THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

*--* Rk School (’02 Rec.) Comment 1 LOS ALAMITOS (13-0-1, SS-Div. I) Almost everybody’s back, so the Griffins will be too 2 MISSION VIEJO (14-0, SS-Div. II) Did they really need to break the rules to beat Hart? 3 HART (12-1-1, SS-Div. II) Killer schedule could be the death of them 4 MATER DEI (10-4, SS-Div. I) With a year of option experience, the Monarchs could rule again 5 LONG BEACH POLY (11-2, SS-Div. I) Came within a hair of beating Mater Dei last year 6 CORONA CENTENNIAL (12-2, Div. V) Few offensive starters return -- had the same “problem” last year 7 LOYOLA (9-4, SS-Div. I) Offensive line averages 260 pounds, has three D-I caliber linemen 8 S.O. NOTRE DAME (14-0, SS Div. III) Loaded, but ranked too high? Questions abound at QB 9 RIVERSIDE NORTH (10-4, SS-Div. V) Lost title to Centennial, 57-55; have 14 starters back 10 LOS ALTOS (12-2, SS-Div. VI) Brigham Harwell (25 sacks) leads a defense that is even better 11 SAN CLEMENTE (9-4, SS-Div. II) Talented at the skill positions, led by RB Cheyne Verhagen 12 ST. JOHN BOSCO (9-3, SS-Div. I) Defense is strength for the defending Serra League champ 13 ESPERANZA (10-2, SS-Div. I) Bill Pendleton picks up where the Gary Meek era left off 14 WESTLAKE (12-2, SS-Div. IV) Monster defense returns -- offense bolstered by the usual transfer QB 15 CHINO (10-2, SS-Div. II) Last season ended with a 13-9 loss to San Clemente 16 CLAREMONT (10-3, SS-Div. II) Will battle Rancho Cucamonga for Baseline supremacy 17 ST. BONAVENTURE (13-1, SS-Div. IV) Seraphs touting Terrail Lambert as the fastest player in America 18 C.C. CANYON (10-2, SS-Div. II) Boast some of SoCal’s top players at QB, RB and LB 19 ORANGE LUTHERAN (9-3, SS-Div. VI) Return 16 starters, including Notre Dame-bound Anthony Vernaglia 20 PENINSULA (7-5, SS-Div. III) Four offensive lineman, 3,000 yards rushing are returning 21 VENICE (10-3, City) Early favorite in a wide-open City title chase 22 CARSON (8-3, City) Gets a shot at Venice in season opener 23 ST. PAUL (8-4-1, SS-Div. III) Word is the Swordsmen could have their best team in years 24 CHARTER OAK (8-3, Div. VI) Eight starters, including TB Patrick Fuller, are back on offense 25 SANTA MARGARITA (6-5, SS-Div. I) Eagles are quicker and more athletic than last season

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