Only one junior was even mentioned on last year's team, and he makes a return appearance. Schools with the most players include five each from Cardinal Newman of Santa Rosa and Novato, and four from Casa Grande of Petaluma. Plus there are juniors and even a sophomore.

By Harold Abend, Special to CalHiSports.com

(Note: These teams are based on honors from last season, showings at Nike football combines and camps plus information sent in from coaches. Many of the quoted statistics are from MaxPreps.com. The Redwood Empire team is not exactly the same format as others in this series and we decided not to alter what was sent in by the author to match previous teams.)

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Offense

WR – Evan Meehan (Novato) 5-11, 175, Sr.
Last year it was teammate Jake Davis in this spot. Now, with Davis gone, it's the fastest man in the Redwood Empire that takes one of the starting wide receiver positions on this preseason team. Meehan, who won the Redwood Empire Meet's 10-meter dash in 11-flat, played both wide receiver and running back on last year's Hornets' squad.    

WR – Miles Williams (Windsor) 5-11, 185, Sr.  
He didn't have the most yardage last season, but gets the nod here after catching 20 balls for 223 yards on a 2008 team loaded with senior receivers. He's also one of the Redwood Empire's top runners.

TE/LB – John Rickard (Piner, Santa Rosa) 6-0, 220, Sr.
Most coaches we talked to agreed Rickard is the top returning tight end after pulling in 20 passes for 219 yards with three touchdowns. He also will start at linebacker where he made 22 tackles with one sack last season.  

OL – Tucker Maggio-Hueck (Cardinal Newman, Santa Rosa) 6-3, 260, Sr.
Newman has eight starters and 21 returnees in total but only one returns to his position from last season and that's the big tackle that had a part in blowing open holes and pass protecting for the 2008 team that advanced to the CIF Division III bowl game. This year, coach Paul Cronin will look for him to anchor the O-line.  

OL/DL – Jay Luchetti (Montgomery, Santa Rosa) 6-4, 295, Sr.
There always seems to be a lot of beef at Montgomery and this year is no exception. Although veteran coach Jason Franci calls this year's bunch "puppy beef” due to the large number of sophomores on the line, there's nothing puppy-like about Luchetti, who looked impressive in a scrimmage attended by CalHiSports.com  

G/DE – Silas Sarvinski (Ferndale) 6-0, 235, Sr.
An All Humboldt-Del Norte League-Little 5 selection last season, Sarvinski drew raves from opposing coaches, including Justin-Siena's Rich Cotruvo, whose Braves defeated Ferndale in the 2008 NCS Division IV semifinals. Last year's center moves to guard this year. As a defensive end last season, Sarvinski reportedly had 33 tackles, 10 sacks and two fumble recoveries.

OL/DL – Andre Nave (Novato) 6-2, 250, Sr.
A second team all MCAL selection and a three-year starter, including in the CIF Bowl game against Oceanside two years ago, Nave will anchor a line that manhandled teams in the Redwood Empire during late summer and early fall scrimmages attended by CalHiSports.com.

QB/DB – Jack James (Cardinal Newman, Santa Rosa) 6-1, 207, Sr.
James is most remembered for his acrobatic catch of a touchdown pass in the back of the end zone to pull out a last second victory over Palma of Salinas early last season. Now, he's the latest in a string of quarterbacks developed by head coach Paul Cronin, who like each of the last several predecessors, has been waiting to take the reins after playing multiple positions. James has a strong arm, deceptive  quickness and could be even more difficult to bring down than last year's starter, Randy Wright, or even the QB two years ago, Max Pond. In limited action last season, James passed for 186 yards and two TDs with a 116 QB rating. Besides the one receiving score last year he also had another one rushing. On defense, he had 16 tackles with six coming in a victory against Central Catholic of Modesto. James also had an interception in the 17-7 NCS Division II title game victory over Clayton Valley of Concord.

RB – Kahlil Keys (Casa Grande, Petaluma) 5-11, 200, Sr.
A big, strong, powerful and deceptively quick (4.5 in the 40) runner, Keys possesses all the tools, both on and off the field, to blossom into the complete package. The leading rusher for the six-time defending Sonoma County League champions had 1,282 yards and 11 TDs last season on 221 carries. He only had 48 yards receiving but that could change considerably with a new young gunner at QB (Nick Sherry) and a West Coast-style offense put in by new offensive coordinator Larry Gondola. He also is a 4.0 GPA student and an accomplished public speaker.  

