COACHES POLL
(Click the link to see a team's schedule and roster)

1. Anaheim, 12-2 in 2006, 21 points

2. Western, 6-5, 20

3. Santa Ana Valley, 4-6, 13

4. Savanna, 9-3, 12

5. Magnolia, 1-9, 12

6. Century, 2-8, 7

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Anaheim
(Click here to watch the ocvarsity.com video)

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Century
The Centurions are lacking depth at several positions. Century lost starting quarterback/wide receiver Ernie Gonzalez to graduation.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Rap Dantic
Magnolia running back

OTHER TOP PLAYERS

Anaheim- Running back Matt Contreras, defensive tackle Eric Rodriguez, linebacker Chris Camacho, linebacker Gilbert Ceballos, tackle Mike Linden, strong safety Jose Verela, quarterback Vince Gomez, Linebacker David Diaz; Century- Strong safety/wide receiver Edgar Vergara, running back Uriel Mora, defensive end Ulysses Mojarra; Magnolia- Running back Rap Dantic, cornerback Eddie Vega, tight end Winston Taylor, tackle Eric Barrios, wide receiver Robert Cruz; Savanna- Quarterback Marc Thomas, running back Dominique Williams, wide receiver Luke Sever; Santa Ana Valley- Running back Juan Gonzalez, quarterback Rudy Penaloza, wide receiver Omar Cruz; Western- Running back Morris Griffin, middle linebacker Uriah Siliga, corner back Allan Dean, free safety Johnny Trujillo.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Anaheim vs. Western
Nov. 9 at Western High

This game could decide the league champion. A large crowd should be on hand in this epic league showdown.

TOUGHEST SCHEDULE

Western
Will play at Valencia and vs. San Gabriel Valley power Los Altos of Hacienda Heights.

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ANAHEIM| CENTURY| MAGNOLIA| S.A. VALLEY| SAVANNA| WESTERN

 

 

Anaheim Colonists

Players to watch
	Vince Gomez:Returns to the Colonists' offense at QB.
	Matt Contreras:He should get the bulk of the carries this season.

LAST SEASON: Tied for first place, 12-2, 4-1

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost to Kennedy, 29-10, in Southern Division finals.

COACH:  Lanny Booher (4th year, 17-17)

OUTLOOK: The Colonists return 11 starters from last year’s team that reached the finals. Vince Gomez will anchor the offense at quarterback. Anaheim lost running backs George Predickez and Victor Torres to graduation. Senior running back Matt Contreras is likely to take the majority of the handoffs this season. The Colonists look good on defense with the return of all three linebackers from last season, but the question mark will lie on their young offensive line.

HOME STADIUM: Glover Stadium

FACTOID: The “three amigos” this season could be the three returning linebackers.

FASTEST: Vince Gomez, Matt Contreras

STRONGEST: Isaac Iosefa

SCHOOL RECORD: 464-333-38

TO SEE THE TEAM'S SCHEDULE AND RECORD, CLICK HERE. 

Offense					Defense
Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year	Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
QB	Vince Gomez	6-5	190	Sr.	DE	Desmond Hatchett	6-3	185	Sr.
RB	Matt Contreras	5-9	190	Sr.	DT	Art Cortez	6-3	250	Sr.
RB	Angel Salinas	5-10	180	Sr.	DT	Eric Rodriguez	6-1	260	Sr.
WR	Jose Varela	6-1	185	Sr.	DE	Chris Noblecia	5-11	190	Jr.
WR	Jose Hernandez	6-0	180	Sr.	OLB	Chris Camacho	6-1	205	Sr.
TE	Chris Noblecia	5-10	180	Jr.	MLB	David Diaz	5-10	185	Sr.
T	Art Cortez	6-3	250	Sr.	OLB	Gilbert Ceballos	5-8	175	Sr.
G	Eric Rodriguez	6-1	260	Sr.	CB	Luis Reyna	5-8	170	Jr.
C	Isaac Iosefa	5-11	295	Sr.	SS	Luis Reyna	5-8	179	Jr.
G	Alex Torres	5-10	215	Sr.	FS	Jose Verela	6-1	185	Sr.
T	Mike Linden	6-3	285	Sr.	CB	Jose Hernandez	6-0	180	Sr.
K	Ramon Mesia	5-8	245	Jr.

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ANAHEIM| CENTURY| MAGNOLIA| S.A. VALLEY| SAVANNA| WESTERN

Century Centurions

Players to watch
	Uriel Mora:Can bounce off tackles well.
	Fernando Arellano:Will start at QB for a second season.

