By Ronnie Flores, Senior Editor

Note: This team includes Southern Section schools in the San Gabriel Valley region of L.A. County and the Glendale/Pasadena region north of downtown Los Angeles. This concludes our preseason player and team previews and next week we'll begin our regular weekly state, CIF Bowl Game and regional rankings schedule.   

All-CIF Southern Section: Pasadena/Glendale/San Gabriel Valley

Offense

WR -- Alonzo Nevarez (West Covina) 6-3, 187 Jr.
Nevarez is a unique prospect in that he can catch balls on the outside and perform on the defensive line. He's probably not going to grow into an end prospect for the next level, but he gets the job done for the Bulldogs, racking up 89 tackles, including 12 for loss as a junior for a Bulldogs' squad that finished 6-6. On offense, he caught 24 passes and was an all-All-San Antonio League choice at both WR and DE. He could possibly an OLB on the next level as well, but fits here best as a wide out.

WR -- Brett Ackerman (Loyola, Los Angeles) 6-4, 200 Sr.
Ackerman is a play-maker on both sides of the ball and quite a college prospect because of his size and athleticism.  He has good hands and solid speed, and used them to catch 18 passes for the Cubs as a junior. His receiving numbers might not be eye-popping this season because of the presence of junior RB Anthony Barr, but Ackerman also is a fine defensive player, as he opened the 2008 season with a 33-yard interception return for a touchdown in a win over Mira Costa. Another big wideout with loads of potential in this region is 6-foot-5, 210-pound sophomore Wallace Gonzales of Glendora.       

OT -- Jesus Perez (Garey, Pomona) 6-4, 300 Sr.
Perez is the senior rock on a young team that will have several sophomores starting in key positions. A three-year varsity performer, Perez anchors a big and strong offensive line that averages over 280 pounds. He's a natural tackle and has the ability to play on the next level.    

OG -- Albert Cid (West Covina) 6-3, 290 Sr.
Big Cid is a returning first team all-San Antonio League choice and arguably the loop's top overall lineman. At the L.A Nike Camp, he displayed good feet and was singled out as one of the standouts along the line. Has the athletic ability to also excel at basketball, track weight events and can also play on the defensive line. In fact, he was in on 68 tackles last season.    

C -- Christopher Jimenez (Cathedral, Los Angeles) 6-4, 350 Sr.
This mammoth center prospect was a relatively unknown last season with the presence of junior Steven Trujillo, but he emerged at the L.A. Nike Camp as someone who could really make a name for himself this season. He would benefit from shedding 25 pounds, but he has solid feet and moves quite well and is actually a center prospect although he'll line up at tackle on this squad. He'll take on more important role now that Trujillo is no longer part of the program.                                                           

OG -- Cody Tescher (Glendora) 6-3, 270 Sr.
Similar to Cid, Tescher is another talented lineman that can play on both sides of the ball. Glendora lost some firepower to graduation on of the offensive side of the ball, so that's where we'll place him on this team. He had a solid performance at last spring's L.A. Nike Camp and recorded a 70.77 SPARQ Rating at the Long Beach Nike Combine.     

OT -- Graham Vickers (Diamond Ranch, Pomona) 6-1, 245 Sr.
Vickers in a standout tackle for the Panthers and one of the top overall line prospects in the region. A returning first team all-league and area choice, Vickers great body control and is quite strong for a kid his size. He is undersized for the tackle position on the next level, but is highly-regarded as a center or guard prospect. He can also contribute on the defensive line and has already been offered by the service academies.

RB -- Tim Gilmore (Wilson, Hacienda Heights) 5-7, 165 Sr.
After gaining 442 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore, Gilmore had a breakout junior season that saw him rush for 1,978 yards on 214 carries (9.24 avg.) and score 22 touchdowns on the ground. He also displayed the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield as caught 28 passes for 406 yards and four more scores. A San Gabriel Valley Union Tribune first team all-area pick, Gilmore will miss Wilson's season-opener against this Sonora of La Habra after being suspended from school, according to that newspaper. If he is out an extended period of time, Loyola's Anthony Barr would take his place on this team. Another talented back expected to make an impact is St. Paul's Darius Bratcher, a transfer from Mayfair of Lakewood.      

