1997 FOOTBALL

Naming the names comes before playing the games. Names such as tailback Justin Fargas of Notre Dame High, quarterback Ryan McCann of Agoura and wide receiver Glenn Adriatico of Burroughs are probably familiar. Others are new. All told, they are the players and coaches who comprise the 79 high school teams in the Valley and Ventura County regions. Here is a thumbnail look at them in our 1997 FOOTBALL

Agoura

COACH: Charlie Wegher, fourth year.

LAST SEASON: 5-5; 3-4, fifth in Marmonte League.

COMING BACK: Left-hander Ryan McCann (6-4, 200) might be the most highly recruited QB in the region. The third-year starter passed for 2,109 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. TE-DT Marcus Helfman (6-5, 235) and two-way tackle Derek Graf (6-4, 260) also are Division I prospects. OLs Mike Beams (6-2, 255) and Dave Correia (6-1, 250) return, giving McCann solid protection. LB-FB Dylan Hull also is proven. TB Chris Poling is a converted receiver who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.

CHECKING IN: WRs Aaron Pruter, a senior who was academically ineligible last year, and Garrett Lepisto, a junior, had good summers. LBs Ryan Antzoulatos, Gary Murchland and Justin Richter step into important roles. Richter, a sophomore, is McCann’s heir apparent at QB.

OUTLOOK: The Chargers have the firepower to win the league title. Do they have the defense?

Alemany

COACH: Jim Bonds, first year.

LAST SEASON: 1-9; 1-4, fifth in Del Rey League.

COMING BACK: TB Miguel Fletcher rushed for 1,239 yards and eight touchdowns last season and K Eddie Cicoria was perfect on six extra points and two field goals. WR John Walker caught only eight passes, but two were for touchdowns. All are seniors.

CHECKING IN: QB Casey Clausen and two-way lineman Chad Dyslin (6-2, 265), transfers from La Canada, and freshman WR Deandre Scott are expected to have an immediate impact. Clausen, a 6-3 sophomore, is a likely starter.

OUTLOOK: The team’s expected improvement may not show much in its record, given a tough league schedule.

Antelope Valley

COACH: Brent Newcomb, 20th year.

LAST SEASON: 9-3; 3-1, tied for first in Golden League.

COMING BACK: QB Justin Mobley passed for 969 yards last season with only two interceptions in 139 passes. DLs Dontay Wilson (5-11, 256) and Luis Vasquez (5-11, 246) each were all-league picks. WR-CB Joe Manning will be a deep threat. K Russell Griffith may be the league’s best.

CHECKING IN: The Antelopes will use a backfield committee of five newcomers: Andrew Campbell, Bruce Molock and three sophomores--transfer Ron Miller, Jermaine Norman and Chris Alatorre (5-9, 225). Sophomore LB-TE Jonathan Molock might start.

OUTLOOK: The league’s perennial power is inexperienced and has only five returning lettermen. “They say your loss total usually matches your number of sophomores,” Newcomb said. “We have four sophomores.”

Antelope Valley Chr.

COACH: Mark Ligons, fifth year.

LAST SEASON: 3-7; 0-2 in Agape League.

COMING BACK: TB Michael Kyle and FB James Pratt are offensive leaders of a team that won the Southern Section Eight-Man Small Schools Division title in 1995. Scott Hannah and Mike Symons will anchor the lines.

CHECKING IN: Freshman Josh Pratt is expected to start at quarterback and TB Terald Smith, a transfer from Littlerock, could get plenty of playing time.

OUTLOOK: “I think it’s going to be a good year,” Ligons said. “I’m not going to make a prediction about how far we’re going to go in the playoffs, but we will be in the playoffs.”

Bell-Jeff

COACH: Ken Berry, second year.

LAST SEASON: 2-8; 2-5, fifth in Sante Fe League.

COMING BACK: Alex Roldan moves from QB to FB in a double-wing attack. He will try to compensate for the graduation of David Montes, who rushed for 1,019 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Junior WB David Barsumyan also returns.

CHECKING IN: Junior Richard Tobias is the likely QB, though TE Tim Cormier may also play there. Both were called up from the junior varsity last year. TE-LB Dennis McCarthy returns to football after a year off and OT Robert Jones has never played before.

OUTLOOK: Berry hopes to survive Calabasas, St. Bonaventure and Paraclete in nonleague play and finish in middle of the league.

Bethel Christian

COACH: James Vondra, third year.

LAST SEASON: 8-3; 2-0 in Agape League.

COMING BACK: G/DE Erik Aude had 147 tackles last season. TB-LB Travis Alkire (6-3, 200) rushed for 800 yards in a reserve role as a junior. QB-DB Tyler Thompson is a three-year starter. C-NG Chris Guess (6-3, 300) will anchor the lines.

CHECKING IN: G Cory Royce (6-3, 220) will start after sitting out two seasons. WR-DB Mark Carly moves up from the junior varsity.

OUTLOOK: “If we develop a passing game, we’ll have the chemistry of a team that could go to the [Southern Section Eight-Man Large Schools final],” Vondra said.

Birmingham

COACH: Dave Lertzman, third year.

LAST SEASON: 5-6; 3-4, tied for fourth in Northwest Valley League.

COMING BACK: The core of the Braves--RB Emmanuel Evans, QB Scott Doherty and LB Bobby Davis--return. Evans, a 236-pound bruiser, gained more than 1,600 yards last season. Doherty is a third-year starter with a strong arm and Davis has gotten plenty of attention from college recruiters. WR Demetrus Patterson returns as the deep threat.

CHECKING IN: DB Aaron Minor, a standout on the baseball team, has excelled in practice. He will play several positions on offense. K John Wall, a goalie on the soccer team, has consistently kicked 50-yard field goals in practice.

OUTLOOK: Depth is a concern, but the Braves have enough front-line talent to reach the City Section 4-A Division playoffs and challenge for the Northwest Valley Conference title.

Buckley

COACH: Scott McRitchie, first year.

LAST SEASON: 5-3 at junior varsity level.

COMING BACK: RB-LB Ken Cadwell and WB-DB Brandon Weaver are two-way starters who will lead the Griffins into their first season at the 11-man varsity level. RB-LB Justin Weiss and C-DT Nick Rich (6-1, 220) will also draw full-time duty. Sophomore Bjorn Jacobson will start at QB.

CHECKING IN: Sophomores Chad Braverman and Mike Pakravan are contending for starting spots on the lines.

OUTLOOK: “It would be a fantastic year if we could go 5-4 and compete for a playoff spot, or even sneak into the playoffs,” McRitchie said. “That would give us something to build on.”

Buena

COACH: Rick Scott, 10th year.

LAST SEASON: 5-5; 4-3, fourth in Channel League.

COMING BACK: RB Aaron Kleefisch is healthy after being held to 335 yards rushing last season because of injuries, but he will run behind an inexperienced line. The only other returner on offense is TE-LB Kurt Probasco. DB Shane Beck, OLB Matt Hebert and DT Mike Bueno are back, but returning starters DE Ricky Williams (appendectomy) and DB Albert DeLaRocha (broken collarbone) are out indefinitely.

CHECKING IN: Sophomore QB Kyle Loughman has potential. He will be protected by OTs Brandon Ueltschi (6-3, 255) and Devon Deck (6-3, 255), who is coming off of knee surgery. David McAlpine and Micah Thomas give Buena solid receivers.

OUTLOOK: Buena has only 12 juniors on its roster and Scott has resisted a temptation to promote several sophomores. This could be a less successful year than the Bulldogs are used to.

Burbank

COACH: Gary Willison, second year.

LAST SEASON: 2-8; 0-5, sixth in Foothill League.

COMING BACK: TE Vardan Mkhitarian (6-4, 245) is among of the region’s top players. RB Reggie Williams is a three-year starter and an all-league pick in each of the last two. DB Chad Mason had two interceptions last season. OL Mike Meyers (6-4, 300) returns.

CHECKING IN: RB Juni Williams has been impressive after sitting out last season to focus on basketball. LB Jesse Brower has cracked two helmets in practice. Another standout is 6-2, 225-pound DE Aldo Sevillano. QB Cliff Lohner appears capable.