RB – Cameron Erion (Windsor) 5-10, 180, Sr.
Regardless of what Erion does this season, he has already performed well enough to earn a spot in the newest edition of the ESPN RISE CalHiSports.com record book. The Redwood Empire's leading rusher in 2008 (161 carries, 1,641 yards, 17 TDs) came right out of the box last season. With CalHiSports.com in attendance, he ran for 234 yards, including a 92-yard run, but no TDs, in a season-opening loss at Redwood in Larkspur. Later in the season, he snagged the No. 22 spot all time in the state and the top performance ever in the Redwood Empire for a single game, after running for 450 yards and five touchdowns (including an 81-yarder) on 26 carries in a 48-27 victory over Petaluma.

Defense

DL – Tony Popovich (Marin Catholic, Kentfield) 6-3, 280, Jr.
He was first team All Marin County Athletic League as a sophomore and has already drawn looks from quite a few schools with a couple from the Pac-10, including Cal. In workouts attended by CalHiSports.com he looked in shape and ready to rumble.

DE – Bryain Araiza (Casa Grande, Petaluma) 6-1, 230, Sr.
He had five sacks as the starting defensive end for the Gauchos last season. He will also play tackle on offense.

DL – Jeff Dunbar (Justin-Siena, Napa) 6-3, 245, Sr.
The top returning lineman for the defending NCS Division IV champion Braves is getting looks from several Ivy League schools. The reason is besides his gridiron prowess he carries a GPA above 3.5 at the academically challenging Wine Country Catholic school.

LB – Blake Olson (Petaluma) 5-11, 210, Sr.
Out of his 55 total tackles last season, 48 were solo. The top returning tackler at the linebacker position in the Redwood Empire also had a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and an interception he returned 37 yards for a touchdown.

LB – Blake Ratto (Cardinal Newman, Santa Rosa) 5-11, 200, Sr.
Besides QBs and RBs, the Cardinals always seem to have solid linebackers and this bulldog who also runs a 4.62 in the 40 is the top returnee at the position. Last season, he recorded 46 tackles with two sacks and a fumble recovery. His high was seven tackles in the NCS D2 title game victory over Clayton Valley where he also had one of his sacks.

LB – Jay Craft (Novato) 5-10, 190, Sr.
Although he's a bit undersized he has "no fear” according to 2006 State Small School Coach of the Year and Novato Coach Travis Brackett – and Craft showed it in scrimmages attended by CalHiSports where he outmuscled boys 60 or more pounds heavier. The Hornets' middle linebacker and the captain of this year's noted defense will also play guard on offense and is the emergency quarterback.

DB – Sam Atoe (Maria Carrillo, Santa Rosa) 6-0, 195, Jr.
He may split time at the linebacker position this season but for this team he gets a defensive back position after drawing raves from coaches in both the Sonoma County and North Bay leagues. The halfback on offense must have the respect of teammates after being named a co-captain last year as a sophomore. He didn't play like a soph, recording 75 tackles with a sack and a fumble recovery. We very well could have made Atoe multi-purpose as he ran for 504 yards with five TDs and caught 12 passes for another 170 yards.

DB – Austin Shull (Montgomery, Santa Rosa) 6-1, 205, Sr.
Another player that splits time between safety and linebacker, Schull is the overall leading returning tackler in the Redwood Empire after recording 91 with an interception to boot. He will also return kick-offs this season.

Multi-Purpose

RB/LB – Chris Adams (Marin Catholic, Kentfield) 5-10, 212
Nico Dumont is gone but Adams, the top returning starter for veteran coach Ken Peralta, ran for 812 yards and seven TDs last season, and is now the marquee back. He looked very solid in a late August practice attended by CalHiSports.com. Adams will also start at linebacker where he will captain the defense.