RB -- Aaron Turner (Santa Fe, Santa Fe Springs) 6-0, 190 Sr.
The injury bug hit Santa Fe last season as the Chiefs missed has a losing record for the first time since the 2000 season and saw a string of seven consecutive Del Rio League championships snapped. Despite missing two game, Turner still rushed for 932 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. Turner has good size and speed (he was the league 110-meter high hurdles champ last spring) and is reportedly bigger and faster than he was a year ago. Turner lists his favorites as Oregon Utah and Washington.

RB -- Nico Barbone (San Dimas) 5-11, 195 Sr.
We decided to scratch a tight end from this team and go with three backs and Barbone is the type of player every coach would love to have. He lugged the leather 174 times for 1,378 yards and hit pay dirt 12 times on the ground as a junior. He also came up with a 37-yard touchdown pass. Barbone can also play defense, as he racked up 33 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery from his linebacker position.     

QB -- Cameron Deen (South Hills, West Covina) 6-3, 190 Sr.  
Deen has a strong work ethic and the tools necessary to become a Div. I quarterback. ESPN RISE West Coast Recruiting Editor Greg Biggins is somewhat puzzled as to why Deen has not been offered yet. His junior film is solid, as he completed 86 of 145 passes (59 percent) for 1,276 yards and 15 touchdowns against only three interceptions. There was stiff competition to be the signal-caller on this team and seniors Chris Allen of Charter Oak and Jose Garay of South El Monte just missed the cut. Two QB's to watch for next year on this team ate Isaac Valdez of San Gabriel and Chase Rettig from La Salle of Pasadena.    

K -- Abraham Torres (La Serna, Whittier) 6-0, 180 Sr.
Torres nailed five of seven field goals last season and 27 PATs good for 42 points. Torres, an all-Del Rio League choice as a junior, also is solid on kickoffs. We like the fact that he can also line up at cornerback, too. Thomas Flores of West Covina just missed making this team and would have been an excellent choice as well.

Defense

DE -- Jordan Hanson (Loyola, Los Angeles) 6-3, 260 Jr.
Loyola won the final CIFSS Div. I title back in 2005 before the Southern Section's top division was renamed the Pac-Five Division. That realignment hasn't been so kind to the Cubs, who have missed the playoffs the last two seasons. Previously, the Cubs made the post-season for 25 consecutive seasons and feel this will be a turnaround year. It's starts with a strong junior class that includes Hanson, a player that has progressed steadily and is primed for a big season. He also has the size and athletic ability to entice college recruiters down the line.    

NG -- George Uko (Don Lugo, Chino) 6-4, 285 Jr.
Had a solid sophomore season for the Conquistadores, as he racked up 29 tackles and 2.5 sacks. In the off-season, he really made a name for himself at last spring's National Underclassmen Combine, as he won MVP honors among the defensive lineman. He's a long-armed and athletic defensive tackle prospect that should double his tenth-grade statistics this season.   

DE -- Kyle Lengyel (Diamond Ranch, Pomona) 6-2, 205 Sr.
A throwback type who will do anything to help his team win, Lengyel is more of a linebacker but fits best at end on this quick and athletic defense. Considering he's played tight end, fullback, right tackle, we know he won't mind playing another new position and we know he's do an admirable job. He collected 98 tackles and four sacks as a junior and for his career has 11 sacks and 182 tackles. For good measure, Lengyel is also a standout catcher and pitcher on the baseball team.  

