By Mark Tennis & Ronnie Flores
(Contributing: Paul Muyskens, Harold Abend)

Note: All teams listed with win-loss record from last year. These rankings also represent the official start of our coverage for the 2008-09 school year, which is our 30th year under the name Cal-Hi Sports, CalHighSports.com or CalHiSports.com. Tell your friends that all content is free on the new home for CalHiSports.com at ESPN. No more subscriptions and our California high school sports content is superior to any subscription-based site on top of that.

31. Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 11-2-1
The Cardinals return 11 starters, four who will start on both sides of the ball, on a team that was in the CIF State Div. III Bowl bid mix until a 38-28 loss in the NCS 3A championship game to San Ramon Valley of Danville. The top two-way starters are senior running backs Joe Ferguson (140 carries for 811 yards, 11 TDs, 14 receptions, one TD) and 6-foot, 205-pound Jeff Badger (82 carries for 599 yards, 11 TDs). The 5-11, 195-pound Ferguson will start at outside linebacker and Badger will be the middle linebacker where last season he made 88 tackles and recorded one quarterback sack. Blocking up front will be 6-4, 275-pound Jacob McGowan, who impressed at the Nike Camp at Stanford and has several offers including Air Force. At quarterback is 6-3, 185-pound senior Randy Wright, who according to head coach Paul Cronin may be the best passer he's ever coached. Wright is being looked at by Texas-El Paso, where his brother Kyle is currently the signal caller, as well as UC Davis and Weber State. Other two-way starters are senior WR/SS Wade Amaral and senior WR/DB Casey Miller.

	Mark Tennis
	Joe Ferguson of Cardinal Newman can get the job done on both sides of the ball.

32. Gilroy 10-3
Quarterback Jamie Jensen (6-3, 210, Sr.) blasted out of relative obscurity last year with more than 4,000 yards passing and leads a group of 13 returning starters. Most of Jensen's top targets also are on the return list, led by Dante Fullard (5-10, 165, Sr.), who caught 63 balls for more than 1,000 yards. RB Sean Hale (5-10, 175, Sr.) and WR Lelan Gettys (5-11, 180, Sr.) also are among the veterans. Gilroy's defense was suspect, which forced Jensen and company into wild shootouts. They still advanced to the CCS Open Division final where they lost to Oak Grove despite leading, 27-21, at halftime. If the defense can step up and the offense stays healthy and potent, the Mustangs could take it to the championship level this season. 

33. Napa 13-1
Head coach Troy Mott will have four big shoes to fill with the departure of Mr. Football State Player of the Year finalist John Boyett and two-way star Jake Croxdale from a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship team from last year. There's still 11 returning starters and plenty of non-starters eager to show what they can do. Both sides of the Indians' line are expected to be strong, which should prove especially important on offense for their new quarterback and backfield. All-state candidate Daniel Burgess (6-2, 210, Sr.) is the team's leading returner and should lead a strong defense. DB Michael Ruffino (5-11, 180, Sr.) also is back after racking up 77 tackles. At the minimum, the defense should keep Napa in every game if the offense struggles. The Indians are the defending champs for a reason and even without their two stars from last year, they are still a team to be respected.

34. Tesoro (Las Flores) 7-4
Eleven starters are back off a team that beat Mission Viejo in last year's regular season finale to win the South Coast League title. QB Robbie Picazo (6-3, 185, Sr.) is among that group. He had 1,768 yards and 11 TDs through the air as a junior. Two other key returnees are WR-DB Preston King (5-9, 170, Sr.) and OL-DL Tanner Hodgdon (6-3, 230, Jr.). The Titans also should be bolstered with the addition of transfer LB John-Michael Davis (6-3, 215, Sr.) from Santa Margarita. Davis has committed to Boise State and is a talented athlete who should see time as well on offense. Tesoro could have conceivably been higher than Mission Viejo in these rankings, but in its history has never been to the level that the Diablos have been. If the Titans beat out the Diablos again, they'll be there and they'll be a team to beat even in the insanely difficult CIF Southern Section Pac-Five Division.

