By Ronnie Flores, Senior Editor

The L.A. City Section, which is made up of schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District, is expanding and for the first time ever some of the section's top players come from schools that have opened in only the last five years. Two-time defending champion Birmingham has two players on 30-man squad while up-and-coming Jordan of Los Angeles places three on elite team. Next stop in Southern California is all-Orange County team.

All Los Angeles City Section

Offense

WR -- De'Von Flournoy (Birmingham, Lake Balboa) 6-1, 180 Sr.
The only repeat selection on offense, Flournoy's natural athleticism has made him one of the nation's top recruits in two short years. He joined the football team early in his sophomore season and finished it averaging 28.3 yards per catch on 22 receptions. Last year, the nation's No. 23 ranked receiver made an even bigger impact for a team that dominated the section, as he caught 39 passes for 859 yards (22.0 avg.) with 15 going for six points. He excels in the open field, but needs to polish up his routes to maximize his potential on the next level.

WR -- Noel Grigsby (Crenshaw, Los Angeles) 5-10, 155, Sr.
With fellow wide receiver and ASU recruit Kemonte Bateman drawing extra attention on defense, Grigsby ended up being the most productive receiver on the Cougars' roster last season. He hauled in 36 receptions for 821 yards (22.8 avg.) and 15 of those went for touchdowns. He was a first team All-City selection by coaches and should draw tons of recruiting interest as the season progresses.

TE -- Morrell Presley (Carson) 6-4, 215 Sr.
Playing in an offense that featured second team all-state back Jack Sula, this USC commit was a solid blocker and made the most of his touches. The first team all-city selection caught 31 passes, six of those for scores, good for 461 yards to help Carson reach the L.A. City Section title game. Presley's productive day at the L.A. Nike Camp last spring helped make him the No. 47 ranked prospect in the ESPN 150 and the No. 1 ranked tight end prospect in the country.

OT -- Xavier McFraser (Locke, Los Angeles) 6-4, 240 Sr.
This year the best linemen in the section clearly don't have the beef last year's crop did, but that doesn't mean the city doesn't have some talented players in the trenches. McFraser was the only underclass offensive lineman to earn first team city division All-City honors and hopes he can help the Saints make a 180 degree turn around from last year's 3-8 campaign.

OG -- Franklin Nicholson (University, Los Angeles) 6-1, 230 Sr.
Nicholson is another undersized, yet skilled lineman that fits best at guard on this team. The Wildcats' most highly-honored player was a second team invitational division all-city choice and like many of this year's linemen, can make an impact on both sides of the ball.

C -- Timote Tonga (Birmingham, Lake Balboa) 6-3, 255 Sr.
A natural center, Tonga is one of the best returning players for the two-time defending city champ Patriots. Last year, this All-City choice by the coaches and media helped open up holes for CalHiSports.com Mr. Football Milton Knox, now at UCLA, and the line should even be better this year after gaining experience in the trenches against many of Southern California's best teams. In fact, new running back Trajuan Briggs is expected to make an immediate impact and be one of the top backs in the section by the end of the season.

OG -- Justin Edmond (Crenshaw, Los Angeles) 6-0, 250 Sr.
Last year, Edmond helped the Cougars advance to the L.A. City Section semifinals. It took one of the section's best teams in recent memory to knock them out of the playoffs so optimism is high off of 10th Avenue since an abundance of talent returns. The defending Coliseum League champs return their top blocker in Edmond, who was a second team city division All-City player as selected by the coaches.

OT -- Miguel De La Rosa (Bell) 6-3, 270 Sr.
During most seasons in city ball, De La Rosa would be an average size quality lineman, but this season his size and ability stand out. He was a first team invitational division All-City selection and is agile enough to play on the defensive line. His four fumble recoveries were one of the few bright spots for a 1-8 Eagles team.

	Ronnie Flores, ESPNRISE.com
	Running back Josh Limosnero is a three-year standout for Wilmington Banning.

QB -- Adrian Diaz (Franklin, Los Angeles) 6-2, 180 Sr.
The Panthers' produced the state's first 4,000-yard passer 20 seasons ago in Santiago Alvarez and Diaz is the latest off the assembly line. Diaz, who will be a three-year starter this fall, completed 182 of 295 passes (61.7 percent) for 2,451 yards to help Franklin post a 8-4 record last fall. His 24 touchdowns led the section and he only threw five interceptions. Morey Croson of Birmingham would have also been a good pick here as he's expected to fill the leadership void left by Milton Knox.

