2018 Daily Press Prep Football Preview

Pregame 2018

Prep Football Preview

A Publication of The Victor Valley Daily Press August 17, 2018

Something to SC Trojans’ commit Jason Rodriguez guides big Oak Hills line into ‘18 season

Voted Best Orthopedist

Dr. Samir Nayyar

About Us On the cover: Oak Hills offensive linemen Jason Rodriguez (foreground), Cyrus Fitivale, David Ibarra, Chris Torres and Nofoafia Tulafono,

by James Quigg The Daily Press is published and copyrighted 2018 at 13891, Park Ave., Victorville, Calif. 92392 Staff writers: Matthew Peters, Jose Quintero Contributing writer: Jason Reed Chief photographer: James Quigg Contributing photographers: Peter Day, Robert Najera, Andrew Salmi President and Publisher: Steve Hunt Advertising Director: Steve Nakutin Design and Page Layout: Michael Kraxenberger

TABLE OF CONTENTS Cover story.................................................... 6 Oak Hills’ Jason Rodriguez already has size and a USC offer, now he’s ready to help the Bulldogs inflict pain on the rest of the High Desert for his senior campaign.

TEAM PREVIEWS Desert Sky League Adelanto. ................................................................... 8 Barstow.................................................................... 10 Granite Hills.............................................................. 12 Silverado.................................................................. 14 Victor Valley.............................................................. 16 Mojave River League Apple Valley.............................................................. 18 Burroughs................................................................ 20 Hesperia. ................................................................. 22 Oak Hills. ................................................................. 24 Serrano.................................................................... 26 Sultana. ................................................................... 30 Cross Valley League Excelsior. ................................................................. 32 Riverside Prep. ......................................................... 34 Silver Valley.............................................................. 36

Agape League ACE......................................................................... 38 Hesperia Christian..................................................... 40 Lucerne Valley.......................................................... 42 UCSA....................................................................... 44 10 Players to Watch................................ 48 A rundown of 10 players to watch on the offensive and defensive side of the ball this coming year.

Storylines..................................................... 50 A quick look at things to look out for this upcoming season and an introduction to the eight new head coaches at area schools.

Our Predictions. ....................................... 51 Daily Press staff make their picks for the Desert Sky League and Mojave River League, and a list of past league champs.

Tidbits............................................................... 52 A list of eight games to watch, a look at our four local rivalry games and the top stat leaders for the 2017 season.

Photo page.................................................... 53 A gallery of some of the best images from summer practices across the High Desert.

2018 High School Football Preview 5

Living Large Oak Hills’ Rodriguez mixes colossal size, hard work to earn USC offer

USC commit Jason Rodriguez, far right, will headline a fearsome Oak Hills offensive linemen that includes David Ibarra, Cyrus Fitivale, Nofoafia Tulafono and Chris Torres this year. James Quigg, Daily Press

By Matthew Peters Staff Writer Forty pounds stood in the way.

For the most part, size has been an incredible asset for Jason Rodriguez on the football field. You don’t get 17 Division 1 schools coming after you as an offensive lineman by being scrawny. At 17 years old, Rodriguez is still growing but currently checks in at 6-foot-7inches and 325 pounds as he enters his senior year at Oak Hills.

But his colossal frame nearly kept him out of the game growing up.

People told Rodriguez he had a body for football from a young age; he’d been towering over peers since at least kindergarten. He finally gave it a try at 11 years old as his friends were signing up.

But to play, it was going to require sacrifice.

Rodriguez already stood around 6 feet tall and weighed 230 pounds, bigger than some high school offensive linemen, entering the sixth grade. Due to weight limits in SoCal Jr. AllAmerican football, he needed to slim down to 190 pounds to play with the Hesperia Trojans.

Rodriguez decided running was the best way to lose the 40 pounds.

At the suggestion of his dad, Scott Rodriguez, Jason cut up trash bags to wear to help sweat 6 2018 High School Football Preview

off the pounds. His parents dropped him off at the California Aqueduct entrance and he’d run several miles back home along Maple Street in the middle of Hesperia.

He ran three times a day for three straight weeks.

In summer, no less.

“I remember I did it one day, and I lost 4 pounds total that day,” he said. “I may as well suffer for three weeks and then get it out of the way.”

To help the process, he’d eat an orange for lunch and then a full dinner. Nothing else. By the end, he was frail and had lost color in his face.

“I felt terrible,” Rodriguez said. “My body was in horrible shape. I looked like a ghost.”

He still wasn’t even sure if he’d make weight as he traveled to the weigh in. On the way there, he begged his mom for a burger from In-N-Out. “Just hold on, mijo. You made it this far,” Angela Rodriguez, his mom, told him.

He weighed in at 189.7 pounds.

He chugged a Gatorade as he got back to the car and later grabbed a burger even if his body wasn’t completely ready for the sudden influx of sustenance.

It was a painful process, but he learned something about determination as he pushed his body.

“I can challenge myself if I need to, and there’s nothing that I can’t do if I just put my mind to it,” he said. “That was the first time I grinded on anything.”

Rodriguez had a good experience with the Trojans and said it was some of the most fun he’s had playing. But when the time came for the next season, Rodriguez had gained all the weight back. He and his parents decided it wasn’t healthy to go through losing that much weight again.

Rodriguez patiently waited for his freshman year at Oak Hills. He has not gone backward in size, or potential, since.

Today, Rodriguez is one of the most recruited athletes in High Desert history. He made a commitment to USC in April. He went from a lightly recruited athlete a year ago to one of the most in-demand football players in the entire country, ranked in the top 15 for his position.

SIZE UP Rodriguez plans to major in genealogy at USC. It’s an interest that’s at least partly inspired by his size.

“That’d be pretty cool to figure out how I got to my size,” Rodriguez said.

There’s no history in his family that would predict Jason’s massive size. Scott is 6-2 and

Angela is 5-7. He gets his broad shoulders from his mom’s side but has family on both sides who are over 6-feet tall. Nobody is of the same mold as Jason.

Few are.

He’s literally off the chart on the Centers for Disease Control’s growth chart. And even among fellow linemen, he’s big. According to NCAA statistics, the average offensive lineman at Power 5 conference schools is 6-4 and 300 pounds.

Rodriguez is already taller and heavier than anyone, regardless of position, on the current USC roster. He’s taller and heavier than Donald Penn, Russell Okung and Andrew Whitworth.

That trio is slated to start at left guard for the Raiders, Chargers and Rams, respectively, this season.

But that’s not all there is to Rodriguez.

The assumption that this is easy is a false one; that he won out in the genetics lottery and the colleges came calling from there.

Oak Hills head coach Robert Kistner turned to an assistant coach after getting his first glimpse at Rodriguez as a freshman and said, “You want to know what a Pac-12 athlete looks like? That’s a Pac-12 athlete.”

Athlete is the key word there. He wasn’t an immovable mountain. Oak Hills coaches noticed his athleticism and mobile feet almost immediately.

Perhaps those came from years playing basketball — something he’s planning to return to for his senior year — when he couldn’t play football growing up. He earned Athlete of the Year title in eighth grade at Cedar Middle School for his performance in basketball and as a thrower in track and field.

“You look at him and that kid passes the eye test,” Oak Hills offensive line coach Rick Notarianni said. “He is not some lump on a log. That is an athlete looking at you.”

Today, he stands out as the biggest player while holding down the left tackle spot on what is likely the largest offensive line in High Desert history. Rodriguez is still growing at 17.

He learned he’d gone up an inch at his most recent physical.

Coaches would post videos on Twitter as Oak Hills competed in linemen competitions throughout the summer. One video featured a particularly big mismatch between Rodriguez and a defensive end. Rodriguez dominated as he hurled the opposing player into the turf.

“Somebody commented, ‘Why would you run a DB against an LT?’” Scott Rodgriuez said. “I go: ‘Jason just makes them look little, man.’”

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN IN COLLEGE While the High Desert is often overlooked when it comes to recruiting, there are a handful of prominent offensive linemen who made it to college and beyond. Here’s a look at some of those players..

Manase Foketi High School: Sultana (2008 grad) College: Kansas State, West Texas A&M Bio: Foketi has played both big-time college football and professionally since graduating from Sultana. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Denver Broncos and also had a stints with the Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints. The 6-foot-5, 325 pound tackle has most recently played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL. He re-signed with the team on a two-year deal with the team at the end of 2017.

