School House Zach - zewing's Blog

School House Zach - zewing's Blog - Bakersfield.com http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing The place Kern County residents come for all things high school sports. Football in the fall, basketball and wrestling in the winter and baseball in the spring are highlights, but we'll be talking all kinds of preps until we feel like we're sitting in gym class again. Make sure you dress out! The place Kern County residents come for all things high school sports. Football in the fall, basketball and wrestling in the winter and baseball in the spring are highlights, but we'll be talking all kinds of preps until we feel like we're sitting in gym class again. Make sure you dress out! en-us Week 0 HS football podcast http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/33062 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/33062   Here's the first edition of what will become a weekly high school podcast. This week's loudmouths are myself and assistant sports editor Ross Priest. Give it a listen and feel free to leave your comments below. In case you missed it, I gave my <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/33003">predictions</a> for all the Week 0 games in yesterday's post. Week 0 HS football predictions http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/33003 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/33003 As I type this, it's 7:33 p.m. That means that in two days, the national anthems will be sung, the balls will have been checked for air, the kickoffs taken, and the first plays in the high school football season finished. In two days, we'll finally begin to figure out who the haves and have-nots of the 2008 season will be, and we'll begin to see which teams have magical seasons in store. In two days, it's game time. We've been gearing up for it all month at the Californian: — If you missed them, I previewed every team in Kern County here at School House Zach. Here's an index of each team's preview. July 29: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31017">Lighthouse Christian, Immanuel Christian, Maricopa</a> July 30: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31077">Boron, Burroughs</a> July 31: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31138">Desert, Rosamond</a> Aug. 1: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31200">Frazier Mountain, Kern Valley</a> Aug. 2: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31216">Mojave, McFarland</a> Aug. 3: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31259">César Chávez</a> Aug. 4: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31344">Delano</a> Aug. 5: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31423">New schools: Independence, Mira Monte, RFK</a> Aug. 6: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31485">Shafter</a> Aug. 7: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31556">Wasco</a> Aug. 8: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31624">Arvin</a> Aug. 9: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31658">Taft</a> Aug. 10: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31677">Bakersfield Christian</a> Aug. 11: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31739">Tehachapi</a> Aug. 12: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31790">Ridgeview</a> Aug. 13: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31844">Frontier</a> Aug. 14: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31924">Stockdale</a> Aug. 15: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31982">South</a> Aug. 16: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32018">North</a> Aug. 17: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32050">West</a> Aug. 18: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32108">Centennial</a> Aug. 19: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32164">Golden Valley</a> Aug. 20: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32226">East</a> Aug. 21: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32292">Garces</a> Aug. 22: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32349">Highland</a> Aug. 23: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32396">Foothill</a> Aug. 24: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32420">Liberty</a> Aug. 25: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32479">Bakersfield</a> Aug. 26: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32542">Central Section big schools</a> Aug. 27: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32606">Central Section small schools</a> Aug. 31: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32799">Statewide glance</a> — For more in-depth information, be sure to check out our election-themed preview sections within each day's paper. The <a href="http://www.bakersfield.com/225/story/540723.html">South Sequoia League and other Kern County schools</a> were previewed Wednesday; the Southwest Yosemite League will be Thursday and the Southeast Yosemite League runs Friday. And make sure you make your voice heard on our <a href="http://www.bakersfield.com/footballballot/">ballot propositions</a>, football-style. — Every week here on the blog, I'll offer weekly predictions of every last Kern County game and post a weekly podcast. (This week's podcast has been done, with myself and Assistant Sports Editor Ross Priest as the stars, but we're having a few technical difficulties getting it on the Web site. Check back a little later and it should be up.) Here are my Week 0 predictions: Friday, Sept. 5 BAKERSFIELD (0-0) AT CANYON COUNTRY-CANYON (0-0) — I don't think there's any question this will be the Drillers' toughest opponent in the regular season. That's not to say that a victory Friday secures a 10-0 mark for BHS, because strange things happen all the time in sports, but it'd go a long way towards that goal. Big keys for me are Bakersfield High's running game, which could be the bread and butter of that offense with Alfonso Jackson and Jerek Johnson carrying the load. That, and some great defense, will take pressure off of new quarterback Alex Mitchell and his rookie receivers. Canyon won the 2006 state championship but slipped to 4-6 last year with a young team and a tough schedule. The Cowboys aren't backing down from anyone again this year, but I'll give the Drillers a big early-season victory. Prediction: Bakersfield 28, Canyon 20 WESTLAKE VILLAGE-OAKS CHRISTIAN (0-0) AT BAKERSFIELD CHRISTIAN (0-0) — All the talk has been, and will continue to be about, the star-studded parents Oaks Christian is bringing to town. Yes, Joe Montana, Wayne Gretzky and Will Smith all have sons on the team, but that's not the only reason OCHS is a sight to see. Nick Montana wasn't even the clear-cut choice at quarterback — he had to beat out St. Bonaventure transfer Tony Macarena. The team returns 15 starters from an 11-3 team last year, including Arizona State-bound tight end Christopher Coyle and a host of juniors who could accepting college scholarships next year. Bakersfield Christian probably will have a great year, but the 4,000 strong (some