Over the past two seasons, Serra High School’s football team has gone 29-1, won a pair of Southern Section titles, made two appearances in state bowl games and sent a slew of talent to the college ranks.
While the current edition returns only seven starters (three offense, four defense), it would not be wise to write off the Gardena-based program.
Coach Scott Altenberg’s team may have more questions than answers in the early going, but plenty of talent still remains.
Beginning with the known quantities, the Cavaliers return cornerback Raymond Ford, who has committed to UCLA, senior linebacker Patrick Wooten and 6-3, 275-pound defensive tackle Kris Cooper.
Ford made an impact at this summer’s Nike combine in Oregon where he had a couple of interceptions and ran the 40 in 4.39 seconds.
Other key players are linebackers Thomas Brown (6-2, 212) and Kache Palacio (6-2, 225), the latter an SMU commit. Brown is a transfer from St. Anthony, Palacio from Westchester. Royce Dodd (6-5, 215) will play an important role at defensive end and receiver.
With two-year starter Conner Preston (now at SMU) graduating, Serra goes into the fall with two inexperienced quarterbacks. Junior Ryan Barbarin (6-4), who led the JVs to a 10-0 record, and sophomore Jalen Greene (6-1), who led the frosh to the same mark, battled on almost even terms during the summer passing leagues.
The running attack features Anterio Bateman, who rushed for 783 yards and five touchdowns in a backup role to Shaquille Richard (1,854 yards) a year ago.
“We’re young, but I think the talent is here,” Altenberg said during the L.A. Valley College passing tournament. “We’re going to go through some growing pains, but we have a chance to be good.”
Serra, now a member of the Mission League after dominating the Del Rey the last few seasons, opens Friday against Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.
Cathedral will be counting on returning quarterback Hayden Rettig to aid in its improvement following a 5-5 (1-4 in league) season.
Rettig, a 6-4 junior, completed 50.7 percent of his passes for 2,217 yards and 17 TDs a year ago. He needs to cut down on the interceptions (20 in 2010).
Coach Kevin Pearson will also be leaning on junior wide receiver/defensive back Cameron Akins and junior wide receiver/defensive back Da’Mari Scott. Akins caught nine passes for 85 yards and a TD and Scott caught 11 for 145 and a score a year ago. Scott also participated in 24 tackles.
The defense must improve after giving up 26 points a game in 2010.
The Phantoms open the season Sept. 9 against Banning.
St. Paul wants to end a three-year playoff drought in 2011 and the Swordsmen could be ready to do it.
With eight starters returning on both sides of the ball, experience will be a strength for coach Marijon Ancich’s team.
Back from a 6-4 (2-3) team is junior quarterback Paul Telles (6-0, 175), who passed for 924 yards and eight TDs on primarily a running team. He played well during the passing tournaments.
The running game is in good hands with the return of senior Michael Ortega (5-10, 170), who rushed for 1,196 yards and seven TDs last season. He will also play in the secondary.
Senior David Cabral returns at fullback and linebacker. He was one of the defensive leaders a year ago with 77 tackles.
Anchoring the offensive line is junior Cristian Garcia (6-4, 280).
The Swordsmen open Friday against La Mirada.
St. Francis is another team looking to use its experience (seven returning starters on offense, eight on defense) to improve on a 6-5 (3-2) record.
Coach Jim Bonds has good team speed on his roster, which bodes well for a team breaking in a new starting quarterback.
The top returnees are senior wide receiver/free safety Travis Talianko (6-1, 200) and senior wide receiver/defensive back Parker Nieves (5-9, 165). Talianko caught 59 passes for 946 yards and 17 TDs as a junior. Nieves caught seven for 82 and also intercepted three passes.
Kristion Grbavac (6-3, 265) anchors both lines. Tyler Marona (6-5, 230) is one of the better defensive ends in the Southland.
The Golden Knights open the season Sept. 9 against Arcadia.
Chaminade is probably the team to beat in the Mission League considering its 16 returning starters (10 on offense) include an all-state running back and the quarterback from an 11-2 (4-1) team that reached the section semifinals.
Leading the way for coach Ed Croson’s Eagles is senior quarterback Logan Scott (6-2, 175), junior running back Terrell Newby, senior free safety Jacob Bowman (6-1, 185) and senior offensive lineman Taylor Hindy (6-4, 305).
Scott completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 1,409 yards and seven TDs with seven picks. Newby rushed for 1,372 yards, averaged 5.8 yards per carry, and scored 18 TDs.
The Eagles open Sept. 9 against Venice.
Harvard-Westlake (2-7-1, 0-5) leans on its experience (seven returning starters on offense, eight on defense) to improve. The Wolverines have veterans at quarterback, running back and the offensive line.
Senior safety/outside linebacker Charlie Porter (6-1, 185), senior defensive end Andrew Green (6-3, 230) and junior quarterback Chad Kanoff (6-3, 180) are the top players.
Kanoff completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 863 yards and eight TDs with five interceptions in 2010. Look for those numbers to improve.
Coach Vic Eumont’s team opens Friday against Venice.
