Del Rio League
1.) La Serna Lancers
Head Coach: Margarito Beltran
Staff: Patrick Winchell OC, Andy George, Mike Ibarra, Bob Perumean, John Caballero, Dash Verstegan, Anthony Gonzalez Jr., Mike Orona, Bobby Espinoza, Taylor Boyd, Joe Ruiz, Noel Cabral, Ken Bennett.
Last Year: 3-7
Last 5 Years: 35-21 overall, 14-11 league
Last Playoff Appearance: 2008 Second Round: Lost Rowland 52-28
1st Down: Few players received as much praise this spring/summer than quarterback Andrew Buenrostro, who excelled delivering the ball and got himself in excellent shape.
2nd Down: “This is the team to beat in the Del Rio this year, I’m telling you!” Says a Del Rio League assistant coach.
3rd Down: The traditional size (Bubba-Plus) all have come to expect just isn’t there for the Lancers this season. And where there is no size there are questions on both sides of the trenches.
4th Down: Andrew Rosales returns along with a healthy Connor Burke to give Buenrostro two great targets at wide receiver. Richard Alvarez also returns to carry the rock. Points should come, but the pressure will be on linebacker Jake Houts and the defense to cut the 325-points surrendered in 2009 to a manageable level.
Game Plan: Picking a winner in the Del Rio like picking a phone at the AT&T kiosk, they all work but which one will last? The Lancers have a quarterback, playmakers, and more importantly a desire to bounce back from sub-par season a year ago.
Non League Schedule: Bonita Vista, at Downey, L.B. Wilson, La Mirada, Warren.
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2.) El Rancho Dons
Head Coach: Rick Zepeda
Staff: Joe Zepeda DC, James Constancion, Juan Vigil, Matt Parent, Rudy Saucedo, Justin Fejeian, Matt Lett, Andrew Jimenez..
Last Year: 5-6
Last 5 Years: 16-36 overall, 7-18 league
Last Playoff Appearance: 2009 First Round: Lost Schurr 14-7
1st Down: Troy Campos steps in for the graduated Josh Perea..
2nd Down: What backs Art Franco and Ronnel Lone lack in size they make up for in ability.
3rd Down: Daniel Moriel is a defender deluxe in the secondary.
4th Down: Ten starters return for Zepeda.
Game Plan: The Ranch, one of the proudest programs in CIF, has had a long dry spell. Zepeda’s third year will be important in factoring whether or not the Dons have returned or have become just another team in the DRL.
Non League Schedule: Los Altos, Northview, at Bell Gardens, at Montebello, Fontana.
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Cal Condor HC Jim Arnold
3.) California Condors
Head Coach: Jim Arnold
Staff: Manuel Viera DC, Mando Padilla, Mario Padilla, Stephen La Carra, Nick Buehler.
Last Year: 9-3-1
Last 5 years: 41-18-1 overall, 20-5 league
Last Playoff Appearance: 2009 Semifinals: Lost Charter Oak 38-10
1st Down: Adam Contreras can deliver the ball and should have enough around him to make the Condors offense click.
2nd Down: Trenchman Brandon Vaughn became a fire-eater over the summer and should have a great fall.
3rd Down: A new Terris Jones would be nice, but Arnold will have to make do with Aaron Garcia and bruiser Justin Dankert at fullback.
4th Down: Along with Vaughn, Joseph Zuniga, Daniel Huizar, Lance Hludzik, and Greg Martinez (the offensive line) will key all Condor success, especially in a DRL that is vulnerable on every front.
Game Plan: Respect for Jim Arnold’s coaching staff is growing with two final four appearances in the last three seasons. In an even league scheming and coaching will mean everything. Cal will be pay some early dues, but should be ready by the time they open with Santa Fe.
Non League Schedule: at Rowland, at La Mirada, Sonora, Schurr, Montebello.
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4.) Santa Fe Chiefs
Head Coach: Jack Mahlestede
Staff: Jeff Mahlestede DC, Robert Costa, Matt Lozano, Norberto Garrido, Matt Echeverria, Hector Hernandez, David Krumins, Thomas Lott, Ryan Bateman, Anthony Santana..
Last Year: 7-4
Last 5 Years: 45-15 overall, 20-5 league
Last Playoff Appearance: 2009 First Round: Lost Crescenta Valley 27-24
1st Down: Since losing to Schurr in the 2006 CIF Finals, the Chiefs have lost three consecutive first round games, and the last two were at home.
2nd Down: As with La Serna, the brutes (in regards to size) just aren’t there in the trenches. New O-line assistant Norbert Guerrero (late of USC/NFL) should help production.
3rd Down: Christian Mahlestede got significant snaps over the summer and should be the starting quarterback. Justin Rincon remains in the mix.
4th Down: Even with Andrew Jackon, Alex Flores, and Cameron Oliver the Chiefs only went 3-2 in league, including a loss to La Serna and a narrow escape against Whittier. Now those guys are gone.
Game Plan: From the outside in this program looks like it has been in a funk since the heartaches of 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009 (that’s for starters)…On top of that DRL has become a league (with the exception of Pioneer) where old rules no longer apply. Anybody can beat anybody. Of course the Chiefs will be competitive, but dominate? No.
Non League Schedule: Warren, Bonita, at Esperanza, at Charter Oak, Downey.
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5.) Whittier Cardinals
Head Coach: Walter Scott
Staff: Adrian Garcia OC, Manuel Amparano, Rene Rodriguez, Joseph Navarro, Andy Torres, Robert Arguiano, Martin Reyes.
Last Year: 5-5
Last 5 Years: 21-30 overall, 9-16 league
Last Playoff Appearance: 2006 First Round: Westminster 28-21
1st Down: There’s a lot to like about defensive end/linebacker Kevin Medina.
2nd Down: How effective they are may still be an open question but Alexander Rishton (6’2” 299) and Jeremy Lopez (5’11” 350) are the biggest dudes in the Jack Del Rio.
3rd Down: Ricardo Villanueva and Christopher Barclay will be charged with maintaining Scott’s powerful running game.
4th Down: The Cardinals have produced a 1,000-yard back in five of the last six seasons (Alex Gonzalez-2009, Daniel Enriquez -2007-2008, Isaac Garcia-2006, and Luis Arredondo- 2004).
Game Plan: The plan? Run the ball, burn the clock, keep the fast scoring offenses off the field. The Cards have been .500 or better in two of the last three seasons but still didn’t qualify for the dance. Just being good in the DRL, isn’t good enough.
Non League Schedule: Chino, Pacifica, at Roosevelt, at Paramount, at Salesian.
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6.) Pioneer Titans
Head Coach: Ramon Juarez
Last Year: 3-7
Last 5 Years: 15-34-1 overall, 5-20 league
Last Playoff Appearance: 2002 Second Round: Lost South Hills 22-7
1st Down: The Olympians are not without talent, defensive back Ruben Robles is testimony to this.
2nd Down: Tony Botello is a fine running back.
3rd Down: …But it’s not enough. They lack size along the front, an experienced quarterback, and play in a tough league.
4th Down: Rigo Luquin is a solid linebacker.
Game Plan: Pioneer (Oh Pioneer!) always has good speed, if not the best of luck. The schedule builds, allowing a young team to ease into the season’s water. Lastly this is the Del Rio, anything is possible. ..
Non League Schedule: at Glenn, vs. at Salesian, Sunny Hills, Cerritos, Rancho Alamitos..
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