Bio: Bacon is one of the top offensive linemen to ever come out of the area. After stints at Boise State and Portland State, Bacon is currently entering his senior campaign with Rocky Mountain College. The 300-pound center was named First Team All-Frontier Conference after a strong showing in nine games last season.

Tyson Pauling High School: Silverado (2017 grad) College: Portland State Bio: Pauling gave the Hawks a big push at tackle that helped them into the Division 9 title game in his senior season in 2016. The 6-foot-5-inch, 320-pound lineman has yet to play for the Vikings.

Bryce Quigley High School: Granite Hills (2010 grad) College: San Diego State Bio: Quigley entered college as a tight end but bulked up to 300 pounds and moved to left tackle for his junior and senior seasons, where he earned all-conference honorable mention honors in both years. The 6-foot-5 Apple Valley native signed with the Detroit Lions after going undrafted in 2014 and also had short stints with San Diego and Washington.

Troy Bacon High School: Apple Valley, Oak Hills (2014 grad) College: Boise State, Portland State, Rocky Mountain College A FULL LINE Nofoafia Tulafono transferred from Adelanto to Oak Hills at the start of 2018.

The first couple days jumping from a program that’s still trying to build a foundation to one of the High Desert’s best was a culture shock, he said.

At Adelanto, he might play just about any position on either line because of a lack of depth. At Oak Hills, he’ll take over for Ben Kaufer at center which will allow Kaufer to stay fresh on defense.

His first impression of Rodriguez?

Offensive lineman Manase Foketi runs a drill during the NFL Combine in 2013. The Sultana grad went undrafted but signed with the Denver Broncos. The Associated Press “I was like, ‘Damn you are big,’” said Tulafono, no slouch himself at 6-3 and 312 pounds.

Rodriguez may be a once-in-a-generation player in terms of talent and attention from colleges, but he’s far from all the Bulldogs have on the line this year.

The five-man unit averages 306 pounds.

Senior right tackle David Ibarra (6-5, 314) and junior right guard Chris Torres (6-4, 310) join Rodriguez as returning starters from last year.

“I was like ‘You are my teammate and you are my teammate? Oh yeah,’ ” Tulafono said.

(Continues on Page 46)

2018 High School Football Preview 7

ADELANTO SAINTS 2017 RESULTS

Final Record: 1-9 overall, 0-4 Desert Sky League (fifth place)

Jalen Yancey

Maky White

Lakeside 33

Adelanto 0

Pacific 48

Adelanto 7

Adelanto 2

Village Christian 0

Agoura 35

Adelanto 0

Apple Valley 77

Adelanto 0

Rancho Alamitos 35

Adelanto 0

Silverado 78

Adelanto 0

Victor Valley 56

Adelanto 0

Barstow 47

Adelanto 6

Granite Hills 28

Adelanto 24

2018 Schedule AUG. 17 at Hesperia 7 p.m.

7 10 3.5 26

AUG. 24 at Pacific 7 p.m.

AUG. 31 Bassett 7 p.m.

SEPT. 07 Cerritos 7 p.m.

Marshawn Buchanan

By The Numbers

SEPT. 14 Fountain Valley 7 p.m.

SEPT. 21 Rancho Alamitos 7 p.m.

SEPT. 21 at Whittier Christian 7 p.m.

SEPT. 28 Silverado 7 p.m.

OCT. 05 at Victor Valley 7 p.m.

8.4

OCT. 19 at Barstow 7 p.m.

OCT. 26 Granite Hills 7 p.m.

Ghalee Wadood is the Saint’s fourth head coach in six seasons as a program.

The Saints have just 10 wins in program history. Their best season was a four-win campaign in 2014.

Adelanto’s four matchups against Granite Hills that were determined on the field have been decided by an average of 3.5 points. The teams are 2-2 against each other. Adelanto was forced to forfeit it’s 2015 win against the Cougars.

The Saints averaged just 26 passing yards per game last season, something Wadood would like to change while running a spread offense.

Junior transfer Marshawn Buchanan averaged 8.4 yards per carry while lugging the ball 40 times for Oak Hills last season. His five touchdowns were more than Adelanto’s rushers earned combined.

The Basics HEAD COACH: Ghalee Wadood, first season CALPREPS.COM RATING: -44.7 KEY PLAYERS: Jalen Yancy (QB), Angel Ochoa (QB), Marshawn Buchanan (RB, SS), Hosia Stokes (RB, CB), Fabian Allen (DL) Ghalee Wadood

KEY LOSSES: Tyrese Brown, Nofoafia Tulafono, Aanoalii Eleasaro

8 2018 High School Football Preview

Ghalee Wadood is an optimist.

He’s very aware of Adelanto’s struggles on the football field, but the Saints new coach is confident it won’t last forever.

The Adelanto football team hasn’t had much to celebrate in its five seasons as a program.

The Saints have never won more than four games in season. They’ve won just five games total over the last three years. Their lone win last year came via forfeit in a game they didn’t even suit up for.

Still, Wadood is noticeably excited for his first head coaching gig.

“It was a fit really because they needed so much help,” Wadood said. “I interviewed at two other schools. The facilities really caught me. The atmosphere really reminded me of home, where I came from back in Los Angeles.

Because there’s a lot of kids that do need the help.

“I think what I bring is structure. I bring a different energy to the game where the kids, they believe in me. If I can make the kids believe in me, in return I can make them believe in themselves. If they believe in themselves then we can all do it together.”

He was hired in February after interviewing with two other schools, Victor Valley and Excelsior, for their openings. He previously was the wide receivers coach at Oak Hills, trains athletes from around the High Desert at his Top Notch Training Facility in Victorville and has run a 7-on-7 team in the area.

Wadood played college football at San Jose State and served as an assistant head coach at Viewpark in Los Angeles.

Two Adelanto players fight for the ball during a drill at a summer practice. James Quigg, Daily Press He’s expecting things to change at Adelanto in the near future.

“Overall, I’m just ready to help Adelanto change the image,” Wadood said. “I’m ready to change the program, and I’m ready to get kids to college. I do want to win. I do want to win championships. I don’t know how long that will take.

“I know what it takes. I’m not in a rush. We will win this year. How much we win? I don’t know. We’ll be better than 0-10.”

The Saints will have opportunities early on to get off the schneid. Their schedule has been toned down from a year ago when they were shutout in six games. They open at Hesperia, another program with a new head coach that has struggled in recent years.

With the coaching change has come culture change, Wadood said. He accepted early on that

his first squad will not be the biggest team and focused on fundamentals over weightlifting during his first few months on the job. This year’s squad will be predicated on speed, he said, and will implement a run-pass-option offense.

“I had to really go back like I was teaching an older youth league,” Wadood said. “All we did was condition teach, teach, teach, teach, teach.”

Wadood will start building with a solid running back in Marshawn Buchanan. Buchanan transferred from Oak Hills and enters his junior year with offers from Arizona, Northern Arizona and San Jose State already. He is also high on Fabian Allen, a defensive lineman who transferred from Florida, and strong safety Tyree Meeks.

— Matthew Peters

2018 High School Football Preview 9

BARSTOW AZTECS 2017 RESULTS

Final Record: 2-8 overall, 2-2 Desert Sky League (third place)

Antonio Ili

Citrus Hill 56

Barstow 24

Knight 42

Barstow 24

Apple Valley 53

Barstow 30

Sultana 16

Barstow 2

Burroughs 46

Barstow 0

Chaffey 28

Barstow 22

Silverado 56

Barstow 29

Barstow 60

Granite Hills 20

Barstow 47

Adelanto 6

Victor Valley 21

Barstow 20

is known for running the 2,888 Barstow ball. A lot. That proved to be the

Delonta Williams

2018 Schedule AUG. 17 at Serrano 7 p.m.

AUG. 24 vs. Highland 7 p.m.

AUG. 31 vs. Apple Valley 7 p.m.

SEPT. 7 at Sultana 7 p.m.

Jacquari Hobbs

SEPT. 14 at Burroughs 7 p.m.

SEPT. 21 vs. Chaffey 7 p.m.

By The Numbers

344 42 2

OCT. 5 at Silverado 7 p.m.