coming by helicopter, I hear) at BCHS on Friday night won't see the first victory. Prediction: Oaks Christian 41, Bakersfield Christian 24 CLOVIS WEST (0-0) AT LIBERTY (0-0) — It's a bit lost, at least in the southern half ot the Central Valley, that Clovis West had a really good team last year. The Golden Eagles were snake-bitted in their losses, losing all four by seven or fewer points, including games to Fresno-Bullard, Clovis-Buchanan and Bakersfield by a field goal each. And check out this string of victories: Visalia-El Diamante, which dominated Division II, Fresno-Edison, Clovis East, Bullard in another game, and Liberty to open the season. I like Clovis West to kick-start another run at the section title. Prediction: Clovis West 23, Liberty 10 SHAFTER (0-0) AT NORTH (0-0) — Keep in mind, Shafter opened last year with a surprise against Highland. Does it happen again against a hopeful Bakersfield team? I don't see it. North is too well-coached and has too much talent returning to slip up here. Prediction: North 34, Shafter 13 HIGHLAND (0-0) AT ARVIN (0-0) — I see this as a trap game for Highland. First, Shafter did it to 'em last year. Second, Arvin has a good team that no one knows about because the Bears underachieved last year. Third, Highland has to make the early trip down to Arvin. But right as I was about to pull the trigger on the upset, I decided I trusted the Scots to stave it off a lot more than I trusted the Bears to actually get it done. Call a big play or two on special teams the difference. Prediction: Highland 28, Arvin 26 TEMPLETON (0-0) AT TAFT (0-0) — I didn't know a whole lot about Templeton, so I investigated a bit. This was a 7-3 team in a very tough Southern Section league (the Los Padres) a year ago, but lost 18 starters. That means young offensive and defensive lines, and that means trouble if the team on the other side of the field is Taft. Prediction: Taft 40, Templeton 14 McFARLAND (0-0) AT KERN VALLEY (0-0) — A couple of teams in transition try to get off on the right foot. McFarland hopes new coach Andy Dunn can turn things around while Kern Valley breaks in a new quarterback, Kyler Emery. The difference, though, will be who's back, and that's Kern Valley fullback Justin Sulu. Prediction: Kern Valley 20, McFarland 13 BORON (0-0) AT ROSAMOND (0-0) — Bobcats lost a lot — again — but will have a good year — again. Prediction: Boron 29, Rosamond 12 DESERT (0-0) AT MAMMOTH (0-0) — The favorite from the High Desert League meets the favorite from the Desert Mountain League. I think one league is stronger. Prediction: Desert 33, Mammoth 27 MOJAVE (0-0) AT FRAZIER MOUNTAIN (0-0) — The Mustangs are going to quickly realize it's a good thing they left the HDL. Prediction: Frazier Mountain 22, Mojave 3 LANCASTER-ANTELOPE VALLEY CHRISTIAN (0-0) AT RIDGECREST-IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN (0-0) — This mouthful of a game could be a coming-out party for the Crusaders (that's Immanuel Christian, for those not familiar with 8-man ball). Prediction: Immanuel Christian 39, Antelope Valley Christian 38 Saturday, Sept. 6 SANTA ANA-SEGERSTROM (0-0) AT TEHACHAPI (0-0) — The hidden gem of the weekend. Segerstrom brings in a team stacked at the skill positiions and on defense; Tehachapi brings back a good nucleus from its section title team. The game's on the mountain and in front of a bunch of Warriors alumni brought back for Tehachapi's 80th anniversary, so the emotional edge goes to the Mountain Boys. Prediction: Tehachapi 30, Segerstrom 27 What? There are other sports? http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32939 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32939 Here's a promise: Because my last 50 or so blog entries have been football, football, FOOTBALL, I promise not to mention anything about that one sport that starts with Week 0 games Friday (those of you who want fo__ball, be sure to check back tomorrow for a podcast and predictions on this weekend's fo__ball games). Anywho, there are some other fall sports already under way, and it's high time to shine the spotlight on them. Let's take a look at each of the other fall sports, with a quick run-down of the expected best teams and what's happened in limited action so far. Volleyball: The king of girls sports during the fall has just gotten going, with many teams playing their opening matches Tuesday night. There were a couple of tournaments and stray non-league matches last week, though, that brought some interesting results. First and foremost, Liberty surprised defending Division I Central Section champion Clovis-Buchanan 3-2. Buchanan turned around to beat Stockdale 2-1, the Mustangs' only blemish in a 4-1 record. Tehachapi swept through the South High Tournament, going 18-0 in games against competition from the South Sequoia League (Arvin, Shafter, Taft, Wasco), the Southwest Yosemite League (South, West), the Southeast Yosemite League (Foothill) and the rest of the county (Delano, Kern Valley). The Warriors look like Bakersfield Christian's biggest threat in the SSL. Speaking of BCHS, the Eagles are 1-0 but are one of three normally high-level teams yet to get into the meat of their schedule (as of Tuesday night, that is). The other two are Centennial and Bakersfield. This week, look out for Thursday night, when Stockdale hosts Clovis West and Centennial travels to Clovis, and for Friday and Saturday, when many of the city teams meet (including Bakersfield and Bakersfield Christian) at the Highland Tournament. Girls tennis: Stockdale, the defending Division I champs, earned a terrific result early with a 12-0 sweep of Bakersfield High before going up to Clovis and losing 5-4 to Buchanan. That could hurt the Mustangs' seed come playoff time. Girls golf: Golden Valley hosted an early-season, didn't-even-count-team-scores event last week, and we still know who the cream of the crop is: Garces, which boasts returning Californian Golfer of the Year Mica Guzman and Cassie Clayton. Liberty and Stockdale should also have strong teams. Boys and girls cross country: The runners' season doesn't actually get started until this weekend, but I think it's clear who we'll be keeping an eye on, at least in the boys races. Defending state champion Chris Schwartz of Foothill could win another title and this time, German Fernandez of Riverbank won't be there to steal the spotlight in the Division III race (or in the state track meet next spring, for that matter). HS football previews: Statewide glance http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32799 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32799 Happy Labor Day weekend to everyone. Of course, it was also the start of football season, a bit more of a holiday for me. College season started Thursday, most high schools around the country kicked off Friday and the NFL is around the corner next Thursday. As for us, we have to wait for Friday night. Most teams around Kern County actually have to wait for Sept. 12, the following Friday, but since I'm selfish, I don't feel too sorry for them. Anyway, the CIF expanded its three-year-old