LAST SEASON:  Fifth, 2-8, 1-4

POSTSEASON: 2005

COACH:  Jesse Gomez (3rd year, 3-17)

OUTLOOK: The Centurions are lacking depth at a lot of positions, losing two players at key positions. Ernie Gonzalez, who anchored last year’s offense splitting times at quarterback and wide receiver, and center Vince Ibarra-Torres graduated. The silver lining is the return of junior running back Uriel Mora and senior wide receiver Edgar Vergara, who also is the strong safety, kick returner and punt returner. Both also were selected to last year’s first team all-league defense.

HOME STADIUMS: Santa Ana Stadium and Segerstrom High

FACTOID: Only one player (Ulysses Mojarra) is listed at least 6 feet.

FASTEST: Edgar Vergara

STRONGEST: Ulysses Mojarra

SCHOOL RECORD: 54-118-4

TO SEE TEAM'S SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE.

Offense					Defense
Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year	Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
QB	Fernando Arellano	5-9	195	Sr.	DE	Ulysses Mojarra	6-0	220	Sr.
RB	Abraham Palacios	5-9	180	Jr.	N	Danny Ray Perez	5-11	275	Sr.
RB	Uriel Mora	5-10	215	Jr.	DE	Jesus Agustin	5-11	215	So.
WR	Edgar Vergara	5-8	155	Sr.	OLB	Edgar Montes	5-8	165	Sr.
WR	Tony Santana	5-9	160	Jr.	ILB	Juan Carlos Sanchez Ramos	5-8	170	Jr.
TE	Miguel Mondragon	5-10	190	Sr.	MLB	Uiel Mora	5-10	215	Jr.
OT	Juan Villanueva	5-11	215	Jr.	ILB	Alfred Arias	5-8	175	Jr.
OG	Oscar Ruvalcaba	5-10	200	Jr.	OLB	Abraham Palacios	5-9	180	Jr.
C	Ben Zamora	5-11	250	Sr.	CB	Heriberto De Anda	5-7	155	Sr.
OG	Marcos Ramirez	5-9	190	Jr.	SS	Edgar Vergara	5-8	155	Sr.
OT	Tony Resendiz	5-11	220	Jr.	CB	Tony Santana	5-9	170	Jr.
K	Abraham Palacios	5-9	180	Jr.	P	Abraham Palacios	5-9	180	Jr.
KR	Edgar Vergara	5-8	155	Sr.	PR	Edgar Vergara	5-8	155	Sr.

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ANAHEIM| CENTURY| MAGNOLIA| S.A. VALLEY| SAVANNA| WESTERN

Magnolia Sentinels

Players to watch
	Winston Taylor: Strong presence at tight end.
	Rap Dantic: Rushed for 1,700 in 2006 as a junior.

LAST SEASON:  Sixth place, 1-9, 0-5

POSTSEASON: 1980

COACH:  Dave Perkins (1st year)

OUTLOOK: The Sentinels could be the darkhorse of the league and surprise the league. Perkins has instilled discipline to a team that had a hard time arriving on time and was unaccustomed to weight lifting. Senior running back Rap Dantic last year as a junior rushed for 1,700 yards at just 5-foot-8. Tight end Winston Taylor will be a key dimension to the offense this season. Magnolia has plenty of speed, size and time will tell if Perkins can shape a winning attitude.

HOME STADIUMS: Glover Stadium, Western High

FACTOID: Perkins most recently coached as an assistant at Mater Dei.

FASTEST: Rap Dantic, Robert Cruz, Jose Pineda

STRONGEST: Etisone Fa’Atilli

SCHOOL RECORD: 134-300-9

TO SEE THE TEAM'S SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE.