RB -- Josh Limosnero (Banning, Wilmington) 5-7, 170 Sr.
City Section fans have been spoiled in recent years with an abundance of talented backs including C.J. Gable (Sylmar/USC), Stafon Johnson (Dorsey/USC), Marlon Lucky (North Hollywood/Nebraska) and 2007 Mr. Football Milton Knox of Birmingham, among others. This year there isn't a back of that caliber, but one back will likely be chosen All-City for the third consecutive season and that's Limosnero. He followed up a 985-yard, 11-touchdown season as a sophomore by lugging the leather 194 times, good for 1,226 yards and 16 total touchdowns, as Banning improved from 4-7 to 9-3. Limosnero isn't the biggest or fastest, but he keeps the chains moving for the Pilots with the help of lead fullback Joel Panteau (6-3, 230), who just missed making this team.

RB -- Senen Carson (South East, South Gate) 5-9, 215 Sr.
This is the season we're finally starting to see students from the section's new schools get some recognition among the top players. For many years, the section was comprised of 49 secondary schools that strapped it up, but the LAUSD is currently in the middle of the largest expansion by a school district in U.S. history. Carson was reportedly the section's fourth leading rusher, behind a trio of college bound seniors, with 1,537 yards on 217 carries. This four-year starter also hit paydirt 15 times in 12 games and is South East's "go-to guy, according to coach Roger Satti.

K -- Derek Ruiz (Santee, Los Angeles) 5-8, 150 Sr.
Ruiz is a returning second team city division all-city selection for the Falcons. He is known for both his punting and kicking prowess.

Defense

DE -- Matthew Bahar (Westchester, Los Angeles) 6-0, 195 Sr.
Defensive line is another area where the city doesn't have the big hogs, so it makes the most sense to slide Bahar to end from his linebacker position. He's a perfect fit, too, as he led the L.A. City Section with 21 sacks as a junior. Bahar also racked up 60 tackles, 39 solo, and hopes the Comets can improve upon a 4-7 record.

NG -- McKenzie Falo (Carson) 6-1, 245 Jr.
Falo is one of the city's best young prospects and should emerge as one of the best players on a team gunning to end Birmingham's stranglehold on the city title. Last season as a sophomore, he was named first team all-Marine League on defense and also made the CalHiSports.com All-State Sophomore team for the 11-3 Colts.

DE -- Gianni Washington (Sylmar) 6-3, 200 Sr.
In keeping with the theme of the undersized but swift linemen, we place Washington at the other end spot opposite Bahar. Washington was in on 22 tackles and three sacks last year for a team that finished tied for second place in the Valley Mission League. The program has made the post-season 19 times in 20 seasons, but needs a big effort from its top players such as Washington and fellow d-lineman Deandre Roberts in order to compete with the section's elite.

LB -- Nick Bruce (Taft, Woodland Hills) 5-11, 211 Sr.
The Toreadors are confident they can wrestle back the West Valley League crown from Birmingham with Bruce and a host of quality young players in the program. Bruce is a two-way threat who is best known for his skills at 'backer, as he was a second team All-City choice by the media after racking up 80 tackles, five sacks, four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles as a junior. He can also run and block effectively, as he gained 329 yards and scored six touchdowns on the ground.

LB -- Hayes Pollard (Crenshaw, Los Angeles) 6-1, 200 Jr.
Whether it's spelled Pullard or Pollard there is no case of mistaken identity when the Cougars defense is on the field. He's the player opposing coaches speak highly of and the one that fans notice flying to the ball. Pollard tends to make the big play in crucial moments and as a 10th-grader, he was named first team city division All-City and was the defensive MVP of the Coliseum League. He was also the unofficial runner-up to Malcolm Jones of Oak Christian for state sophomore of the year honors and will be one of the nation's most sought-after recruits next year.

LB -- Robert Franco (San Pedro) 5-11, 220 Sr.
The city might be down slightly at running back and along the lines, but there is an abundance of talent at linebacker and Franco is the most accomplished player at that position. A repeat selection on this team, Franco will likely be an All-City choice for the third time this season and should finish his career with nearly 450 total tackles. He was in on 159 tackles last season after being credited with 141 as a sophomore for the Pirates. For two years at the Stanford Nike Camp, he was the top underclass linebacker and was one of the three best we evaluated this year. This first team all-state underclass pick combines excellent coverage skills with great instincts.

