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  • Canyon players Jason Harman, from left, Avery Jones, Lance Moore...

    Canyon players Jason Harman, from left, Avery Jones, Lance Moore and Trace Hobbs pose for a photo with first-year caoch Mike Ogas.

  • Canyon's Avery Jones will be a key player for Canyon...

    Canyon's Avery Jones will be a key player for Canyon this season.

  • Jason Harman will be a key player for Canyon this...

    Jason Harman will be a key player for Canyon this season.

  • Free safety Trace Hobbs led Canyon with 117 tackles last...

    Free safety Trace Hobbs led Canyon with 117 tackles last season as a sophomore.

  • Lance Moore will be a key player for Canyon this...

    Lance Moore will be a key player for Canyon this season.

  • Canyon's first-year head coach Mike Ogas oversees a recent practice.

    Canyon's first-year head coach Mike Ogas oversees a recent practice.

  • Canyon's Avery Jones participates in a scrimmage.

    Canyon's Avery Jones participates in a scrimmage.

  • Canyon's Jason Harman prepares to throw a pass during a...

    Canyon's Jason Harman prepares to throw a pass during a drill.

  • Canyon's Trace Hobbs, left, talks with Coach Mike Ogas during...

    Canyon's Trace Hobbs, left, talks with Coach Mike Ogas during a practice.

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Associate mug of Kenny Connolly, Anaheim reporter.

Date shot: 12/31/2012 . Photo by KATE LUCAS /  ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

OC VARSITY PREDICTS

1. Canyon: What they lack in experience, the Comanches make up for in size and athleticism. While they might be raw on opening night, this Canyon bunch should be plenty prepared when league play starts in Week 8.

2. El Dorado: The defense will keep the Golden Hawks in games early in the season while the offense develops its chemistry. Wide receiver Jordan Wells has star potential, according to Coach Mike Crawford.

3. Brea Olinda: The Wildcats return 13 starters from last season’s 2-8 squad. If they can limit the turnovers on offense, Brea Olinda has a defensive core that could bring home a league title.

4. El Modena: The Vanguards have not won a league game in two season. The offense returns six starters who must protect the football for El Modena to have a shot at competing for a playoff berth.

COACHES’ POLL

1T. Canyon, 20 (2)

1T. Brea Olinda, 20 (2)

3T. El Dorado, 16

3T. El Modena, 16

How the poll works: The coaches do the voting. First-place votes (shown in parentheses) are worth 4 points, seconds are worth 3, etc.

IMPACT PLAYERS

Ethan Bernstein, El Dorado, LB: The senior was the defensive MVP in the Century League last season as he outplayed current Division I linebacker Steven Galvan. A hard-nosed player who is always in the middle of the action.

Billy Hanley, Brea Olinda, RB: A first-team Century League selection in 2013, the senior will be the focal point of the Wildcats’ run-oriented offense. He’ll have an opportunity to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark.

Trace Hobbs, Canyon, WR/FS: The The junior led the Comanches in tackles last season, and he is their top returning receiver. Hobbs should become the go-to target for Canyon’s new QB, Jason Harmon.

Kenneth Lamb, El Modena, RB: The junior, a 5-foot-7 speedster, has Vanguard fans excited after he capped his sophomore season with a 190-yard rush performance against Villa Park.

MUST-SEE GAMES

El Dorado at Valencia, Sept. 19: The Battle for the Bell is one of the county’s oldest and most storied rivalries. Neighborhood bragging rights are on the line.

Canyon vs. Los Alamitos, at Veterans Stadium, Sept. 19: The Comanches’ youth will be put to the test by an always-talented Griffins team.

Canyon vs. El Dorado, at Valencia High, Oct. 24: A 30-7 Comanches win in Week 10 last year put Canyon into the playoffs and sent the Golden Hawks home. They’ll meet up to open North Hills play this time around.

El Dorado vs. Brea Olinda, at Brea Olinda High, Nov. 7: At the very least, a playoff berth should be on the line in this regular-season finale.

MORE FOOTBALL — OCVARSITY KICKOFF’14: O.C.’S BEST FAN GUIDE:
Everything you need to know about the high school football scene for 2014.


Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com