BRAWLEY
Last year: 8-3.
Coach: Jon Self, 9th year.
Division: III.
Key players: Daniel Caloca (OL), Damian Reyes (RB-SS), Nathan Torrez (QB-FS), Adrian Chavez (SB-CB), Blake Krigbaum (FB-LB), Javier Martinez (OL), Chandler Self (TE-LB), Omar Chavez (DL), Jessie Gutierrez (TE-DL).
Scouting report: The Wildcats were oh-so-close to a championship season in 2018, despite injuries to their two best players — Casey Kline (now at Boise State) and Michael Moreno (1,700 rushing yards). They expect to be better. On the size extremes, left tackle Caloca (6-5, 285) is being recruited by SDSU, Fresno State and others, while Torrez (5-8, 152) is the new QB after earning all-league at safety. Reyes is a home run threat on returns or out of the backfield, as is Chavez, the league track champ at 100 meters. Krigbaum is an atypical but effective fullback and linebacker. Martinez is a section champ wrestler on an OL that Self calls the No. 1 strength area. “They have worked really hard and built a great bond,” said Self, who has been at Brawley since 1994. Chandler Self has a coach’s son football IQ and excels on both sides.
CALEXICO
Last year: 3-8.
Coach: John Tyree, 4th year.
Division: IV.
Key players: Chris Gonzalez (RB-LB), Angel Soltero (OL-DL), Diego Zatarain (RB-DE), Oscar Rodriguez (OL-DC), Herman Perez (TE-LB), Richard De La Hoya (QB-LB), Cesar Luna (QB-DB), Jorge Burgos (RB-DB), Javier Contreras (RB-DB), Chris Gonzalez (RB-LB).
Scouting report: A most candid and experienced coach, Tyree, 78, can explain 2018 in four words: “We had zero offense.” The Bulldogs lost two QBs in the preseason, and “we had to invent a quarterback,” Tyree said. “It was ugly.” This year’s success hinges on securing that position in the new triple-option shotgun offense. Richard De La Hoya, a nephew of boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya, and Luna are battling for the role, and both are starters on defense. “If they develop, we’ll be very good. If they don’t, we’re in trouble,” Tyree said. A big, athletic OL — led by Soltero — and a strong senior class should help. Gonzalez is a two-time all-league performer and was the team leader in rushing (857 yards) and tackles (74). Burgos and Contreras will also get carries, and both are standouts on defense. Zatarain and Rodriguez are good bookends on the DL. Perez moves off the line to TE-LB after losing 60 pounds.
CENTRAL
Last year: 12-1.
Coach: David Pena, 3rd year.
Division: III.
Key players: Deniro Osuna (QB), Angel Nava-Esparza (FB-LB), Jonathan Medina (RB-LB), Michael Sullivan (WR-DB), Fernando Morales (WR-DB), Andrew Lugo (DL); Carlos Gomez (RB), Rick Luna (OL), Christian Salazar (OL), Joseph Hargrave (DL), Juan Dominguez (WR).
Scouting report: After a 10-2 season in 2017, Central electrified its fanatic and loyal community and set a school record with 12 wins before falling to Morse 22-16 in the Division III championship. It was the Spartans’ first San Diego Section title game, and they are hungry for another try. An accurate and heady QB, Osuna is 32-3 (10-0 on freshman team) and has 5,313 yards and 53 TDs in two varsity years. Medina (1,153 rushing, 358 receiving) is an exceptional dual-threat back. Nava-Esparza led the team in scoring (16 TDs, four in the semifinals) and tackles (114). Morales (24-334-1), Dominquez and Sullivan are top-notch receivers. Sullivan (63 tackles, 3 INTs) is also a punishing safety. Both lines are formidable with Lugo, Hargrave, Luna and Salazar. “I’m never happy with where we’re at,” Pena said. “It’s still a process with high expectations. Our kids know what success is, but they also know how hard it is to get there.”
IMPERIAL
Last year: 7-5.
Coach: Kerry Legarra, 12th year.
Division: III.
