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

Canoga Park

COACH: Rudy Lugo, 14th season

LAST SEASON: 3-7, 1-6 in league

COMING BACK: QB Michael Spangle (5-11, 180) is a three-year starter who gives the Hunters the league’s best passing attack. He passed for 1,681 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. RBs Mike Burnes, a reserve last season, and Oscar Carpio, who is coming off knee surgery, should share the carries. OLBs Jose Chaparro (6-0, 210) and Charlie Shoemaker (5-9, 140) key the defense.

CHECKING IN: A new set of WRs includes Christopher Lugo (the coach’s son), Brian Spangle (the quarterback’s brother) and Tony Olivera. TE D’Andre Shelton (6-3, 230) hasn’t played football but has impressive skills.

OUTLOOK: With its high-powered passing attack, Canoga Park can beat any league opponent.

Grant

COACH: Bill Foster, 15th season

LAST SEASON: 2-7-1, 1-5-1 in league

COMING BACK: RB-LB Michael Carter, junior brother of last season’s star running back, Duriel Carter, is the key player on offense and defense. Kyrie Nava is the top WR and moves from CB to SS. TE-OLB Marthell Murray (6-4, 210) is Grant’s most improved player.

CHECKING IN: Shifty TB Perry Clayton (5-6, 165) will get the carries Carter doesn’t. Junior Alphonso Estrada takes over at QB and OT Anthony Smith is a top junior.

OUTLOOK: Led by Carter, Grant’s emphasis on running the ball and playing tough defense should continue. Consistency will be the key to competing for the league title.

North Hollywood

COACH: Jason Garrison, third season

LAST SEASON: 3-7, 3-4 in league

COMING BACK: RB Matthew Hicks (5-11, 195) rushed for 1,200 yards in seven games after moving from slotback and is one of the City’s top runners. He’ll take handoffs from QB-CB Billydee Payne, a three-year starter who can scramble. Brandon Tyler is a two-way starter at CB-WR who can also playing RB. Jose Sanchez and Axel Reyes are veteran linemen.

CHECKING IN: Michael Moses (6-2, 245) and Daniel Guerrero (6-2, 210) are strong bookends in the Huskies’ double tight end set. DB Derek Brill was frosh-soph conference player of year and is the QB of the future. MLB Victor Valdovinos (6-3, 225) is a junior transfer from Muir who will start.

OUTLOOK: Because Hicks is the best player in the league, most Sunset Six coaches pick North Hollywood as the favorite.

Poly

COACHES: Lee Jackson and Bobby Mesa, third year

LAST SEASON: 3-6-1, 3-3-1 in league

COMING BACK: RB David Valencia, who ran for 461 yards last season, will pick up where the graduated Steve Smith left off. The role of FB-MLB Alex Vallejo (6-0, 225), the team’s strongest player, will increase. DE-TE Julius Roberts (6-6, 210) is a Division I prospect.

CHECKING IN: Zach Jones (6-1, 185), a junior who also plays infield in baseball, will step in at QB-FS. WR Alex Green is a track star. DT-OL John Yunoye (5-11, 245) and DT-OL Rudy Anaya (5-11, 230) have impressed Mesa.

OUTLOOK: Poly has improved the last two seasons under Jackson and Mesa. The Parrots’ record could continue to get better and they figure to be competitive in the Sunset Six.

Verdugo Hills

COACH: Don Scott, fifth season

LAST SEASON: 3-7, 3-4 in league

COMING BACK: QB Jason Dupras returns and has three senior linemen blocking for him: T Deiter Cortez (6-2, 245), G Jose Garcia (5-11, 225) and C Eddie Castellanos (6-3, 275). WRs Steve Carrillo and Victor Hines return, CB John Tirres was an all-conference selection and ILB Michael Tabarez is back.

CHECKING IN: MLB Michael Porter (6-3, 185) and RB Alvin Downs are seniors returning after missing last season. Porter is a transfer from Kilpatrick with All-City potential and Downs spent last year in Oklahoma. Senior TE-OLB Kevin Baird started as a sophomore and sat out last season.

OUTLOOK: The Dons are the only team from the Northern League to join the Sunset Six. A strong showing is likely because of the return of Porter, Downs and Baird.