QB/DB – Eddie Aguayo (Justin-Siena, Napa) 5-8, 160, Sr.
He's small in stature but the big man in the Braves' offense is also lightning quick, and showed more than a decent arm in leading his team to the NCS Division IV title last season as a junior. According to Coach Rich Cotruvo, Aguayo also has little fear as a defensive back. "Look out for Eddie this season,” the 2004 State Small School Coach of the Year told CalHiSports.com

QB/P/K – Jake Anderson (Redwood, Larkspur) 6-2, 190, Sr.
One of the top all-around athletes in the MCAL, he made second team all-league as a wide receiver (39 catches, 521 yards, five TDs) and kicker, and honorable mention as a punter. This season, he takes over as the signal caller and remains a punter and placekicker. He may also see time at defensive back.  

RB/LB – Dillion Cattalini (Healdsburg) 5-9, 165, Sr.
He ran for 457 yards and two touchdowns and recorded 53 tackles last season for the Hounds and is one of two top returning starters.

WR/LB – Joe Douglas (El Molino, Forestville) 5-11, 175, Jr.
As far as numbers from last year go, this two-way star from apple country is amongst the best. He caught 19 passes for 262 yards with one touchdown, and recorded 51 tackles with a fumble recovery and an interception, all as a sophomore.

RB/DB - Brian Dworkin (Rancho Cotate, Rohnert Park) 5-8, 160, Jr.
As a sophomore, the diminutive Dworkin was the Cougars' lleading runner, totaling 1,151 yards and 13 TDs on a team that amassed  3,057 yards and 44 touchdowns on the ground. He also caught eight passes for 191 yards and had one of the Cougars' four TDs through the air. He also returned some punts and kickoffs which he'll do again this year and he'll also get more time at cornerback.

OL/DL – Dan Farris (Maria Carrillo, Santa Rosa) 6-5, 280, Sr.
We didn't have any stats on Farris but his name appeared on every list we got from NBL coaches and even some of the SCL coaches as well. He certainly seems to have the size to anchor both lines and if the Pumas are to improve on the 5-5 record of last season in a tough league they will need a strong line.

WR/DB – Makana Garrigan (Casa Grande, Petaluma) 5-10, 185, Sr.
First-year Coach Trent Herzog is very high on this two-way starter who looked in excellent shape and very fundamentally sound in recent drills and scrimmages attended by CalHiSports.com.

QB/DB – D.J. King (Windsor) 5-9, 185, Sr.
More than one coach called King the best athlete on the Jaguars' squad but he's untested at quarterback after playing mostly wide receiver and taking a few reps at running back on offense. He did catch 35 balls for 555 yards and eight TDs and ran for 103 yards and one trip to paydirt. Defensively, he returns as a starting DB after last year recording 46 tackles and intercepting six passes, including one he returned 43 yards for a touchdown.   

RB/LB/P/PK – Ricardo "KiKi” Mendez (Novato) 5-10, 190, Sr.
The ultimate multi-purpose player, KiKi may be the best of the three Mendez brothers (Chavo and Jose preceded him) to lace it up for the Hornets. As the backup running back last year, he ran for 1,138 yards and nine touchdowns. As a punter he averaged almost 40 yards a punt before getting hurt in week nine. He also kicked field goals and extra points and ran back kickoffs. This year he also starts at outside linebacker.

OL/LB/DE – Conor Odisio (Marin Catholic, Kentfield), 6-3, 250, Sr.
Because of his quickness and mobility laterally for a good size player, the Wildcats will use Odisio either at linebacker or defensive end depending on the situation. On offense, he returns as a starter on the line after being named league honorable mention there last season.

FB/NG – J.T. Peleki (Novato) 6-0, 215, So.
The only sophomore to make the Redwood Empire preseason team, the solidly built Peleki moves to nose guard after starting last year at defensive end. Although his best 40 is around 4.6 he can run over tacklers with his powerful legs.

WR/DB – Chris Reuter (Cardinal Newman, Santa Rosa) 6-1, 175, Sr.
With all the starting wide receivers and defensive backs gone, Reuter will be a key starter at both positions this season after playing very sparingly last season. He only caught six balls last year for 138 yards and two TDs, but he had a high on the team of 23 yards per catch. Reuter has also looked very good this summer and early fall.

OL/DL - Anthony Ruiz (Healdsburg) 6-0, 215, Sr.
The second of two top returnees for Coach Tom Kirkpatrick anchors the offensive line this year and returns on defense where last season he recorded 31 tackles including three sacks with a blocked field goal and a safety.