bowl championship system (yep, that's BCS for you) from three to five games this year. Last year, it was Division I, II and III, each one for a big, medium and small-sized school from each Southern and Northern California. Now, they've added an "open" division, which is for the best SoCal and NorCal teams regardless of size, and a "small-school" division, for schools under 500 students in the south and 400 students in the north. A school from any division is eligible for the Open game and small schools are also eligible for the D-III game. Now that we have that explained, let's take a quick gander at each of the divisions and the favorites, statewide. Keep in mind that I'm not a huge expert on the rest of the state's football, but I'll give it whirl. OPEN DIVISION Overview: Again, schools of any size are eligible to compete here, but it'd be a good bet to say the biggest schools will be most competitive. Concord-De La Salle has been in each of the first two D-I championship games, winning last year's, so they'd be a good choice here. Last year's SoCal representative was Corona-Centennial. Favorites: De La Salle, Corona-Centennial, Long Beach-Poly, San Diego-Oceanside, La Mesa-Helix, Corona-Santiago Central Section teams in the mix: Clovis West, Bakersfield, Fresno-Edison, Visalia-El Diamante DIVISION I Overview: Because of the nature of the open division, some big schools might have two chances to be picked for a state-title game. That means one-loss teams (like a Bakersfield from last year) might be considered here, though in any case, you had better have a strong schedule. That's why you see early-season games like BHS vs. Canyon. Favorites: De La Salle, Corona-Centennial, Long Beach-Poly, Redlands East Valley, La Mesa-Helix, Corona-Santiago, Carlsbad-La Costa Canyon, San Jose-Bellarmine Prep, Napa, Gilroy Central Section teams in the mix: Clovis West, Bakersfield DIVISION II Overview: Orange-Lutheran and Oceanside have won the first two D-II championships, and I'd say they've got a leg up on the competition here. Seems to be a big advantage for Southern Cal in this bracket. Favorites: Oceanside, Orange-Lutheran, Encino-Crespi, Santa Ana-Mater Dei, Stockton-St. Mary's, Novato Central Section teams in the mix: Fresno-Edison, Visalia-El Diamante, Tulare Union DIVISION III Overview: Strange division. There don't appear to be a lot of heavyweights toward the top of the enrollment bracket (1,100 students is the limit), so you could see schools down in the 600-700 range make a run at this game. Two of them meet in week 0: Westlake Village-Oaks Christian at Bakersfield Christian Favorites: Westlake Village-Oaks Christian, Ventura-St. Bonaventure, Gardena-Serra, Santa Fe Springs-St. Paul, Oxnard-Santa Clara, Santa Rosa-Cardinal Newman, Sutter, Modesto-Central Catholic Central Section teams in the mix: Bakersfield Christian, Fowler, Corcoran, Taft SMALL SCHOOLS Overview: When you get into the sub-500 range, you're talking very small schools. Even Bakersfield Christian is at 509 by the CIF's latest released numbers (there's one more version to come out, so it's possible the Eagles will drop into eligibility for the SS bowl). And each of these schools technically has three chances to make a bowl game: the open division (though that's unlikely), the D-III game and the Small School game. So lots of opportunities for some schools you might not have heard of, or at least that you wouldn't think of as football powerhouses. Favorites: San Juan Capistrano-St. Margaret's, Oxnard-Santa Clara, El Cajon-Christian, L.A.-Brentwood, Ferndale, Modesto Christian, Hamilton City, Sacramento-Capital Christian Central Section teams in the mix: Not many. Maybe Visalia-Central Valley Christian. Bakersfield Christian if it magically drops 10 students in the next CIF enrollment release. Check next week for football podcasts and game predictions, plus we'll resume normal coverage of other sports. HS football previews: Central Section, small schools http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32606 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32606 One of the best parts about slaving away on The Californian's high school football preseason sections (and there's really no other way to put it; this sucker is a TON of work, though I'm sure everyone will really enjoy the finished product) is discovering smaller schools: Where they're located, who some of the principal figures in sports are there, and so on. During the rest of the year, it seems like I only have time for the biggest and best in every sport most of the time. It's nice to give a shout-out to the little guys, who are often just as good and almost always more enthusiastic. With that in mind, let's get to our Central Section small-school preview, in the same format as we did yesterday for the big schools. (Quickly, before the preview, I need to amend a note from yesterday: Bakersfield Christian checked in at 509 students in the enrollment figures the CIF released Tuesday, nine too many to be considered for the "Small School" division of the state bowl championships. But the CIF sent out another e-mail today saying there were "inconsistencies' in those numbers that they wanted to iron out before making them final. I have no reason to believe that pertains to BCHS' situation, but don't take the 509 number as set in stone just yet.) DIVISION IV TEAMS Overview: Taft brings back enough talent that there's a considerable gap between the Wildcats and the rest of D-IV, especially with Corcoran moving down to Division V. Chowchilla and Kingsburg might rise up to fill the gap, though you might also see the biggest D-IV schools — Arvin and Fresno-Washington Union — make some playoff noise. Where Kern County fits in: At the top, for sure, because Taft is a clear-cut favorite here. Whether Arvin, Shafter or Wasco are capable of making noise depends on how well they survive their rugged league. Surefire championship contenders: Taft, Chowchilla, Kingsburg A break or two away: Selma, Arvin, Fresno-Washington Union, Exeter, Central Valley Christian Maybe next year: Kerman, Coalinga, Dos Palos, Porterville-Granite Hills, Fresno-Roosevelt, Wasco, Reedley-Immanuel, Tollhouse-Sierra, Fresno-McLane Key games: Arvin at Foothill, Sept. 12; Taft at Exeter, Sept. 19; Washington at Kingsburg, Sept. 19; Taft at Arvin, Oct. 17; Chowchilla at CVC, Oct. 17; CVC at Kingsburg, Oct. 24; Tehachapi at Taft, Oct. 31; Chowchilla at Washington, Oct. 31; Bakersfield Christian at Taft, Nov. 14; Arvin at Tehachapi, Nov. 14; Selma at Kingsburg, Nov. 14 DIVISION V TEAMS Overview: After rolling through the first two rounds of playoffs, Bakersfield Christian and Fowler played an all-timer of a championship game last year, with BCHS erasing a three-touchdown deficit at halftime to win 35-34 in overitme. Both schools bring back a big portion of starters, so we could be looking at the same story in 2008. The arrival of Derek Carr makes me thinks the Eagles will be top dog, but it might be close again. Corcoran, moving down from D-IV, where it was a finalist last year, could also be in the mix. Where Kern County