By Ronnie Flores, Senior Editor

Note: This team includes Southern Section schools in the San Gabriel Valley region of L.A. County, portions of Western San Bernardino County plus the Glendale/Pasadena region north of downtown Los Angeles. Our upcoming all-CIFSS Ventura-Santa Barbara-San Luis Obispo team will conclude our preseason player and team previews. Next week we'll begin our regular weekly state top 25, CIF Bowl Game and regional rankings schedule plus stat stars and athletes of the week. Make sure you follow us at twitter.com/calhisports as we'll do our best to give you live updates from the big games we attend all season long. You can also follow us on Facebook. Please join our Facebook group by CLICKING HERE   

Offense

WR -- Kenny Lawler (Upland) 6-2, 165 Soph.
On this team, Lawler is the up-and-comer as many expect him to develop into one of the state's best receivers in the next couple of years. He moved into the starting lineup at Upland midway through last season and displayed great hands, leaping ability and open field moves. He's the son of former Oregon player Kenny Lawler Sr.     

WR -- Kenneth Scott (Colony, Ontario) 6-2, 190 Sr.
This University of Utah commit caught 31 passes for 655 yards and five touchdowns for the Scots as a junior. He should surpass those numbers this year while also contributing in the defensive backfield.    

TE -- John Young (Loyola, Los Angeles) 6-3, 255 Sr.
A big-time talent that can block and get to the open space. Young was also a standout at the Stanford Nike Camp, displaying soft hands and the ability to catch the ball in tight quarters. As a junior for the Cubs, he caught 14 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown.    

OT -- Augafa Vaaulu (Warren, Downey) 6-2, 285 Sr.
He can play tight end and is one of the best defensive tackle prospects in the state, but he fits best at offensive tackle on this team. As a junior, he not only blew up holes for all-section back Jessie Callier, he also caught 12 passes, including a touchdown. On defense, he recorded 60 tackles and three sacks and recorded a 81.51 SPARQ Rating* at last spring's L.A. Nike Combine.               

OG -- Jamil Douglas (Cypress) 6-5, 250 Sr.
We cheated a little and placed Douglas on this team although he technically plays in Orange County. We have a couple of players from the Northern Area of O.C. and we didn't want to leave deserving players off. After all, Douglas is one of the best players in the Empire League and is committed to Utah.                     

C -- Erik Anguiano (Azusa) 6-0, 225 Sr.
Anguiano is the smallest of the hogs up front so we place him at center. As a junior, he was named to the all-CIFSS Mid-Valley Division team on offense. He can also play on the defensive line, too, as he was credited with 18 tackles as a junior.  

OG -- Siaosi Aiono (South Hills, West Covina) 6-4, 290 Jr.
This junior-to-be is rapidly becoming one of the best prospects in the region and by next year should be one of the best lineman in the state. He reportedly has already been offered by BYU and San Jose State, but after a stellar showing at the USC Lineman Camp in the spring, Aiono is likely headed for other offers.    

OT -- Colin Tanigawa (Loyola) 6-3, 290 Sr.
The Cubs always have quality lineman and this year Tanigawa is the cream of the crop on offense. Last year, he helped open up holes for underclass all-state back Anthony Barr while earning all-Serra League honors. He's already been offered by Washington and should pick up more offers with a strong start to his senior season.   

RB -- Anthony Barr (Loyola, Los Angeles) 6-3, 220
Had a breakout junior season for a Cubs program that missed the playoffs in 2006 and 2007 after making the post-season every season from 1981 through 2005. Although the Cubs lost to Mission Viejo in the first round of the CIFSS Pac-Five Division playoffs, the first team all-state underclass choice rushed for 1,890 yards and 20 touchdowns. With his size and long frame, there is questions as to which position he'll play on the next level, but there are plenty of colleges that would love to give him a scholarship and figure that out later. On a down note, Barr was injured during the first quarter of Loyola's season-opening loss on Friday to Mission Viejo. He was on crutches in the second half and Loyola fans are hoping X-rays are negative.      

RB -- Jesse Callier (Warren, Downey) 5-10, 175 Sr.
Cinch pick after a dazzling junior season saw him rush for 2,466 yards on 313 carries to lead the Bears to the CIFSS Western Division quarterfinals. He tacked on 13 reception and scored a total of 32 touchdowns while also handling punt and kick return duties. On top of that, he was credited with 53 solo tackles, 22 assists, caused three fumbles and recovered two from his defensive back position. Another season like that and he'll be a prime all-state candidate.    