OCT. 12 at Granite Hills 7 p.m.

OCT. 19 vs. Adelanto 7 p.m.

OCT. 26 vs. Victor Valley 7 p.m.

Naythan Clark

case last year as 12 players chipped in for 2,888 rush yards on 404 carries. Both numbers were up from the previous season, where the Aztecs ran for 2,441 yards on 388 carries in 11 games.

The Aztecs gave up 344 points on defense last year. That was the first time in three seasons that they had allowed more points than scored.

The Aztecs allowed at least 42 points to opposing offenses in half their games last year. They allowed a season-high 56 points on two occasions — against Citrus Hill and Silverado.

The annual Axe Game against Victor Valley is the High Desert’s oldest rivalry game. Over the past decade Barstow has lost seven of the meetings, and currently owns a two-game losing streak against the Jackrabbits.

The game had playoff implications last year, with second place in the Desert Sky League on the line. The teams meet in their season finale this year. Barstow leads the series, which dates back to 1932, 49-41-4.

The Basics HEAD COACH: Curtis Mitchell, second season (overall record at Barstow: 2-8) CALPREPS.COM RATING: -19.4 KEY PLAYERS: Jacquari Hobbs (FB/LB), Delonta Williams (WR/OLB), Antonio Ili (RB/LB), Nathan Clark (QB/SS)

Curtis Mitchell

KEY LOSSES: Josh Mendoza, Fidel Martinez, Kevin Locke, Avory Caruthers, Isaiah Hardie, Donovan Delton

10 2018 High School Football Preview

Antonio Illi runs the ball during a drill at football practice in July. Robert Najera, For the Daily Press Barstow head coach Curt Mitchell feels the Desert Sky League is open for the taking this year.

With two-time defending champs Silverado graduating a core of skill position players, Mitchell said he believes his squad could gun for the DSL title.

“I’m really excited about this season because it looks like everyone is kind of starting over across the board,” Mitchell said. “But we’re not going to really know that until Week 7.”

The Aztecs open DSL action on the road against the Hawks on Week 7.

Barstow last won the DSL title in 2015. That was also the last time they beat Silverado.

The Aztecs lost 56-29 last year and 49-35 in 2016 to the Hawks. Barstow is the lone DSL team to score more than a combined 40 points

against Silverado over the past two seasons.

“Those guys always play us tough no matter what,” Silverado head coach Rafael Ginorio said.

The road to even get to league play will not be easy as Barstow opens the season on the road at Serrano. Other marquee nonleague matchups include Apple Valley, Sultana and Burroughs.

“I feel good about our schedule this year,” Mitchell said. “We picked up an old rivalry against Serrano. They had a down year, but they are still Serrano and there’s no looking past that.

We dropped our annual game against Knight and picked up Highland. We’ve got other MRL teams like Apple Valley, Burroughs and Sultana.

We’ve got our work cut out for us.”

Mitchell, who is in his second season as head coach, finds things a bit different this time of

year compared to last.

“Last year felt like we were playing catch up because I was named head coach late,” Mitchell said. “So we were in kind of a gray area, where we didn’t know who was the coach and things just didn’t go as planned. But that didn’t stop our kids from battling all the way through.”

The Aztecs graduated their core of running backs, including Fidel Martinez, Kevin Locke and Isaiah Hardie, who combined for 2,888 yards on 404 carries.

This year, Mitchell believes junior free safety Antonio Ili will wind up being the Aztecs’ featured tailback, along with a handful of underclassmen.

Last year’s backup quarterback Nathan Clark will be called on to lead Barstow’ offense.

Mitchell said Clark isn’t quite as dynamic a rusher as Josh Mendoza, who ran for 312 yards on 59 carries last season, but he knows how to run Barstow’s spread wing-T offense.

“In a perfect world, we would love to be a 5050 team as far as rushing and passing,” Mitchell said, “but that’s probably not going to be the case for us. It’s probably going to be a 70-30 split with us rushing the ball the way Barstow is known for.”

Mitchell said his team will rely on the returning starters on defense, including a pair of 6-foot-3 defensive linemen in Daniel Gonzalez and Draylon Johnson.

“Those guys should have huge years for us,” Mitchell said. “We’re bigger up front than we were last year. We lacked on size last year.

That’s not the case this year.”

— Jose Quintero

2018 High School Football Preview 11

GRANITE HILLS COUGARS 2017 RESULTS

Final Record: 3-7 overall, 1-3 Desert Sky League (fourth place)

Gabriel Tellez

Twentynine Palms 55

Granite Hills 13

Apple Valley 60

Granite Hills 7

Granite Hills 33

Little Rock 20

Knight 54

Granite Hills 0

Granite Hills 42

Mark Keppel 26

Hesperia 49

Granite Hills 30

Victor Valley 48

Granite Hills 6

Barstow 60

Granite Hills 20

Silverado 72

Granite Hills 18

Granite Hills 28

Adelanto 24

Michael Gutierrez

2018 Schedule AUG. 17 vs. Riverside Prep 7 p.m.

749

15 3

AUG. 24 at Apple Valley 7 p.m.

AUG. 31 vs. Littlerock 7 p.m.

SEPT. 7 at Rialto 7 p.m.

Taeshaun Brown

By The Numbers

SEPT. 13 vs. Keppel 7 p.m.

Running back Taeshaun Brown ran for 749 yards on 142 carries in seven games last year as a junior. He also ran for four touchdowns and caught seven passes for 126 yards.

Granite Hills coach Alex Gonzalez said he’s hopeful to see Brown eclipses the 1,000 yard mark.

The Cougars defense picked off 15 passes last season. Mike Guttierez and Zach Millican each recorded three interceptions, while Alex Gonzales and Gabe Tellez each had two picks. All four players return to the team for their senior year.

The Cougars have won just three Desert Sky League games since the 2011 season, when they went 2-2 in league play. Two of the wins have been under Gonzalez’s tenure as head coach.

returning this season, giving 1,327 arenewallquarterback Feliciano Hernandez Granite Hills’ top five pass catchers

SEPT. 21 vs. Excelsior 7 p.m.

SEPT. 28 at Victor Valley 7 p.m.

plenty of options. The group of five combined for 1,327 yards last year.

OCT. 12 vs. Barstow 7 p.m.

OCT. 19 vs. Silverado 7 p.m.

OCT. 26 at Adelanto 7 p.m.

Zachary Millican

The Basics HEAD COACH: Alex Gonzalez, fourth season (overall record at Granite Hills: 6-24) CALPREPS.COM RATING: -29.7 KEY PLAYERS: Feliciano Hernandez (QB), Taeshaun Brown (RB), Mike Guttierez (WR/DB), Zach Millican (WR/LB)

Alex Gobzalez

KEY LOSSES: Joel Mijares III, Jerren Webster

12 2018 High School Football Preview

Alex Gonzalez is in a better mood these days after football practice.

It only took four seasons, but the Granite Hills head coach says his wife has noticed a difference when he goes home.

That’s because he finally has a full on grasp on his program and has completely shifted the culture of Granite Hills football, Gonzalez said.

“Kids are excited and eager to practice,” he said. “I’m not dealing with kids missing or showing up late to practice. This group of seniors are the freshmen from when I took over this job. They know what is expected of them.

And because of that practices are more productive, and I feel we are a better program than we’ve been in the past.”

Gonzalez truly feels this is the year the Cougars can make a run at a winning record in the Desert Sky League.

That’s thanks to a core of returning players, including quarterback Feliciano Hernandez, running back Taeshaun Brown and a slew of receivers.

“I feel we’ve got weapons everywhere on the field and because of that we are going to be able to spread the ball out,” Gonzalez said.

“We’re going to run the same style we did last year. The only difference is we are now older, faster and stronger.

“Last year the majority of the team were firstyear starters on varsity. We were real young. So now they know what to do with their assignment. They know they are stronger and faster now. It’s just time to set our minds on our goal.

The season this year will run through Silverado.

We know that. But we’ve been preaching to the

The Granite Hills Cougars practice on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. James Quigg, Daily Press boys to just come out and compete and aim for the top spot.”

Hernandez, a junior, is the youngest of the core of returning starters.

As a sophomore, he played in just two games before suffering a season-ending injury. He completed eight of 20 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown. But he also threw four interceptions.