fits in: Aside from BCHS, it doesn't. I'm a bit confused, because the Central Section Web site lists six divisions this year, but it includes schools like McFarland in the bottom one with 8-man schools. Not sure how that works, but I'll track down an answer. For now, we'll stick with D-V talk. Surefire championship contenders: Bakersfield Christian, Fowler, Corcoran A break or two away: Madera-Liberty Maybe next year: Parlier, Firebaugh, Caruthers, Riverdale, Cambra-Coast Union, SLO-Mission Prep, Woodlake, Lindsay, Orosi, Fresno Christian HS FOOTBALL PREVIEW INDEX July 29: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31017">Lighthouse Christian, Immanuel Christian, Maricopa</a> July 30: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31077">Boron, Burroughs</a> July 31: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31138">Desert, Rosamond</a> Aug. 1: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31200">Frazier Mountain, Kern Valley</a> Aug. 2: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31216">Mojave, McFarland</a> Aug. 3: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31259">César Chávez</a> Aug. 4: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31344">Delano</a> Aug. 5: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31423">New schools: Independence, Mira Monte, RFK</a> Aug. 6: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31485">Shafter</a> Aug. 7: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31556">Wasco</a> Aug. 8: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31624">Arvin</a> Aug. 9: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31658">Taft</a> Aug. 10: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31677">Bakersfield Christian</a> Aug. 11: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31739">Tehachapi</a> Aug. 12: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31790">Ridgeview</a> Aug. 13: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31844">Frontier</a> Aug. 14: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31924">Stockdale</a> Aug. 15: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31982">South</a> Aug. 16: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32018">North</a> Aug. 17: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32050">West</a> Aug. 18: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32108">Centennial</a> Aug. 19: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32164">Golden Valley</a> Aug. 20: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32226">East</a> Aug. 21: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32292">Garces</a> Aug. 22: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32349">Highland</a> Aug. 23: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32396">Foothill</a> Aug. 24: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32420">Liberty</a> Aug. 25: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32479">Bakersfield</a> Aug. 26: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32542">Central Section big schools</a> TOMORROW: For once, nothing. Sorry! But we'll take a look at the rest of the state and maybe some other fall sports over the weekend. A break or two away:  HS football previews: Central Section, big schools http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32542 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32542 We're now 10 days and counting till Week 0 kicks off with a slew of great games. We'll talk more about these next week, but here's what fans can look forward to Sept. 5: *Bakersfield at Canyon *Westlake Village-Oaks Christian at Bakersfield Christian (A quick aside on the Eagles: The CIF released its enrollment numbers today, and BCHS checks in at 509. That's nine too many students for the school to be eligible for the "small school" state championship bowl game. Instead, BCHS has to compete with Division III Southern Cal schools — up to 1,100 in enrollment — a huge dash to their championship hopes). *Clovis West at Liberty *Shafter at North *Highland at Arvin *Templeton at Taft *Santa Ana-Segerstrom at Tehachapi (Saturday) That's a pretty good list for the first week. But like I said, we'll talk more about those individual matchups next week. Time to continue with season previews, an informal look at the rest of the Central Section. DIVISION I TEAMS Overview: The Tri-Rivers Athletic Conference is the key league here, which is not surprising. It makes up nearly half of Division I and includes the powerhouse Clovis schools. Clovis West and Clovis East always seem in the hunt for a title and Clovis and Clovis-Buchanan aren't usually far behind. Also competing for a championship will be Fresno-Bullard. Where Kern County fits in: Bakersfield High probably is the only good chance for a title here. Centennial and Liberty have lost too much, though in an 11-team section, you could just an upset away from the semifinals. Surefire championship contenders: Bakersfield, Clovis West, Clovis East A break or two away: Fresno-Bullard, Clovis-Buchanan, Liberty, Centennial Maybe next year: Fresno-Central, Clovis, Stockdale, Madera Key games: Clovis East at Colleyville (Texas)-Heritage, Sept. 1; Bakersfield at Canyon, Sept. 5; Clovis West at Liberty, Sept. 5; Bullard at Clovis East, Sept. 26; Buchanan at Bakersfield, Sept. 26; Liberty at Bakersfield, Oct. 3; Clovis West at Fresno-Bullard, Oct. 3; Centennial at Bakersfield, Oct. 10; Clovis West vs. Clovis East, Oct. 31; Clovis East at Buchanan, Nov. 7 DIVISION II TEAMS Overview: This was shaping up to be Visalia-El Diamante's section title to lose, maybe with a threat from Tulare Union, but when the Central Section divided up the sections, it dropped Fresno-Edison — the top seed in the Division I playoffs last year — into D-II. That sets up a three-team race. But again, most of the other teams are just an upset from getting into contention themselves. Where Kern County fits in: It's the division of the underachievers for among locals. If they can finish strong and receive a favorable seed, either West or North could make a run at least for the final semifinal spot. Surefire championship contenders: Visalia-El Diamante, Fresno-Edison, Tulare Union A break or two away: West, Sanger, Lemoore, Reedley, North Maybe next year: Garces, Porterville-Monache, Visalia-Redwood, Frontier, East, Visalia-Golden West, Fresno-Sunnyside, Fresno-Hoover, Fresno-San Joaquin Memorial, Visalia-Mt. Whitney, Tulare Western Key games: Compton-Dominguez at Edison, Sept. 12; West at El Diamante, Sept. 12; Tulare Union at Lemoore, Sept. 19; Edison at Clovis-Buchanan, Oct. 3; Edison at Clovis West, Oct. 10; Lemoore at El Diamante, Oct. 17; Delano at Tulare Union, Oct. 31; Bullard vs. Edison, Nov. 7 DIVISION III TEAMS Overview: This is kind of a strange bracket, because all of the schools are bigger than you think they'd be. Tehachapi, which happens to be the favorite to repeat, has an enrollment of about 1,500 and is one of the smallest D-III schools in the section. Most — like Highland, Delano, Chavez, Roosevelt, Selma, etc., are right around 2,000 students, and some — like Golden Valley, Foothill