Offense					Defense
Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year	Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
QB	Elijah Laulu	5-11	175	Jr.	DE	Alonso Diaz	6-2	255	Jr.
RB	Rap Dantic	5-8	170	Sr.	N	Laau Asoau	6-3	295	Jr.
RB	Mike Mora	5-10	200	Sr.	DE	Andrew Diller	6-1	240	Sr.
WR	Jose Pineda	5-11	180	Jr.	ILB	John Castellon	5-9	190	Sr.
WR	Robert Cruz	5-9	165	Jr.	OLB	Giovanny Campbell	6-2	210	Jr.
TE	Winston Taylor	6-2	215	Sr.	MLB	Bernardo Perez	6-0	205	Sr.
OT	Laau Asoau	6-3	295	Jr.	OLB	Dominic Lopez	5-10	190	Sr.
OG	Etisone Fa-Atilli	6-1	265	Sr.	CB	Robert Cruz	5-9	165	Jr.
C	Osbaldo Flores	6-2	300	Sr.	FS	Enrique Cordova	6-0	165	Sr.
OG	Miguel Ramirez	6-1	265	Jr.	FS	Alan Carranza	5-10	185	Sr.
OT	Eric Barrios	6-2	290	Jr.	CB	Eddie Vega	5-9	160	Sr.
K	Mike Mora	5-10	200	Sr.	P	Robert Cruz	5-9	165	Jr.
KOR	Rap Dantic	5-8	170	Sr.	PR	Robert Cruz	5-9	165	Jr.

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ANAHEIM| CENTURY| MAGNOLIA| S.A. VALLEY| SAVANNA| WESTERN

 

 

 

Santa Ana Valley Falcons 

Players to watch
	Rudy Penaloza:Should have plenty of protection to work.
	Omar Cruz:Offensive spark at wide receiver.

LAST SEASON: Fourth place, 4-6, 2-3

POSTSEASON: 2005

COACH: Larry Mohr (1st year)

OUTLOOK: This is a big Falcons team and they move well. Four linemen are at least 6-foot
tall. Coach Mohr says despite their size they have speed. But the team is young despite a roster riddled with seniors and juniors. Santa Ana Valley does, however, return seven starters and the young players will rely on their leadership. Omar Cruz will anchor the offense at wide receiver. He stands a solid 6-foot, 170 pounds.

HOME STADIUM: Santa Ana Satadium.

FACTOID: Junior linemen Mark Solano (6-3, 280 pounds) and Jorge Atilano (6-4, 300) are quite a presence up front.

FASTEST: German Pineda

STRONGEST: Luis Higareda

SCHOOL RECORD: 236-246-2

TO SEE THE TEAM'S SCHEDULE AND ROSTERS, CLICK HERE.

Offense					Defense
Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year	Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
QB	Rudy Penaloza	5-9	180	Sr.	DE	Ilai Eteaki	5-11	210	Jr.
RB	Juan Gonzalez	5-10	180	Sr.	DT	Luis Higareda	5-9	280	Sr.
RB	Jose Chavez	5-8	180	Sr.	DT	Michael Torres	5-9	200	Sr.
WR	Omar Cruz	6-0	170	Sr.	DE	David Mojica	6-0	200	Sr.
WR	Manny Estrada	5-9	150	Sr.	OLB	Silvestre Flores	6-1	180	Sr.
TE	Alex Gutierrez	6-4	200	So.	MLB	Robert Mares	5-9	180	Sr.
OT	Steven Mercado	6-3	250	Sr.	OLB	Fred Mojica	5-11	180	Sr.
OG	Lauro Chavez	5-10	250	Sr.	CB	Angel Quevedo	5-8	160	Sr.
C	Fabian Ornelaz	6-0	210	Jr.	SS	Eddie Perez	5-11	165	Sr.
OG	Mark Solano	6-3	280	Jr.	SS	Jerry Cardona	5-8	170	Jr.
OT	Jorge Atilano	6-4	300	Jr.	CB	Omar Cruz	6-0	180	Sr.
K	Medrano Garcia	6-0	180	Sr.	P	Medrado Garcia	6-0	180	Sr.
KOR	Darius Nacoste	5-9	160	So.	PR	Darius Nacoste	5-9	160	So.

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ANAHEIM| CENTURY| MAGNOLIA| S.A. VALLEY| SAVANNA| WESTERN

 

 

 

Savanna Rebels

Players to watch
	Dominique Williams:Receiver is fastest player on the team.
	Luke Sever:Could make impact on offense, defense and in kicking game.

LAST SEASON: Tied for first place, 9-3, 4-1

POSTSEASON: 2006, lost in first round to Kennedy, 38-14, in Southern Division.

COACH: Roger Whalen (4th year, 22-12-1)

OUTLOOK: The Rebels have good speed as a team. They gave Anaheim and Western a run for their money last year. But things could change this season with an inexperienced line on both sides of the ball. Losing quarterback Aaron Strazicich to graduation will hurt. Senior Marc Thomas will fill in as quarterback while senior Stephen Jones switches from wide receiver to running back. Dominique Williams and Luke Sever show a lot of potential at wide receiver.