Gonzalez said he’s been impressed early on with Hernandez’s arm this offseason.

“He’s going to be fine because he understands the game now,” Gonzalez said. “He’s making good decisions early on and I think having the weapons that he does, he’s going to easily settle down as the season goes on.”

The Cougars return a trio of wide receivers who led the team in receptions last year, and

each recorded more than 300 yards.

Alex Gonzales, no relation to Gonzalez, led the team with 28 receptions for 384 yards; Mike Gutierrez caught 25 passes for 381 yards; and Zach Millican reeled in 17 passes for 354 yards.

The trio combined for 11 touchdown passes, with Millican leading the way with five.

The team’s fourth leading receiver last year was their running back. Brown caught seven passes for 126 yards and a touchdown.

Brown played in seven games as a junior in 2017 and ran 749 yards on 142 carries, with four touchdowns.

“That kid was our best player last year,” Gonzalez said. “He’s going to turn some heads this year.”

— Jose Quintero

2018 High School Football Preview 13

SILVERADO HAWKS 2017 RESULTS

Final Record: 11-2 overall, 4-0 Desert Sky League (first place)

Almatimo Mauu

Nicholas Reed-Casey

Apple Valley 40

Silverado 39

Silverado 43

Serrano 14

Silverado 35

Sultana 7

Silverado 73

Eastside 0

Silverado 44

Hesperia 6

Silverado 63

Los Osos 34

Silverado 78

Adelanto 0

Silverado 56

Barstow 29

Silverado 55

Victor Valley 28

Silverado 72

Granite Hills 18

Silverado* 56

Citrus Valley 15

Silverado* 35

Garden Grove 20

Grace Brethren* 37

Silverado 31 (2OT)

By The Numbers

35

Hawks have arguably been the 1,208 The best offensive team in the High

*Playoff Game

2018 Schedule AUG. 17 vs. Apple Valley 7 p.m.

AUG. 24 at Serrano 7 p.m.

AUG. 31 vs. Valencia 7 p.m.

Anthony Jackson

SEPT. 7 at Corona 7 p.m.

SEPT. 14 at Citrus Valley 7 p.m.

SEPT. 21 vs. Yucaipa 7 p.m.

SEPT. 28 at Adelanto 7 p.m.

OCT. 5 vs. Barstow 7 p.m.

OCT. 12 vs. Victor Valley 7 p.m.

10 2

OCT. 19 at Granite Hills 7 p.m.

Tykeil Ogbonna

The fewest points the Hawks tacked on the scoreboard last year was 35 in a Week-2 matchup against Sultana. They scored at least 55 points in six games last year, and topped the 70-point mark three times.

Desert over the past two seasons led by quarterback Levi Taylor. In his two years as the starting QB, Silverado scored 1,208 points. With Taylor off to college and a bunch of others graduated too, it will be interesting to see if the Hawks can continue to light up the scoreboard.

Silverado currently sports a 10game winning streak in Desert Sky League action. The Hawks’ last DSL loss was to Barstow (48-31) in 2015.

The Hawks have dropped two consecutive season openers to Apple Valley. They lost 46-20 in 2016, and lost a in 40-39 nailbiter on the road last year. The teams open the season at Silverado in Week 0.

The Basics HEAD COACH: Rafael Ginorio, seventh season (career record at Silverado: 46-26) CALPREPS.COM RATING: 8.8 KEY PLAYERS: Anthony Jackson (QB), Nicholas Reed-Casey (RB), Devin Gandy (WR), Jhared Willcot (RB/CB), Almatino Mauu (LB), Tykeil Ogbonna (DT)

Rafael Ginorio

KEY LOSSES: Levi Taylor, Tahj Butcher, Dionzae Nolan, Latavion Staples, Jerry Katoa, Darius Allen

14 2018 High School Football Preview

Silverado quarterback Anthony Jackson, left, hands off the ball during a summer practice.

James Quigg, Daily Press The million dollar question for the Silverado football team has been what will life be like once Levi Taylor graduates?

“There will still be a pulse,” Silverado head coach Rafael Ginorio joked. “It was a blast being able to coach Levi. Statistically, he was the best quarterback the program has ever had.”

Taylor led the Hawks to consecutive Desert Sky League titles as the starting quarterback, while piling up crazy numbers.

Now Silverado turns to senior Anthony Jackson, the younger brother of recent graduate and wide receiver Amir Jackson.

“He looks good early on,” Ginorio said. “He was Levi’s back up two seasons ago and didn’t play last year. So he’s familiar with the system.

Physically, he’s the same height and weight as Levi. He might even be a bit faster than Levi was. He’s got a live arm and I’m looking forward

to what he can do for us.”

The Hawks might run the ball a bit more this year than they have in the past. They will feature Nicholas Reed-Casey in the backfield.

Reed-Casey is a transfer from Serrano. He led the Diamondbacks with 815 yards and 10 touchdowns on 150 carries, while splitting time with Tony Willis.

Silverado will also see speedy soccer star Jhared Willcot return to the gridiron, after playing for the freshman football team and skipping his sophomore season.

“We’re excited to have him back. He told me he regretted not coming back for his sophomore season,” Ginorio said. “He’s going to play some running back and line up in the slot for us. It’s funny because him and Reed-Casey are like twins. If you see them standing next to each other it’s hard to tell them apart.”

Silverado might also have a few aces up their sleeves in basketball players Quincy Ross and Randy Davis, who join the team as potential wide receivers.

But Silverado’s bread-and-butter this season will be its defense.

On that side of the ball, the Hawks return defensive tackle and DSL Defensive MVP Tykeil Ogbonna, linebacker Almatino Mauu and Aaron Bullock in the secondary.

Mauu led the Hawks with 126 total tackles last year, including 59 solo tackles. Ogbonna had 88 total tackles, including 39 solo, and led the team with 11 sacks.

Silverado’s defense was stingy for most of last year. The Hawks held opponents to 20 points or less in eight games, including two playoff games.

— Jose Quintero

Silverado Hawks practice on Thursday, August 9, 2018. James Quigg, Daily Press

2018 High School Football Preview 15

VICTOR VALLEY JACKRABBITS 2017 RESULTS

Final Record: 5-6 overall, 3-1 Desert Sky League (second place)

Damien Diaz

Nehasi Moala

Oak Hills 35

Victor Valley 14

Victor Valley 48

Eastside 7

Victor Valley 25

Hesperia 24

Apple Valley 57

Victor Valley 12

Chaparral 29

Victor Valley 10

Rancho Cucamonga 49

Victor Valley 0

Victor Valley 48

Granite Hills 6

Victor Valley 56

Adelanto 0

Silverado 55

Victor Valley 28

Victor Valley 21

Barstow 20

Covina* 21

Victor Valley 7

By The Numbers

3

spent six seasons with Silver Valley before taking over the Jack.609 Stewart rabbits this year. Stewart compiled a

*Playoff Game

2018 Schedule AUG. 17 vs. Oak Hills 7 p.m.

AUG. 24 at Santee 7 p.m.

AUG. 30 vs. Hesperia 7 p.m.

9

SEPT. 7 at Apple Valley 7 p.m.

Greg Trammel

SEPT. 13 at Chaparral 7 p.m.

SEPT. 21 at. Rancho Cucamonga 7 p.m.

SEPT. 28 vs. Granite Hills 7 p.m.

OCT. 5 at Adelanto 7 p.m.

OCT. 12 at Silverado 7 p.m.

6

OCT. 26 at Barstow 7 p.m.

Ulysses Munoz

John Stewart is the Jackrabbits’ third head coach in the last five seasons.

Victor Valley is 21-21 overall and 9-7 in Desert Sky League play since 2014.

They are coming off consecutive 3-1 seasons in DSL play.

39-25 record, good for a .609 winning percentage, while he was at Silver Valley. No easy task a small school with a roster constantly in flux due to its relationship for Fort Irwin.

Victor Valley was bumped up to Div. 9 when CIF-SS announced it’s 2018 playoff pairings. The Jackrabbits ended the season 5-5 last year and were eliminated in the first round of the CIFSouthern Section Division 11 playoffs for the second year in a row.

While Victor Valley has a seven-game dry spell going against Apple Valley in the Bell Game, the Jackrabbits have had better success in the Axe Game against Barstow. They currently own a two-game winning streak in the rivalry game and have won six of the last eight Axe Games.