35. Lakewood 7-4
This school is starting out No. 1 in the nation in the ESPN RISE FAB 50 in girls volleyball and it should be a strong fall in football as well. The Lancers have been a viable contender in the CIF Southern Section playoffs for the past six seasons, but have been unable to unseat Long Beach Poly in the Moore League. They have a balanced attack with good players on both sides of the ball, led by LB Trevor Erno (6-2, 226, Sr.), a four-year starter who racked up 96 tackles and five sacks last season. Another stalwart on the Lancers' defense is DL Talia Crichton (6-4, 245, Sr.), an all-Moore League pick who racked up 61 tackles and seven sacks. On offense, the running game will be in good hands with Alex Fletcher (5-9, 201, Sr., 1,157 yds, 18 TDs), and some veteran observers feel QB Jesse Scroggins (6-1, 180, Jr.) could be the best signal-caller the league has produced in quite some time. It will be a tall order to defeat the Jackrabbits, something the Lancers haven't done since 1982, but they have the ingredients to advance past the first round of the Pac-Five playoffs with a favorable seed.

36. Servite (Anaheim) 9-3
After suffering some key personnel losses due to graduation, the Friars won't have time to slowly develop the new starters as their five non-league opponents sported a combined 46-18-1 record last season. The good news is the eight returning starters on defense, led by all-county DB Bijon Samoodi (5-8, 155, Sr.), all-Trinity League DE Jacob Romero (6-2, 215, Sr.) and LB Dominic Greco (6-2, 200, Jr.), who head coach Troy Thomas states could be a special player. The offense will miss all-staters D.J. Shoemate and Matt Kalil, but the running game should remain strong with diminutive standout Greg Portis (5-6, 150, Sr.) running behind massive OT Matthew Jakubiec (6-8, 272, Jr.). After the tough non-league slate, Servite should be ready to do battle in the Trinity League. The team has had Orange Lutheran's number the past two seasons but have not beaten Mater Dei since a 42-24 victory in 1988.

37. Novato 13-1
No one gave the Hornets much of a chance in last year's CIF Div. II State Bowl game, but head coach Travis Brackett's boys definitely put Novato on the football map with gutsy performances in a 28-14 loss to Oceanside. The gutsiest was from returning 5-10, 170-pound senior quarterback Jeff Stephens, the preseason's top signal caller in the Redwood Empire. Stephens played the entire second half of the state bowl game on a badly sprained ankle. He finished last season with a 63-percent completion percentage for 2,812 yards and 29 touchdowns. This year, he looks stronger, quicker and more mature. Wide receiver Jake Davis (64 catches, 988 yards, 17 TDs) returns fully recovered after missing the final four games last year with a broken leg.  Of 14 returning starters, five who play both offense and defense, Davis will lead the two-way starters by also playing defensive back. Logan Edwards, who had 156 tackles last season and 12 in the loss to Oceanside, will start at middle linebacker and running back where he gained over 400 yards on only 38 carries. Other two-way starters are senior Kyle Campas WR/RB/DB; senior Mike Polvere WR/S and senior Dalton Copeland WR/TE/DB. To get bowl eligible this year, however, Novato will have to win the much tougher NCS Class 3A title as opposed to NCS Class 2A. 

38. Grant (Sacramento) 7-4
After going undefeated two years ago, the Pacers had a dissapointing season last year, losing four games and exiting the postseason early. Grant should be much better this season. The Pacers have a good balance of talented returners and young newcomers up from an undefeated junior varsity team. Both sides of the ball should be solid, especially on offense with the return of all-league QB Kepeli Koniseti. Koniseti, who also plays defense, led an attack that averaged over 40 points a game and with all-league wideout Darvin McCauley back, the tandem will look for even bigger numbers this season. Defensively, Grant should be solid with excellent speed and has a chance to be real special unit later on in the season.

39. Newport Harbor (Newport Beach) 8-4
The Sailors weren't known much outside of Orange County last year until the CIFSS playoffs when they knocked out Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks in the first round. This year, that will be different. It wouldn't be surprising if Newport, not Edison of Huntington Beach, ended up being the primary threat to Los Alamitos in the Sunset League. The linebacking corps on defense looks especially strong, led by Cecil Whiteside (6-3, 215), who could be one of the top juniors in Southern California. Nick Svendsen (6-2, 210, Sr.) and Brandon Kula (6-1, 205, Sr.) also are back to go with Whiteside on defense. The offense has experience and proven productivity as well with QB Andrew McDaniel (6-2, 175, Sr.), RB Michael Helfrich (6-0, 175, Sr.), OL Scott Ward (6-6, 240, Sr.) and WR J.B. Green (6-1, 185, Sr.).