OUTLOOK: Should be much improved from last year and may surprise league opponents.

Burroughs

COACH: Keith Knoop, first year.

LAST SEASON: 8-3; 4-1, second in Foothill League.

COMING BACK: All-region WR Glenn Adriatico had 85 catches for 1,362 yards last season. RB Robert Barillas rushed for 700 yards and seven touchdowns. All-league WR Kyle Cremarosa had 42 catches for 612 yards. OL Joey Learman (6-3, 255) is a two-time all-league selection.

CHECKING IN: QBs Chris Santoyo and Ryan Sullivan will split time. LB Michael Sycz becomes the enforcer on defense. TE Harrison Phillips should make an impact after moving over from defense.

OUTLOOK: Eight players return on each side of the ball, but Burroughs will be hard-pressed to repeat last season’s finish without QB J.K. Scott, now at the University of Washington.

Calabasas

COACH: Larry Edwards, 18th year.

LAST SEASON: 8-4; 3-1, second in Frontier League.

COMING BACK: RB Robby Coppola rushed for 1,842 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. On defense, he switches from LB to FS. TE Jeff Wilk (6-3, 210) caught six touchdown passes last year. OT Jon Ellinghouse and K David Rosenberg were all-league picks.

CHECKING IN: Junior QB Dallas Enoch (6-3, 195) was solid in summer passing tournaments. Drew Coppola, Robby’s younger brother, will play FB. DT Adam Sylvester, a transfer from Taft, is an imposing 6-5, 310-pound junior.

OUTLOOK: The Coyotes have the best player in the league, Coppola, but it won’t be known if they have the best team until Oct. 31, when they play defending league champion Nordhoff.

Camarillo

COACH: Carl Thompson, 13th year.

LAST SEASON: 13-1; 7-0 first in Marmonte League.

COMING BACK: Although the Scorpions won the Division III championship behind a strong senior class, some standout players return. TE Justin Denham (6-5, 235) is a highly recruited straight-A student. OLs Jeff Festerling (6-3, 260), Dan Gisford and Maurice Higgins (6-0, 285) are back. DTs Mike Davis and Tim Davis, who are not related, return. LB Eric Foster could be a force. RB John Howe, who rushed for most of his 1,042 yards in the second half of last season, is running with confidence.

CHECKING IN: QB Garrett Valencia, a junior who runs better than he passes, has the unenviable task of replacing Joe Borchard. Valencia’s brother, Roth, was Camarillo’s TB three years ago. Big things are expected of junior OL John Carpenter (6-2, 265).

OUTLOOK: Another storybook season is unlikely but Camarillo could sneak into the playoffs behind its strong line.

Campbell Hall

COACH: Anthony Harris, first year.

LAST SEASON: 5-5; 2-2 in Delphic League.

COMING BACK: WR-DB Ronnie Polk, TE-LB Larry Cole, WR-DB Danny Popielinski and G-DT Jesse Tushinsky (5-11, 220) are expected to be two-way starters for the Vikings, who will move up to the 11-man level next year.

CHECKING IN: TB-DB Sean Porter, a transfer from Los Angeles Marshall, will start both ways. Sophomores Aaron Kerr (QB-LB) and Eric Bright (OL-DE) will also play two positions.

OUTLOOK: “The skill positions are going to be a strength for us,” Harris said. “We’re not going to have a lot of experience up front, but if the young guys can come through, we should do OK.”

Canoga Park

COACH: Rudy Lugo, 12th year.

LAST SEASON: 7-5; 5-2, tied for second in Valley Pac-8 Conference.

COMING BACK: Seven starters return from a team that forced perennial power Sylmar into overtime in last year’s conference finale. RB Junior Galvan rushed for 1,034 yards and 12 touchdowns and passed for three touchdowns on option plays. Marlon Bourdess and Carlos Gomez lead four returning LBs. TE Mike Shoemaker averaged 20.2 yards per catch average and had three touchdowns last season. OL Alvin Malave is back.

CHECKING IN: Sophomore Mike Spangle and junior John Hernandez (6-1, 180) are competing for starting QB. Ray Abrams will play FB-LB.

OUTLOOK: Can Canoga Park duplicate it’s outstanding season of a year ago? Only if an inexperienced and small offensive line gives Galvan a chance to run.

Canyon

COACH: Larry Mohr, fourth year.

LAST SEASON: 4-6; 2-3, third in Foothill League.

COMING BACK: LB David Johnson was an all-league selection last season. RB Matt Gregory had a 65-yard touchdown run. C Jason Jones and T Scott Winchester anchor a strong offensive line. WR Kevin Hamer has the ability to go deep.

CHECKING IN: Transfers Justin Eaves, from Saugus, and Lamarr Vaultz, from Redondo, will play DB after sitting out last season because of transfer complications. QB Luke Petticord has improved over the summer. G Scott Arnold (6-4, 255) is a sophomore.

OUTLOOK: Should figure in the playoff mix, but too inexperienced to contend for league title.

Chaminade

COACH: Tim Johnson, second year.

LAST SEASON: 4-5-1; 2-3, fourth in Mission League.

COMING BACK: QB Ray Rodriguez, who passed for five touchdowns last season, and RB Matthew Markis, who rushed for 584 yards, are top returners. DL Brian Mundy, LB James Webber and S Marc Merrill are the only returning defensive starters.

CHECKING IN: Jon Lennartz will start at LB and see action as a goal-line TE. Chris Conoles starts at FS and will contribute at WR. G Justin Brown (6-6, 296) will start.

OUTLOOK: Another fourth-place finish seems likely.

Channel Islands

COACH: Jack Willard, first year.

LAST SEASON: 2-8, 0-7, eighth in Marmonte League.

COMING BACK: Two-way L Ernie Carrasco (6-2, 250), a junior, is the Raiders’ best player. T John Rivera (6-3, 250) is a consistent blocker. Ray Carmel, who played DB last year, is a good cutback runner who runs 100 meters in 10.8 seconds. Jared Krehbiel and junior Manny Cervantes return at LB and Daniel Conway is back at WR-DB.

CHECKING IN: Sophomore Charles Tucker will start at DB and is battling at QB with sophomore James Alo, junior Richie Nojadera and senior Bronson Lucas. WR-DB Russell Patton, TE-LB Steve Ontiveros and TE-LB Jason Blakeman will play both ways. Sophomore Michael Diggs is an impressive strong safety.

OUTLOOK: It will take Willard more than one season to turn the Raiders around. Victories might be scarce again.

Chatsworth

COACH: Myron Gibford, 18th year.

LAST SEASON: 4-7; 3-4, tied for fourth in Northwest Valley Conference.

COMING BACK: QB Ryan Martinez has started parts of the last two seasons and threw for 564 yards last year. Junior FB Eric Harris (6-0, 215) came on at the end of last season and figures to be featured. TE Kevin Doty (6-5, 220) provides a big target. Vince Hernandez (6-0, 250) anchors the OL.

CHECKING IN: Sophomore Matt Cassel is the QB of the future. Cameron Ajaye, a transfer from Highland, junior Clyde Young and Marshon Brooks, a transfer from Pomona, provide speed at WR-DB.

OUTLOOK: The Chancellors were a surprise team early last season before being worn down by injuries and ineligibility. They should be competitive again, but everyone else will be too.

Cleveland

COACH: Joe Santellano, fifth year.

LAST SEASON: 3-7; 1-6, tied for seventh in Northwest Valley Conference.

COMING BACK: Junior C Joey Maile (6-4, 250) will anchor the OL and play DT alongside Steve Cohen (6-2, 260). Junior MLB Vince Zuniga (5-11, 210) is solid and RB Terrence Young rushed for 130 yards last season.

CHECKING IN: Junior QB Larry Brown was ineligible last year but shows promise. Junior Eliseo Delgado could play WR, RB and DB. Carl Cannon and Juan Carlos are 300-pound linemen.

OUTLOOK: Player numbers are up for the Cavaliers but that might not mean more victories. An optimistic Santellano says the team is improved.

Crescenta Valley

COACH: Alan Eberhart, fifth year.

LAST SEASON: 6-5; 4-1, second in Pacific League.