The Basics HEAD COACH: John Stewart, first season CALPREPS.COM RATING: -5.3 TOP RETURNERS: Isaiah Padilla (QB), Nehasi Moala (RB/DE), Elijah Nixon (RB), Latu Liava’a (WR/DB)

John Steward

KEY LOSSES: Sione Moa, Lake Moa, Kris Hawkins, James Hendrix

16 2018 High School Football Preview

John Stewart hopes to build something special at Victor Valley.

He already managed to do that at Silver Valley. The small school in Yermo went on an historic run to the CIF-Southern Section Division 13 championship game last year, where it lost 30-20 to Orange.

Now Stewart replaces Sai Maiava, who led the Jackrabbits to consecutive CIF-SS playoff appearances in his two seasons as head coach of the program.

Stewart spent six years as head coach at Silver Valley, after previously working a year at Barstow as offensive coordinator.

Stewart said he looks forward to rebuilding the program at Victor Valley, an opportunity he never had at Silver Valley, where majority of players came from military families stationed at nearby Fort Irwin and almost never stayed for a full four years.

The Jackrabbits are coming off a 5-5 regular season and went 3-1 in Desert Sky League action. Victor Valley lost 21-7 in the first round of the Div. 11 playoffs to Covina.

“I plan on staying here for the long run and that gives me a chance to work with kids for four years as opposed to one or maybe two years,” Stewart said. “I’ve seen Victor Valley over the years and seen the type of talent that you can expect there. That was the biggest draw for me. I want to get here and develop these kids and build a program there.

“If we can get the program rolling the way we were doing at Silver Valley, I think you will see the kids want to stay there and play for Victor Valley. If the kids buy into the program then I think we have a chance to compete this year.

Victor Valley players run sprints during a summer practice. James Quigg, Daily Press I’ve gone into games in the past with a lot of less weapons than I have now and we’ve figured out ways to win. So I’m hopeful we can do the same thing here.”

The keys to the offense have been handed to junior quarterback Isaiah Padilla. As a sophomore, Padilla got several opportunities to play quarterback when Sione Moa shifted across the field and played running back and wide receiver.

Moa transferred to Oak Hills prior to Stewart being named head coach.

Stewart said Padilla is getting acclimated with his offensive scheme, which he calls a powerspread.

“Isaiah has started to believe in the offense and now the thing he’s been working on is quickly releasing the ball,” Stewart said.

The Jackrabbits will start the season with

mostly seniors on the offensive side of the ball, including four of five linemen. However, most of those seniors don’t have much varsity experience on offense.

Stewart believes Nehasi Moala and Elijah Nixon will split the bulk of the running duties this season.

Latu Liava’a figures to be the team’s No. 1 wide receiver and will also lead the team’s secondary.

Stewart is impressed with Liava’a and the rest of the defense.

“Our front seven will be our strength on defense,” Stewart said. “We have size and strength there and Latu will hold up the back end of the defense, where we will have some young and inexperienced players.”

— Jose Quintero

2018 High School Football Preview 17

APPLE VALLEY SUN DEVILS 2017 RESULTS

Final Record: 12-1 overall, 5-0 Mojave River League (first place)

Donovan Ferguson

Gabriel Sadi

Apple Valley 40

Silverado 39

Apple Valley 60

Granite Hills 7

Apple Valley 53

Barstow 30

Apple Valley 57

Victor Valley 12

Apple Valley 77

Adelanto 0

Apple Valley 31

Oak Hills 24

Apple Valley 14

Burroughs 7

Apple Valley 28

Serrano 7

Apple Valley 43

Sultana 13

Apple Valley 42

Hesperia 7

Apple Valley* 75

Twentynine Palms 0

Apple Valley* 59

Montebello 28

Quartz Hill* 21

Apple Valley 14

*Playoff Game

2018 Schedule AUG. 17 at Silverado 7 p.m.

AUG. 24 vs. Granite Hills 7 p.m.

By The Numbers

21

5 593

AUG. 31 at Barstow 7 p.m.

Jeff Widener

SEPT. 7 vs. Victor Valley 7 p.m.

SEPT. 14 vs. La Salle 7 p.m.

SEPT. 28 at Burroughs 7 p.m.

OCT. 5 vs. Serrano 7 p.m.

OCT. 11 vs. Sultana 7 p.m.

OCT. 19 at Hesperia 7 p.m.

35

OCT. 26 at Oak Hills 7 p.m.

Jeremy Justice II

The Sun Devils had not won a league title in 31 years prior to last season.

Apple Valley put together the best season in program history last season, going unbeaten and winning its first Mojave River League title and first league title since 1985.

The Sun Devils jumped five divisions in the newest CIF-Southern Section playoff pairings. Apple Valley made a run to the Div. 10 semifinals last year and will now compete in Div. 5. That was the largest jump of any schools in the area this year.

Apple Valley scored 593 points in 13 games last season. The team scored at least 40 points in nine games last year, and topped the 70-point mark twice. The Sun Devils scored 77 points against Adelanto and 75 points against Twentynine Palms in the first round of the CIF-SS Div. 10 playoffs.

Quarterback Jeff Widener had quite a few targets in his first year under center for the Sun Devils as a junior. He threw 35 touchdown passes, including 19 which went to returning receivers Chad Smith and Xander Witt. He also threw two touchdown passes to returning running back Donovan Ferguson.

The Basics HEAD COACH: Matt Rohrbaugh, fourth season (overall record at Apple Valley: 24-11) CALPREPS.COM RATING: 19.6 KEY PLAYERS: Jeff Widener (QB), Donovan Ferguson (RB), Xander Witt (WR), Chad Smith (WR), Noah Renteria (LB), Jeremy Justice II (DB)

Matt Rohrbaugh

KEY LOSSES: Kashan Griffin, Kai Merchant, Grant Smith, Seth Baker

18 2018 High School Football Preview

Apple Valley quarterback Jeff Widener looks to throw the ball during a summer practice.

James Quigg, Daily Press Jeff Widener takes great pride in being the starting quarterback for the 2017 Mojave River League champions.

The last time the Apple Valley football team won a league title was in 1985 when Widener’s dad was the team’s quarterback.

The Sun Devils open this season with a bit of a target on their back.

Apple Valley head coach Matt Rohrbaugh said his team is game and ready to see what kind of damage Widener can do in his senior campaign.

“He’s really grown. He’s got to be the strongest quarterback in the area at almost 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds,” Rohrbaugh said. “He’s been

throwing the ball extremely hard and accurate early on.”

Rohrbaugh will have a bit of a challenge this year as his star quarterback is also being recruited by colleges as a linebacker, a position he hasn’t played since his sophomore season.

“There are a lot of recruiters looking at him defensively,” Rohrbaugh said. “So there’s a great possibility we’ll see him play inside linebacker. It will most likely be situational. But it’s going to be a challenge for me to have to get my quarterback on that side of the ball also.”

Apple Valley returns a large number of starters and backups who played vital roles.

Running back Donovan Ferguson returns for

his senior year after averaging 7.8 yards per carry as a junior.

In 13 games, Ferguson ran for 1,377 yards and 15 touchdowns on 177 carries. He was also effective out of the backfield receiving the ball, catching 13 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns.

The Sun Devils also return leading receivers Xander Witt and Chad Smith.

Witt caught 30 passes for 686 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Smith reeled in 27 passes for 565 yards and nine touchdowns. Smith also saw 27 carries for 229 yards and three touchdowns.

“We’re excited about the skill guys that are returning,” Rohrbaugh said. “They’ve been putting in the work and (are) ready to finish what we started last year.”

On defense, the Sun Devils will have to replace MRL Defensive MVP Seth Baker.

Rohrbaugh said it’s going to be tough to do that, but his squad does have returning players who share similarities with the departed safety.

Jeremy Justice II jumps to mind when Rohrbaugh was asked who can help fill the void left by Baker.

“He’s our starting safety,” Rohrbaugh said.

“He’s 6-foot-3, he much faster than Seth was so I’m expecting a big year out of him. It tough to replace Seth because he was an amazing young man and a pleasure to have leading the team.

The’re no replacing him, we just have to look for people with similar characteristics.

