Carlos Baker School: Burbank Ht.: 5-10 Wt.: 173 Yr.: Sr. Comment: Enters the season with 14 interceptions.

Player: Dashon Polk School: Woodland Hills Taft Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 195 Yr.: Sr. Comment: Returns to safety after winning accolades at linebacker last season.

Player: J.R. Redmond School: Carson Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 180 Yr.: Sr. Comment: Finished with 75 tackles and 1,346 all-purpose yards as a junior.

Player: Jim Yates School: West Torrance Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 193 Yr.: Sr. Comment: Three-sport standout who favors baseball.

PUNTER

Player: Chad Shrout School: Antelope Valley Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 250 Yr.: Sr. Comment: A defensive standout who averaged 48 yards per punt last season.