COMING BACK: QB-RB Kenny Pritchett brought the Falcons to within a point of the league title last season. He rushed for 1,711 yards and 18 touchdowns, but will have to complete enough passes to keep defenses honest. LB Jesse Busta (6-2, 225) is a Division I prospect. LB Chris Oliver, like Busta, was an all-league selection. Junior Clint Radinbaugh rounds out a strong LB corps. WR-DE Nate Barber is another all-league returner.

CHECKING IN: When Pritchett moves to RB, junior Geoff Clark will play QB. Sophomore Bryan Henry is another talented LB.

OUTLOOK: The Falcons are one of the region’s best teams. Whether that will be enough to unseat five-time defending league champion Muir remains to be seen.

Crespi

COACH: Tim Lins, ninth year.

LAST SEASON: 3-7; 0-5, sixth in Del Rey League.

COMING BACK: Eric Nelson (6-0, 210) will start on both sides of the line for the second consecutive season and Roger Mendez (6-2, 270) returns at T. RB-CB Howard Johnson is solid and returning WRs Alex Kropach combined for 33 catches last year.

CHECKING IN: QB Kevin Cork, the backup last season, has the edge over junior Robert Muller for the starting job. FB Blake Tibbetts, LB Mike Sharp and DB Ken Turner are juniors and first-year starters.

OUTLOOK: By way of prediction, Lins will say only that he “likes the quality of people” on his team. Translation: a playoff berth is unlikely.

El Camino Real

COACH: Rick Hayashida, first year.

LAST SEASON: 7-4; 5-2, third in Northwest Valley Conference.

COMING BACK: Quincy Wright is a threat at TB and returning kicks, and may play WR. QB Aaron Fredette and WRs Adebola Jimoh and Demond Daniels are solid DBs. Alex Perez (6-4, 205) will anchor the LBs.

CHECKING IN: DeAngelo Nedd, a junior transfer from Long Beach Wilson, will play FB. L Blane Kezirian (6-5, 215) has been a surprise in practice along with Darrin Bourgeois (6-0, 200).

OUTLOOK: If the lines jell, expectations will be higher than last season and the Conquistadores could challenge Taft for the conference title.

Faith Baptist

COACH: Greg Weiss, ninth year.

LAST SEASON: 10-2; 2-1 in Delphic League.

COMING BACK: QB-DB Tim Greer and TE-LB Steve Plise were All-Southern Section selections as juniors. Junior G-DT Hovig Margosian (6-2, 245) and senior RB-DB Rudy Mendoza are two-way starters.

CHECKING IN: Junior TE-LB Clint Moore (6-3, 190) is a transfer from Sylmar who is expected to start both ways. Sophomore WR Eujay Masangkay should help the Contenders in their quest to return to the section title game after losing to Riverside Christian, 55-22, last year.

OUTLOOK: “If we stay healthy, we could get back to where we got last year, maybe even better,” Weiss said.

Fillmore

COACH: Norm Andersen, second year.

LAST SEASON: 3-8; 1-3, fourth in Tri-Valley League.

COMING BACK: QB Phillip Zavala completed 54 of 85 passes (63.5%) for 498 yards as a sophomore but threw six interceptions and only three touchdowns. Senior TE Ricky Beall (6-1, 200) caught 14 passes for 213 yards and scored three touchdowns. Antonio Tapia and Isaac Oseguera return at WR-DB.

CHECKING IN: Speedy sophomore QB Kyle McDowell might see playing time if Zavala falters. “He can turn a bad play into a good one,” Andersen said.

OUTLOOK: The Flashes might be better, but they still won’t crack the top three spots in the league.

First Lutheran

COACH: Al Durham, first year.

LAST SEASON: 0-8; 0-4 in Heritage League.

COMING BACK: QB Tony Kucenski also will do the kicking. Junior Joshua Solis and sophomore Matthew Starks give the Falcons speed at TB-WR. Sophomore Chris Skippen will start at MLB-FB and sophomore Steven Deanda at DE-TE.

CHECKING IN: Freshman Mike Burris will team with Solis and Starks to give the Falcons three fleet TB-WR.

OUTLOOK: “I will be tickled if we can go 5-3,” Durham said. “I’d be the happiest guy in town. That would be a quantum leap from last year.”

Flintridge Prep

COACH: Glen Beattie, 11th year.

LAST SEASON: 6-5, 2-2 in Prep League.

COMING BACK: WR-DB Matt Linder and DE Lawrence Park (6-2, 190) were All-Southern Section Division XII selections as juniors. Junior QB J.P. Blecksmith (6-3, 195) will throw to junior WR Peter Twist (6-3, 175), who had 31 receptions for 518 yards and four touchdowns last year.

CHECKING IN: Senior Evan Cablayan, a reserve QB last year, will start at TB.

OUTLOOK: “We’d sure love to go to the [semifinal] round in the playoffs,” Beattie said. “That would be a game better that we did last year. We’d also like to win the Prep League.”

Glendale

COACH: Pete Smolin, first year.

LAST SEASON: 2-8; 1-4, fifth in Pacific League.

COMING BACK: TE Garo Boghossian (6-3, 220) is a standout. Rami Burpee (6-2, 220) was an all-league DE last season and will also start at FB. TB Max Maxwell led the team with 370 rushing yards. Junior WR Angelo Walker had 27 receptions. CB-K David Aguilar has impressed during practice, as have L Justin Blackburn (6-1, 215) and Dario Tello (5-9, 235).

CHECKING IN: Sophomore OL-DL Christian Alcaraz (6-2, 285) earned a starting job with an impressive summer. Sophomore LB Oscar Valles also will contribute. Junior Carlos Gutierrez has looked good at quarterback. CB Carlos Company and T Manuel Guerra also will play for a team that returns only seven starters.

OUTLOOK: It may take some time before the Dynamiters contend with Muir and Crescenta Valley for the league title.

Grace Brethren

COACH: Dennis Stephanson, first year.

LAST SEASON: 3-4, eight-man freelance.

COMING BACK: LB David Stephanson is the coach’s son and a team captain. Sophomore QB Jackson Beauchamp is an All-Southern Section baseball player and leads a balanced offense. LB Greg Lackey was an aggressive force last season.

CHECKING IN: Sophomore Robert Serra can play WR, TB and FS. DE-FB Frank Suarez saw limited action last season but will be relied upon heavily.

OUTLOOK: Twelve freshmen saw action last season for the Lancers, who lost only one senior to graduation and moved into the Heritage League.

Granada Hills

COACH: Brad Ratcliff, third year.

LAST SEASON: 2-8; 1-6, tied for seventh in Northwest Valley Conference.

COMING BACK: WR Leon Pimky (6-4, 230) has played only one year or high school football but he may be one of the biggest talents, catching 56 passes last season. QB Ricky Mathiesen threw seven touchdown passes in five games before being sidelined with a hand injury. Mike Skeen (6-1, 250) and Rafael Tobar (5-11, 265) return on the lines.

CHECKING IN: DB Peter Gunny will also play WR and Gerald Jones will play safety. Jausten Thompson and Juante Carter hope to establish a sorely lacking running game.

OUTLOOK: Granada Hills was making progress last year until Mathiesen got hurt. With the best turnout of players in Ratcliff’s three years, Granada Hills will be more competitive and a playoff contender.

Grant

COACH: Bill Foster, 12th year.

LAST SEASON: 3-7; 2-5, sixth in Valley Pac-8 Conference.

COMING BACK: QB Lawrence Monroy leads eight returning starters. He completed 55% of his passes for 1,512 yards and 11 touchdowns last season and will get better protection from an experienced line, including Ray Armstrong (6-2, 275) and TE Gus Schuster (6-3, 215).

CHECKING IN: The Lancers’ frosh-soph team was 17-2-1 the past two seasons. Seven underclassmen will see significant time, including two-way linemen Randy Cornejo (6-4, 295) and Michael Lee (6-3, 250), WRs Robert Mitchell and Jeremy Stockton and RB Duriel Carter.

OUTLOOK: If Grant can establish a running game and develop its receivers, it will finish in the top half of the conference and earn a playoff berth for the first time since 1993.

Hart

COACH: Mike Herrington, ninth year.