LB -- Brent Seals (Bishop Amat, La Puente) 6-1, 190 Jr.
The Lancers were a state and national power from the 1960's until the mid 1990's but have fallen on hard times in recent seasons. This year Amat is quite optimistic because of players like Seals. He followed up an excellent sophomore season that saw him rack up 60 tackles plus three interceptions with a league leading 108 tackles as a junior. He was his team's defensive MVP and a first team all-Serra League selection. At the Long Beach Nike Combine his 80.10 SPARQ Rating included a 36.3 inch vertical jump and a 4.47 20-yard shuttle. He's built and has the speed to be a strong safety at the next level.      
LB -- Isaiah Bowens (Bishop Amat, La Puente) 6-2, 220 Sr.
Bowens moved from the Seattle area to reunite with his mother after a horrific auto accident left her a quadriplegic. Every time he steps out on to the football field, Bowens tries to make his mom proud and he usually doesn't disappoint, as he collected 38 tackles and 7.5 sacks as a junior. Those numbers came as a defensive end, but he's going to get more reps as a linebacker this season and will likely play that position in college. He also makes his mother smile with his work in the classroom, as he carries a 3.2 G.P.A. and is headed to UCLA.    

LB -- Wayne Goss (South Hills, West Covina) 6-0, 195 Sr.
South Hills was moved from the CIF Southern Section's Southwest Division to the Southeast Division, but the expectations remain high as they do every year for the Huskies to be one of the very best teams in the region. The San Gabriel Valley Union Tribune has pegged South Hills No. 1 because of players such as Goss. He leads a veteran defense after recording 79 tackles and five sacks as a junior and earning second team all-area honors by the Tribune.

LB -- Bryan Bonilla (Diamond Ranch, Pomona) 6-0, 195 Sr.
Bonilla was a second team all-area by the San Gabriel Valley Union Tribune on the defensive line, but is more of a natural linebacker. In fact, he caught the eye of the position coaches at the L.A. Nike Football Training Camp with his performance. He has good athleticism (71.37 SPARQ Rating) and racked up 82 tackles and 13 sacks for the Panthers last fall. He's been offered by UTEP but has not yet decided where he'll spend the next four years.       

DB -- Evan Heard (South Hills, West Covina) 6-1, 180 Sr.
The Huskies are usually strong in the skill positions and Heard is a three-year standout that is primed for a big senior season. A repeat selection on this team, he followed up a sophomore season that saw him record 29 tackles, 416 yards rushing and 251 yards receiving with 264 yards rushing and 35 interceptions. He was an all-San Antonio League choice as a junior and a talent that the Huskies' coaching staff compares to former Husky standouts Jeremy and Brian Payton. He's already been offered by UNLV and will likely have other programs offering him in the near future. Loyola's Justyn Williams also received consideration here.         

DB -- Kendall Hollinquest (Blair, Pasadena) 5-11, 205 Sr.
Yet another prep linebacker that is better suited as a defensive back on this team, Hollinquest was the leading tackler for a 9-2 Vikings' team. He was a first team all-area selection by the Pasadena Star News after racking up 37 solo tackles, 49 assists, five sacks and one interception. Junior Ify Umodu of South Hills was also considered in this spot and is more of a national recruit, but not as accomplished a prep player as Hollinquest is so far.       

DB -- Brandon Sermons (Diamond Ranch, Pomona) 6-0, 175 Sr.
Known for his top-notch cover skills, Sermons is generally considered one of the top cover corners on the West Coast. He's a solid athlete (31.2 inch vertical jump, 34-00 Power Ball toss) and has good bloodlines as well. The younger brother of former Bishop Amat all-stater and USC RB Rodney Sermons, teams don't challenge Brandon much but he still came away with 17 solo tackles and an interception as a junior. He already has six major offers on the table including Pac-10 schools UCLA, Arizona and Oregon. Another DB that deserved recognition for this spot was Devin Jackson of Ayala of Chino Hills.   

DB -- Sheldon Price (Bishop Amat, La Puente) 6-2, 165 Sr.
A repeat selection on this team, Price solidified his selection with a show-stopping performance at last spring's L.A. Nike Camp. He was named the DB MVP after displaying excellent footwork and hip movement while also using his long frame to quickly close on the ball. He was an All-Serra League choice as a junior after collecting 32 tackles and two interceptions. The son of former Long Beach Poly all-state DB Dennis Price, he'll follow in his father's footsteps and play his college ball at UCLA.     

