VALLEY / VENTURA COUNTY SPORTS : 1999 PREVIEW: CITY SECTION TEAM CAPSULES : WEST VALLEY LEAGUE

Birmingham

COACH: Dave Lertzman, fifth season

LAST SEASON: 1-9, 0-7 in league

COMING BACK: K John Wall made 15 field goals last year, including two from 50 yards or more. WR-SS David Black was the leading tackler last season. Mario Palomino (6-6, 280) and Kevork Jorokian (6-1, 295) anchor the offensive line.

CHECKING IN: TB Kevin McCleary scored 25 touchdowns on the frosh-soph team and QB Scott Jensen led the squad to a 9-1 record. Sophomore Ramal Porter and junior John Walker are track stars playing WR-CB.

OUTLOOK: Birmingham must overcome the transfer of six players, but a talented group of juniors will fill the skill positions.

Chatsworth

COACH: Bill Coan, second season

LAST SEASON: 9-5, 2-5 in league

COMING BACK: Matt Cassel (6-4, 213) is perhaps the City’s top QB, having passed for 2,890 yards and 26 touchdowns. WR Mark Harris, who had 62 catches, is an excellent possession receiver. RB-TE-DE Marvin Street (5-9, 210) is a strong runner in the Chancellors’ single-back set but might play tight end to make way for RB speedsters Jason Holmes and Rafael Cansino. David Velasquez, Brandon Kaluna and Jose Rodriguez return on the OL. Dan Wheat is back on the DL.

CHECKING IN: WRs Kenan Jackson and Lucius Duper are fast but are playing football for the first time. K Tom Colley could give Chatsworth a field-goal threat from beyond 40 yards. Brandon Kaluna (6-3, 260), a junior tackle, has grown two inches and gained 40 pounds.

OUTLOOK: The defending City Division champions should fare better in league play and gain a berth in the City Championship playoffs.

Cleveland

COACHES: Bill Paden and Steve Landress, first season

LAST SEASON: 2-8, 1-6 in league

COMING BACK: QB Eddie Whitaker (6-4, 215), who passed for 1,667 yards, and RB James Bethea, who rushed for 1,020, gives the Cavaliers a potent offense. Matthew Clark and Ontae Chaney return at WR. James Ortiz (5-10, 235) is the best lineman on both sides of the ball. Chris Barfield is an excellent CB.

CHECKING IN: Sophomore Andre Berkeley (6-5, 295) and junior Victor Gomez (6-4, 330) are ready to make an impact at tackle. Edwin Roberson will play FS-WR and back up Whitaker.

OUTLOOK: Cleveland should score plenty of points if the line develops. Defense will be a challenge in this league.

El Camino Real

COACH: Rick Hayashida, third season

LAST SEASON: 5-5-1, 4-3 in league

COMING BACK: QB Jonathan Graham and his fraternal twin, WR-RB Justin Graham, are top returnees. An experienced line is led by Shaheen Jahangard, Eric Hultin and Manuel Gonzalez. Brandon Farley will play RB-CB and Kenton Morris starts at WR-FS. TE-LB Mark Munoz is the lone holdover from the Conquistadors’ 1997 3-A title team and LB-FB Paulo Gonzalez is another two-way starter.

CHECKING IN: With nine returning starters going both ways, there isn’t room for many newcomers. K Ian Kogan, who had mixed success last year, is vastly improved.

OUTLOOK: El Camino Real lacks the depth of Granada Hills and Taft, yet the starting lineup can match up against anybody. Staying healthy will be key.

Granada Hills

COACHES: Darryl Stroh and Tom Harp, second season.

LAST SEASON: 12-1, 7-0 in league

COMING BACK: QB Jason Winn passed for 2,728 yards and will work behind a line with three returnees: G Brad Cohn (6-4, 215), G Jae An (6-1, 235) and T Stuart Wainstock (6-2, 235). TE Tommy Garaglino (6-0, 190) has superb hands. RB Omari Mack can pound inside for yardage. MLB Adrian Padilla (6-1, 190) heads the defense with CB David Doetzel and SS-OLB Josh Roepke.

CHECKING IN: WRs Anthony Rodriguez, Carlos Galindo and Eric Farlow will get plenty of opportunities with Winn at the controls. LBs Guillermo Garcia and Kris Govea are juniors who will start.

OUTLOOK: Winning a second consecutive league title will require defeating Taft again. And not overlooking Chatsworth.

Taft

COACH: Troy Starr, eighth season

LAST SEASON: 12-2, 6-1 in league

COMING BACK: QB Brandon Hance made the plays that gave Taft a City title, passing for 2,038 yards and 22 touchdowns. Brandon Walker (5-11, 195) might be the top LB in the league. Junior WR-OLB Chris Morgan (6-1, 185) is one of the best athletes in the City. DB Fred Williams is very fast. Lee Marks, one of the City’s top DBs, replaces graduated Marquis Brignac at RB.

CHECKING IN: TE-DL Gregg Guenther (6-8, 255), a transfer from Crespi, has committed to USC. Juniors David Canton and Julio Mendoza head an undersized, inexperienced line. The eligibility of WR-DB Gerard Jones, whose transfer from Reseda is being challenged, will be determined Thursday.

OUTLOOK: Taft must replace 1,800 yards rushing provided by Brignac, but another deep run in the playoffs is a good bet.