LB -- Dominique Echols (Fremont, Los Angeles) 5-11, 200 Sr.
Had a great junior campaign for the Pathfinders although they only won one game last season. In 10 games, Echols racked up 87 solo tackles and was credited with 59 assists. He also sacked opposing quarterbacks three times and would be an even more effective player with a little more help.

DB -- Raashad Reynolds (San Fernando) 5-11, 165 Sr.
A repeat selection, Reynolds made the team in a multi-purpose role last season but fits in best at defensive back this year since that is the position he is likely to play in college. At the L.A. Nike Camp last spring, he was one of the better DBs in attendance and he's one of the best all-around players in the state. The latest in a long line of fine dual-threat quarterbacks for the Tigers, Reynolds passed for 1,404 yards and rushed for 561 yards last season. He's accounted for 42 touchdowns and 4,125 yards the past two seasons and could break many of all-purpose school records held by the legendary Anthony Davis.

DB -- Byron Moore (Narbonne, Harbor City) 6-1, 190 Sr.
A cinch pick for this team, Moore is one of the best all-around talents in the section and is currently ranked No. 69 in the ESPN 150. Moore made waves this off-season when he de-committed from UCLA and decided he wanted to go across town to USC. On the field for the Gauchos, he made an impact on both sides of the ball, racking up 36 solo tackles, five interceptions and 15 pass deflections. Moore, also a capable receiver (41 receptions for 889 yards), was regarded as the top defensive back prospect at the L.A. Nike Camp by the position coaches in attendance.

DB -- Jeremy Harris (Dorsey, Los Angeles) 6-2, 170 Sr.
Last year, our sleeper pick was also a defensive back that turned out to be pretty good and we have a hunch Harris will be that same player in 2008. Almost every defensive back in the city played in the shadows of first team all-state pick Rahim Moore, and Harris will be counted on to fill the void left by his graduation. He was one of the top DBs to emerge at the L.A. Nike Camp and has the size and athleticism colleges are looking for. At the Long Beach Nike Combine, he ran a 4.73 40, threw the Power Ball 33-05, recorded a 33.5 inch vertical jump and 4.69 shuttle (good for a 72.36 SPARQ Rating*).

DB -- Erick Hunter (Jordan, Los Angeles) 5-10, 155 Sr.
Last year, we mentioned Hunter as the L.A. City Section's sleeper and he didn't disappoint, earning second team city division All-City honors for the Bulldogs. For the first time in school history, Jordan hosted a championship division playoff game and Hunter helped the cause on both sides of the ball. He averaged 9.4 yards per carry on 10 rushes and caught 32 passes good for 512 yards with four touchdowns. At cornerback, he racked up 14 solo tackles and came away with three interceptions, including one in the playoff loss to Taft.

P -- Sergio Macedo (Garfield, Los Angeles) 5-8, 160 Sr.
Macedo is a natural fit here after the media named him first team All-City last season. His punting helped Garfield win the L.A. City Section Invitational title, as he boomed away 27 punts for 1,201 yards (44.48 avg.). He was credited with six inside the 20-yard line and his average is among the highest ever reported in the section.

Multi-Purpose

QB/DE -- James Boyd (Jordan, Los Angeles) 6-4, 215 Sr.
A natural comparison for Boyd is to Carson's Dominique Blackman, the Colts' quarterback last season who was also big and athletic. Some felt Blackmon might be a better tight end but Boyd is rare in that he plays defensive end. He does have solid mechanics as a quarterback, as he completed 140 of 236 passes for 2,499 yards with 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions, but most evaluators feel defense is where he'll play for USC. He was named the defensive lineman of the year in the city division after being credited with 72 tackles, 11 sacks and six fumble recoveries. He the most highly regarded quarterback-lineman hybrid in the state since Hemet's Brandis Dew in 2004.

