FOOTHILL LEAGUE

OUTLOOK

The Foothill was the best league in the division last season, going 10-4 in the playoffs. Hart beat league rival Valencia in the final, Saugus lost to Valencia in the semifinals and Canyon reached the quarterfinals. Hart should extend its region-best 43-game league winning streak. Valencia and Saugus will again battle for second and Canyon and Burroughs will contest for the last playoff spot.

SCOUTING REPORT

HART

Mike Herrington, 12th year

* Coming back: Can Stanford-bound QB Kyle Matter top a 3,774-yard, 48-touchdown junior year? In a passing offense, RB Tim Gregory has the ability to rush for 1,500 yards. TE/DE Evan Allen is one of region’s best at both positions. OL/DE Chris Frome, LB/DL Peter Dubsky and LB Kyle Hollis will be keys to defense. Josh Cummings should keep busy as a kicker, but inactive as a punter. With most of the receiving corps graduated, WR Jake Norton should be a steady target for Matter. Checking in: WR Keith Howell will see a lot of action. DB/QB Matt Moore will too, at DB.

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VALENCIA

Brian Stiman, fifth year

* Coming back: Kaelen Jakes is the region’s best DL. QB Kyle Bauer shined in playoffs and is improved. Marc Stockland carried 11 times last year but inherits the RB job after Manuel White graduated and David Shipp was injured. OL Dan Gonzalez and Robert Miulli anchor the line. WR/DB Zack Sapp was impressive in passing league. John Robinson and Zack Gampe are top LBs. Checking in: Sr. Will Broadous, a basketball standout, will play WR/DB. LB Dan Pina and DE Brandon Fuselier will be defensive keys. QB Greg Herrick is a transfer from Alemany.

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SAUGUS

Ron Hilton, fourth year

* Coming back: LB/RB Jared De Paiva, an All-Southern Section selection, is so important he might never come off the field. Eli Munoz (6-2, 275) and Jeff Gallo (6-4, 300) are top linemen. DB/WR Tim Carter, Dusty Titzel and George Koval, who combined for eight catches last year, will be the key targets. Checking in: Sr. Andy Basey and So. Chris Ahlheim are battling to take over at QB for graduated David Parker. OL/DL Filip Schatz played varsity as a sophomore, but sat out last season. Kevin Estes and Matt Hott will bolster receiving corps.

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CANYON

Jack Bowman, second year

* Coming back: FB/LB Colin MacNeil is one of the best two-way players in region. DEs Andrew Rees and Fred Gamble, LB Rick Galvan and FS Ryan Sullivan give Cowboys nucleus of a promising defense. Cam Robinson is a standout kicker. Checking in: QB Vince Titiriga takes over an offense that produced 394 yards and two TDs passing last season. Paul Gramichale, Edgar Aguirre, Leo Yepez and Justin Vaughn will bolster the lines.

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BURROUGHS

Keith Knoop, fourth year

* Coming back: WR/FS Keith Jarbo is a top recruit and led Indians in receiving and interceptions as a junior. RBs Mike Perez and Marco Barrios combined to average seven yards a carry last season. DL Gus Rodriguez, Matt Jackson and Mike Alvarado will be keys to defense. Jon Overturf averaged almost 20 yards per catch as a junior. Checking in: Knoop is excited about the athleticism of QB Marvin Lowery, a transfer from New Mexico Military Institute.

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BURBANK

Frank Childress, second year

* Coming back: Childress. That’s something unique at Burbank, which has gone through five coaches in six seasons. Checking in: Hopefully, a few breaks. The Bulldogs have not won a league game since 1992 and haven’t won more than one overall game in a season since 1996, when they won two.

DATES TO MARK

Sept. 21 Hart at Westlake

Oct. 13 Saugus vs. Valencia at COC

Oct. 20 Valencia vs. Hart at COC

Nov. 9 Saugus vs. Hart at COC

FAST FACT

Hart’s last loss in league play was on Oct. 26, 1990, when then-Foothill rival Schurr scored on a 97-yard pass play late in the fourth quarter for a 42-35 victory.