and Ridgeview, which has Bakersfield's largest enrollment — are even bigger than that. It's hard to count out schools with that much of a size and depth advantage, even if a team like Tehachapi seems to have the edge in talent. Where Kern County fits in: All over the place. Besides the Warriors from the mountain, Foothill and Highland expect to contend here, and schools like Delano, South and Chavez will look to make a run. Surefire championship contenders: Tehachapi, Foothill, Hanford, Oakhurst-Yosemite, Highland A break or two away: Delano, Dinuba, South, Golden Valley, Fresno Maybe next year: Chavez, Porterville, Hanford West, Ridgeview, Madera South Key games: Santa Ana-Segerstrom at Tehachapi, Sept. 6; Yosemite at Hanford, Sept. 18; Madera at Hanford,  Sept. 26; Foothill at South, Oct. 3; Foothill at Liberty, Oct. 10; Tehachapi at Bakersfield Christian, Oct. 24; Bakersfield at Foothill, Oct. 24; Highland at Foothill, Oct. 31; Tehachapi at Taft, Oct. 31; El Diamante at Hanford, Nov. 7; Yosemite at Dinuba, Nov. 7; Bakersfield at Highland, Nov. 14 HS FOOTBALL PREVIEW INDEX July 29: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31017">Lighthouse Christian, Immanuel Christian, Maricopa</a> July 30: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31077">Boron, Burroughs</a> July 31: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31138">Desert, Rosamond</a> Aug. 1: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31200">Frazier Mountain, Kern Valley</a> Aug. 2: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31216">Mojave, McFarland</a> Aug. 3: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31259">César Chávez</a> Aug. 4: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31344">Delano</a> Aug. 5: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31423">New schools: Independence, Mira Monte, RFK</a> Aug. 6: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31485">Shafter</a> Aug. 7: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31556">Wasco</a> Aug. 8: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31624">Arvin</a> Aug. 9: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31658">Taft</a> Aug. 10: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31677">Bakersfield Christian</a> Aug. 11: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31739">Tehachapi</a> Aug. 12: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31790">Ridgeview</a> Aug. 13: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31844">Frontier</a> Aug. 14: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31924">Stockdale</a> Aug. 15: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31982">South</a> Aug. 16: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32018">North</a> Aug. 17: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32050">West</a> Aug. 18: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32108">Centennial</a> Aug. 19: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32164">Golden Valley</a> Aug. 20: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32226">East</a> Aug. 21: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32292">Garces</a> Aug. 22: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32349">Highland</a> Aug. 23: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32396">Foothill</a> Aug. 24: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32420">Liberty</a> Aug. 25: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32479">Bakersfield</a> TOMORROW: The Central Section's small schools — Divisions IV and V HS football previews: Bakersfield High http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32479 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32479 At long last, we've reached the end of our team-by-team previews, and we do so with the top team in Kern County, at least in my eyes. Looking at this completely objectively (and I know some will think The Californian likes BHS because we're 45 seconds from campus, but that's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoMmbUmKN0E">just not true!</a> (check the 2:50 mark and you'll find out for yourself)). It's simply that on the field, no team in town can match what the Drillers will bring this year. Does that mean my prediction at the end of the entry will come true? Certainly not necissarily. Games aren't played on a blog, to paraphrase an old cliché. But it's fun to talk about. We'll do a few cursory looks at the rest of the section and state this week, and then it's go time for Week 0. I can't wait. Hope you've enjoyed the team previews. BAKERSFIELD DRILLERS Coach: Paul Golla (fourth year) <a href="http://www.maxpreps.com/national/football/bakersfield/schedule.aspx?schoolid=c41df644-3f96-46d7-bad4-90ee038d767c&ssid=2d976fd6-2d12-41a3-ad74-8f39dfcdb95e&urpath=,local,team">2007</a> record: 13-1 (6-0 SEYL, 7-0 home) Average points: 35.1 Average points allowed: 10.8 Average rush yards: 225.8 Average rush yards allowed: 102.4 Average pass yards: 179.8 Average pass yards allowed: 104.9 Best win: Bakersfield 19, Clovis West 16 Worst loss: Centennial 28, Bakersfield 26 Key players: Alfonso Jackson, jr, RB; Tevin Jackson, sr, OL/DL; Alex Mitchell, sr, QB; Emilio Cantu, OL/DL; Jerek Johnson, sr, RB/LB; George Ming, sr, FB/DB Key losses: Pete Mitchell, QB/K; Emmanuel Ojeriakhi, WR/DB; Vince Van Horne, WR/DB; Emanuel Turner, RB; Sean Andrew, OL/LB; Kyle Billington, OL/DL; Mark Durando, FB/LB; Marcus Nelson, FB/LB; Matt Varvel, TE/LB Offense: Anyone who remembers Bakersfield High’s playoff run last year has images of BHS’ offense changing directions, making fakes, confusing defenders, showing off skills and generally making opposing coaches weep. That was the spread offense ran to perfection, with an intelligent, confident point man — Californian Player of the Year Pete Mitchell — and ridiculously good athletes getting their hands on the ball. Unfortunately for the Drillers, most of those athletes are gone, as is Mitchell. The ones who remain — namely Alfonso Jackson and Jerek Johnson, plus new QB Alex Mitchell (Pete’s little bro) — will be key factors if BHS is to repeat its Central Section-championship success. Actually, nine of 11 offensive starters graduated, including all five linemen. Golla plans to fill that hole by bringing over three defensive linemen and having them play both ways. Risky, but the payoff for this team could be huge. More on that later. Defense: As good as Bakersfield’s offense was last year, some of the season’s enduring memories are defensive. There’s Alex Mitchell hitting the snot out of a Sacramento-Grant receiver in an early-season victory, the overwhelming effort against Centennial in the playoffs and some key stops in the championship against Clovis West. The team might lean on the defense a little, at least early on, because the offense won’t be as immediately explosive. The good news is that a little more is back on this side of the ball, and if a deep defensive line can get pressure, the 30 stack defense will be tremendous, with linebackers and defensive backs flying to the ball that’s been hurried out of the pocket or the ball-carrier who’s in