Bellflower: 3-8 Overall (League 3-3) first round loss to Garden Grove 41-14.
The Buccaneers return 34 players to the gridiron next season and they look to have a ton of talent coming back. Let’s see if Coach Brown can translate that talent into wins. They return several talented members on defense that where underclassmen last season. Sophomore LB Rodney Purvis, and several members of the D-Line return headed by NT Faalogo Francis. He underachieved in my opinion last season because as big as he is, he gets driven off the ball too much.
Key Losses: QB Jeremy Allen, TB Benny Perez, LB Johnny Almond, DE Robert Brebresca, OL Kevin Alveringa.
Key Returners: WR Dijon Barnes, RB Larreon White, LB Rodney Purvis.
Cerritos: 1-9 Overall (League 1-5)
The Dons showed a lot of heart this past season-the first for Coach Chad Reed-he has done a remarkable job considering the team had such low numbers. They will have 22 returners from last year, with only eight graduating seniors. They also did not have a JV team, so their young players got a lot of playing time this past campaign. And their freshman team numbered only 25, so expect half of them not to play next year, its just the way it is in high school football. They will return two of the most electrifying players in the league next season; that is, if they do not transfer.
Key Losses: TB Derek Jones, OL Robert Choe, David Oden
Key Returners: ATH Marquis Moss, TB Aaron Francis, CB Montel Hawkins.
John Glenn: 5-5 Overall (League 1-5)
The Eagles are coming off a good season in which they finished .500 and narrowly missed the playoffs. They graduate 22 seniors and a majority of their offense and defensive leaders. Head Coach Anthony Wilson has been rumored to be leaving the program but none of the rumors have been substantiated. If he leaves, it will mark the sixth head coach for the school this decade. He has started the change for the program. I hope he is able to see it through. Look for ATH Dejon Bernard to be the star of the offense-he accounted for 15 TD’s this season.
Key Losses: QB Jose Escobar, RB Brandon Kelly, OL Edwin Martinez, Carlos Silva, Victor Lopez, Miguel Villacana, WR Rhamad Green, Clinton Greenway, DB Ashton Simmons, Davon Foggie.
Key Returners: ATH Dejon Bernard, WR/CB Vincent Watkins, WR/FS Arthur Armstrong, FB/MLB Niua Niumataevalu.
La Mirada: 13-1 Overall (League Champion 6-0) Southern Division CIF Champion defeated Garden Grove 49-27.
The Matadores return arguably the most experience of any team next season. They return five players that started or played significant roles on the offensive line. They only lose Senior Keanu Munoz. The Matadores return two of the toughest two-way players in the league in Aaryn Bouzos, and Max Gama. I look for TB Andy Gramajo to help fill the void at RB that is being left by JT Torres, and Matt Haltom. They are the team to beat regardless of who else is returning. They have the league’s best two-way linemen in Isaac Luatua.
Key Losses: QB Daniel Poncedeleon, OL Keanu Munoz, DL RJ Lujan, Alejandro Magana, TE Keith Coty, WR Julian Matta.
Key Returners: OL Isaac Luatua, EJ Galvez, QB/DB Shane Blood, FS/WR Aaryn Bouzos, RB/LB Max Gama, DL Cooper Weatherly, OL Zach Ponce, Bryan Peters.
Mayfair: 4-7 Overall (League 4-2) first round loss to Segerstrom 41-35 OT
The Monsoons are a team that was in a rebuilding year, and their inexperience showed, as they took their lumps in league. They where not the league champion for they first time since 2000. They will look to rebound this season as they return 34 players from their team last season. None will be more valuable than four year varsity starter at QB Evan Hunko; he will be looked at to carry the load for the team.
Key Losses: SS Josh Gavert, WR Tyler Nicks.
Key Returners: QB Evan Hunko, RB Dominique Small, WR/DB Theo Chambers.
Norwalk: 11-2 Overall (League 5-1) Semifinals Lost to Garden Grove 35-23.
The Lancers will go into the season with a bitter taste in their mouth as they lost for the second consecutive year in the semifinals. Coach Ceniceros will look to continue to build the program. However, in my opinion there are a lot of question marks with the upcoming team. They will have to replace a QB, and also find a game breaker at running back. Granted Elijhaa Penny is a great back, but is not the break away threat that he appears to be. It’s easy to outrun a defense when you get seven yards down the field and everyone was on the line of scrimmage. They will have a tough time if they don’t develop a tough passing defense. I look for the Lancers to stumble a little bit next year.
Key Losses: QB Dominique Diaz, TB Adrian Gonzales, OL Jonathan Rodriguez, Justin Burrowes, TE Ryan Martinez.
Key Returners: RB/LB Elijhaa Penny, RB/DB Billy Moore, OL Bryan Carcano, Toliniu Faamatau, LB James Martinez, DB Johnnie Lopez.
Ledesma’s Picks: These are my preseason predictions for next year’s finish in league. Its been a great season and a special thanks to Tony Aiello for allowing me to get to write about one of the greatest leagues in the Southern Section.
1. La Mirada: 11-2 Overall (League 6-0). They make the playoffs but lose to the Monsoons in the Semifinals.
2. Mayfair: 12-2 Overall (League 4-2). Lose in the finals after beating the Matadores.
3. Bellflower: 7-5 Overall (League 4-2). Lose in the second round of the playoffs.
4. Norwalk: 7-4 Overall (League 3-3) Lose in the first round on a fluke play.
5. John Glenn: 6-4 Overall (League 3-3). Miss the playoffs on a coin flip with Norwalk after beating them in the season; and a disgruntled Coach Wilson resigns.
6. Artesia: 2-8 Overall (League 1-5). Happily beat Cerritos.
7. Cerritos: 0-10 Overall (League 0-6). Finishes its second in the last four seasons winless.