“We’re putting some different things in place this year with our arsenal to be more explosive than we were last year. It’s going to be fun.”

— Jose Quintero

2018 High School Football Preview 19

BURROUGHS BURROS 2017 RESULTS

Final Record: 11-3 overall, 4-1 Mojave River League (second place) Burroughs 30

Palmdale 28

Burroughs 36

Tehachapi 0

Burroughs 33

Rancho Verde 19

Paraclete 56

Burroughs 28

Burroughs 46

Barstow 0

Burroughs 47

Hesperia 10

Apple Valley 14

Burroughs 7

Burroughs 20

Oak Hills 17

Burroughs 40

Serrano 38

Burroughs 22

Sultana 16 (OT)

Burroughs* 43

Rubidoux 0

Burroughs* 32

St. Anthony 7

Burroughs* 31

Mayfair 14

Aquinas* 24

Burroughs 6

By The Numbers

26 4 3

*Playoff Game

2018 Schedule AUG. 17 vs. Legacy 7 p.m.

AUG. 24 at Palmdale 7 p.m.

AUG. 31 vs. Knight 7 p.m.

7

SEPT. 14 vs. Barstow 7 p.m.

SEPT. 21 vs. Bishop 7 p.m.

SEPT. 28 vs. Apple Valley 7 p.m.

OCT. 4 at Oak Hills 7 p.m.

OCT. 12 vs. Serrano 7 p.m.

OCT. 19 at Sultana 7 p.m.

OCT. 26 vs. Hesperia 7 p.m.

The Burros graduated 26 seniors from last year’s squad that made a run to the CIF-Southern Section Division 9 title game. Burroughs will be full of plenty of fresh faces come Week 0.

Burroughs’ championship game appearance warranted a four-division jump from the folks the at CIFSouthern Section. They will now compete in a talent-rich Division 5, that features Mojave River League foe Apple Valley.

The Burros will only play three games on the road this year, one non-league game and two against MRL teams. Their shortest roundtrip bus ride will be to Oak Hills at 190.6 miles.

After seven seasons as head coach, Todd Mather stepped away from the program last year. In his tenure as head coach, Mather led the Burros to a 42-40 overall record and went 21-12 in league play, between two years in the Desert Sky League and five years in the MRL.

The Basics HEAD COACH: Sean Fullerton, first season CALPREPS.COM RATING: 9.1 KEY PLAYERS: Bryson Pippin (WR/DB), Trevor Ireland (QB), Marco Hernandez (WR/DB) Sean Fullerton

KEY LOSSES: Austin Griffin, Antonio Ramirez, Brock Mather, Wyatt Soto

20 2018 High School Football Preview

Two Burroughs players battle during a summer practice. Andrew Salmi, Ridgecrest Daily Independent The Burroughs football team built and built and built into a power within the Mojave River League.

Now they will likely need to be rebuilt.

The Burros took second place in the Mojave River League last year, going toe-to-toe with eventual champs Apple Valley despite an injury to their starting quarterback in the second quarter. Apple Valley held on to win that matchup 14-7, but the Burros did reach the CIF-Southern Section Division 9 title game before falling 24-6 to Aquinas.

Much of that roster had started getting varsity experience as sophomores before helping Burroughs become a great team in 2017.

But now 26 players off that roster graduated, along with head coach Todd Mather, who stepped down after seven years at the helm.

Meanwhile, Burroughs’ recent success moved the program up from Div. 9 to Div. 5.

It will be a new Burroughs in many respects.

Sean Fullerton was hired to replace Mather in February. Fullerton was the program’s freshman coach last year and has been with the school since 2015 as the head of the school’s strength and conditioning program.

He’s worked with Mather to make the transition as smooth as possible, but is also excited to put his own spin the program.

“I don’t want to be a slave to the past,” Fullerton told the Daily Independent when he was hired in February. “We’re going to have new kids and a new head coach, so I like to add my own flavor to things. I’ve already started to do that.”

There are many questions with the 2018 edition of the Burros, but a major answer should be Bryson Pippin. The senior receiver led the team in all-purpose yardage with 2,085 yards in 14 games. He caught 76 passes for 1,141 yards and 16 touchdowns as the team’s leading

receiver. He was also dangerous in the return game and a key cog at sa fety on defense.

Pippin will have junior Trevor Ireland throwing him the ball. Ireland replaces Austin Griffin, who battled a shoulder injury from the Apple Valley game to guide Burroughs the Div. 9 title game.

Burroughs’ top four rushers have all graduated. Junior Brett Stephey had 172 yards and averaged 3.7 yards a carry as a sophomore, but should be in line for an expanded role in 2018.

On defense, the Burros’ top five tacklers have all graduated, along with every player who had a sack. Senior cornerback Marco Hernandez had 60 tackles, to go with his one interception, and is the leading returning tackler on defense.

One major advantage Burroughs will have is playing seven of its 10 games at home. They’ll leave the friendly confines of Ridgecrest only for games against Palmdale, Oak Hills and Sultana. The Burros are 34-24 over the last decade at home, including a 9-2 record over the last two years.

— Matthew Peters

Burroughs players run a drill during a summer practice. Andrew Salmi, Ridgecrest Daily Independent 2018 High School Football Preview 21

HESPERIA SCORPIONS 2017 RESULTS

By The Numbers Final Record: 1-9 overall, 0-5 Mojave River League (sixth place)

Darius Glover

Elsinore 21

Hesperia 7

Summit 45

Hesperia 19

Victor Valley 25

Hesperia 24

Silverado 44

Hesperia 6

Hesperia 49

Granite Hills 30

Burroughs 47

Hesperia 10

Serrano 45

Hesperia 27

Sultana 33

Hesperia 0

Oak Hills 39

Hesperia 10

Apple Valley 42

Hesperia 7

Hadden Lavars

4

18

2018 Schedule AUG. 17 vs. Adelanto 7 p.m.

9

AUG. 24 vs. Perris 7 p.m.

AUG. 30 at Victor Valley 7 p.m.

SEPT. 7 at Alta Loma 7 p.m.

Mikey Massie

SEPT. 21 vs. Chino 7 p.m.

SEPT. 28 at Serrano 7 p.m.

2

OCT. 5 at Sultana 7 p.m.

OCT. 12 vs. Oak Hills 7 p.m.

OCT. 19 vs. Apple Valley 7 p.m.

OCT. 26 at Burroughs 7 p.m.

Joey Mock

Hesperia has won just four games over the last three seasons with a revolving door at head coach. The Scorpions have been scrambling for a solution since Jeremy Topete stepped down after the 2015 season. Robert Hunter followed him for a season before Joe Scherf took over for the 2017 season.

New head coach Casey Goodnough spent 18 years as an assistant coach under Ray Maholchic at Serrano before moving to Hesperia last year as an assistant coach. Goodnough says he looking to starting a legacy with the Scorpions in his first year as head coach.

Last year was the first time any team other than Serrano or Oak Hills had claimed the Mojave River League title in nine seasons. Prior to Apple Valley claiming the title last year, Hesperia last won the MRL title with a perfect 4-0 record in 2008.

The Scorpions have gone two seasons without picking up a victory in Mojave River League action. Their last MRL victory came in the 2015 season finale against Sultana in the annual Key Game.

The Basics HEAD COACH: Casey Goodnough, first season CALPREPS.COM RATING: -27.3 KEY PLAYERS: Hadden Lavars (QB), Darius Glover (TE/DL), Mikey Massie (RB/CB)

Casey Goodnough

KEY LOSSES: Lauve Williams, Myles Massie, Mario Sicairos, Stephen Valdivia, Milton Woodson

22 2018 High School Football Preview

Hesperia head coach Casey Goodnough, left, leads a drill during a summer practice. James Quigg, Daily Press Casey Goodnough spent nearly two decades learning from “the best.”

Goodnough was at Serrano for 18 years, working alongside Serrano legend Ray Maholchic. He came to Hesperia last year as an assistant coach and now replaces Joe Scherf as head coach.

Now that Goodnough is at the helm of a football program, he hopes to bring a bit of Serrano’s success to a Hesperia team that has gone just 5-25 over the last three seasons while cycling through three coaches.

“Everything I learned it was because of Ray and that whole program. He’s like a father to me,” Goodnough said. “Everything that I learned will stick with me. I’m always going to go back to my roots.”

