In this first installment of a series looking at some of the top squads in the state, we check out Rancho Buena Vista, Oaks Christian, Whitney and Leuzinger. All four made the playoffs last year, one was a champion and two were section runner-ups.

Posted By Deputy Editor Mark Tennis

Note: All information that follows came from a questionnaire that was sent in by the head coach. We did not add or delete any names. If your school isn't included in this series, it is because we were not sent the information. If you want your school included, send info in the categories listed to mark@studentsports.com.

Team Name: Rancho Buena Vista (Vista)
Head Coach: Eric Jorgensen (9-4 at school)
Last Year's Records: 9-4, 3-6 for J.V.
Returning Starters: 8 (6 Offense, 2 Defense)
Players Most Deserving of Preseason Honors: OT Nathan Shannon (2nd Team-League) and TE Blake Masoner (HM-League).
Newcomers Who Could Make An Impact: RB Martin Avila, RB/DB Angel Frazier-Sunberg and RB/DB Royce Copeland.
Coach's General Outlook: We should be strong along the offensive line which will help our new skill players. We may struggle at the beginning of the year with a new defense.
Other Teams To Watch From The Area: Oceanside, Poway, Helix, El Camino.
All-league level players with GPAs above 3.50: None Listed
CalHiSports.com Comments: The Longhorns scored more than 400 points last year and have a lot coming back on offense. If the defense can be rebuilt, they have a good chance of making to the San Diego Section Div. I championship game once again.

Team Name: Oaks Christian (Westlake Village)
Head Coach: Bill Redell (94-11-1 at school, 183-59-3 overall)
Last Year's Records: 11-3, 9-1 for J.V.
Returning Starters: 16 (8 Offense, 8 Defense)
Players Most Deserving of Preseason Honors: RB Malcolm Jones (All-CIFSS), LB Zach Stout (All-CIFSS), TE Chris Coyle (All-CIFSS) and OL/DL Cassius Marsh (All-League).
Newcomers Who Could Make An Impact: None Listed.
Coach's General Outlook: We should be just as good if not better this year with all the returning experience and depth along with excellent speed.
Other Teams To Watch From The Area: None Listed.
All-league level players with GPAs above 3.50: Malcolm Jones, Zach Stout, Brian Owusu, Jordan Morrison and Erik Kohler.
CalHiSports.com Comments: Coach Redell filled out his info about the Lions before junior QB Nick Montana transferred in from De La Salle of Concord. As has been well-publicized, the team may also includes the sons of Wayne Gretzky and Will Smith. Hopefully, the media will leave the kids alone and if Oaks Christian's players and coaches can focus in on what needs to be done (such as beating area rival St. Bonaventure) it will be a strong season.

Team Name: Whitney (Rocklin)
Head Coach: Mike Gimenez (21-12 at school, 83-57-3 overall)
Last Year's Records: 11-2, 7-3 for J.V.
Returning Starters: 13 (5 Offense, 8 Defense)
Players Most Deserving of Preseason Honors: Zach Graves (League MVP. HM All-City).
Newcomers Who Could Make An Impact: OL Taylor Johnson and DL/LB Jon Cardenas.
Coach's General Outlook: We have great team speed on both sides of the ball along with a solid defense full of returnees. We will have a new QB this year, which could be a concern.
Other Teams To Watch From The Area: Granite Bay, Colfax, Del Oro, and Jesuit
All-league level players with GPAs above 3.50: LB Nick Law, Jake Snyder and OL/LB Zach Ramos.
CalHiSports.com Comments: Graves was one of the most dynamic players in the Sacramento area as a junior. His return plus all of the other starters makes Whitney the favorite to win the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Div. IV title. The Wildcats lost in the title game of that division last season to Oakdale.

Team Name: Leuzinger (Lawndale)
Head Coach: Deon Toliver (12-10 at school)
Last Year's Records: 6-5, 5-5 for J.V.
Returning Starters: 10 (5 Offense, 5 Defense)
Players Most Deserving of Preseason Honors: Dijon Washington and Semas Harris (All-League).
Newcomers Who Could Make An Impact: WR Denzel Idris (Hawthorne transfer) and Johnny Davis.
Coach's General Outlook: We should have a strong team anchored by our three Division 1 players on defense and an offense that's familiar now to our players.
Other Teams To Watch From The Area: Carson
All-league level players with GPAs above 3.50: None Listed
CalHiSports.com Comments: The Olympians could be a real sleeper in the Southern Section this season. Washington is a legit all-state candidate in the secondary and leads a team that lost by just 10-7 to perennial power Norco and lost its lone playoff game by just 35-28 to Culver City.

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