RB/DE – Ricky Sims (Petaluma) 5-11, 210, Sr.
The perfect compliment to Sean Sullivan in the Trojan backfield, Sims looked chiseled and very solid in the practice CalHiSports.com attended this week. More than one opposing coach we talked to called him a stud and one of the Redwood Empire's top two-way players. As the power back, he rushed for 570 yards and four TDs last season while recording 27 tackles, a fumble recovery and forced fumble on defense.

RB/LB – Steve Stout (Cardinal Newman, Santa Rosa) 5-10, 190, Sr.
He didn't get a lot of time behind the deep starting lineup of last year's squad but he did rush for 249 yards and saw some time at linebacker where he recorded 18 tackles. In two scrimmages CalHiSports.com saw, he could not be blocked on defense and ran through tacklers on offense. Coach Cronin likens him to last year's star running back, Jeff Badger.

RB/DB – Sean Sullivan (Petaluma) 5-8, 165, Sr.
This scat back was the Sonoma County League back of the year after rushing for 1,145 yards with 14 touchdowns on only 124 carries – a 9.23 yards per carry average. He also returned some kickoffs and played well on defense. In a recent practice, he looked a little bigger and stronger, and faster hitting the holes this year. This could be a very big year for Sullivan. "The kid can really run,” longtime Trojans Coach Steve Ellison told CalHiSports.com between plays.

RB/LB – Soma Vainuku (Eureka) 6-1, 260, Sr.
His older brother Sam was a star running back on the 2003 NCS title team that featured Rey Maualuga. Last season, he led the Loggers in rushing with 869 yards and 14 touchdowns. On defense for the HDNL-Big 4 champions, Vainuku had 34 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and a blocked field goal.

WR/LB – Connor Waggoner (Casa Grande, Petaluma) 5-11, 200, Sr.
He had the most receiving yardage of any returning starter in the SCL and NBL leagues combined (20 catches, 276 yards, two TDs) but because of his 53 tackles, two interceptions, one sack and one fumble recovery as a linebacker, he makes the team going both ways. In a recent scrimmage against Cardinal Newman, he looked sharp, catching two nice TD passes from budding star QB Nick Sherry.

Other players to watch

TE/DE – Stephen Brooks (Sonoma Valley) 6-3, 215, Sr.
RB/DB – Bobby Butler (Tamalpais, Mill Valley) 5-9, 170, Sr.
RB/LB – Diego Camarillo (San Rafael), 5-10, 195, Jr.
TE/LB – Ryan Hamilton (Casa Grande, Petaluma) 6-0, 185, Sr.
RB/LB – Travis Hansen (Drake, San Anselmo) 6-0, 205  
OL – Eric Jamison (Justin-Siena, Napa) 6-0, 210, Sr.
WR/DB – Dalton Johnson (Petaluma) 6-1, 170, Sr.
QB/DB – Nate Kristoff (Marin Catholic, Kentfield) 5-11, 170, Sr.
OL/DL – Bobby Lynam (Novato) 6-1, 225, Sr.
WR/DB – Christian Manoli (Terra Linda) 6-4, 175, Sr.
WR/DB – Stephen Murden (Sonoma Valley) 5-9, 155, Sr.  
RB/DB – Andrew O'Dorisio (Redwood, Larkspur) 5-11, 185, Sr.
QB – Mike Pierson (El Molino, Forestville) 6-3, 205, Jr.
QB – Alex Ritchie (Tamalpais, Mill Valley) 6-3, 200, Sr.
TE/LB – Braeden Ross (Petaluma) 6-3, 190, Sr.
QB/DB – Parker Shaw (San Rafael) 5-11, 180, Jr.
QB – Nick Sherry (Casa Grande, Petaluma) 6-5, 210, Jr.
WR/DB – Kyle Stanfel (San Marin) 5-6, 150
OL/DL – Dustin Walters (Ferndale) 6-4, 270, Sr.
RB/LB – Kenny Watts (Drake, San Anselmo) 5-9, 175, Sr.

Corrections or comments? Email mark@studentsports.com and be sure to leave a comment so others can check out what you have to say. You also can email writer Harold Abend at marketingharold@yahoo.com