trouble the minute he takes the handoff. Outlook: Despite all the losses, this remains the best team in Kern County by a comfortable margin. The question is, can the Drillers match — or, with a new CIF state-championship bowl game added, even surpass — what they did last year? It’s obviously too early to predict anything drastic, but I can say that of all the teams I’ve seen practice in the preseason, BHS was the most crisp, the most enthusiastic and the most business-like of any. The team’s best players — the two Jacksons, Johnson and Mitchell, for four — have to consistently stay on their game. That’s going to be important, because the Drillers have a trip to 2006 state champion Canyon in Week 0, plus Centennial, Clovis-Buchanan and a tough league on the schedule. If Bakersfield can get through those 10 games unbeaten — and that’s not dreaming too big — then the playoffs loom. So does the talk about an undefeated year, a repeat section title and a potential appearance in the state championship. Quotable: “We expect to be great, and you wouldn’t want it any other way. You wouldn’t want to be at another high school. You want to be at the school where people expect you to win every year and people care about your program.” — coach Paul Golla Bonus quotable from one of the best interviews in Bako: “Right now, potentially, we’re good, but we also tell our kids, ‘potential’ is a bad word. It’s like a cuss word. You don’t want to be known as a team with potential. That means there’s no results.” — coach Paul Golla. Is there any doubt why this guy is one of the best coaches in the biz? Schedule: Sept. 5 at Canyon Sept. 12 BYE Sept. 19 at Stockdale Sept. 26 Clovis-Buchanan Oct. 3 Liberty Oct. 10 Centennial Oct. 17 Garces Oct. 24 at Foothill Oct. 31 at Golden Valley Nov. 7 East Nov. 14 at Highland Prediction: 10-0, 6-0 SEYL HS FOOTBALL PREVIEW INDEX July 29: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31017">Lighthouse Christian, Immanuel Christian, Maricopa</a> July 30: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31077">Boron, Burroughs</a> July 31: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31138">Desert, Rosamond</a> Aug. 1: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31200">Frazier Mountain, Kern Valley</a> Aug. 2: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31216">Mojave, McFarland</a> Aug. 3: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31259">César Chávez</a> Aug. 4: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31344">Delano</a> Aug. 5: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31423">New schools: Independence, Mira Monte, RFK</a> Aug. 6: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31485">Shafter</a> Aug. 7: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31556">Wasco</a> Aug. 8: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31624">Arvin</a> Aug. 9: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31658">Taft</a> Aug. 10: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31677">Bakersfield Christian</a> Aug. 11: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31739">Tehachapi</a> Aug. 12: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31790">Ridgeview</a> Aug. 13: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31844">Frontier</a> Aug. 14: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31924">Stockdale</a> Aug. 15: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31982">South</a> Aug. 16: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32018">North</a> Aug. 17: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32050">West</a> Aug. 18: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32108">Centennial</a> Aug. 19: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32164">Golden Valley</a> Aug. 20: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32226">East</a> Aug. 21: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32292">Garces</a> Aug. 22: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32349">Highland</a> Aug. 23: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32396">Foothill</a> Aug. 24: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32420">Liberty</a> TOMORROW: A look at large-enrollment (Div. I, II and some III) schools in the rest of the Central Section HS football previews: Liberty http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32420 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32420 Back for a second update in the same day, making up for my forgetfulness last night. Now we're getting serious, into the top teams in the Southeast Yosemite League. Another note: We're looking for extras for a Californian cover shoot for our SEYL football preview. If you're a Liberty or Bakersfield High fan and would be interested in being on the cover, please contact myself at zewing@bakersfield.com or assistant sports editor Ross Priest at rpriest@bakersfield.com (and if you're not a Liberty or BHS fan but wouldn't mind acting like one in a photo, you're welcome to come out also). We could use the help. LIBERTY PATRIOTS <div class="gmail_quote">Coach: Tony Mills (first year)</div> <div class="gmail_quote"> </div> <div class="gmail_quote">2007 record: 8-4 (5-1 SEYL, 4-2 home)</div> <div class="gmail_quote">Average points: 29.7</div> <div class="gmail_quote">Average points allowed: 12.1</div> <div class="gmail_quote">Average rush yards: 173.9</div> <div class="gmail_quote">Average rush yards allowed: 130.0</div> <div class="gmail_quote">Average pass yards: 153.2</div> <div class="gmail_quote">Average pass yards allowed: 107.7</div> <div class="gmail_quote">Best win: Liberty 45, Foothill 7</div> <div class="gmail_quote">Worst loss: Clovis West 9, Liberty 0</div> <div class="gmail_quote"> </div> <div class="gmail_quote">Key players: Chris Neal, sr, RB/DB; Angelo Orneales, sr, FB/LB; Trent Eskew, sr, TE/DL; Ryan Patterson, sr, WR; Colton Schmidt, sr, K/P</div> <div class="gmail_quote"> </div> <div class="gmail_quote">Key losses: Matt Akers, TE/LB; Byron Campbell, QB; Andrew Letourneau, RB/DB; Chad Pollard, WR; Anthony Vasquez, RB; Casey Sorrell, OL/DL; Travis Holder, RB/DB</div> <div class="gmail_quote"> </div> <div class="gmail_quote">Offense: Liberty is one of the few schools changing coaching staffs that won't have a big transition to make. Mills was on the Patriots' staff last year, and many of the assistants are returning. That means offensive coordinator Rick Van Horne¹s pro-style offense should go off without too many wrinkles. Neal is a natural athlete who also strikes me as a patient runner who will follow his blocks. There are several question marks, now that Campbell is gone at quarterback, Pollard at receiver and Letourneau as a playmaker. The quarterback battle in the preseason is between last year's backup, Dylan Slaton, a senior who got into a few games when Campbell was hurt last year; and Zach McCarthy, the junior-varsity QB from last year who's 19-1 in his career at subvarsity levels. Either way, Liberty might have trouble matching last year¹s offense — one that its own problems, scoring 10 or fewer points in four big games against Clovis West, Centennial, Bakersfield High and Fresno-Edison (the team¹s four losses).