El CAJON VALLEY
Last year: 0-10.
Coach: Nick Osborn, 2nd year.
Division: V.
Key players: Mario Jacobs (RB-LB), Joe Malone (QB), Wendall Walcott (OL-DL), Ke’von White (OL-DL), Salvador Morales (OL-DL), Israel Torres (OL-DL), Isaac Ochoa (OL-DL), Brandon Blackburn (WR-DB), Clarence Johnson (WR-CB).
Scouting report: Key ingredients for rebuilding and success include players buying into a system with a positive attitude … and a solid offensive line. The Braves have all that. “It’s an absolute joy to coach these kids,” said Osborn, a positive motivator and a former all-conference defensive end with SDSU. “They have bought into what we’re trying to do, both on and off the field.” Whereas the OL was a No. 1 weakness last year, it is now a No. 1 strength. Walcott is the captain and most athletic of the unit. White is the strongest player on the team. “These guys really worked hard and came together as a group,” Osborn said. Jacobs is the “spirit of the team” and defensive leader at LB. He’s strong, physical and the ASB president with a 4.3 GPA. Malone started half the games last year at QB and is quick with good arm strength for athletic targets Blackburn and Johnson. One more key: In spring and summer, said the coach, “They asked for more conditioning.”
MONTE VISTA
Last year: 9-2.
Coach: Ron Hamamoto, 8th year.
Division: II.
Key players: Logan Schmidt (TE-DL), Sebastian Valdez (RB-DL), Ruben Silva (QB-DB), Jaysen Mikha (QB), Isiah Gardner (RB-DB), Jovani Olivas (RB-FS), Ron Barry (OL), Jared Reinholdt (OL), Brandon Narvaez (OL), Manny Levi (DL).
Scouting report: Games without Jahmon McClendon (UCLA) will be quite different. The Monarchs won a San Diego Section title in 2017 and made the quarterfinals last year with the section’s No. 4 career rushing leader (6,686 yards). “We have to spread the ball out and become more balanced,” Hamamoto said. The strength is defense with Schmidt back for a third year. He’s No. 1 in his class with a 4.6 GPA and garnering interest from academic schools. Valdez is a polished and fast DE committed to Montana State. Gardner is a 3-year starter moving to safety. Silva is an accomplished DB and making a switch from WR to QB, where he may rotate with Mikha, the JV starter. A trio of seniors return on the OL in Barry (5-9, 185), Reinholdt (5-8, 175) and Narvaez (5-6, 190). “They’re not big, but they’re quick and good for what we do,” Hamamoto said. Three sophomores will help — RBs Davis Langfeldt and Aiden Robey and LB-TE Greg Cooper.
MOUNT MIGUEL
Last year: 3-7.
Coach: Troy Starr, 2nd year.
Division: IV.
Key players: Jacob Laverdiere (QB), Jahiem Allen-Pompey (WR-DB), JoJo Castillo (WR-FS), Ulices Monje (OL-LB), Kojo Miller (WR-DB), Anthony Mitchell (RB-DB), Elias Doering (OL), Quincy Snipes (DL).
Scouting report: The young Matadors showed tremendous growth and potential last year, especially on offense and look to challenge for a league title now. “The culture we tried to instill, we have that now,” Starr said. “The kids are improving on the field, in the classroom and in overall citizenship.” Though small in stature, Laverdiere (5-7, 165) and Allen-Pompey (5-6, 125) are dynamic performers. Laverdiere is a tough and smart leader who threw for 2,935 yards and 27 TDs as a sophomore. “I wouldn’t trade him for any other quarterback in the county,” Starr said. Allen-Pompey (37-706-7) is an explosive and fearless receiver. Starr wants to run more and has a talented back in Mitchell and an imposing lineman in Doering (6-3, 300). Depth is the biggest concern with only 28 players. “Small incremental improvements in all areas, that’s what we’re trying to do,” Starr said.
SANTANA
Last year: 7-6.
Coach: Tim Estes, 8th year.
Division: IV.
Key players: Nathan Temple (QB), Luke Simanek (OL-DL), Brooks Moutaw (RB-LB), Randy Smith (WR), Nathan Hughes (WR-DB-K), Jared Forster (WR-DB), Jacob Petersen (RB-LB), Cameron LaRiccia (RB-LB), Jason Gutierrez (TE-DB), Jayce Lynch (OL-DL).
Scouting report: The Sultans scored a record 76-55 win over LJCD in the playoffs before losing to champion San Diego 41-20 in the semifinals. Santana should challenge for a league title and a fifth straight deep playoff run is possible with 27 seniors on a 45-man roster. Temple missed seven games with a broken collarbone but threw for 1,319 yards and 13 TDs in only six games, including 532 and seven TDs vs. LJCD. He’s an intelligent leader in the no-huddle spread offense with a live arm and has great targets in Smith (57-874-13), Forster (36-375-3, plus five INTs on defense) and Hughes, one of the fastest kids in the league. Moutaw is a three-year starter who led the team with 784 rushing yards and eight TDs. Another three-year guy, Simanek (6-2, 255) can play any line position, and a 4.0 GPA is drawing interest from academic schools. The Sultans allowed 26 ppg last year so an inexperienced defense needs to step up. “We’re excited,” Estes said, “but the ball has to bounce our way a couple of times.”
WEST HILLS
Last year: 8-3.
Coach: Casey Ash, 9th year.
Division: III.
Key players: Jake Maheu (RB-LB), Steven Cristini (SB-CB), Kole Klingerman (WR-DB), Kip Klingerman (WR-DB), Seth Grosch (WR-LB), Braden Oberg (QB), Gerardo Hernandez (QB), Nathan Sanchez (OL-DL), Austin Ruiz-Castaneda (OL-DL), Brendan Greene (SB-DB).
Scouting report: The Wolf Pack started 8-1 last year before being shut out twice — 35-0 to Monte Vista for the league title and 25-0 to Imperial in the playoffs. Graduation hit hard, and there are only 27 varsity players. Size and speed are also concerns so Ash said, “We’ll have to rely on deception, grit, fakes and discipline” in the flex-bone triple option offense. “Our margin for error is a little slimmer than usual.” Maheu (406 yards, 6.2 per carry) is the leading returning rusher, and Cristini is also dangerous. Kole Klingerman (22-371-4) was the top receiver last year, and his twin, Kip, is stellar at safety. Oberg (sophomore) and Hernandez (senior) are battling at QB but neither has thrown a varsity . There was success in winning two summer ing tournaments. They are trying to replace dual-threat star Jordin Young, who is at Arizona. “Those are big shoes to fill,” Ash said. “No one guy can do it.”
Lindgren is a freelance writer.
