MIDSEASON EVALUATION

Columnist Eric Sondheimer provides his analysis of the region’s top prep football players after six games.

QUARTERBACKS

Rk: 1

Player, School: Kyle Boller, Hart

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Has passed for 2,212 yards, 27 touchdowns

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Rk: 2

Player, School: Matt Cassel, Chatsworth

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: Who said baseball is his best sport?

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Rk: 3

Player, School: Zac Wasserman, Westlake

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: Completing 62% of his passes

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Rk: 4

Player, School: Nick Czernek, Newbury Park

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Hanging tough despite new group of receivers

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Rk: 5

Player, School: Casey Clausen, Alemany

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: Has thrown 18 touchdown passes

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Rising fast: Joe Kroells, Burroughs, Jr.

RUNNING BACKS

Rk: 1

Player, School: Russell Patton, Channel Islands

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Has scored 12 touchdowns

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Rk: 2

Player, School: De’Andre Scott, Alemany

Yr.: So.

Comment: Averaging 11.1 yards per carry

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Rk: 3

Player, School: Manuel White, Valencia

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: Injuries have slowed his progress

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Rk: 4

Player, School: Marquis Brignac, Taft

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: A feared player in City Section

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Rk: 5

Player, School: Wes Cobos, Thousand Oaks

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: He’s small, but what a runner

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Rising fast: Julian Lambert, Westlake, Jr.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Rk: 1

Player, School: Jerry Owens, Hart

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: You might contain him but won’t stop him

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Rk: 2

Player, School: Todd Fenton, Notre Dame

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Opponents know he’s the guy to deal with

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Rk: 3

Player, School: Chris Canoles, Chaminade

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: He doesn’t drop passes

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Rk: 4

Player, School: Keary Colbert, Hueneme

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: Averaging more than 40 yards per catch

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Rk: 5

Player, School: Peter Gunny, Granada Hills

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Unsung hero for unbeaten Highlanders

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Rising fast: Calvin Bell, Simi Valley, Jr.

TIGHT ENDS

Rk: 1

Player, School: Mike Seidman, Westlake

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: He’s living up to expectations

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Rk: 2

Player, School: Jacob Rogers, Oxnard

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: USC is glad he committed early

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Rk: 3

Player, School: Alex Holmes, Harvard-Westlake

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: There isn’t a 300-pounder quite like him

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Rk: 4

Player, School: George Wrighster, Sylmar

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Best in City Section

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Rk: 5

Player, School: Kevin Carden, Crespi

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Keeps making clutch catches

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Rising fast: Mike Lynch, St. Francis, Sr.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Rk: 1

Player, School: Steve Nevarez, San Fernando

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: The guy can block

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Rk: 2

Player, School: Antonio Sanchez, Sylmar

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Playing up to his potential

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Rk: 3

Player, School: Ashcon Madjid, L.A. Baptist

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: He’s the best small schools player

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Rk: 4

Player, School: Keith Holt, Westlake

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: Hasn’t surrendered a sack yet

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Rk: 5

Player, School: Jory Goldberg, Granada Hills

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Has led Highlanders to 6-0 start

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Rising fast: Scott Arnold, Canyon, Jr.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Rk: 1

Player, School: Travis Johnson, Notre Dame

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: He’s a one-man wrecking crew

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Rk: 2

Player, School: Brian Montesanto, Royal

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Still the sack man

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Rk: 3

Player, School: Carl Cannon, Taft

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: A big man to get past

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Rk: 4

Player, School: Tom Larkin, Harvard-Westlake

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: A key to the Wolverines’ 5-1 start

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Rk: 5

Player, School: Kevin Mack, Rio Mesa

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Has been disrupting offenses

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Rising fast: Ben Smith, Littlerock, Sr.

LINEBACKERS

Rk: 1

Player, School: Anthony Foli, Newbury Park

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: He’s everybody’s defensive MVP

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Rk: 2

Player, School: Jerome Stevens, Rio Mesa

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Averaging 10 tackles a game

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Rk: 3

Player, School: Patrick Norton, Hart

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: Has played his heart out

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Rk: 4

Player, School: David Johnson, Canyon

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Keeps making tackle after tackle

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Rk: 5

Player, School: Adam Fabela, Littlerock

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Flies to the ball

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Rising fast: Jason Nemit, Calabasas, Sr

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Rk: 1.

Player, School: Corey Neal, Sylmar

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Fast, tough and intense

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Rk: 2

Player, School: Kyle Cremarosa, Burroughs

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Has returned three interceptions for TDs

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Rk: 3

Player, School: Garrett Lepisto, Agoura

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Doesn’t back down from anybody

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Rk: 4

Player, School: Ronnell Tyars, Antelope Valley

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Teams stay away from him

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Rk: 5

Player, School: David Burney, Kennedy

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Has played well for surprise team

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Rising fast: Eric Ceja, Reseda, Sr.

KICKERS

Rk: 1

Player, School: John Wall, Birmingham

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: Who says soccer is his best sport?

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Rk: 2

Player, School: Jesse Nicassio, Oak Park

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Averages better than 40 yards per punt

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Rk: 3

Player, School: Jason Geisler, Camarillo

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Has made six of 10 field-goal attempts

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Rk: 4

Player, School: Jose Arroyo, Van Nuys

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Has converted six field goals

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Rk: 5

Player, School: Ricky Jacobs, Notre Dame

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Has a future as college punter

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Rising fast: Drew Thomas, Westlake, Jr.