LAST SEASON: 9-3; 5-0, first in Foothill League.

COMING BACK: Only three starters return for the Indians. LB Scott Hunt (6-3, 205) was an all-league selection last season, as was DE John Harrison (5-11, 205). WR Jerry Owens started at safety last year and should flourish in the run-and-shoot offense.

CHECKING IN: QB David Neill had an impressive summer and is attracting the attention of college scouts. WR Nick Mercado is 5-7, 140 but fast. RB Billy Brecht should keep opposing defenses honest with his breakaway speed. LB Patrick Norton (6-0, 240) is a bruising tackler and big for a sophomore.

OUTLOOK: Hart has only four senior starters, but it should contend for seventh consecutive league title.

Harvard-Westlake

COACH: Dave Bennett, fifth year.

LAST SEASON: 6-5; 3-2, third in Mission League.

COMING BACK: QB John Terzian passed for 1,247 yards with six touchdowns and 11 interceptions. WRs Bethuel Mbugua and Brent Pantell combined for 15 receptions. Justin Logan, a starting WR last season, switches to RB. Two-way T Erik Carlson (6-4, 255) is among the region’s best linemen.

CHECKING IN: Bennett says NG-TE Alex Holmes (6-3, 265), a sophomore transfer from La Jolla, has tremendous potential. Junior Robert Van Norden moves to LB and could see time at RB in his first varsity season.

OUTLOOK: Despite improvement, Wolverines may slip a slot in league standings.

Highland

COACH: Lin Parker, seventh year.

LAST SEASON: 9-4; 3-1, tied for first in Golden League.

COMING BACK: QB Camy Smith returns from an all-league season in which he passed for 1,912 yards and 16 touchdowns. Junior RB Brandon McElvaine (6-2, 217) gained 822 yards and FB Dan Bruton (6-0, 241) played considerably. Derek Brown was voted best K in three summer camps. WR Brian Floyd (6-6, 190) and TE Michael DeLeon (6-2, 228) should be Smith’s primary targets. C Chris Memory (6-1, 241) and DT Marcello Bowsa anchor the lines.

CHECKING IN: Sophomore RB Kevin Morris could be a sleeper. He scored 33 touchdowns for the freshman team. Jerome Wright has been moved to WR after rushing for more than 1,200 yards for the JV team. Junior CB Greg Lee and senior CB Derrick Boykins are transfers from Quartz Hill.

OUTLOOK: With eight offensive starters back from the school’s first league titlist, the Bulldogs figure to be a favorite again.

Hoover

COACH: Jeff Chi, first year.

LAST SEASON: 1-9; 0-5, sixth in Pacific League.

COMING BACK: Junior RB Jason Young rushed for 583 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore. QB Welser Maltez passed for 199 yards and will be asked to run the Tornadoes’ new Delaware wing-T offense. OL-LB Blake Applegate (5-9, 200) starts both ways. When Maltez does throw, he most likely will look to WR-LB Sal Hernandez.

CHECKING IN: Sophomore RB Samuel Partida (5-10, 210) will play a role in the revamped offense. Sophomore WR Jeff Lee has been impressive during practice.

OUTLOOK: If Hoover runs the wing-T efficiently, it could be competitive.

Hueneme

COACH: Larry Miller, fourth year.

LAST SEASON: 1-9; 1-6, eighth in Channel League.

COMING BACK: OLB Carl Dean, safety Lee Lewis and OL Marcos Rodriguez are dependable returners. QB Jason Beck played much of last season but is being pushed by junior Jeff Garcia. Calvin Brooks is one of four players battling at RB. WR Ephraim Preciado led the team with two touchdown receptions last year.

CHECKING IN: The junior class was 18-2 the past two seasons. Potential RBs include Donald Thompson, Bobby Lee and James McCowan. Sophomore WR Kerry Colbert is an emerging star. Junior DB Jason Ross should help out.

OUTLOOK: A strong junior class should start playing well by midseason. Look for Hueneme to pull off a couple of upsets.

Kennedy

COACH: Bob Francola, 12th year.

LAST SEASON: 8-4; 6-1, second in Northwest Valley Conference.

COMING BACK: K Ramiro Esqueda has made all 11 of his field goals, including a game-winner against Palisades in the playoffs last year. DL Armand Seals (6-3, 220) and OL Saul Mejia (6-1, 296) anchor the lines. TE Matt Garnas showed promise last year.

CHECKING IN: QB Ray Rodriguez becomes a starter after playing behind Calvin Zinck for two years. Four transfers from Monroe, including Paul Jones and Michael Goode, bolster the secondary. Jones, Jason Jones and Josue Otero will all get a shot at TB.

OUTLOOK: Hardly anyone is left from the 1995 team that reached the semifinals, and Francola enjoys the underdog role. “We’ll be a lot better than people think,” he said. A soft nonconference schedule will help.

Kilpatrick

COACH: Sydney Ware, first year.

LAST SEASON: 2-8; 2-2, third in Alpha League.

COMING BACK: Kilpatrick is a juvenile probation camp run by Los Angeles County. Sentences to Kilpatrick are for no more than one year, leaving the coaching staff with the unenviable task of putting together a completely new team every year.

CHECKING IN: RBs Terrence Coleman and Darrell Colbert have limited playing experience. Coleman played at Compton Centennial, Colbert at Pomona Ganesha. QB John Mason played on the freshman team at Burroughs. The line, smaller than in recent years, includes DeAndre McCarter (6-3, 215) and Roque Castaneda (6-4, 240).

OUTLOOK: Good athletes as usual, but lack of experience makes the Mustangs a third-place team--as usual.

La Canada

COACH: Richard Wheeler, first year.

LAST SEASON: 4-7; 2-3, fourth in Pacific League.

COMING BACK: RB Eric Leverton gained 688 yards and scored four touchdowns as a junior. QB Mike Olson passed for 313 yards in part-time duty. RB-K-safety Neven Dravinsky gained 58 yards and was perfect on 11 extra points. TE-LB Phil Reed (6-3 1/2, 230) is the top returning receiver, with nine catches for 107 yards. C-DL Jason Kaveh (5-10, 220) anchors both lines.

CHECKING IN: Junior WR Greg Swensen will be used more this season. Junior FB-LB Jeff Riddell was most valuable player of the junior varsity team. Junior RB-LB Ron Park and junior TE Michael Draudt (6-1, 195) also will contribute. Sophomore G Orlando Sanchez (5-10, 255) has looked good during workouts. Junior WR Ian Spencer-Smith also should see time.

OUTLOOK: The Spartans may not be ready to unseat Monrovia as league champion, but they could improve under a no-nonsense coach.

Lancaster

COACH: Ray De Shane, first year.

LAST SEASON: 10-0 on junior varsity level.

COMING BACK: In their first season of varsity play, the Eagles return 40 players from a JV team that won the league title. De Shane has focused on the lines, where three juniors--T Rene Rubira (6-1, 245), DT Nick Koufos (6-2, 286) and DT Denis Sobalvarro (5-11, 285)--will be keys to any success. Junior safety Dominic Flax (6-3, 195) leads the secondary. QB Kyle Henderson is 17-1-2 as a starter at the lower levels. Junior RBs Jason Jacobs, Darsay Barnwell and Percy Abrams play in a three-back offensive set. T Jason Vukich (6-2, 295), C Anthony Kalis (6-1 1/2, 245), DE-LB Jimmy Richard (5-11, 215) and WR-DB Michael Brown also are expected to play big roles.

OUTLOOK: With no seniors in the program until next season, Lancaster figures to experience some growing pains.

Landmark West

COACH: Jeff Trovatten, first year.

LAST SEASON: 0-9; 0-4 in Delphic League.

COMING BACK: Junior G-DE Adam Curtis (6-1, 230), sophomore NG Brad Schaffer (6-3, 230) and sophomore QB-LB Kevin Brookes are the top returners from a team that lost six games by the 45-point mercy rule.

CHECKING IN: Junior TB-LB David Foreman, a transfer from Taft, and freshman TE-DE Mubarak Hasan (6-1, 215) will be two-way starters.

OUTLOOK: “If we can keep the mercy rules down and play for 48 minutes, then this will be a great learning experience,” Trovatten said. “Then next year, we can build on that.”

