HS Football: Prep pigskin preseason ready to kick off

Finally, the preseason chatter and anticipation is over. High school football is back.

The first Friday night of the prep football season features no shortage of interesting storylines throughout Southwest Riverside County. A big story that has coaches very excited this season is the recent announcement by the CIF-Southern Section in regards to the new high school football playoff divisions that will take effect this season.

Teams will now be grouped in post season divisions by a points system so no longer will the league that a team plays in be a factor as they get to the post season. The system will be based on a team’s performance for their previous two years and schools will be placed in divisions based upon power-point profiles developed by the CIF, which they have already successfully implemented in basketball.

Of course the questions remain in the very tough Southwestern League. Will Vista Murrieta pick up where they left off as Southwestern League champions? Can they continue to dominate extending their six year undefeated league winning streak under new head coach, David Olsen?

Will former Vista Murrieta assistant coach Darrel Turner be able to guide the Murrieta Mesa Rams to their first ever winning season as the Rams new head coach? How about the Murrieta Valley Nighthawks? Can Head Coach George Wilson and his entourage of core coaches repeat their success from last season? Will sophomore Nighthawk prodigy Hank Bachmeier shatter his freshman passing record of 2,854 yards and 36 total touchdowns?  Can Great Oak make it to the post season after losing over 30 seniors?

We will begin to learn the answers to those questions and more Friday night as the 2016 season gets underway.

The week ahead is called Zero week and has become a great strategy for coaches as a mid-season two week break is the reward for those that begin their games during the last week in August. Others like to plow right through their schedule as to not lose focus when their traditional schedules begin the first week in September.

It will be interesting to see, however, which teams emerge as serious contenders early on from all over the area. Among the several teams across the valley to watch with legitimate preseason hopes include Heritage and Paloma Valley out of the Sunbelt League, Rancho Christian and Calvary Murrieta of the South Valley League, Linfield Christian of the Ambassador League and Citrus Hill and Hemet of the Mountain Pass League.

Which ones end up as real contenders? It all starts Friday night.

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11-Man prep football preseason preview

 

• Southwestern League

 

Vista Murrieta – 12-2 overall record, 5-0 league record in 2015, 2015 SWL Champs

Head Coach: David Olsen (first year)

National Rank: 89

State Rank: 9

Division: 1 (Ranked #6)

First preseason game: 8/26 vs. Madison (San Diego)

First League game: 10/7 @ Murrieta Valley

Top returners: Karson Greeley – QB, Khalil Shakir – WR, Cole Dubots – RB, Kade Greeley – TE, Chuck Filiaga – Line, Kevin Hicks – DL, Keyon Ware-hudson – DL, Anthony Mermea – DL, Pouono “Pono” Faaagi – DL, Hunter Orme – LB.

Newcomers to watch: Elisha Guidry – CB, Travis Plantier – TE (transfer from TV), Javelin Guidry – RB.

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Murrieta Valley – 9-3 overall record, 4-1 league record in 2015

Head Coach: George Wilson (third year)

National Rank: 214

State Rank: 22

Division: 2 (Ranked #3)

First preseason game: 8/26 @ Corona Santiago

First League game: 10/7 vs. Vista Murrieta

Top returners: Hank Bachmeier – QB, Marquis Spiker – WR, Maurice Bell – WR, Frankie Serrano – RB, Noah Lopez – K, Alex Schweizer – LB, Kobey Fitzgerald – OLB, Kane Bowen – DE, Anthony Pardue – OL, Trevor Whitehead – LB.

Newcomers to watch: Clay Hatch – Line, Brock Berry – S, Lika Palmer – RB (transfer from TV), Austin Bacher (transfer from Chaparral).

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Great Oak – 5-6 overall record, 3-2 league record in 2015

Head Coach: George Wilson (eighth year)

National Rank: 2265

State Rank: 166

Division: 2

First preseason game: 8/26 @ Heritage

First League game: 10/7 vs. Chaparral

Top returners: McGwire Bustamante – QB, Kyle Bowser – RB, Joel Collins – WR, Connor Strode – WR, Chad Kanow – LB, Chandler Davis – DE, Jack Lamb – LB.

Newcomers to watch: Daniel Morales – RB, Joel Collins – RB.