QB -- Isaac Valdez (San Gabriel) 5-8, 160 Sr.
As a junior, he completed 63 percent of his passes for 2,754 yards with 16 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. This returning first team all-area selection added another 615 yards and six touchdowns on the ground and outside the numbers, is hoping to lead his team to a wining season. There are some quarterbacks in the region with more college potential, more size and a bigger arm, but Valdez is the most proven commodity on the prep level. Others to watch include Chad Jefferies of Glendora, Ryan Verdugo of Chino Hills, Michael Ball of Rowland, Darrian Cazarin of Alhambra, Patrick Cvengros of La Verne Lutheran and Ryan Orozco of Chino Hills Ayala.

K -- Wesley Feer (Chino Hills) 5-11, 160 Sr.
Feer nailed five field goals last season and 43 PATs good for 61 points. Feer is also solid on kickoffs and averaged over 33 yards per punt.  

Defense

DL -- Jordan Hanson (Loyola, Los Angeles) 6-3, 260 Sr.
A repeat selection, Hanson was part of a strong junior class at Loyola that got the Cubs back into the post-season last year after missing it for two consecutive years. As a junior, Hanson racked up 33 solo tackles, six assists and four sacks and had a solid showing at the Stanford Nike Football Training Camp.      

DL -- George Uko (Don Lugo, Chino) 6-4, 285 Sr.
A repeat selection, Lugo first made a name for himself at the 2008 National Underclass Combine, winning MVP honors among D-lineman and followed that up with a spectacular junior season. He racked up 90 tackles, including 15 for loss, and recorded five sacks. He's moves well for a young lineman his size and has already been offered by schools all over the country. Uko has trips set for Cal (Sept 4), Tennessee (Oct. 9) and Oregon (Nov. 13).   

DL -- Tre Hale (Damien, La Verne) 6-3, 285 Sr.
Big and strong defensive lineman who improved his SPARQ Rating from 41.52 to 62.67 in a year's time. Hale is willing to work in order to improve and with his size that makes him an intriguing prospect if he continues to improve on through his senior season. He's a little behind in terms of his recruitment, but that could be because he missed the majority of his junior campaign with injury.  

LB -- Alonzo Nevarez (West Covina) 6-4, 205 Sr.
A repeat selection, Nevarez made this team at wide receiver last year, but has grown into other positions, including tight end and outside linebacker. He's a special athlete that is already a two-time all-San Antonio League selection. After the Bulldogs finished 6-6 in 2007, he helped them compile a 10-3 record by earning all-CIFSS Southeast Division honors at linebacker.

LB -- Josh Lowden (Monrovia) 6-1, 230 Sr.
Helped the Wildcats on a run to the divisional semifinals of the CIFSS Mid-Valley Division and earned all-CIFSS honors at offensive tackle. At his size he best fits on this team here, and besides, it's where he has the most potential. He's back to lead Monrovia's defense after recording 45 tackles, 16 assists and recovering three fumbles as a junior.     

LB -- Keith Smith (Charter Oak, Covina) 6-1, 220 Sr.
Helped Charter Oak to a 13-0-1 season and a CIFSS Southeast Division title by racking up 70 solo tackles, 40 assists, five sacks and an interception as a junior. Smith also has the ability to play tight end, but where he'll asked to take on a bigger role is in the leadership department for graduated quarterback Chris Allen.   

DB -- Ricky Johnson (West Covina) 5-11, 175 Sr.
Johnson fits here at defensive back, but he's better known for his running abilities. As a junior, he helped the Bulldogs advance to the CIFSS Southeast Division semifinals before they fell to runner-up Diamond Ranch. He was credited with 1,929 yards rushing and has sub 11-second 100-meter speed that he can use on the defensive side of the ball. Johnson is hoping to have a consistent senior year and attract serious D1 attention.   

DB -- Corey Sims (Upland) 5-10, 160 Sr.  
He followed up a solid junior season in which he recorded 53 tackles with an outstanding performance at the Long Beach Nike Combine. Sims showed excellent quickness with a 4.19 20-yard shuttle, solid strength with a 39-foot Power Ball toss and good athleticism with a 36.1 inch vertical jump for an overall SPARQ Rating of 97.92. Another Upland DB to watch is Keith Hutchins, a sleeper prospect that emerged at the L.A. Nike Football Training camp after playing his junior season at Colony of Ontario. Don Lugo's Steven Bethley is also highly-regarded.      

DB -- Bailey Cowins (Warren, Downey) 6-1, 175 Sr.
This two-way threat could have also made the team at wideout, after hauling in 59 passes for 740 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns receiving. But he's chosen on defense after earning all-CIFSS Western Division honors at DB by adding 61 tackles and 35 assists. He makes big plays on both sides of the ball as also came up with six interceptions, caused three fumbles and recovered two others.   