Littlerock

COACH: Jim Bauer, seventh year.

LAST SEASON: 6-4; 1-3, fourth in Golden League.

COMING BACK: RB Michael Woods ran for 1,031 yards and six touchdowns last year for a team that rushed for more than 2,300 yards. TB-LB David Newton ran for 240 yards. QB Myles Meeden had only two of 57 passes intercepted. Junior LB Adam Fabela (5-10, 195) was an all-league selection as a sophomore. Conrad Castrellon (6-0, 220) and Derrick Hammers (6-2, 290) return on the line.

CHECKING IN: First-year offensive coordinator Pat Degnan, the former Alemany coach, may have the Lobos passing more than in past years. If so, WRs Jacob Campbell and Daniel Dibene could play bigger roles. Junior LB Mike Arvizo (5-8, 196) and junior lineman Ben Smith (6-0, 224) also could be factors.

OUTLOOK: The Lobos have the league’s top returning rusher, Woods, but their success on the ground hinges on an inexperienced offensive line.

L.A. Baptist

COACH: Mark Bates, eighth year.

LAST SEASON: 7-4; 4-0, first in Alpha League.

COMING BACK: All-Southern Section Division XI QB Peter Dirksen passed for 2,081 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior. All-section WR Tim Feirfeil led the division with 52 receptions. All-league OL Ashcon Madjid (6-3, 290) is the biggest player in the league.

CHECKING IN: DB Raul Pacheco transferred from Thousand Oaks. WR Steve Long was the league JV 100-meter champion. DB Mike Williams returns after missing last season with a back injury.

OUTLOOK: The Knights have the offensive firepower to repeat, but must shore up a defense that allowed more than 330 yards per game last season.

L.A. Lutheran

COACH: Al Durham, first year.

LAST SEASON: 0-8; 0-5 in Heritage League.

COMING BACK: QB-K Tony Kucenski returns after suffering a knee injury in the second game last season. Sophomore DE Steven DeAnda is a defensive leader, as is junior LB Michael Naramore. Sophomore Frank Durham, who started in place of Kucenski, will contribute. Sophomore FB-LB Chris Skippen will be used in close-yardage situations.

CHECKING IN: Sophomore TB Matthew Starks will start, as will junior RB-P Josh Solis. DL Vincent Vaca (5-9, 225) and SS Alex DeAnda return after sitting out their junior seasons.

OUTLOOK: After a winless season, the Lions are hoping to reach the playoffs by finishing third in the Heritage League. A healthy Kucenski will be a key.

Monroe

COACH: Sloan Bunting, first year.

LAST SEASON: 6-5; 3-4, fifth in Valley Pac-8 Conference.

COMING BACK: RBs Vinny Walker and George Garcia combined for 2,759 yards and 20 touchdowns rushing last season. Monroe lost 15 players in the off-season, but return three capable linemen--Eric Beltran (6-0, 270), Jose Gurrola (6-0, 280) and Fernando Sanchez (6-2, 240). TE-LB Brandon Hicks (6-0, 185) anchors the defense.

CHECKING IN: With only four starters returning, the Vikings will rely on several underclassmen. Sophomores Diego Barba and DeAndre Phillips will be platooned at QB. Sophomore L Jabari Smith (6-2, 260) has could be a force.

OUTLOOK: Walker and Garcia make the Vikings a threat against any team. But with only 30 players on the roster, injuries could end a playoff bid in a hurry.

Montclair Prep

COACH: George Giannini, 10th season.

LAST SEASON: 7-2, Southern Section independent.

COMING BACK: RBs Robert Bowens, Carlease Clark and Kevin Bentley return to bedevil opponents after rushing for a combined 2,093 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. All three will also play defense. Sophomore L John Emelio shows promise.

CHECKING IN: Two-way T George Brown (6-4, 264) provides bulk and LB Jules Thompson (6-3, 198) needs to come through. Junior Joe Tatum (5-7, 220) is the quarterback.

OUTLOOK: The Mounties have won three section titles in the 1990s and could add another this year if they’re placed in Division X.

Moorpark

COACH: Ron Wilford, second year.

LAST SEASON: 4-7; 1-3, fourth in Frontier League.

COMING BACK: Speedy WR Erris Green is a college prospect but must improve last year’s totals (nine catches, 149 yards, two touchdowns). Junior RB Art Garcia rushed for 774 yards and was the only sophomore named all-league on offense. TE Byron Burnett (6-2, 220) can catch and block. Junior LB David Oviedo (6-0, 210) was second on the team in tackles.

CHECKING IN: OL Jose Torres (5-11, 220) excelled on junior varsity team. RB Art Lopez will be Garcia’s back-up.

OUTLOOK: The Musketeers should improve on last year’s record and have an outside shot at beating league favorites Calabasas and Nordhoff.

Newbury Park

COACH: George Hurley, ninth year.

LAST SEASON: 9-3; 5-2, tied for second in Marmonte League.

COMING BACK: The Panthers again should score lots of points. Gs Brian Crain and Anthony Foli, T Chris Soury and C Justin Nagy are back from a line that allowed only 11 sacks in an offense that threw 468 passes. Jake Farrel, a 6-5 WR who caught 44 passes for 837 yards, has improved. Look for a big year from Russell Thomas, a speedy WR-CB who was injured much of last year. Paul Sanford also returns at WR.

CHECKING IN: Junior QB Nick Czernek replaces brother Chris, who passed for about 10,000 yards in three seasons. James Bailey played sparingly last year but has been impressive at DB-WR. Junior Mike Simo will play RB-SS. The only new member of the OL is Ryan Hurley (6-5, 272), the coach’s son, who missed most of last season with a viral infection.

OUTLOOK: Newbury Park will continue its success of recent seasons if Czernek even approaches his brother’s production at quarterback.

Nordhoff

COACH: Cliff Farrar, 11th year.

LAST SEASON: 12-1-1; 4-0, first in Frontier League.

COMING BACK: DE Mike Sedlak had 12 sacks last season and heads a formidable defense that returns three other all-league selections: DB Josh Brousseau, NG Chris Jones and LB Andrew Merritt. RB Kevin Zielsdorf rushed for 897 yards and 15 touchdowns in 177 carries, numbers that can only increase with the departure of standout Russell Farrar.

CHECKING IN: Junior QB Brandon Titus could start. WR-FS Etienne Emanuel and LB John Hill will contribute immediately as sophomores.

OUTLOOK: If the Rangers beat Calabasas on Oct. 31, they will take a decisive step toward their fifth league title in seven years.

North Hollywood

COACH: Jason Garrison, first year.

LAST SEASON: 7-6; 4-3, fourth in Valley Pac-8 Conference.

COMING BACK: They don’t get much better than DL Jonathan Hicks (6-3, 260), an All-City selection being recruited by Division I schools. RB Bryan Heflin will also start at DB along with Oscar Mendoza, who had three of North Hollywood’s 14 interceptions last year. LBs Jorge Lira (5-10, 215), Luke Haley (5-10, 180), Ignacio Bautista (5-10, 210) and Jose Fuentes (5-9, 250) anchor the defense.

CHECKING IN: RB Steve Galloway, WR Marvin Perez, QB Billydee Payne and L Jason Gallegos (6-5, 280) are up from the frosh-soph team. QB Vadim Valcu is a transfer from Poly and LBs Orion Quintanilla and Douglas Acosta transferred in from Grant.

OUTLOOK: Small and inexperienced players learning a new system translate into a rebuilding season for the Huskies.

Notre Dame

COACH: Kevin Rooney, 17th year.

LAST SEASON: 12-2; 5-0, first in Mission League.

COMING BACK: RB Justin Fargas is regarded as the region’s best player after rushing for 2,945 yards and 34 touchdowns last season. His legend grew after he won the state 100-meter title. TE Joe Aragno starts for the third season and caught 12 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown last year. LB Ryan Karapetian is a three-year starter.

CHECKING IN: Senior David DeMartinis takes over at QB and will start at DB for the second consecutive season. DL Travis Johnson, a sophomore transfer from Oak Park, could wind up starting. WRs Julian Maurel and Matt Boyd figure to be frequent targets.