HOME STADIUMS: Glover Stadium, Western High

FACTOID: The Rebels return only four players, two on offense and two on defense.

FASTEST: Dominique Williams

STRONGEST: Mauricio Johnson

SCHOOL RECORD: 186-262-11

TO SEE THE TEAM'S SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE.

Offense					Defense
Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year	Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
QB	Marc Thomas	6-0	180	Sr.	DE	Deshawn Miller	6-0	200	Jr.
RB	Stephen Jones	5-9	185	Sr.	DT	Jason Oregel	5-10	225	Jr.
FB	Dominique Williams	6-1	195	Sr.	DT	Mauricio Johnson	6-0	280	Jr.
WR	Luke Sever	6-2	200	Sr.	DE	Dominique Williams	6-1	195	Sr.
WR	Mike Badica	5-9	180	Sr.	OLB	Kenny Rone	6-1	320	Sr.
TE	TBA				MLB	Luke Sever	6-2	200	Sr.
OT	Moses Medina	6-5	265	Sr.	OLB	James Mares	5-11	200	Jr.
OG	Jason Oregal	5-10	225	Jr.	CB	Stephen Jones	5-9	185	Sr.
C	Juan Juarez	5-10	235	Sr.	SS	C.J. White	6-0	185	Sr.
OG	Mauricio Johnson	6-0	280	Jr.	FS	Darius Small	5-9	180	Sr.
OT	Robert Brennan	6-0	200	Jr.	CB	Dylan Johnson	5-9	145	Sr.
K	Luke Sever	6-2	200	Sr.	P	Luke Sever	6-2	195	Sr.
KOR	Dominique Williams	6-1	195	Sr.	PR	Stephen Jones	5-9	185	Sr.

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ANAHEIM| CENTURY| MAGNOLIA| S.A. VALLEY| SAVANNA| WESTERN

 

Western Pioneers

Players to watch
	Derek Orman:QB is one of the strongest players on the team.
	Morris Griffin:Solid back was an all-league selection last season.

LAST SEASON:  Tied first place, 6-5, 4-1

POSTSEASON: 2006, Lost in first round to Cypress, 28-24, in Southern Division.

COACH: Toby Howell (12th year, 88-42-1)

OUTLOOK: The Pioneers return six starters on offense and eight on defense. Howell said inexperience lies in the defensive line. But Howell has been at the helm for more than a decade and will find a way to get the most out of them. The defense, however, does have some strengths and it comes at the linebacker and defensive back positions. Western lost quarterback Lester Bodiford to graduation; junior Derek Orman will have some tough shoes to fill. Look for running back senior Morris Griffin to get the majority of the handoffs. He stands a solid 6-foot-2, 210 pounds. Morris, along with Uriah Siliga, Johnny Trujillo and Allan Dean, were selected all-league last season.

HOME STADIUM: Western High

FACTOID: The Pioneers lost their first league game in six years last season.

FASTEST: Mitch Stone

STRONGEST: Derek Orman, Mookie Cooksic

SCHOOL RECORD: 259-230-1

TO SEE THE TEAM'S SCHEDULE AND ROSTER, CLICK HERE.

Offense					Defense
Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year	Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
QB	Derek Orman	5-10	180	Jr.	DE	Morris Griffin	6-2	210	Sr.
RB	Morris Griffin	6-2	210	Sr.	DT	Aaron Small	5-9	210	Jr.
RB	Mookie Cooksic	5-9	160	Jr.	DT	Nico Alaniz	6-0	260	Jr.
RB	Ruben Ortega	6-1	205	So.	DE	Phillip Pedro	6-3	220	Jr.
TE	Phillip Pedro	6-3	220	Jr.	OLB	Rey Lucena	5-9	175	Sr.
TE	Francis Amasio	6-0	200	Jr.	MLB	Ruben Ortega	6-1	205	So.
OT	Daniel Jomokha	6-4	230	Jr.	OLB	Paul Ohi	6-0	205	Sr.
OG	Ceaser Tenorio	6-3	265	Sr.	CB	Uriah Siliga	5-11	215	Sr.
C	Adam Shakouj	5-11	215	Sr.	CB	Derek Orman	5-10	180	Jr.
OG	Uriah Siliga	5-11	215	Sr.	FS	Johnny Trujillo	6-0	170	Sr.
OT	Mitch Stone	6-1	245	Sr.	CB	Allan Dean	5-10	180	Sr.

Contact the writer: mmelendez@ocregister.com