DB -- Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (Chino Hills) 5-9, 175 Jr.
Not only earned all-CIFSS Central Division honors last year, Ekpre-Olomu was also honored as an EA SPORTS Sophomore All-American following a season in which he recorded 84 tackles and came up with eight interceptions. This talented free safety is also an excellent ball-carrier and pass catcher and should be one of the state's most highly-regarded prospects next year.  

DB -- Anthony Jefferson (Cathedral, Los Angeles) 6-1, 175 Sr.
Some colleges like Jefferson at wide receiver, but at the Stanford Nike Camp he showed tremendous upside as a cornerback. The all-CIFSS Northwest Division choice has offers from all over the country after registering 53 tackles and three interceptions as a junior. At wideout, he hauled in 36 receptions for 636 yards and four touchdowns and has impressed recruiters with his performances in big games.

P -- Jake Van Ginkle (Upland) 6-0, 180 Jr.
Van Ginkle hails from a kicker's hotbed and has been selected to a preseason all-region team for the second consecutive season. Last year, he was named to the all-Inland Empire team, but he fits better here this time around. He scored 95 points on nine field goals and 62 extra-points during his sophomore season after nailing eight field goals as a freshman. He was actually well-known before ever playing a varsity game as a middle-school YouTube kicking sensation.   

Multi-Purpose

WR/DB/KR -- Geoffrey Vaughns (South Hills, West Covina) 5-11, 165 Sr.
Earned all-CIFSS Southeast Division honors last season after hauling in 47 catches for 667 yards and eight touchdowns at wideout. On defense, he registered 25 tackles, 22 assists while also contributing in the return game. He's known for his competitiveness and work ethic, but must improve his top-end speed to earn a big-time D1 scholarship.    

TE/DE -- Luis Diaz (Rosemead) 6-2, 240 Sr.
Two-way stalwart at end racked up 24 tackles, nine sacks and an interception on defense and also made quite an impact on offense during the 2008 season. Diaz caught 21 passes for 342 yards and scored five touchdowns, earning all-CIFSS Mid-Valley Division honors in the process.  

TE/P/WR -- Wallace Gonzalez (Glendora) 6-5, 225 Jr.
One of the top players in the Sierra League as a tenth-grader, Gonzalez almost made this team last season at wide receiver. He definitely earned it this time around after hauling in 64 catches for 1,018 yards and five touchdowns while earning all-CIFSS Central Division honors. He's growing more into a tight end prospect for the next level, but he must improve his overall speed and blocking to develop into a top-flight prospect. He also deserves mention as a fine baseball player and a punter, too, after averaging an excellent 41 yards per punt last season.   

RB/DB -- Adam Muema (Charter Oak, Covina) 5-11, 185 Sr.
Made a positive impression at last spring's L.A. Nike Camp with his strength and leverage. Already holding an offer from Nevada, Muema is not quite as big as we've seen him listed in some places (6-1, 190), but he's quite productive and could compile more offers with a strong start to his senior season. He's coming off a junior season in which he rushed for 1,922 yards and scored 31 total touchdowns, earning all-CIFSS Southeast Division honors in the process. Running mate and Washington State commit Brandon Golden is also quite a talent.              

DB/WR/KR -- A.J. Powell (Charter Oak, Covina) 5-8, 175 Sr.
Powell doesn't have the ideal size for the next level, but he's one of the most productive two-way players in the region. He earned all-CIFSS Southeast Division honors after accumulating 70 tackles, 22 assists, a sack and four interceptions. Powell was constantly around the ball and caused and recovered two fumbles. Last season on special teams, Powell averaged 27.8 yards per kickoff return and 13.2 yards per punt return. He also caught 14 passes and added two touchdowns.

DB/RB -- Joshua Quezada (La Habra) 6-0, 190 Sr.
Just as we did last season with La Habra's Ronnie Hillman, we cheated a bit and placed Quezada on this team. Even though the Highlanders play in an Orange County league, the city is technically in Los Angeles County. Regardless of whom the opponent is, Quezada is one player that has to be accounted for on both sides of the ball. Already holding offers from schools such as BYU, Washington and Stanford, Quezada flies to the ball from his hybrid position. He also has solid coverage skills even though he loves action around the line of scrimmage. On offense, the all-CIFSS Southwest Division choice complimented the graduated Hillman with 1,613 yards and 14 TDs on 163 carries.    

*Taking the standard measurements of a football combine, the SPARQ Rating weighs and combines the 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle, vertical jump and Power Ball toss bench press into a single number that serves as a benchmark for 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.