OUTLOOK: If the Knights overcome inexperience and avoid injuries, the Division III title is a possibility.

Oak Park

COACH: Dick Billingsley, eighth year.

LAST SEASON: 1-9; 0-4, fifth in Tri-Valley League.

COMING BACK: Ray Cogswell (5-9, 175) returns at FB-LB. An experienced OL features four seniors. DB Roger Page never played football until last season and ended up starting. In five passes last season, QB Jeff Roberts threw one interception and one touchdown.

CHECKING IN: Junior Matt Warman (6-0, 212) will start at C-LB. T John Murphy (6-5, 225), the center on the basketball team, is improving rapidly in his first year of organized football.

OUTLOOK: The Eagles haven’t won a league game since 1994 and, with the unexpected transfer of three starters last month, could extend the drought.

Oxnard

COACH: Wes Morimune, third year.

LAST SEASON: 2-8; 2-5, sixth in Channel League.

COMING BACK: Oxnard is loaded with talent. TB Desmond Davis is the league’s premier rusher and FB-LB Chad Pierson is a three-year starter. John Fleener and John Adams give the Yellowjackets two excellent LBs. TE-DE Jacob Rogers is good on both sides of the ball. Eric Swanger is a dangerous receiver.

CHECKING IN: Senior Adrian Maciel has moved from DB to QB, a position he played as a sophomore at Santa Clara, and is competing with senior Joseph Rivas. Whoever loses the battle will play WR. With so many returning starters, few new faces will make an impact.

OUTLOOK: Oxnard has the league’s best running attack and having missed the playoffs after forfeiting six victories and two ties last season, the Yellowjackets also have the motivation.

Palmdale

COACH: Jeff Williams, seventh year.

LAST SEASON: 9-3; 3-1, tied for first in Golden League.

COMING BACK: QB Grant Livermont missed much of 1996 with an injury and could be the key. Matt Leonard (6-4, 290) may be the best DL in the region. RB Jason Anderson rushed for 920 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior. RB Sean Perez completes the backfield. All-league DB-WR Imad Rodriguez and DB Ty Chiaro will anchor the secondary. OL/DL Nick Carrillo (6-0, 230) anchors an inexperienced line. Rickie Ford (6-0, 190) is the top returning LB.

CHECKING IN: Juniors Brandon Hunt (5-11, 245) and Casey Green (6-0, 225) are key newcomers on the lines. Junior LB Mark Hendricks (5-11, 205) should start. Junior WR Horacio Diaz could become one of Livermont’s primary targets. Junior Dusty Mapson (6-2, 215) has looked good at TE.

OUTLOOK: The Falcons return 16 starters from a team that captured the school’s first title in 31 years. They figure to battle Highland for another.

Paraclete

COACH: Steve Hagerty, fifth year.

LAST SEASON: 8-4; 5-0, first in High Desert League.

COMING BACK: TB Dominic Washington was the league’s 1996 player of the year after rushing for 1,493 yards and nine touchdowns. QB Sean Fraser passed for 555 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions. Junior WR Tommy Breech and L Rob McShea are returning all-league picks and TE-DE Josh Foster (6-7, 240) is a Division I prospect.

CHECKING IN: The team will likely have only six new starters. Vying for playing time will be TE-DE Peter Cich (6-5, 240), a first-year player. Michael Washington, a freshman and Dominic’s brother, could see time at RB-DB.

OUTLOOK: A dominant running attack makes the Spirits the class of the league.

Poly

COACH: Bob Mesa and Lee Jackson, first year.

LAST SEASON: 1-9; 1-6, tied for seventh in Valley Pac-8 Conference.

COMING BACK: Poly will suit up 55 players, but only four have significant varsity experience. L Mario Muro (6-1, 305), LB Ramon Ayala (6-0, 200), and DBs Albert Diaz and Oscar Sandoval will also start on offense.

CHECKING IN: George Lomavita (6-2, 310) and Matt MacLearn (6-1, 225) give the lines good size. DB Joseph Adlersberg has been impressive and will also play TE. LB Leo Molina (6-1, 195) and DB David Valencia move up from the frosh-soph team. K Jessica Sierra, a soccer player, has made 40-yard field goals in practice.

OUTLOOK: Poly will score more points than last season and its defense is improved. But the Parrots need another year to become a consistent winner.

Quartz Hill

COACH: John Albee, 30th year.

LAST SEASON: 3-7; 0-4, fifth in the Golden League.

COMING BACK: T-DE Chris Bishop (6-6 1/2, 291) and G-DT Bryan Hilterbran (6-2, 245) were all-league picks last year. LBs David Fetters and Richard Ockert will help an improved defense. Junior TB Jermaine Reyes is the top returning rusher with 144 yards and RB-WR Hiram Johnson has shown promise. Josh Levine is the top returning receiver with eight catches. QB Eric Holtfreter replaces his graduated brother, Justin.

CHECKING IN: DT Clinton Mayer (6-3, 290), a transfer from Paraclete, could be an impact player. Juniors Chris Vaughn (6-2, 195) and Jimmy Albee (6-2, 230), the coach’s son, will help fill out the OL. Jason Carlton (6-3, 240) and Kevin Williams (6-0, 180) will play FB. Clifton Herbert, Russell Garcia and Anthony Dupleasis will be among Holtfreter’s top targets.

OUTLOOK: The Rebels must upset Highland, Palmdale or Antelope Valley to avoid being left out of the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

Reseda

COACH: Joel Schaeffer, 20th year.

LAST SEASON: 1-9; 1-6, tied for seventh in Valley Pac-8 Conference.

COMING BACK: Five starters return from a team that forfeited two victories for using an ineligible player. TB Geral Lewis rushed for a team-high 355 yards last year and will again run behind an inexperienced line. Junior Joe Looney (5-11, 195) returns at LB. Junior K Hector Estrada made 10 of 11 extra points and two field goals. Junior Raul Cardova (5-10, 200) returns at FB-LB and G Vladimir Kochergin (5-10, 190) is the only experienced lineman.

CHECKING IN: Seven sophomores will see significant action, including TE Eric Ceja (6-0, 180), WR Michael Brignac (6-1, 180), T Rudy Ordaz (5-10, 220) and DB Brandon Walker (5-10, 175). Junior QB Skyler McKnight (6-2, 200) has good size.

OUTLOOK: Good speed can’t make up for small, inexperienced linemen. This will be a rebuilding year for the Regents, who won the City 3-A title in 1995.

Rio Mesa

COACH: George Contreras, fourth year.

LAST SEASON: 8-3; 5-2 tied for second in Channel League.

COMING BACK: Third-year starting LBs Bo Espinoza and Richard Hernandez lead a defense that boasts the most speed of Contreras’ tenure. Espinoza moves from MLB to OLB and Perry Dennis moves from OLB to DE, with Reggie Curry moving from FS to DT. CB Joe Martinez also will play WR. FB Flores is explosive and RB Jahi Evans moves from the secondary.

CHECKING IN: MLB Jerome Stevens, a junior, could dominate. DT Reggie Curry, academically ineligible last season, is quick. Safeties Frank McBride and John Coleman, and sophomore CB Steve Qualls have good speed. QB Paul Ayala is an athletic senior who hasn’t played football in three years. TE Kevin Mack is ready for a big year.

OUTLOOK: The Spartans are coming off a big season and expect even better results this year. Watch their new 4-3 defense shut down opponents.

Royal

COACH: Gene Uebelhardt, ninth year.

LAST SEASON: 1-9; 1-6, seventh in Marmonte League.

COMING BACK: QB Braden Fien, who passed for 1,041 yards behind a porous line, should benefit from experience. Bryant Phipps, a talented RB-DB, is back after missing most of last season with a broken foot. Mike Thornton (6-2, 280), the C last year, has moved to T. Matt Betancourt and sophomore Mike Martin return at LB.

CHECKING IN: RB Steve Sheehan, who rushed for 2,000 yards on Royal’s unbeaten sophomore team, is expected to contribute. TE Sol Rafiq (6-2, 220), a reserve last season, is ready to step up. Junior Justin Semsch, recruited from the Highlanders’ Southern Section champion soccer team, will play LB. Junior defensive tackle Brian Montesanto (6-5, 235) runs a 4.7 40 and should become a college prospect.