40. Santiago (Corona) 9-5
Key players such as all-state DB Anthony Dye and QB Renny Kruse are gone, but the Sharks have an interesting mix of pieces that should make them formidable once again. First, there's the offensive line, a collection of mammoths led by Jordan Johnson (6-6, 290, Sr.). Second, there's some college prospects such as TE Marlion Barnett (6-3, 215, Sr.), WR Marcell Peoples (5-10, 165, Jr.) and RB Derrick Hawkins (5-9, 185, Jr.). Santiago got hot last year in the CIFSS Inland Division playoffs after a 6-4 regular season and earned its way into the final against city rival Centennial. The Huskies still look better this year at the start, but Santiago still gets the preseason edge over Norco. In those two towns, it doesn't take much for one team to slip down a few pegs and for another to go up and new school Roosevelt of Corona is starting to come on as well.

41. El Diamante (Visalia) 12-1
The Miners easily explored their way to a CIF Central Section Division II championship last season as they dismantled Tulare Union in the championship game by a 63-14 score. It's hard to downplay an offense that scored over 45 points per game but the defense was just as impressive if not more so as it allowed just 93 points all season. If they had more than three returners back on defense, led by DE Nate Ware (6-2, 190, Sr.), they'd likely be ranked much higher after seven shutouts last season. With a big offensive line that includes all-state underclass Greg Capella (6-5, 330, Sr.), the Miners should have no problems running the ball. Stefphon Jefferson (5-11, 185, Sr.) looked terrific at the Stanford Nike Camp and figures to have no problem stepping up into the role of featured running back. It's been a staple of El Diamante's program and Jefferson could even be among the school's best ever.

42. Redlands East Valley (Redlands) 12-1
The Wildcats seemed to be cruising their way through the postseason with 12 straight wins before being stunned, 25-10, by the wildcard, Santiago of Corona, in the CIF-Southern Section Inland Division semifinals. Tyler Shreve (6-3, 190, Jr.) was just a sophomore but threw for almost 1,300 yards and 20 touchdowns despite throwing the ball just 155 times. He should throw the ball much more this year with the departure of 2,500 yard rusher Chris Polk, who provided well over half the total yards and nearly half the touchdowns as REV looks for a new feature back. Leonard Brown returns as the top returning tackler from last year with 50 from his spot in the secondary. The offense should still be strong with Shreve and if the defense can remain strong, the Wildcats should still be among the top teams in the Inland Empire.

43. Dominguez (Compton) 10-3
A heartbreaking 28-27 loss to Palmdale in the CIFSS Western Division semifinals ended the Dons' run as back-to-back champions and prevented a fourth consecutive trip to the section finals. Veteran head coach Willie Donerson (212-67 entering his 25th season) has the talent to return his program to championship form with production from the quarterback position being key as it has been in recent seasons. The running game is strong with three-year vet Marcus Darden (5-8, 190 Sr.) and the defense should help keep Dominguez in games if the passing game sputters. The last of the seven Simmons brothers, Marquis (6-1, 215 Sr.), just might be the best. He recorded 116 tackles, nine sacks and two interceptions last season and will be aided up front by DT Jamal Burrell (6-6, 265 Sr.). Donerson's crew opens up this weekend in St. George, Utah against 1-0 Pine View and if they can survive a brutal non-league slate and win the Western Division title, they should be Div. I bowl game and possibly open division bowl game contenders.

44. Lincoln (Stockton) 9-4
Seven starters on offense and six from defense are returning for the Trojans, who lost by just seven points a year ago to arch-rival St. Mary's in the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I semifinals. St. Mary's has less starters back, but the two wins over Lincoln last year plus the fact that Rams' QB Cody Vaz is among those back means that for Lincoln to go higher in the rankings it will have to beat St. Mary's on the field. The Trojans have an outstanding QB of their own in three-year starter Robb Post (6-0, 175, Sr.), who also is one of the top punter-kickers in Northern California. Head coach Jim Rubiales has additional honors candidates in WR-TE Josh Corbid (6-1, 180, Sr.), C Jordan Enos (6-1, 220, Sr.), RB-DB Michael Spanos (yes, he's you know who's grandson), FB David Hayseldon (6-0, 235, Sr.) and LB Damian McMiller (6-2, 200, Sr.). There's a 9-1 JV team coming up (that beat St. Mary's) and a notable transfer in RB Alfred Gross, younger brother of former Lincoln standout Tyronne Gross.

45. Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga) 8-3
One national ranking we've seen listed Upland as among the top 100 in the nation, but we think league rival Los Osos makes more sense. First, the Grizzlies knocked off the Highlanders last season and they also return more talent, led by UCLA-bound QB Richard Brehaut (6-3, 200, Sr.), who is perhaps the fastest-rising college prospect in the country. RB-DB Arby Fields (5-10, 170, Sr.), another Pac-10 level recruit, and leading tackler Jesse Gonzales also are back. Another strongpoint for Los Osos is that a 10-0 JV team is on the way up.

46. Mission Hills (San Marcos) 10-2
This team that a year ago lost only to Poway and Oceanside should be among the best in the San Diego Section once again. Head coach Chris Hauser has at his disposal one of the top talents in the section in 6-2, 280-pound nose guard-fullback Eddie Nuckols. There's also a returning all-league quarterback in D.J. Zapata and excellent speed on defense, led by DB Zach McMaster and junior LB Chad Dobbins. Mission Hills also has strength from an upcoming 8-1 JV team.

47. Del Oro (Loomis) 11-2
Coach Casey Taylor's team finished last season as CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division II runner-up to Granite Bay with both of their losses coming to the Grizzlies. Taylor has lost a few key players from both sides of the ball, including LB Hunter Pahl and QB Cole Saunders, but big things are expected out of QB Mason Magelby (6-3, 200, Sr.) after an impressive summer at various camps and combines. He should be able to step in right away and put up big numbers. Defense is a big question mark with LB Joe Brunet (6-1, 220, Sr.) listed as just one of two returning starters but there is plenty of young talent to choose from a one-loss junior varsity team that Taylor expects to be loaded with speed.

48. San Leandro 8-3
After De La Salle, it's always more of a mix to pick the next two or three teams to rank out of the East Bay. Since San Ramon Valley is a defending champ and has the best quarterback in the region, we went with the Wolves at No. 2. For No. 3, instead of going with another from the East Bay Athletic League such as California of San Ramon or Monte Vista of Danville, we have the Pirates. Just about everybody is back from last year, including honors candidates Ricky Aliifua (6-1, 200, Sr.) at linebacker and Charles Leno (6-5, 250, Sr.) at tackle. Thomas Gardner (6-1, 170, Sr.) is returning at quarterback and has a 300-yard game already on his resume. Others to watch include WR Dwaine Simpson (5-10, 175, Sr.), RB George Roberson (5-9, 180, Jr.) and OL Travis Sims (6-5, 245, Sr.).

49. Norco 9-3
Coach Todd Gerhart suffered a disappointing 38-7 loss to Redlands East Valley in the CIFSS Inland Division quarterfinals with a relatively young team. He does have some players who gained valuable experience, but the team's most promising defender, LB Brandon Brown, transferred to rival Centennial. Still, the strength of the team could be the defense with such players as DE Jared Koster (6-2, 215, Sr.), LB David Wood (5-10, 207, Sr.) plus DBs Weston Brule (5-10, 160, Sr.) and Steven Kohout (5-11, 185, Sr.). Norco's trademark of having strong kids in the trenches will make it a formidable foe for any of its opponents, but winning the inaugural Big VIII League title might be asking too much. Making a playoff appearance for the 22nd consecutive season is an obvious and reachable goal for this bunch.

50. Whitney (Rocklin) 11-2
With virtually their entire defense back from a CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Divison IV runner-up finish and the dynamic Zach Graves on offense, the Wildcats earn the last spot in our preseason state top 50 rankings. Graves (5-9, 175, Sr.), who earned the league MVP last season after rushing for 1,435 yards and 16 touchdowns, should have even bigger numbers this year, in an increased role, with a new signal caller at the helm. Dominic Pasquale is one of eight returnees from last year's defense that allowed an average of under 14 points a game that showed their depth as 10 different players finished with at least 50 tackles.

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