P -- Eric Stern (California, Whittier) 5-8, 155 Sr.
Stern helped the Condors capture the Del Rio League title with his excellent kicking and punting skills. He has a strong leg on kickoffs, as he put 32 of his 53 kickoffs in the end zone and is a quality punter. Stern averaged 35.54 yards per punt (1,315/37) while nailing nine inside the 20-yard line.  

Multi-Purpose

WR/DB/RB -- Randall Carroll (Cathedral, Los Angeles) 6-0, 195 Sr.
Undoubtedly the fastest player in the region, Carroll finished third at the CIF state meet in the 100-meter dash (10.52) as a sophomore and joined the list California football greats (Jamere Holland, Justin Fargas, Napoleon Kaufman, Curtis Conway, Kevin Williams, etc.) that have won a state 100-meter title. He clocked a 10.42 last spring and also won the 200 meters in 21.53. For the Phantoms, he's quite dangerous catching or running the ball and is also a standout at defensive back. He gained 745 yards receiving, 576 yards rushing and scored 14 total touchdowns while intercepting two passes on defense. He'll likely play WR at USC.    

WR/DB/RB -- David Quiroga (Ayala, Chino Hills) 6-1, 200 Sr.
This formidable all-purpose threat hauled in 72 receptions for 1,096 yards and 10 touchdowns, including a four-touchdown performance in a 34-33 victory over Damien of La Verne. Quiroga also added 282 yards and four touchdowns rushing. He's also a standout safety and makes an impact in the return game.     

WR/DB -- Jeffrey Taylor (Sacred Heart, Montebello) 5-11, 174 Sr.
The Cardinals' No. 1 playmaker, Taylor is a four-year standout who's helped Sacred Heart gain respectability on the gridiron after some lean years. The nephew of Sacred Heart offensive coordinator Kim Taylor, he caught 31 passes for 605 yards with seven going for six points. He also came up with over 40 tackles, four interceptions and five pass break-ups from his defensive back position.             

TE/LB-- Todd Golpher (Arcadia) 6-1, 225 Sr.
One of the most versatile and highly-decorated players in the region, Golpher is a UCLA recruit and a serious area player of the year candidate. In a junior season that saw him earn all-area honors by the Pasadena Star-News, Golpher caught 30 passes for 528 yards and six touchdowns from his tight end position. We love the honesty of the Arcadia's statisticians, as he was credited with 38 tackles, 84 assists, 11 sacks and two interceptions as a linebacker. For his efforts, he was named CalHiSports.com second team all-state underclass.      

WR/RB/KR -- Ronnie Hillman (La Habra) 5-9, 170 Sr.
We cheated a bit and placed Hillman on this team even though the Orange County Register covers his school more often than it's covered by media scribes in the San Gabriel Valley. La Habra, however, is technically in Los Angeles County and Hillman is a cinch pick on any all-region team in California anyway. As a junior, he led La Habra to a perfect 13-0 record and a CIFSS Southeast Division title. He led the way with 952 yards rushing, 34 receptions for 792 yards (23.3 avg.) and 21 total touchdowns. He could be a slot receiver, a running back or even a return specialist. Either way, he's quite a special player for the Highlanders.    

QB/P/RB -- Nick Lenhart (Bishop Amat, La Puente) 6-0, 190 Sr.
As a junior, Lenhart completed 96 of 178 passes (54 percent) for 1,102 yards with six touchdown passes. He also scored two rushing touchdowns and was one of the best punters in the region. He boomed 42 kicks for 1,543 yards, good for a 36.74 average, earning second team all-area honors in the process. There was a three-way battle for Amat's quarterback position this summer but touted sophomore Josiah Thropay left just prior to the start of the season so Lenhart's overall production will be quite important.    

*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.