He hopes to build a legacy with the Scorpions.

While a winning season might be more in the distant future, Goodnough is hopeful to have an

Hesperia quarterback Hadden Lavars receives the snap during a summer practice. James Quigg, Daily Press

“intense” team on the sidelines Friday nights.

“I just want them to come out every night and battle,” he said. “I want them to have the strongminded and physical mentality. I just want to build consistency within this program. Start from the basics and build a family, where the kids are playing for each other and with a purpose. I want to get this team back to the days when they made playoff runs.”

During the team’s 1-9 season last year, senior running back Lauve Williams was Hesperia’s bread-and-butter on offense, totaling 1,153 yards on 211 carries.

Now the Scorpions will turn to juniors Mikey Massie and Somari Griffin. Both players had just a handful of carries as sophomores.

Goodnough believes the tandem will compliment each other with their different “running styles.”

Quarterback Hadden Lavars is back for his

junior year after taking over the position midway through the year as a sophomore.

Goodnough believes Lavars has progressed over the spring and summer in commanding the offense.

“He made some mistakes early on, but he’s resilient,” Goodnough said. “He’s really progressed as far as learning his reads and his checks downfield. I think he will have a good year for us.”

If there was to be any consistency to the offense, Lavars might have found it with top receiver from a year ago Milton Woodson. But Woodson will skip his senior year to focus on track and field.

“It’s going to be a bit of a scramble at receiver with not having Milton,” Goodnough said. “I think we are going to be spreading the ball out, and also get our tight ends involved.”

— Jose Quintero

2018 High School Football Preview 23

OAK HILLS BULLDOGS 2017 RESULTS

Final Record: 6-5 overall, 3-2 Mojave River League (third place)

Jason Rodriguez

Josh Stewart

Oak Hills 35

Victor Valley 14

Heritage 20

Oak Hills 10

Palmdale 52

Oak Hills 14

Oak Hills 31

Etiwanda 14

Oak Hills 45

San Gorgonio 12

Apple Valley 31

Oak Hills 24

Oak Hills 21

Sultana 7

Burroughs 20

Oak Hills 17

Oak Hills 39

Hesperia 10

Oak Hills 49

Serrano 7

Rancho Verde* 28

Oak Hills 8

*Playoff Game

By The Numbers

1,528

2

2018 Schedule AUG. 17 at Victor Valley 7 p.m.

AUG. 24 at Heritage 7 p.m.

AUG. 31 vs. Palmdale 7 p.m.

SEPT. 7 at Etiwanda 7 p.m.

Isiaih Grey

SEPT. 14 vs. Cajon 7 p.m.

6

SEPT. 28 vs. Sultana 7 p.m.

OCT. 4 vs. Burroughs 7 p.m.

OCT. 12 at Hesperia 7 p.m.

OCT. 19 at Serrano 7 p.m.

OCT. 26 vs. Apple Valley 7 p.m.

Mikey Delgado

10

Quarterback Josh Stewart might be one of the most fortunate quarterbacks in the area. Not only is USC commit Jason Rodriguez blocking for him, the Bulldogs have three other 300-plus pounders on the offensive line. The five players on the line weight 1,528 pounds combined.

The Bulldogs have been eliminated in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section playoffs in two straight seasons.

Prior to the 2016 season, Oak Hills had not been eliminated in the first round since the 2011 season. But their luck may change this season. The Bulldogs dropped from Division 3 to Div. 4 and return a strong core of players this year.

Oak Hills had a bit of a down year last season. Despite still making the playoffs with a third place finish in the Mojave River League, they won just six games last year. That’s the lowest total in program history, and the lowest since winning seven games in the program’s second season with a 7-4 record.

The Bulldogs lost two league games last season but were in both contests. Their losses to Apple Valley (31-24) and Burroughs (20-17) were determined by a total of just 10 points.

The Basics HEAD COACH: Robert Kistner, ninth season (overall record at Oak Hills: 70-27) CALPREPS.COM RATING: 20.8 KEY PLAYERS: Josh Stewart (QB), Mikey Delgado (WR), Sione Moa (WR/DB), Jason Rodriguez (OL), David Ibarra (OL)

Robert Kistner

KEY LOSSES: Marshawn Buchanan, Martinique Finn, Reggie Gaines, Joshua Brokenbaugh

24 2018 High School Football Preview

Losing is not something the Oak Hills football team is accustomed to.

And the intent isn’t to become comfortable with it.

The Bulldogs are coming off their worst record in nine years as a program. Going 6-5 and making the playoffs isn’t exactly a terrible season by most standards, but it’s not in line with what the Bulldogs have built.

Oak Hills will have to knock off defending Mojave River League champ Apple Valley to reclaim its crown.

“I really think it’s anyone’s ballgame this year,” Oak Hills head coach Robert Kistner said.

“It’s going to come down to how we mesh as a team and play with each other. I feel a bit better about this year because we are definitely ahead of where we were at this point last year.”

Kistner was the program’s head coach from its inception in 2009 until 2015. He left the program to spend time with his family in 2016. He returned a year ago after Artie Allen announced he was leaving to taking an assistant coaching job at Chaffey College.

The Bulldogs were ousted in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Division 3 playoffs last year. Oak Hills was bumped down to Div. 4 for this year.

The Bulldogs might have one of the most talented offenses in the High Desert with quarterback Josh Stewart back under center behind an offensive line that is anchored by USC-commit Jason Rodriguez.

Stewart completed 51 passes for 775 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior.

“He’s really doing a lot better now,” Kistner

The Oak Hills football team runs during a summer practice. James Quigg, Daily Press said. “He’s understanding his reads a lot better after having a full year of varsity experience under his belt.”

Aside from having one of the biggest offensive lines the area has ever seen, Stewart will have a returning playmaker to chuck the ball to.

Wide receiver Mikey Delgado returns for his senior year after missing the second half last year due to a leg injury. Delgado was the Bulldogs’ leading receiver last year with 13 catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns in five games despite suffering the leg injury Week 4.

He’s expected to be ready for the start of the season.

“He’s still rehabbing from the injury, so he hasn’t yet done a whole lot,” Kistner said. “It’s that type of situation where we will just have to wait and see what happens.”

The biggest loss for the Bulldogs entering this year is in the backfield. Both leading rushers from last year’s team have transferred from Oak Hills. Marshawn Buchanan is now at Adelanto and Martinique Finn transferred out of state.

Finn lugged the ball 146 times for 952 and eight touchdowns in nine games last year.

Kistner said he expects Isaiah Gray and transfer Sione Moa to see the majority of the workload in the backfield.

Moa, a junior transfer from Victor Valley, played quarterback, running back, wide receiver and safety for the Jackrabbits as a sophomore last year.

Kistner said Moa will also play defense at Oak Hills this year, along with his older brother Lake Moa, a senior fullback, tight end and linebacker.

— Jose Quintero

2018 High School Football Preview 25

SERRANO DIAMONDBACKS 2017 RESULTS

Final Record: 2-8 overall, 2-3 Mojave River League (fourth place)

Jaishawn Wright

Paraclete 48

Serrano 24

Silverado 43

Serrano 14

Antelope Valley 36

Serrano 14

Great Oak 21

Serrano 18

Kaiser 49

Serrano 42

Serrano 41

Sultana 14

Serrano 45

Hesperia 27

Apple Valley 28

Serrano 7

Burroughs 40

Serrano 38

Oak Hills 49

Serrano 7

By The Numbers

10

the first time since the 1997 season, .806 fora remarkable run of 19 seasons. During Serrano missed the playoffs last year

R.J. Conkle

2018 Schedule AUG. 17 vs. Barstow 7 p.m.

AUG. 24 vs. Silverado 7 p.m.

AUG. 31 at Antelope Valley 7 p.m.

355

SEPT. 7 at Great Oak 7 p.m.

Matt Lowe

SEPT. 14 vs. Carter 7 p.m.

SEPT. 28 vs. Hesperia 7 p.m.

OCT. 5 at Apple Valley 7 p.m.

OCT. 12 at Burroughs 7 p.m.

OCT. 19 vs. Oak Hills 7 p.m.

OCT. 26 at Sultana 7 p.m.