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Murrieta Mesa – 5-5 overall record, 2-3 league record in 2015

Head Coach: Darrel Turner (first year)

National Rank: 4694

State Rank: 333

Division: 4

First preseason game: 9/2 vs. Montclair

First League game: 10/7 @ Temecula Valley

Top returners: Jeff Miller – QB, Kai Thompson – RB, PJ Mauga – NG, Simon McNeil – RB, Jacob Ray – WR, Giovanni Sanders – FS, Mason Meadors – LB, Bradley Strate – DE, Cayden Chambers – WR. Sarah Thompson – K.

Newcomers to watch: Austin Edwards – Line, Josh Cody – Line (transfer from Temescal Canyon).

 

Chaparral – 3-7 overall record, 1-4 league record in 2015

Head Coach: Jeremy McCullough (second year)

National Rank: 2792

State Rank: 199

Division: 4 (Ranked #10)

First preseason game: 8/26 vs. Rancho Cucamonga

First League game: 10/7 @ Great Oak

Top returners: Quinten Barry – QB, Michael Oneymaobi – WR, Steve Jones – Line, Nick Anselmo – WR, Trevor Grieb – LB, Cameron Stroder – DE, Isaiah Garibay – DB, Steve Jones – Line, Justin Dedich – Line, Cameron Mettler – K.

Newcomers to watch: Toby Ramirez – LB, Elgin Vasquez – RB

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Temecula Valley – 4-6 overall record, 0-5 league record in 2015

Head Coach: Rick Mey (third year)

National Rank: 3133

State Rank: 225

Division: 5

First preseason game: 8/26 vs. San Jacinto

First League game: 10/7 vs. Murrieta Mesa

Top returners:  Shane Oberhuber – QB, Zak Simon – WR, Elijah Alexander – LB, Trevor Matagulay – RB, Spencer Stone – K, Justin Woodall – Line, Alex Reynolds – Line.

Newcomers to watch: Dewayne Holmes – RB (transfer from Citrus Hill),

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• Sunbelt League

 

Heritage – 13-1 overall record, 5-0 league record in 2015, 2015 Sunbelt Champs

Head Coach: Kraig Broach (ninth year)

National Rank: 1437

State Rank: 118

Division: 2

First preseason game: 8/26 vs. Great Oak

First League game: 10/7 @ Lakeside

Top returners: Javier Luna – RB, James Phillips – WR, Sherod White – RB, Jayden Dawson – QB/DB, Cesar Diaz – RB/LB, Cameron Dawson – WR/DB, Scott Walther – Line, Anfernee Aubert – Line.

Newcomers to watch: Rashod Shelton – WR, Avonte Robbs – Line, Devan Freedland – QB.

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Paloma Valley – 7-4 overall record, 4-1 league record in 2015

Head Coach: Bert Esposito (thirteenth year)

National Rank: 2230

State Rank: 160

Division: 5 (Ranked #5)

First preseason game: 8/26 @ Rancho Beuna Vista

First League game: 10/7 vs. Temescal Canyon

Top returners: Chance Nolan – QB, Seth Harris – Line, Steven Bradshaw – WR, Chris Portman – Line, Phillip Mills – RB, Seth Carvalho – WR.

Newcomers to watch: Nick Naranjo – WR (transfer from Elsinore), Jacob Salas – WR (transfer from Perris), Corey Maddox – RB, Jayden Lundy – WR, Damien Torres – LB.

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Elsinore – 4-7 overall record, 3-2 league record in 2015

Head Coach:  Tony Peralta (15th year)

National Rank: 6039

State Rank: 422

Division: 6

First preseason game: 8/26 @ Hesperia

First League game: 10/7 vs. Perris

Top returners: Anthony Reyes – RB, Eduardo Hernandez – Line, Brandon Payne – LB, Isaiah Hobson – RB, Julian Velardes – Line, Kevin Swanson – TE/Line.

Newcomers to watch: Fred Evalu – Line, Gabe Gomez – LB, Tim Jakell – QB, Alston Ulmer – RB.