</div> <div class="gmail_quote"> </div> <div class="gmail_quote">Defense: The flip side of those big games was Liberty's defense, which held all four schools well below their season average in points. I think the defense will be Liberty¹s strength again, though question marks abound here too. Someone has to pick up Akers' production, and no one on the team appears to have his Division I talent. Brady Burke is on the defensive line right now, though he could move to linebacker, and Orneales and Eskew also will be leaders at linebacker. Neal is a rock in the secondary, though Mills insinuated that he'll have to rest some on defense because of how much he might be leaned on as a running back, especially early in the year. Point is, if Liberty's going to challenge for the SEYL title, its 4-3 defense is going to be a huge factor.</div> <div class="gmail_quote"> </div> <div class="gmail_quote">Outlook: On paper, this team should be worse this year than last. It lost a Division I quarterback (Campbell is at Montana State), a Division I linebacker (Akers) plus a Division I baseball player who could have played college football, too (Letourneau) among a slew of seniors. You don't replace that easily. However, you can tell these players genuinely like one another and their coaching staff. That sounds cheesy, but it's not just talk, and chemistry can go a long way towards determining success. That said, you can't ignore on-field weaknesses, especially against good teams. It looks like Liberty might be further away from a league title than it was during close calls each of the last two years. But don¹t sell the Patriots short. They've had lots of success at the JV and freshman levels, and the program's philosophy remains sound. Any time a team plays solid defense and has a playmaker on offense like Neal, it'll give anyone a game.</div> <div class="gmail_quote"> </div> <div class="gmail_quote">Quotable: "There's some question marks because we lost so many great players from last year. We have a lot of kids that haven't had opportunities yet to play that I have confidence in. They just haven¹t had an opportunity."</div> <div class="gmail_quote">— coach Tony Mills</div> <div class="gmail_quote"> </div> <div class="gmail_quote">Schedule: Sept. 5 Clovis West</div> <div class="gmail_quote">Sept. 12 BYE</div> <div class="gmail_quote">Sept. 19 Centennial</div> <div class="gmail_quote">Sept. 26 at West</div> <div class="gmail_quote">Oct. 3 at Bakersfield</div> <div class="gmail_quote">Oct. 10 Foothill</div> <div class="gmail_quote">Oct. 17 at Stockdale</div> <div class="gmail_quote">Oct. 24 Golden Valley</div> <div class="gmail_quote">Oct. 31 at East</div> <div class="gmail_quote">Nov. 7 at Highland</div> <div class="gmail_quote">Nov. 14 Garces</div> <div class="gmail_quote"> </div> <div class="gmail_quote">Prediction: 8-2, 5-1 SEYL</div> <div class="gmail_quote"> </div> <div class="gmail_quote">HS FOOTBALL PREVIEW INDEX July 29: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31017">Lighthouse Christian, Immanuel Christian, Maricopa</a> July 30: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31077">Boron, Burroughs</a> July 31: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31138">Desert, Rosamond</a> Aug. 1: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31200">Frazier Mountain, Kern Valley</a> Aug. 2: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31216">Mojave, McFarland</a> Aug. 3: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31259">César Chávez</a> Aug. 4: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31344">Delano</a> Aug. 5: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31423">New schools: Independence, Mira Monte, RFK</a> Aug. 6: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31485">Shafter</a> Aug. 7: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31556">Wasco</a> Aug. 8: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31624">Arvin</a> Aug. 9: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31658">Taft</a> Aug. 10: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31677">Bakersfield Christian</a> Aug. 11: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31739">Tehachapi</a> Aug. 12: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31790">Ridgeview</a> Aug. 13: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31844">Frontier</a> Aug. 14: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31924">Stockdale</a> Aug. 15: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31982">South</a> Aug. 16: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32018">North</a> Aug. 17: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32050">West</a> Aug. 18: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32108">Centennial</a> Aug. 19: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32164">Golden Valley</a> Aug. 20: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32226">East</a> Aug. 21: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32292">Garces</a> Aug. 22: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32349">Highland</a></div> <div class="gmail_quote">Aug. 23: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32396">Foothill</a></div> <div class="gmail_quote"> </div> <div class="gmail_quote">TOMORROW: The top of the heap — Bakersfield High</div>   HS football previews: Foothill http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32396 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32396 Remember when I was so good about putting Year in Review blog posts up? Yeah, that was back when I didn't have much to do over the summer. With our staff scrambling to get our football preview edition for the newspaper done, I'm running around like <a href="http://limbewildlifecentre.wildlifedirect.org/files/2008/05/izan-meets-akiba-small.jpg">I just found the king banana</a>. So there's my excuse. I forgot to put the Foothill team preview up on the blog before I left the office last night, and now it's stuck on my Californian computer. My sincere apologies to regular readers and to those who saw the Foothill piece in the paper this morning and came here for more. Never fear, I'll have the Trojans preview up by 11 a.m. Sunday. Scout's honor. And here you have it, 10:57 a.m. Man, I'm good. Except for the whole late part. FOOTHILL TROJANS Coach: Dennis Manning (third year) <a href="http://www.maxpreps.com/national/football/foothill/schedule.aspx?schoolid=38aa9d2e-4ac9-40a1-9c75-975370df8ace&ssid=2d976fd6-2d12-41a3-ad74-8f39dfcdb95e&urpath=,local,team">2007</a> record: 9-4 (4-2 SEYL, 5-2 home) Average points: 26.8 Average points allowed: 24.2 Average rush yards: 187.5 Average rush yards allowed: 208.4 Average pass yards: 141.4 Average pass yards allowed: 139.5 Best win: Foothill 30, Fresno-Washington Union 26 Worst loss: Taft 19, Foothill 7 Key players: Ronnie Churchill, sr, QB/LB; Matt Guerra, sr, QB/DB; Jacob Clagg, jr, TE/LB; Ronnie Owens, jr, OL/DL; Lawrence Weldon, sr, RB/DB; Angel Posadas, sr, OL/DL; D.J. Enderton, sr, TE/DL; Edgar Linares, jr, K Key losses: Eric Jones, RB/LB; Randy