OUTLOOK: Royal, which will play in its own stadium for the first time, has nowhere to go but up and has the talent to improve. The freshman and sophomore teams were unbeaten last season.

St. Bonaventure

COACH: Jon Mack, eighth year.

LAST SEASON: 12-1-1; 3-0-1, first in Tri-Valley League.

COMING BACK: All-league safeties David Chaparro and Pat Devericks make it tough for teams to throw deep on the Seraphs. DE Brian Miller and LB Ben Baumer can stuff the run. RT Andrew Jones (6-5, 256) and LT Robert Winson (6-4, 263) block in an offense that will focus more on the run.

CHECKING IN: G Mike Bakken (6-5, 303) is a transfer from Hueneme. Sophomore G Adrian Ayala (6-4, 277) has improved. WRs Chris Elliott, Rob Richardson and Matt Leeth combined for two catches last season and must make up for graduated Pepe Villasenor’s 111 catches.

OUTLOOK: The Seraphs could be challenged by Carpinteria, but should win their second consecutive Tri-Valley League title.

St. Francis

COACH: Bill Redell, fourth year.

LAST SEASON: 8-4; 3-2, second in Mission League.

COMING BACK: RB Darius Brown was the team’s second-leading rusher with 602 yards last year and an all-league pick. G Brian Abraham (6-1, 245) was an all-league selection and G Taylor Ketchum (6-2, 275), T Jason Cervantes (6-2, 250) and LB Mike Wong were second-team picks.

CHECKING IN: Kjell Nesen, a talented but inexperienced transfer from Westlake, is the QB. LB Mike Scheper (6-1, 265) was a standout in Indiana last year.

OUTLOOK: The Golden Knights have a potentially potent offense but a number of defensive question marks. Second place is likely.

St. Genevieve

COACH: Steve Page, first year.

LAST SEASON: 3-7; 2-5, fifth in Sante Fe League.

COMING BACK: Senior TB Cliff Rivera (5-3, 125) rushed for 1,186 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Jesse Zamudio starts at G-LB for the second consecutive season. Only three other starters return.

CHECKING IN: Junior QB Eddie Beltran, a backup last season, must make rapid improvement. Shawn Garhan starts at FB-LB after playing DL a year ago and senior Daniel Franco will play TE-DE in his first varsity season. Junior T Art Andaluz is a transfer from Poly.

OUTLOOK: Page, the program’s fifth coach in 3 1/2 years and a Valiant alum, will likely have to wait for a winning season.

San Fernando

COACH: Sean Blunt, fifth year.

LAST SEASON: 3-7; 2-5, sixth in Northwest Valley Conference.

COMING BACK: RB Sean Atkins, fully recovered from a broken kneecap, moves to QB. Terrell Stanley, the QB last year, moves to WR. Steve Navarez (6-4, 260) is only a sophomore but has already established himself as the Tigers’ best lineman.

CHECKING IN: Junior Reggie Kinlaw (6-1, 205), son of the former Los Angeles Raider of the same name, will play TE-DE-LB. TB Major Caldwell rushed for 143 yards in limited duty last year. Former head coach Tom Hernandez returns to coach the line.

OUTLOOK: After missing the playoffs the past two seasons, Blunt has his team on a mission to return. Last year, youth was a viable excuse. Now San Fernando has the experience.

Santa Clara

COACH: John Lorenzana, second year.

LAST SEASON: 0-10; 0-4, fifth in Frontier League.

COMING BACK: Brian Campbell (6-1, 205), an all-league DL, may excel this season at FB. RB Jose Riesendez will be the beneficiary of Campbell’s blocking. DB Bobby Martinez was an all-league selection.

CHECKING IN: QB Kevin Ghormley will start as a junior. Speedy sophomore Josh Allison will play DB and WB. Junior OL-DT Carlos Gutierrez (5-11, 245) has improved.

OUTLOOK: The Saints were outscored last year, 425-45. They might narrow the scoring differential.

Santa Paula

COACH: Hoppy Mumford, third year.

LAST SEASON: 7-4; 2-2, third in Frontier League.

COMING BACK: QB-FS Willie Zavala will be everywhere for the Cardinals. He will kick off and may return punts. Jorge Torres, who rushed for 326 yards last year, takes over at RB. OLs Mark Espinoza and Maunel Prado were all-league selections.

CHECKING IN: Junior Mike Kolbeck, a basketball player and hurdler on the track team, will play WR-FS. Sophomore FB Morgan Montoya (5-9, 165) was measured with 3% body fat. “The kid is like a stone,” Mumford said. “He just eats and sleeps football.”

OUTLOOK: As Zavala goes, so go the Cardinals, who have enough talent--if they put it all together--to upset one of the league favorites.

Saugus

COACH: Ron Hilton, first year.

LAST SEASON: 6-6; 3-2, third in Foothill League.

COMING BACK: All-league LB Tim Dell leads the defense. OL Justin Horwat (6-4, 275) anchors a big line. WR Matt Lane averaged 10 yards per catch last year.

CHECKING IN: Canyon transfer Brandon Hartwell is the fastest RB at Saugus in six years. QB Travis Ivey completed 22 of 46 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns in mop-up duty last year. LBs Richie Collins and Derek Phelps return after injuries sidelined them last year.

OUTLOOK: The best defense in the league, a huge offensive line and solid skill-position players make the Centurions the league favorite.

Simi Valley

COACH: Ron Veres, first year.

LAST SEASON: 4-6; 2-5, sixth in Marmonte League.

COMING BACK: Veres is back, having coached the Pioneers from 1980-83. He inherits an inexperienced team whose best player is DE-OG Chad Troxler (6-0, 280). Chris Hendrickson returns at OT-DE. Mike Cosio, a reserve last season, will play MLB. Aaron Simmons is back at OLB and Walter Williams is an experienced CB. DTs Kevin Francis and Jeff Walker are standouts, as is safety Brian Zumo.

CHECKING IN: A pass-oriented offense will be led by QB Tim Bird, a junior who led the junior varsity team to a share of the league title. RBs John Proja and Bill Rowerdink and WRs Eric Cooper, Kenny Davis, Nick Campanelli and Josh Verdugo are juniors. TE Noah Happe (6-6, 230), another junior, will also play OLB. Senior Chris Stoneham (6-7, 290), a touted transfer from Notre Dame, is academically ineligible.

OUTLOOK: This is likely a rebuilding year unless Veres can generate enough offense to match potent Marmonte opponents.

Sylmar

COACH: Jeff Engilman, 11th year.

LAST SEASON: 8-3; 7-0, first in Valley Pac-8 Conference.

COMING BACK: With 14 starters returning, Sylmar is again a front-runner for the City 4-A title. T Ray Solis (6-4, 250), a Division I prospect, is one of five returning OLs. WR-FS-K Shaun Avalos is Sylmar’s first four-year starter. Junior Joey LaPorte (6-2, 220), an all-conference LB last season, moves to QB. Donald Carpenter (6-0, 205) and Errol Bowen (6-1, 195) could both be 1,000-yard rushers.

CHECKING IN: Junior Cedril Anderson (6-3, 215) moves up from the frosh-soph team and will bolster an already strong LB corps.

OUTLOOK: Fifty-three consecutive conference victories and not another contender in sight. Sylmar’s toughest test will be its first game against Washington and its last game in the playoffs.

Taft

COACH: Troy Starr, sixth year.

LAST SEASON: 13-1; 7-0, first in Northwest Valley Conference.

COMING BACK: Sedric Hurns is among the best defensive players around, whether he plays CB, LB or safety, and he’s a solid TB, teaming with Marquis Brignac. LB Tyler Brennan (6-2, 190) is a three-year starter and emotional leader. Carlos Meza (6-1, 270) anchors the DL and Clint Evans (6-2, 210) is a two-way lineman.

CHECKING IN: WRs are plentiful--sophomore Ronald Andrews was a standout on the frosh-soph team, Airabin Justin is a transfer from Washington state, and Dominic Early came from Washington High. QB Steve Alvarado, who threw 13 passes as the backup to Nick DiPadova, beat out converted receiver K.C. Bounds for the starting job. LB David Melo (6-3, 215) was among Van Nuys’ best players before transferring.

