For many schools, it's intrasquad scrimmage night — the first edition of Friday night lights, even if they aren't really official. But, my goodness, it's too hot for football still, isn't it? I'm glad they pushed back the real season's start by a week. Maybe that'll give it a chance to cool off. Course that means we've got to wait 14 more days yet ...

Speaking of the season starting, we're hard at work on our Californian high school football preview editions, which will be inserted into the newspaper Sept. 3, 4 and 5 — one edition for the SWYL and SEYL, plus one for the SSL and the rest of Kern County's teams.

One thing we still need to do is the cover photo shoot for the SEYL tab. We're looking at Tuesday evening as a time for this, and we need extras — If anybody's a Bakersfield High or Liberty fan or you've got a group of friends who would like to be in the photo, send me a message via the blog or e-mail me directly at zewing@bakersfield.com and I can supply the details.

HIGHLAND SCOTS

Coach: Tim Hartnett (second year)

2007 record: 5-7 (3-3 SEYL, 3-4 home)
Average points: 16.6
Average points allowed: 19.5
Average rush yards: 174.1
Average rush yards allowed: 128.7
Average pass yards: 89.3
Average pass yards allowed: 128.5
Best win: Highland 16, Garces 2
Worst loss: Shafter 17, Highland 14

Key players: Patrick Su’a, sr, TE/LB; Alan Roy, jr, RB/LB; Ashton Hensley, sr, WR/DB; Sean O’Leary, jr, WR/DB; Ryan Johnson, sr, RB/LB

Key losses: Anthony Johnson, WR/DB; Kyle Atchley, RB/LB; Cody Earnest, QB/LB; Terry Thomas, RB/LB; Erik Chavez, OL/LB

Offense: What is a spread offense without Mr. Everything, Anthony Johnson? Well, it’s more spread. The super-talented Johnson was Highland’s best running back, wide receiver and defensive back last year, and he even spent a little time at quarterback. He’s off to Fresno State to play receiver, though, so there’s a void of playmakers. But even though Hartnett admits Johnson is “a huge loss” he think the Scots might be better overall on offense this year. A spread isn’t supposed to be one-dimensional; it’s supposed to create mismatches anywhere and everywhere on the field. That might work better this season as sort of a one-for-all type thing. The point man for all of this looks like it’ll be Tyler Johnson, who’s up from the JV and has been the distributor thus far that Hartnett’s offense needs. But he’ll split some reps with sophomore Matt Prosser, who’s more of a threat as a runner.

Defense: As good as Hartnett’s offenses can look, his defense will be one to watch for sure this season. The Scots’ linebacking corps is one of the best in the county, and that’s perfect for their 3-5-3 (30 stack) scheme. It all starts with Pat Su’a. You often hear about the kids who aren’t that talented or don’t have the right size but play with heart, have a “motor” and a “nose for the ball,” but Su’a is special. He has all those intangible qualities, but he’s also uber-talented and a good size. Hartnett told me way back when AJ signed with Fresno State in February that Su’a likely will be in that signing-day spotilight in ’09. Add John Oglesby, a converted defensive end, plus Ryan Johnson and Alan Roy, and you’ve got a scary good middle of your defense.

Outlook: Those who know Bakersfield football are aware of what Hartnett can do — he’s won five league titles and a section title at Bakersfield High and Golden Valley — when he’s got the right talent. This year, his second at Highland, he’s got the talent and he’s got the comfort level with his players to be successful. Highland really could be ready to make the leap to the top two or three in the league this season, but there are a couple of caveats. It’s certainly nice to have balance in your offense, and the Scots will have more without AJ, but I still like to see one playmaker who can get things done in close games or when other options aren’t working. That has to develop. The other will be health. Highland isn’t as deep as league opponents like Liberty, Foothill and BHS, and any attrition could cost them dearly.

Quotable: “I came home tonight and talked to my wife, and I said, ‘You know, I think we’re pretty darn good across the board.’ We need depth, that’s the issue, but from what I see right now, we’re pretty solid.”
— coach Tim Hartnett

Schedule: Sept. 5 at Arvin
Sept. 12 Ridgeview
Sept. 19 at Chavez
Sept. 26 BYE
Oct. 3 at East
Oct. 10 Garces
Oct. 17 at Golden Valley
Oct. 24 Frontier
Oct. 31 at Foothill
Nov. 7 Liberty
Nov. 14 Bakersfield

Prediction: 6-4, 3-3 SEYL

HS FOOTBALL PREVIEW INDEX
July 29: Lighthouse Christian, Immanuel Christian, Maricopa
July 30: Boron, Burroughs
July 31: Desert, Rosamond
Aug. 1: Frazier Mountain, Kern Valley
Aug. 2: Mojave, McFarland
Aug. 3: César Chávez
Aug. 4: Delano
Aug. 5: New schools: Independence, Mira Monte, RFK
Aug. 6: Shafter
Aug. 7: Wasco
Aug. 8: Arvin
Aug. 9: Taft
Aug. 10: Bakersfield Christian
Aug. 11: Tehachapi
Aug. 12: Ridgeview
Aug. 13: Frontier
Aug. 14: Stockdale
Aug. 15: South
Aug. 16: North
Aug. 17: West
Aug. 18: Centennial
Aug. 19: Golden Valley
Aug. 20: East
Aug. 21: Garces

TOMORROW: Bridesmaids, but maybe not for too much longer — Foothill