Nickname: Cavaliers
Coach: Scott Altenberg (13th season, 109-38-1)
2010 Finish: 14-1 overall, went 5-0 to win the Mission League, won the CIF Southern Section Western Division title and advanced to the CIF State Division II Bowl.
Key returners: FS/WR Raymond Ford (5-10, 175, Sr.); RB Anterio Bateman (5-7, 168, Jr.); DT Kris Cooper (6-3, 267, Sr.); SS Patrick Wooten (5-10, 191, Sr.); RT Tavita Tua'ua. (6-4, 347, Sr.).
Key losses: 2010 Daily Breeze Player of the Year George Farmer (USC); CB/WR Marqise Lee (USC); QB Conner Preston (SMU); DE Jason Gibson (Cal); DL David Moala (Arizona State); LB Woodson Greer (Colorado); RB Shaquille Richard (Portland State); DL Suli Faletuipapai (Fresno State); DB Louis Murray (Stony Brook University). OL Sione Veikoso (Malone University, Division II).
Offense: Serra's high-scoring offense is certainly in transition. While Serra will miss receivers George Farmer and Marqise Lee on offense, the loss that completely changes the complexion of the team is quarterback Conner Preston. Without their gunslinger quarterback, Serra managed just 8 total passing yards in its opener against Notre Dame. QB Jalen Greene (6-1, 186, Soph.) certainly has potential after leading the frosh/soph team to a nearly spotless 9-1 record. Green does have a top-flight receiver in UCLA-bound Raymond Ford and solid options in Keanu Hill (5-11, 182, Jr.) and Terrance Harvey (5-10, 190). But Serra appeared to be a ground-oriented team. Luckily returner Anterio Bateman seems up to task, having rushed for 167 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries in the opener. St. Anthony RB transfer Thomas Brown (6-2, 215, Sr.) will be a plus. RG Tavita Tua'ua provides a big presence and is the only returner on the line. LT Sam Akoteu (6-2, 245, Soph.), LG Inoke Raikardroka (6-0, 262, Jr.), C Robert Jackson (6-1, 277, Jr.) and RG Emerald Faletuipapai (6-6, 319, Jr.) are also part of a sizeable but inexperienced line that could help ease the transitions.
Defense: Ford is the cornerstone of a hard-hitting defense. In fact, Ford is headed to UCLA because of his prowess as a free safety. Ford leads an impressive secondary that also includes returner Patrick Wooten at safety. CBs Jalen Jones (5-9, 164, Soph.) and Adorre Jackson (5-10, 165, Soph.) should contribute in the secondary. Brown is an impact player at linebacker along with Dwight Williams (5-10, 187, Soph.), Che Potasi (5-11, 195, Jr.) and Christian Herrera (6-0, 200, Jr.). DT Kris Cooper leads the effort up front with Westchester DE transfer Keche Palacio (6-2, 215, Sr.), DE Akoteu and DT Simon Barron (6-0, 254, Jr.).
Outlook: In 2009, Serra completed a 15-0 season that included a section and state title. Last season, Serra went 14-1, won a second straight section title and returned to the CIF State Bowl. This season features almost an entirely new cast of characters. Patience will be the key for Serra, a tough, physical team that won't concede anything. Coach Scott Altenberg said he expects early growing pains but sees his team coming on strong toward the end of the season. Chaminade is probably the favorite in the Mission League with a slew of returners, but Serra certainly will compete and have a shot at another deep playoff run, though a State Bowl appears unlikely after the season-opening loss that was close for most of the game. As long as Serra doesn't panic early, it can continue to be a success.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2: Notre Dame/S.O., L, 35-13
Friday: at Redondo, 7 p.m.
Sept. 16: Mira Costa, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23: at Banning, 7 p.m.
Sept. 30: at Narbonne, 7 p.m.
MISSION LEAGUE
Oct. 14: Cathedral, 7 p.m.
Oct. 21: St. Francis, 7 p.m.
Oct. 28: at St. Paul, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 4: at Harvard-Westlake, 7p.m.
Nov. 11: Chaminade, 7 p.m.