OUTLOOK: It will be tough to match last season, the most successful in school history, but the Toreadors have enough talent to again be one of the region’s top teams.

Thousand Oaks

COACH: Mike Kelly, third year.

LAST SEASON: 7-3-1; 5-2, tied for second in Marmonte League.

COMING BACK: Thousand Oaks has few returning starters except on the OL, where TE Jeff Wyly (6-3, 220), T Kevin Story (6-1 295) and C Brian Smith (6-1, 245), who moves to G, are back. Junior Joey Casillas moves from OLB to the middle and safety Glen Perrault will anchor the secondary and play WR.

CHECKING IN: Scott Ange, a 6-3 senior who played LB last season, will succeed three-year starter Scott McEwan at QB. Ange has talent but no varsity experience under center. FB Jay McKearn (5-11, 205) is powerful and RBs Robert Hueners and Wes Cobos are elusive. Steve Jauregui, Jason Fritz and Carlos Acosta (6-3 1/2, 250) have joined the OL. LB Dustin Kraus should be solid.

OUTLOOK: The Lancers exceeded expectations to reach the playoffs last season. With even less experience this year, they will need to overachieve to make a repeat appearance.

Valencia

COACH: Brian Stiman, fourth year.

LAST SEASON: 5-5; 1-4, fifth in Foothill League.

COMING BACK: All-league LB Dante Martin is recovering from off-season knee surgery. WR Mike Swanson averaged 16.1 yards per catch as a junior. DB Nick Carey started as a sophomore.

CHECKING IN: QB Brian Hamilton transferred from Clovis High. RB Manuel White had 128 yards in 18 carries in limited duty as a freshman. DE Duane Miller adds quickness to the pass rush.

OUTLOOK: The Vikings have more depth than in the past, but the majority of the starters are underclassmen and the lines will be undersized in league play.

Van Nuys

COACH: Mark Pomerantz, third year.

LAST SEASON: 9-5; 5-2, tied for second in Valley Pac-8 Conference.

COMING BACK: The 1996 City 3-A runners-up are strong up front. Wilmer Carrillo (6-3, 265) will anchor both lines, with help from returnees Cecilio Perez (6-2, 225), Ken Osorio (6-1, 220), Derrick Kim (6-0, 225) and Jason Jones (6-3, 270). Junior Alex Aguilar and Demetrius Henry may be platooned at RB.

CHECKING IN: Van Nuys is thin at the skill positions and will look to QB Bobby Hernandez, RB Andy Shin, WRs Andre Reydes and WR Harold Lepley, all juniors promoted from the frosh-soph team. Junior Jose Arroyo could be the next in a long line of successful Wolf kickers.

OUTLOOK: With a 60-player roster and an outstanding offensive line, Van Nuys could easily end up in the 3-A final again.

Vasquez

COACH: Dave Contreras, second year.

LAST SEASON: 5-6; 4-1, second in Victory League.

COMING BACK: Junior OT-DT Bobby Spigno (6-3, 235) anchors both lines. Josh Abbatoye (5-11, 220) joins Spigno on the OL. Junior DB-WR Eugene Small is another key two-way starter. MLB James Swan, an all-league selection, heads the defense.

CHECKING IN: Junior RB Kenny Johnson (6-2, 190), a transfer from Chatsworth, will start. Junior QB James Matthews moves up from the JV team.

OUTLOOK: Although inexperienced in the offensive backfield, the Mustangs should be competitive in their first season in the Desert Mountain League. “Once we get going, I think we’ll mature quickly,” Contreras said.

Ventura

COACH: Phil McCune, 13th year.

LAST SEASON: 9-2; 7-0, first in Channel League.

COMING BACK: It will be tough to move the ball against Ventura. ILB Joe Martinez (6-2, 220) is the most dominant defensive player in Ventura County. LB Mark McKinney, DT Shawn Echevarria and DBs Ismael Martin and Mike Anderson also are experienced. Anderson played QB last year and will split time there this year.

CHECKING IN: Several top athletes have been recruited from other sports. Strong-armed Jason Branch, a baseball player, is battling Anderson at QB. All-Southern Section wrestler Cristobal Gonzalez will play LB and Matt Appel, the Southern Section 400-meter champion, is playing WR. TE-OLB Cordell Sanders looks good.

OUTLOOK: With a strong defense, Ventura should be in the playoff hunt. A running back must emerge for the Cougars to repeat as champions.

Verdugo Hills

COACH: Don Scott, third year.

LAST SEASON: 7-5; 5-2, tied for second in Northern Conference.

COMING BACK: TE-LB Evan Armstrong (6-3, 240) is a three-year starter but Verdugo Hills must replace QB Ethan Slimak, RB Sean Standley and WR-CB Charlie Coronado. Frank Rodriguez (5-11, 190) will play LB-OG. Ruben Tabarez will play WR-DB. K Israel Chitay returns.

CHECKING IN: Several positions are open and will be filled by underclassmen and transfers. Senior Phil Brathwaite (6-3, 160), a transfer from L.A. Lutheran, takes over at QB. Sophomore Alvin Downs, a transfer from Chatsworth, may start at TB. Sophomore Michael Porter will provide speed in the secondary.

OUTLOOK: Scott worked wonders in his first two years getting the program back on track. This is a rebuilding year, but with several weak teams in the Northern Conference, a return to the playoffs is likely.

Viewpoint

COACH: Derek McIntyre, second year.

LAST SEASON: 4-4; 2-2 in Heritage League.

COMING BACK: Sophomore RB Sherwin Shilati (5-4, 155) rushed for 618 yards, caught 15 passes for 232 yards and scored 15 touchdowns as a freshman. QB Tyler Stone (6-1, 165) will start after passing for 151 yards and two touchdowns as a reserve. Kareem Shaarawy was the Patriots’ leading receiver with 15 catches for 195 yards and a touchdown and will also play DB.

CHECKING IN: LB-WR Mike Lynch didn’t play football during his first three years of high school. DB Greg Dodell hasn’t played since his sophomore year.

OUTLOOK: “We should be able to score a lot of points,” McIntyre said. “On the defensive side of the ball, we have a lot of young players. It’s going to be baptism under fire for some of them, but if they do well, we could win a lot of ball games.”

Village Christian

COACH: Mike Plaisance, 17th year.

LAST SEASON: 10-3; 3-1, second in Alpha League.

COMING BACK: QB Jeff Johnston threw touchdown passes in all three playoff games to lead the Crusaders to the Division XI semifinals. All-league RB David Romberger rushed for 1,321 yards and averaged 5.4 yards per carry. All-Division XI K Matt Ryburn had two game-wining field goals with under 15 seconds to play.

CHECKING IN: WR Mike Santiago moves to offense after playing LB last season. WR Anthony Loy is a big-play receiver. LB Jesse Rodriguez transferred from Burroughs. DB Matt James transferred from Hart.

OUTLOOK: After two consecutive trips to the division semifinals, the Crusaders appear deep enough and experienced enough to make a run at the championship game.

Westlake

COACH: Jim Benkert, ninth year.

LAST SEASON: 10-3; 5-2, tied for second in the Marmonte League.

COMING BACK: WR Joey Cuppari had 79 catches for 1,445 yards last season. Only T Marc Cittadino returns on the OL, and only FB J.R. Ross returns in the backfield. Travis Campbell, a junior who started at CB last year, will see double duty at WR. Aggressive LB Matt Goldstein (6-2, 240) moves from the outside to the middle, and OLB Kamran Salem also returns.

CHECKING IN: Sophomore QB Zac Wasserman will replace record-setting Casey Preston. Much is expected of junior WRs Mike Seidman (6-5, 225), who was out with a knee injury last season, three-sport star Kevin Howard (6-2, 185) and Joe Boskovich (6-5, 230), a transfer from Crespi. TB Demeko Robinson (5-6, 155) had 31 carries as a backup. Karl Holley (6-3, 240) is a quick DT.

OUTLOOK: The Warriors, a perennial contender, will go as far as their quarterback will take them. The receivers are excellent--they just need the ball.