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Kickoff '09: Century League
See what's in store for the season.
COACHES' POLL
1. Tustin, 9-5 in 2008, 34 poll points
2. Canyon, 8-5, 28
3. El Dorado, 6-6, 24
4. Villa Park, 4-6, 18
5. Brea Olinda, 1-9, 11
6. El Modena, 2-8, 10
*Teams receive 6 points for a first-place vote, 5 points for a second-place vote, etc.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Tustin. The Tillers advanced to the Southwest Division finals in 2008, where they lost to La Habra. This year’s team has eight starters returning on defense and standout running back Anthony Wilkerson back on offense, giving the Tillers a lot of optimism about winning the league title and making another run to the CIF-SS division title game.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Brea Olinda. The Wildcats return the fewest starters (five) of any team in the league. Coach Robb Perrance loves his team’s aggressiveness and competitive spirit, but will it be enough to crack into the top three in league?
PLAYER TO WATCH
Anthony Wilkerson, Tustin running back: Wilkerson rushed for 2,299 yards and 32 touchdowns despite missing time in some games because of a knee injury. Coach Myron Miller expects another 2,000-yard rushing season from the Stanford-bound back. Miller says Wilkerson will also see time at outside linebacker.
OTHER TOP PLAYERS
Brea Olinda: WR Luke Williams; DE Derrick Koteita; LB Blair Thompson; WR/CB Joe Martinez
Canyon: OLB Kyle Rodriguez; DE Josh Seiler; RB Travon Cox; ILB Ty Parker; OG Scott Grosser
El Dorado: QB Andres Ambuehl; RB Brock Dunn; RB Seth Davis; OT Derek Stickney; DB Chris Manassero
El Modena: WR Kyle Calvo; WR Ryan Arballo; DT Eliud Munoz; OLB Kody Dickerson
Tustin: OG/DT Scott Hungerford; NG Faitele Faafoi; OLB A.J. Rafter; MLB/RB Wade Minshew; CB Romel Lilly
Villa Park: OT Steven Fieeiki; DE Tene Tafuna; MLB Mike Stankan; QB Andrew Selway; OLB DJ Westphal
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Canyon vs. El Dorado, Nov. 13 at El Modena High. Playoff seeding or perhaps even the league title could be on the line when these two rivals close out the regular season.
TOUGHEST SCHEDULE
El Modena. The Vanguards open with Orange, then face Tesoro, an improving JSerra team, Foothill and Dana Hills in nonleague. Their league schedule then opens with El Dorado, Canyon and Tustin.
OTHER LEAGUE PREVIEWS:
Garden Grove, Golden West leagues
Orange, Orange Coast leagues: Friday, Aug. 28
Pacific Coast, Sea View leagues: Saturday, Aug. 29
South Coast and Sunset leagues: Monday, Aug. 31
Trinity league, small schools: Tuesday, Sept. 1