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Temescal Canyon – 3-7 overall record, 2-3 league record in 2015

Head Coach:  Phil Cohen (third year)

National Rank: 6920

State Rank: 475

Division: 8

First preseason game: 8/26 @ Vista del Lago

First League game: 10/7 @ Paloma Valley

Top returners: Jacob Stepanek – LB, Landon Lopera – WR, Chris Frey – Line, Braydon Berry – Line, Alizae Quinn – DB, Noah Bojorquez – DB, Justin Mitts – QB.

Newcomers to watch: Conner Gunnell – WR, Jaden Gomez – WR, Brandon Clemons – RB, Jaden Patterson – LB.

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Perris – 4-6 overall record, 1-4 league record in 2015

Head Coach:  Chris Dowdy (third year)

National Rank: 9508

State Rank: 648

Division: 9

First preseason game: 8/26 vs. Arlington

First League game: 10/7 @ Elsinore

Top returners: Romello Edwards – QB, Damaureya Washington – RB, PJ Martin – WR, Andrew Sims – LB, Givante Hall – DB.

Newcomers to watch: Israel Arsola – RB.

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Lakeside – 3-7 overall record, 0-5 league record in 2015

Head Coach:  Mark Chandler (first year)

National Rank: 10,541

State Rank: 725

Division: 11

First preseason game: 8/26 vs. Adelanto

First League game: 10/7 vs. Heritage

Top returners: Alex Ayala – WR, Diego Ponce – WR, Adrian Burt – RB, Roberto Puquirre – WR, Isaiah Urittia – WR.

Newcomers to watch: Sale Lamositele – WR, Will Gonzalez – QB, Damian Berkstresser – WR, Seth Armstrong – QB, Cole McGuire – OL.

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• South Valley League

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Calvary Murrieta – 11-1 overall record, 5-0 league record in 2015, 2015 SVL Champs

Head Coach:  Brad Schwab (seventh year)

National Rank: 7348

State Rank: 509

Division: 12 (Ranked #2)

First preseason game: 8/26 @ Western Christian

First League game: 10/7 vs. Temecula Prep

Top returners: Micah Roth – RB, Adam Schwab – QB, Clint Lewis – Line, Chris Ramirez – WR, Albert Ramirez – Line, Brayden Campos – WR/K/P, Jeremiah Dunigan – Line, CJ Baker – WR.

Newcomers to watch: Noah San Nicolas – DB, Blake Geston – RB.

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Rancho Christian – 8-4 overall record, 4-1 league record in 2015

Head Coach:  Jim Kunau (third year)

National Rank: 8006

State Rank: 548

Division: 13 (Ranked #2)

First preseason game: 8/26 vs. Arrowhead Christian

First League game: 10/7 vs. Santa Rosa Academy

Top returners: Brett Owens – Line, Ryan Esposito – Line, Teddymax Talanoa – Line, Hunter Rapolla – Line, Luis Benitez – Line, Elijah Campbell – RB, Malosi Napoleon – RB, Jaden Schierberl – RB, Emma Baker – K.

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Santa Rosa Academy – 3-7 overall record, 1-4 league record in 2015

Head Coach:  Shawn Briggs (second year)

National Rank: 14,232

State Rank: 1,024

Division: 13

First preseason game: 8/26 @ CSD – Riverside

First League game: 10/7 vs. Rancho Christian

Top returners: Antonio Diaz – WR, Lance Burden – TE, Jack Donaldson – WR, Corey Martinak – RB, Shane Smith – Line.

Newcomers to watch: Jessi Pacheco – WR, Jacob Munstock – Line.

 

Temecula Prep – 0-8 overall record, 0-5 league record in 2015

Head Coach:  Trent Driver (first year)

National Rank: 14,558

State Rank: 1,055

Division: 13

First preseason game: 8/26 @ Lutheran (Chula Vista)

First League game: 10/7 @ Calvary Murrieta

Top returners: Justin Anderson – RB, Ethan Dougherty – Line, Andrew Hall – Line, Dylan Redman – RB, Tyler Partlow – Line, Robert Bean – WR, Zamir Carballo – WR, Manuel Estrada – RB.

Newcomers to watch: Christopher Williams – RB.

