Sierra Canyon opens season as area’s No. 1
1. SIERRA CANYON
No matter how long ago it seems, the Trailblazers are the defending CIF-SS Division 2 champions. They’ll be without All-Area quarterback Chayden Peery, who left to enroll at Georgia Tech, but they still have a ton of firepower with two-way athlete DJ Harvey (Virginia Tech), running backs Anthony Spearman and Jason Jones, plus 6-foot-4 wideout
Jojo Phillips.
On defense, the team is loaded with size and athleticism, highlighted by linebacker Cole Bullock and safety Kamari Ramsey.
Coach Jon Ellinghouse is the head chef, but assistants Mark Serve (OC) and Mike Gonzaga (DC) are the secret sauce at Chatsworth.
Opener: at St. John Bosco, Saturday 7:30 p.m. (Fox Sport West)
2. ALEMANY
The Warriors are favorites to win the Mission League, even without quarterbacks Miller Moss (USC) and Finn Collins (Arizona State). Alemany also will be without defensive end Myles Williams (Cal) and defensive back Jaylin Smith (USC), who decided they would sit out this spring season and not risk injury. Still, the Warriors boast six juniors with four-star ratings or better by 247Sports. com. Junior Dylan Gebbia will be the quarterback.
Opener: vs. Notre Dame, March 18, 7 p.m.
3. OAKS CHRISTIAN
The Lions have a lot of talent, and they are young. Two promising quarterbacks, Cole Tannenbaum and Amari Powell, running back Derek Boyd, and wide receiver Khari Butler are are all juniors.
The team also boasts high-end recruits on defense with lineman Mathias Malaki-Donaldson and linebacker Sterling Lane, who are juniors. Seniors Ethan Calvert (LB), Kaylin Moore (CB), Brenden Segovia (P), and Semaj Freeman (RB) will lead the way this spring. Opener: vs. Paraclete, Saturday, 7 p.m.
4. PARACLETE
The Spirits won’t have CJ Montes (New Mexico) at quarterback since he elected to opt out of the spring season. They do have VJ Greenwale, who saw time under center as a sophomore in 2019. Paraclete has a running back tandem of Amir Bankhead and Jalen Williams (Fresno State) on offense, and the defense will be anchored by linebacker Richard Semeatu, defensive end Isaiah Navarro and junior defensive back Gavin DePedro.
Opener: at Oaks Christian, Saturday, 7 p.m.
5. CHAMINADE
Coach Ed Croson is often the king of underselling and overachieving. He did it last year on the way to the CIF-SS Division 2 final, but quarterback Jaylen Henderson (Fresno State) was a big part of that, along with running back Willy Camacho, who has since graduated. Henderson opted out of the spring season. The passing attack for the Eagles is young and promising, including sophomore quarterbacks Indiana Wijay and Jake Macias. Each QB has their own set of plays, according to Croson. The QBs will have great options to throw to in wideouts Dominic Arango-Serna, Ian Duarte, and three-year starter Jordyn McIntyre (Brown).
Opener: vs. Serra (Gardena), March 19, 7 p.m.
6. GRACE BRETHREN
Just as the Lancers enter the tougher Marmonte League, they’ll be sending off longtime coach
Josh Henderson, who announced this will be his last season at the helm after 10 seasons. Quarterback Mikey Zele is entering his fourth year as the starter and has won a lot of games. He’ll have to do it this season without running back Julien Stokes, who opted out of the season. Star defensive tackle Jay Toia is already at USC. The next men up will be Luke Stuart (RB/ WR), Carson Cook (OL/LB), Isaac Garcia (LB), Cooper Robertson (LB) and Dez Diles (LB).
Opener: at Calabasas, April 3, TBD
7. CRESPI
Junior quarterback Zachary Siskowic can throw his first official pass for the Celts after transferring from Notre Dame in December of 2019. Crespi has key senior returners, including lineman Renzo Morales, linebacker Mitch Nuesca, defensive back Bobby Rosebaugh and Notre Dame commit Chance Tucker at corner and wideout. Keep an eye out for juniors Khalid Calhoun at running back and Evan Davidson at safety.
Opener: at Calabasas, March 20, 7 p.m.
8. VALENCIA
CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jon Rothstein says UCLA basketball coach Mick Cronin is “more consistent than A Few Good Men on a rainy Sunday.” I’m beginning to think that’s also Valencia coach Larry Muir, who is looking to capture his 12th straight Foothill League title. His 12th this spring could be a launching pad for his 13th in the fall with the talented group of juniors he has dressed in purple, including two-way player Zamondre Merriweather and quarterback Tyler Voss.
Opener: vs. West Ranch, March 19, at Valencia High, 7 p.m.
9. BIRMINGHAM CHARTER
The City Section’s most talented, highly-touted football prospect is Birmingham’s Arlis Boardingham. He’s 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, plays wide receiver, tight end, defensive end and is only a junior. He has offers from Arizona State, Colorado and Utah, to name a few. The defending Open Division City champs are certainly the team to beat, especially after getting new transfer quarterback, Forrest Brock from Palisades High.
Notable returners include: Delamonte Barnes (LB/RB), Carlos Rivera (OL/DL), Jeremiah Cox (DB), and David Sanchez (WR).
Opener: at Glendale, March 26, 7 p.m.
10. NOTRE DAME
QB JaVance Johnson is the wave of the future for Notre Dame. Yes, the team still has senior quarterback Cooper Meek, but an injury to his shoulder could limit his reps. Johnson is 6-foot5, over 200 pounds and just a sophomore. Coach Joe McNab is also high on running back Brennan Dragomere, lineman Cortez Cole, tight end John Gayer, defensive back Mason Cotton and senior defensive end Sulayman Adeoye (Penn). Opener: at Alemany, March 18, 7 p.m.
Next 5: Calabasas, Simi Valley, St. Francis, Westlake, West Ranch.