While the current edition returns only seven starters (three offense, four defense), it would not be wise to write off the Gardena-based program.
Coach Scott Altenberg’s team may have more questions than answers in the early going, but plenty of talent still remains.
Beginning with the known quantities, the Cavaliers return cornerback Raymond Ford, who has committed to UCLA, senior linebacker Patrick Wooten and 6-3, 275-pound defensive tackle Kris Cooper.
Ford made an impact at this summer’s Nike combine in Oregon where he had a couple of interceptions and ran the 40 in 4.39 seconds.
Other key players are linebackers Thomas Brown (6-2, 212) and Kache Palacio (6-2, 225), the latter an SMU commit. Brown is a transfer from St. Anthony, Palacio from Westchester. Royce Dodd (6-5, 215) will play an important role at defensive end and receiver.
With two-year starter Conner Preston (now at SMU) graduating, Serra goes into the fall with two inexperienced quarterbacks. Junior Ryan Barbarin (6-4), who led the JVs to a 10-0 record, and sophomore Jalen Greene (6-1), who led the frosh to the same mark, battled on almost even terms during the summer passing leagues.
The running attack features Anterio Bateman, who rushed for 783 yards and five touchdowns in a backup role to Shaquille Richard (1,854 yards) a year ago.
“We’re young, but I think the talent is here,” Altenberg said during the L.A. Valley College passing tournament. “We’re going to go through some growing pains, but we have a chance to be good.”
Serra, now a member of the Mission League after dominating the Del Rey the last few seasons, opens Friday against Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.
Cathedral will be counting on returning quarterback Hayden Rettig to aid in its improvement following a 5-5 (1-4 in league) season.
Rettig, a 6-4 junior, completed 50.7 percent of his passes for 2,217 yards and 17 TDs a year ago. He needs to cut down on the interceptions (20 in 2010).
Coach Kevin Pearson will also be leaning on junior wide receiver/defensive back Cameron Akins and junior wide receiver/defensive back Da’Mari Scott. Akins caught nine passes for 85 yards and a TD and Scott caught 11 for 145 and a score a year ago. Scott also participated in 24 tackles.
The defense must improve after giving up 26 points a game in 2010.
The Phantoms open the season Sept. 9 against Banning.
St. Paul wants to end a three-year playoff drought in 2011 and the Swordsmen could be ready to do it.
With eight starters returning on both sides of the ball, experience will be a strength for coach Marijon Ancich’s team.
Back from a 6-4 (2-3) team is junior quarterback Paul Telles (6-0, 175), who passed for 924 yards and eight TDs on primarily a running team. He played well during the passing tournaments.
The running game is in good hands with the return of senior Michael Ortega (5-10, 170), who rushed for 1,196 yards and seven TDs last season. He will also play in the secondary.
Senior David Cabral returns at fullback and linebacker. He was one of the defensive leaders a year ago with 77 tackles.
Anchoring the offensive line is junior Cristian Garcia (6-4, 280).
The Swordsmen open Friday against La Mirada.
St. Francis is another team looking to use its experience (seven returning starters on offense, eight on defense) to improve on a 6-5 (3-2) record.
Coach Jim Bonds has good team speed on his roster, which bodes well for a team breaking in a new starting quarterback.
The top returnees are senior wide receiver/free safety Travis Talianko (6-1, 200) and senior wide receiver/defensive back Parker Nieves (5-9, 165). Talianko caught 59 passes for 946 yards and 17 TDs as a junior. Nieves caught seven for 82 and also intercepted three passes.
Kristion Grbavac (6-3, 265) anchors both lines. Tyler Marona (6-5, 230) is one of the better defensive ends in the Southland.
The Golden Knights open the season Sept. 9 against Arcadia.
Chaminade is probably the team to beat in the Mission League considering its 16 returning starters (10 on offense) include an all-state running back and the quarterback from an 11-2 (4-1) team that reached the section semifinals.
Leading the way for coach Ed Croson’s Eagles is senior quarterback Logan Scott (6-2, 175), junior running back Terrell Newby, senior free safety Jacob Bowman (6-1, 185) and senior offensive lineman Taylor Hindy (6-4, 305).
Scott completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 1,409 yards and seven TDs with seven picks. Newby rushed for 1,372 yards, averaged 5.8 yards per carry, and scored 18 TDs.
The Eagles open Sept. 9 against Venice.
Harvard-Westlake (2-7-1, 0-5) leans on its experience (seven returning starters on offense, eight on defense) to improve. The Wolverines have veterans at quarterback, running back and the offensive line.
Senior safety/outside linebacker Charlie Porter (6-1, 185), senior defensive end Andrew Green (6-3, 230) and junior quarterback Chad Kanoff (6-3, 180) are the top players.
Kanoff completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 863 yards and eight TDs with five interceptions in 2010. Look for those numbers to improve.
Coach Vic Eumont’s team opens Friday against Venice.
http://www.wavenewspapers.com/sports/Mission-League-preview-Serra-will-still-be-threat-128696293.html
Source: By RON GUILD, Sports Editor, The Wave