Coach: Scott Altenberg (13th season, 109-38-1)
2010 Finish: 14-1 overall, went 5-0 to win the Mission League, won the CIF Southern Section Western Division title and advanced to the CIF State Division II Bowl.
Key returners: FS/WR Raymond Ford (5-10, 175, Sr.); RB Anterio Bateman (5-7, 168, Jr.); DT Kris Cooper (6-3, 267, Sr.); SS Patrick Wooten (5-10, 191, Sr.); RT Tavita Tua'ua. (6-4, 347, Sr.).
Key losses: 2010 Daily Breeze Player of the Year George Farmer (USC); CB/WR Marqise Lee (USC); QB Conner Preston (SMU); DE Jason Gibson (Cal); DL David Moala (Arizona State); LB Woodson Greer (Colorado); RB Shaquille Richard (Portland State); DL Suli Faletuipapai (Fresno State); DB Louis Murray (Stony Brook University). OL Sione Veikoso (Malone University, Division II).
Offense: Serra's high-scoring offense is certainly in transition. While Serra will miss receivers George Farmer and Marqise Lee on offense, the loss that completely changes the complexion of the team is quarterback Conner Preston. Without their gunslinger quarterback, Serra managed just 8 total passing yards in its opener against Notre Dame. QB Jalen Greene (6-1, 186, Soph.) certainly has potential after leading the frosh/soph team to a nearly spotless 9-1 record. Green does have a top-flight receiver in UCLA-bound Raymond Ford and solid options in Keanu Hill (5-11, 182, Jr.) and Terrance Harvey (5-10, 190). But Serra appeared to be a ground-oriented team. Luckily returner Anterio Bateman seems up to task, having rushed for 167 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries in the opener. St. Anthony RB transfer Thomas Brown (6-2, 215, Sr.) will be a plus. RG Tavita Tua'ua provides a big presence and is the only returner on the line. LT Sam Akoteu (6-2, 245, Soph.), LG Inoke Raikardroka (6-0, 262, Jr.), C Robert Jackson (6-1, 277, Jr.) and RG Emerald Faletuipapai (6-6, 319, Jr.) are also part of a sizeable but inexperienced line that could help ease the transitions.
Defense: Ford is the cornerstone of a hard-hitting defense. In fact, Ford is headed to UCLA because of his prowess as a free safety. Ford leads an impressive secondary that also includes returner Patrick Wooten at safety. CBs Jalen Jones (5-9, 164, Soph.) and Adorre Jackson (5-10, 165, Soph.) should contribute in the secondary. Brown is an impact player at linebacker along with Dwight Williams (5-10, 187, Soph.), Che Potasi (5-11, 195, Jr.) and Christian Herrera (6-0, 200, Jr.). DT Kris Cooper leads the effort up front with Westchester DE transfer Keche Palacio (6-2, 215, Sr.), DE Akoteu and DT Simon Barron (6-0, 254, Jr.).
Outlook: In 2009, Serra completed a 15-0 season that included a section and state title. Last season, Serra went 14-1, won a second straight section title and returned to the CIF State Bowl. This season features almost an entirely new cast of characters. Patience will be the key for Serra, a tough, physical team that won't concede anything. Coach Scott Altenberg said he expects early growing pains but sees his team coming on strong toward the end of the season. Chaminade is probably the favorite in the Mission League with a slew of returners, but Serra certainly will compete and have a shot at another deep playoff run, though a State Bowl appears unlikely after the season-opening loss that was close for most of the game. As long as Serra doesn't panic early, it can continue to be a success.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2: Notre Dame/S.O., L, 35-13
Friday: at Redondo, 7 p.m.
Sept. 16: Mira Costa, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23: at Banning, 7 p.m.
Sept. 30: at Narbonne, 7 p.m.
MISSION LEAGUE
Oct. 14: Cathedral, 7 p.m.
Oct. 21: St. Francis, 7 p.m.
Oct. 28: at St. Paul, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 4: at Harvard-Westlake, 7p.m.
Nov. 11: Chaminade, 7 p.m.
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Source: By Tony Ciniglio, Daily Breeze Staff Writer