 

• Ambassador League

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Linfield – 12-2 overall record, 4-1 league record in 2015

Head Coach:  DeChon Burns (fourth year)

National Rank: 2642

State Rank: 188

Division: 7 (Ranked #1)

First preseason game: 8/26 vs. Desert Hot Springs

First League game: 10/7 vs. Ontario Christian

Top returners: Simeon Burns – WR/RB/CB, John Henry – RB, Clay Maranville – QB/FS Travis Lau – WR, Will Barbato – LB, Cole Smith – Line.

Newcomers to watch: Cooper Whitworth – RB, Brad Whitworth – Line, Mike Yazbak – Line, Ben Coleman Jr. – Line, Grant Myatt – Line, Savai’i Cravens, WR/DB, Tanner Myatt – RB, Alex Ruiz – QB, Caleb Jackson – QB, Jason Locke – Line.

 

• Arrowhead League

 

Hamilton – 6-5 overall record, 3-0 league record in 2015, 2015 AL Champs

Head Coach: Keith Moorman (sixth year)

National Rank: 12,969

State Rank: 923

Division: 13

First preseason game: 8/26 vs. Excelsior Charter

First League game: 10/14 vs. Carnegie Schools (Riverside)

 

• Mountain Pass League

 

Citrus Hill – 14-2 overall record, 5-0 league record in 2015, 2015 MPL Champs

Head Coach: Eric Zomalt (seventh year)

National Rank: 2642

State Rank: 73

Division: 2 (Ranked #8)

First preseason game: 8/26 vs. Barstow

First League game: 10/7 vs. Tahquitz

Top returners: Kahlil Lacy – RB, Michael Tobin – WR, Tesi Mikaele – Line, Michael Washington – WR, Manny Berz – K, Mateo Wade – CB Jeremyah Wilson – Line, Dominique Calahan – DB.

Newcomers to watch: Jonathan Jefferson – RB, Jack Graham – QB.

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San Jacinto – 10-2 overall record, 4-1 league record in 2015

Head Coach: Aric Galliano (second year)

National Rank: 1854

State Rank: 138

Division: 5 (Ranked #8)

First preseason game: 8/26 @ Temecula Valley

First League game: 10/7 @ West Valley

Top returners: Isiah Bolding – QB, Elijah Chambers – Line, David de la Cruz – LB, Ryan Marty – LB, Ryver Rainwater – LB, Garrett Geboy – TE, Jamison Senegal – LB, Arin Mannery – DB.

Newcomers to watch: Gabe Beal – QB, Semaj Whitfield – RB.

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Hemet – 6-5 overall record, 3-2 league record in 2015

Head Coach:  Jason Thornburg (second year)

National Rank: 8349

State Rank: 570

Division: 8

First preseason game: 8/26 @ Banning

First League game: 10/7 vs. Beaumont

Top returners: Zane Munsinger – CB, Zach Meyer – DB, Giovanni Valencia-Baxter – Line, Max Hinchliff – Line, Jakob Jurado – WR, Joseph Iribe – QB, Solomon Cochran – CB.

Newcomers to watch: Dashon Rogers – RB, Tyler Richardson – RB, Elijah Bratcher – RB.

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Tahquitz – 2-8 overall record, 1-4 league record in 2015

Head Coach:  Damon Dustin (second year)

National Rank: 9644

State Rank: 660

Division: 10

First preseason game: 8/26 vs. Eisenhower

First League game: 10/7 vs. Citrus Hill

Top returners: Devin Howard – WR, Ky Morgan – Line, Fernando Avena – Line, Theo Parrish – WR, Deonta Simuel – RB, Cesar Alvarez – WR.

Newcomers to watch: Juan Deny – RB, Devin Dillard – QB.

 

West Valley – 0-10 overall record, 0-5 league record in 2015

Head Coach:  Matt Willard (second year)

National Rank: 11,184

State Rank: 775

Division: 10

First preseason game: 8/26 vs. Shadow Hills

First League game: 10/7 vs. San Jacinto

Top returners: Kash Taylor – RB, Antonie Rendon – Line, Jesus Mejia – Line, Sam Sanchez – Line, Cajhi Williams – WR.

Newcomers to watch: Anthony Castonguay – QB, Michael Riley – DB, Elijah Brown – DB.

 

*Rosters, schedules and rankings provided by MaxPreps, area football coaches and local athletic directors. To comment on this story or other sports stories like this, visit www.myvalleynews.com.

 

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