WR/RB/DB/KR -- DeShawn Beck (Jordan, Los Angeles) 5-9, 150 Jr.
Beck contributed on the Bulldogs' varsity as a freshman and to say he had a breakout sophomore campaign would be an understatement. He was chosen the Eastern League's Offensive MVP after rushing for 466 yards on only 57 carries (8.18 avg.) while catching 26 passes for 514 yards with additional seven scores. Beck is a true game-breaker and was clocked at 4.58 in the 40 using digital SPARQ Timing at the Long Beach Nike Combine. His other testing marks, a 26-01 Power Ball toss, a 36.0 inch vertical jump and a 4.44 20-yard shuttle, were good for a 72.15 SPARQ Rating.

QB/RB/DB -- Josh Moten (Narbonne, Harbor City) 6-0, 177 Sr.
Moten is an all-purpose signal-caller for a Gauchos' club with high aspirations of winning the coveted L.A. City Section title. Moten worked out with the QBs at the Stanford Nike Camp but we envision him playing WR or even DB at the next level. Narbonne coach Manuel Douglas is happy to have him make plays at any position, as he was named the Marine League's Most Outstanding Offensive Player as a junior. He completed 65 percent of his passes (115 of 178) for 1,749 yards with 16 touchdowns against only six interceptions. This three-year starter also added 266 rushing yards.

WR/DB -- Mark Bennett (Santee, Los Angeles) 5-11, 165 Sr.
The Falcons' first-ever legitimate Div. I prospect, Bennett just needs to add some weight and strength for the next level. At this level, he simply gets the job done on both sides of the field, as eight of his 45 receptions went for scores. He also led the city section with a reported 10 interceptions while racking up 20 solo tackles as a defensive back. For his efforts, he was named to the all-city first team as a wide receiver.

DB/RB -- J.R. McConico (Venice) 5-10, 180 Sr.
On a Gondos team filled with a multitude of talent at the skill positions, J.R. stepped up and was named first team All-City on defense by media scribes last season. He earned the nickname "Pick City from his teammates after intercepting eight enemy passes for a team that finished 10-2. With the graduation of RB Curtis McNeal (USC), WR Jerry Johnson (UCLA) and WR Naeem Forrester, expect McConico to take a bigger role on offense.

RB/WR/DB -- D.J. Morgan (Taft, Woodland Hills) 5-9, 165 Jr.
Morgan is the latest in a long line of high level multi-sport athletes for the Toreadors, a list that includes Olympic champion Quincy Watts (track-basketball), Super Bowl champion Steve Smith (football-basketball-track-swimming) and Olympic hopeful Jeshua Anderson (football-track). Morgan was named the state's sophomore athlete of the year after winning the city 100-meter, 110 and 300 hurdles and placing second at the CIF state meet in the 110-meter hurdles. On the gridiron, Morgan used his speed to rush for 1,185 yards and score 13 touchdowns. He also added another 235 yards receiving and could play defense if called upon.

Honorable Mention

•DL/OL Nicholas Alexander (Crenshaw, Los Angeles) 6-4, 220
•DB Drayon Ballard (San Pedro) 5-10, 160
•RB Demonte Bell (Santee, Los Angeles) 5-11, 160
•RB Trajuan Briggs (Birmingham, Van Nuys) 6-0, 200
•DB Raymond Cleveland (Westchester, Los Angeles) 5-7, 175
•QB Morey Croson (Birmingham, Van Nuys) 6-1, 170
•RB Franky Diaz (Garfield, Los Angeles) 5-7, 160
•DB Chris Hill (Carson) 5-8, 167
•LB Jerrald Hines (El Camino Real, Woodland Hills) 6-1, 203
•QB/WR Chris Jacobs (Westchester, Los Angeles) 5-8, 165
•WR/DB Jerry Meza (Lincoln, Los Angeles) 5-10, 175
•DB Chazz Myles (University, Los Angeles) 6-0, 170
•FB Joel Panteau (Banning, Wilmington) 6-3, 230
•WR/RB Delvon Purvis (Jordan, Los Angeles) 5-10, 177


To let us know about a particular team we should be looking at for our preseason state rankings (top 50 overall, top 10s for each of five divisions and top 25 for NorCal and SoCal), send info to mark@studentsports.com.

*Taking the standard measurements of the football combine, the SPARQ Rating weighs and combines the 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle, vertical jump and bench press into a single number that measures an athlete's overall athleticism. Thus, football players can track the progress of their training, through occasional tests, and compare SPARQ Ratings with teammates, training partners and competitors. To learn more about the SPARQ Rating, go to sparqtraining.com.