Key players: Joey Ramos (SB-DB-P), Manuel Quintero (FB-FS), Ryan Bonillas (SB-CB), Brenten Adams (WR), Sebastian Mendoza (OL), James Fowlkes (OL), Caleb Rollins (OL), Jordan Reed (QB), Joaquin Alvarado (QB), C.J. Ramos (DE), Ethan Ramos (LB), James Ponce (DB), Tanner Travis (FB-LB).
Scouting report: The Tigers lost to rival Central 34-7 in the quarterfinals and will miss the presence of all-everything Santiago De La Torre, who had 2,502 total yards at QB and six INTs at safety. Juniors Reed and Alvarado are battling at QB and both have good arms, legs and heads to run the spread offense. The unrelated Ramos trio are all standouts. Joey Ramos is a three-year starter with 77 catches for 854 yards and 12 TDs last year. Ethan Ramos (109 tackles) and C.J. Ramos (44) are leaders on a tough defense along with Bonillas (42 tackles), Ponce (52) and Travis (51, seven sacks). Mendoza, Fowlkes and Rollins return as OL starters to block for Quintero (hurt last year). At 6-3, 200, Adams (14-180-4) has good size at WR. Legarra said one of the biggest strengths is a staff that has been intact for 12 years. “One of the best staffs around, if not the best,” he said.
PALO VERDE
Last year: 4-7.
Coach: Wally Grant, 1st year.
Division: V.
Key players: Alejandro Lee (RB-DB), Josiah Edwards-Love (WR-DB), Chase Schriner (RB-LB), Darnell Viray (QB), Wyatt Palmer (QB), Aizik Gonzalez (RB-LB), Matthew Rios (OL-DL), Andy Ayala (OL-DL), Martin Ramos (OL-DL).
Scouting report: Grant, 55, is the third coach in three years after Marcus Bruce (1 year) and George Dagnino (17 years), and he brings a history of turning around programs at his alma mater Costa Mesa and Tustin as well as Orange Coast College. The Yellowjackets started 3-1 last year but mostly struggled thereafter and lost to Calipatria 28-3 in the playoffs. Lee and Edwards-Love are versatile athletes drawing college interest. “Both the eye test,” Grant said. “They’re going to stress some people on both sides of the ball.” Viray and Palmer are battling at QB, but Lee or Schriner may get time there as well. Gonzalez, a sophomore, is a talented runner and has a solid line with Rios, Ayala and Ramos. Hired in June, Grant has had only a few weeks to evaluate players and implement his system, but he said, “The cupboard wasn’t left bare, that’s for sure. I have great coaches, and the kids are buying into what we’re doing.”
EL CENTRO SOUTHWEST
Last year: 4-6.
Coach: John Haines, 1st year.
Division: III.
Key players: Benji Alvarez (WR-LB), Joseph Enders (WR-FS), Josh Enders (RB), Nate Holguin (QB), Sammy Arrendando (RB-LB), James Butcher (WR-DB), Alan Zermeno (DE), Josue Acosta (OL-DL), Jonathan Lopez (DB), Carlos Salcedo (LB).
Scouting report: Haines, 44, takes over from John Mitosinka, the San Diego Section Coach of the Year in 2017 after guiding the Eagles (14-1) to their first section championship and darn-near a state title. A few years ago, Haines was the head coach at his alma mater, Mayville State in North Dakota, and current Central coach David Pena was an assistant. Pena ed Haines about the Southwest job and voila. Haines also had been an assistant at Southwestern College. Holguin, a junior and standout pitcher, was a long snapper last year and now is the QB learning on the job. “I believe in him,” Haines said. “He can throw the ball a mile.” Alvarez (563 yards, four TDs, 48 tackles) is the leading returning rusher and also spearheads an improved defense along with Zermeno (48 tackles) and Arrendando (46). Graduation hit hard the past two seasons. No one has caught a varsity TD , but Haines said slot receiver is a strength with Alvarez and Joseph Enders. Size on the OL helps with Acosta (6-0, 280), Alex Villareal (6-1, 280), Guillermo Lopez (6-2, 280) and the coach’s son, Seneca Haines (6-1, 250).
Lindgren is a freelance writer.