Davenport, WR/DB; Tommy Hurley, RB/DB; Deandre Wallace, WR/DB Offense: When is a Wing T not a Wing T? When it’s at Foothill High. Instead of solely a confusion- and quickness-based running game (think Mike Snow at Stockdale or Mark Camps at North), Manning’s offense will throw the ball. That’s good, because with returning playmakers like Matt Guerra (1,162 yards, 13 touchdowns, 3 interceptions) and Ronnie Churchill (229 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns) Foothill will make teams pay for creeping on the run. Losing Jones will hurt, but Weldon actually had a higher per-carry average (7.7) last year in limited action. He’ll get a shot at being the featured guy this season. Defense: Manning was a bit reserved about this side of the ball, meaning that he could be hiding a strong suit or still questioning whether this would be a weak point. The point is, Foothill allowed nearly 350 yards a game last year and loses a couple of quality defensive backs. Granted, the average last year was inflated by games against East when Andre Smith was hot, Bakersfield, Liberty and Tehachapi, but there were other games where the Trojans were too pourous too. They use a 50 defense, and when you’ve got five guys with their hands on the ground, the “back six,” so to speak, has to be more than solid unless the line is getting tremendous pressure. Outlook: Seemingly forgotten about in discussions about Bakersfield’s best teams, Foothill has quickly established itself under Manning. The Trojans went from a bottom-feeder early in the decade to a Division III runner-up each of the past two years and what looks like a perennial league contender. Manning was excited about this team even back in the spring, and there’s reason to be. Guerra, Churchill and a linebacking crew led by Jacob Clagg gives the Trojans a real chance at a top-two SEYL finish and the potential to finally get over the hump in the playoffs. Depth and defense will be key. The D could be Foothill’s Achilles’ Heel, or, if it’s improved, it could be what catapults the team into a section or even a league title. Quotable: “I think success breeds success, and I think our kids are expecting to win. Our first couple of years here, we wanted to have enough confidence, but now we think we can win. And sometimes, that wins games for you.” — coach Dennis Manning Schedule: Sept. 5 BYE Sept. 12 Arvin Sept. 19 at Ridgeview Sept. 26 Shafter Oct. 3 at South Oct. 10 at Liberty Oct. 17 at East Oct. 24 Bakersfield Oct. 31 Highland Nov. 7 at Garces Nov. 14 Golden Valley Prediction: 8-2, 4-2 SEYL HS FOOTBALL PREVIEW INDEX July 29: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31017">Lighthouse Christian, Immanuel Christian, Maricopa</a> July 30: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31077">Boron, Burroughs</a> July 31: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31138">Desert, Rosamond</a> Aug. 1: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31200">Frazier Mountain, Kern Valley</a> Aug. 2: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31216">Mojave, McFarland</a> Aug. 3: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31259">César Chávez</a> Aug. 4: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31344">Delano</a> Aug. 5: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31423">New schools: Independence, Mira Monte, RFK</a> Aug. 6: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31485">Shafter</a> Aug. 7: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31556">Wasco</a> Aug. 8: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31624">Arvin</a> Aug. 9: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31658">Taft</a> Aug. 10: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31677">Bakersfield Christian</a> Aug. 11: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31739">Tehachapi</a> Aug. 12: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31790">Ridgeview</a> Aug. 13: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31844">Frontier</a> Aug. 14: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31924">Stockdale</a> Aug. 15: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31982">South</a> Aug. 16: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32018">North</a> Aug. 17: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32050">West</a> Aug. 18: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32108">Centennial</a> Aug. 19: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32164">Golden Valley</a> Aug. 20: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32226">East</a> Aug. 21: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32292">Garces</a> Aug. 22: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32349">Highland</a> TOMORROW: New coach, same steady program — Liberty HS football previews: Highland http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32349 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32349 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: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31017">Lighthouse Christian, Immanuel Christian, Maricopa</a> July 30: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31077">Boron, Burroughs</a> July 31: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31138">Desert, Rosamond</a> Aug. 1: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31200">Frazier Mountain, Kern Valley</a> Aug. 2: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31216">Mojave, McFarland</a> Aug. 3: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31259">César Chávez</a> Aug. 4: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31344">Delano</a> Aug. 5: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31423">New schools: Independence, Mira Monte, RFK</a> Aug. 6: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31485">Shafter</a> Aug. 7: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31556">Wasco</a> Aug. 8: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31624">Arvin</a> Aug. 9: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31658">Taft</a> Aug. 10: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31677">Bakersfield Christian</a> Aug. 11: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31739">Tehachapi</a> Aug. 12: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31790">Ridgeview</a> Aug. 13: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31844">Frontier</a> Aug. 14: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31924">Stockdale</a> Aug. 15: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/31982">South</a> Aug. 16: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32018">North</a> Aug. 17: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32050">West</a> Aug. 18: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32108">Centennial</a> Aug. 19: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32164">Golden Valley</a> Aug. 20: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32226">East</a> Aug. 21: <a href="http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/zewing/32292">Garces</a> TOMORROW: Bridesmaids, but maybe not for too much longer — Foothill