Michael Thacker

Serrano’s freshman squad went 10-0 last year while the junior varsity team finished with a 9-1 record. Serrano graduated 17 seniors from last year’s team so expect to see some faces from those squads make an impact for the Diamondbacks this season.

13

that long playoff streak the Diamondbacks held an .806 winning percentage while going 200-48.

Serrano’s been known as one of the stingiest defenses in the area. However, the team allowed 355 total points in 10 games last year. No Serrano team has allowed more than 200 points during the regular season, since at least 2004.

The 2015 team allowed 241 points through 14 games, after allowing 147 during the regular season.

Serrano opens the season with a matchup against Barstow. The two teams on opposite ends of the High Desert haven’t met since 2005, a stretch of 13 seasons. Serrano won the last matchup 34-10 on the road.

The Basics HEAD COACH: Casey Maholchic, second season (overall record at Serrano: 2-8) CALPREPS.COM RATINGS: -4.2 KEY PLAYERS: R.J. Conkle (QB), Jaishawn Wright (RB), Wahkill Sullivan (RB), Matt Lowe (TE), Michael Thacker (LB)

Casey Maholchic

KEY LOSSES: Tony Willis, Nicholas Reed-Casey, Trent Birch, Vince Rollins, Eric Herzog

26 2018 High School Football Preview

This year, the Diamondbacks will turn to sophomore running back Jaishawn Wright.

The speedy running back helped lead the Serrano freshman team to a 10-0 season last year.

His most memorable performance of the year came against Hesperia in October, when Wright ran for two 40-plus yard touchdowns and caught a 29-yard touchdown pass in a 66-0 victory.

“He’s been explosive in practice,” Maholchic said. “He’s a good kid, and he’s fun to be around.”

Wakhill Sullivan will also look to get some reps as a junior. Sullivan’s older brother, Sultaan, holds every single-season rushing record at the Serrano.

The sample size is small for Sullivan. As a sophomore he was the team’s third leading rusher with 37 yards on nine carries.

— Jose Quintero

The Serrano Diamondbacks’ Jaishawn Wright survives a fumble drill during a practice on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. James Quigg, Daily Press Serrano enters the 2018 season in a bit of 89 passes for 665 yards and seven touchdowns unfamiliar territory. while throwing eight interceptions.

The Diamondbacks had been the class of “I feel good about Conkle,” Maholchic said. “He the High Desert for more than a decade. But grew up in the system and he’s familiar with it.” today they are coming off a losing season that Maholchic is hopeful Conkle will be able to find saw them win just two games and not make the junior Matt Lowe through the air this season. The playoffs for the first time in 19 years. It was a tight end was the Diamondbacks’ leading receiver struggle for a team that had gone 8-3 and given as a sophomore last year. He caught 19 passes up just 147 points the year before for 398 yards and six touchdowns.

Despite the down year, Casey Maholchic But in the running game the Diamondbacks enters his second as head coach and likes what find themselves in a situation they haven’t he sees so far. had to face in a long time: They don’t have “The kids are working hard, and that’s all we a marquee name penciled in at running back can ask for,” Maholchic said. to start the season.

R.J. Conkle returns to the team as the startSerrano featured two running backs last year. ing quarterback in his senior season. Conkle But Tony Willis graduated and Nicholas Reedstepped in under center last year after Nathen Casey transferred to Silverado for his senior The Serrano Diamondbacks prepare for the Jacobson suffered an injury midseason. season. The duo combined for 1,561 rushing 2018 season on Tuesday, July 31, 2018.

Conkle ended the season completing 44 of yards and 19 touchdowns last year.

James Quigg, Daily Press

2018 High School Football Preview 27

SULTANA SULTANS 2017 RESULTS

Final Record: 4-6 overall, 1-4 Mojave River League (fifth place)

Angelo Mastandrea

Quartz Hill 35

Sultana 6

Sultana 34

Norte Vista 27

Silverado 35

Sultana 7

Sultana 16

Barstow 2

Sultana 21

Summit 18

Serrano 41

Sultana 14

Oak Hills 21

Sultana 7

Sultana 33

Hesperia 0

Apple Valley 43

Sultana 13

Burroughs 22

Sultana 16 (OT)

Hector Medina

2018 Schedule AUG. 17 at Kaiser 7 p.m.

AUG. 24 vs. Norte Vista 7 p.m.

AUG. 31 at Twentynine Palms 7 p.m.

SEPT. 7 vs. Barstow 7 p.m.

Jeru Pele

By The Numbers

6 8 2

SEPT. 14 at Summit 7 p.m.

SEPT. 28 at Oak Hills 7 p.m.

OCT. 5 vs. Hesperia 7 p.m.

OCT. 11 at Apple Valley 7 p.m.

OCT. 19 vs. Burroughs 7 p.m.

OCT. 26 vs. Serrano 7 p.m.

Javier Hernandez

3

The Sultans have gone six straight seasons with a losing record. Sultana last went 7-4 in the 2011 season under Blake Robbins.

The Sultans came oh so close to ending their season with a .500 record last year but fell in overtime 22-16 to Burroughs in their season finale. Is the fourth year under Keith Locklear the charm to getting the Sultans back to a winning season?

Despite finishing the season under .500 the Sultans were bumped up three drivisions to Division 8 within the CIFSouthern Section playoff pairings. Sultana are now the lone local school competing in their division.

Sultana’s best athlete will Angelo Mastandrea will start his junior season at quarterback. As a sophomore, Mastandrea mostly lined up as a wide receiver but he still completed two passes on two tries, one of which went for a touchdown. He also had 41 rushes for 170 yards.

Sultana’s 33-0 victory over Hesperia marked just the third shutout in Key Game history. The previous shutout came in 2008.

If Sultana can win this year’s rivalry game it will extend it’s streak over Hesperia to three games, something the Sultans haven’t done since claiming the Key from 2004-2006.

The Basics HEAD COACH: Keith Locklear, fourth season (overall record at Sultana: 10-20) CALPREPS.COM RATING: -12.2 KEY PLAYER: Angelo Mastandrea (QB), Sal Hernandez (WR/LB), Roy Whitney (WR), Jeru Pele (OL), Justice Pele (OL/DL)

Keith Locklear

KEY LOSSES: Michael Mendoza, Maurice Hawkins, Tyler Pele, Leo Molina

30 2018 High School Football Preview

Playing football at Sultana High School is a badge of honor. At least that’s how head coach Keith Locklear sees it.

“We don’t have the numbers on our field like other schools have,” Locklear said. “Our MaxPreps.com roster last year said we had something like 32 kids on our team, but the actual number was smaller than that. A lot of our kids are playing offense and defense. We have to battle here. We don’t get kids transfering to our school. If we get a transfer, it’s because a kid’s family moves into the Mesa area.”

It’s not often when a team’s quarterback is a two-way player at large schools in the area.

But that’s what Michael Mendoza had to do last year for Sultana because the team simply lacked depth in the secondary. He was the team’s leading rusher, passer and also picked off two passes and registered 15 total tackles on defense.

Sultana is hopeful it will get a similar output from junior Angelo Mastandrea.

The junior has been tabbed as the starting quarterback. Mastandrea mostly lined up at wide receiver last year and will start this year at quarterback.

Mastandrea got a few reps at quarterback last year. He’s been working on his craft with former Oak Hills and Victor Valley College quarterback Nolan Brammer.

“Angelo is going to turn some heads this year,” Locklear said.

With Mastandrea under center, he will have a couple familiar faces running routes for him.

Last year’s leading receiver Sal Hernandez

Sultana High School’s coach Keith Locklear leads practice on Wednesday, August 1, 2018.

James Quigg, Daily Press

Sultana High School’s offensive linemen run drills during practice on Wednesday, August 1, 2018.

James Quigg, Daily Press returns for his senior year. As a junior, Hernandez caught 31 passes for 338 yards and one touchdown. Roy Whitney also returns after catching 10 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown last season.

Locklear, who is in his fourth year at Sultana, is eager to see his first batch of freshmen players take the field as seniors this year.

“I loved the group of seniors I had last year, but I have something special with these seniors because they are the first freshman group I got here,” Locklear said. “It’s tough to compare this group of seniors to last year, but this feels like there is more familiarity in the program. It’s going to be fun because these kids feel like they have a lot to prove. It’s up to us to make our mark within the Mojave River League this year.”

The Sultans are coming off a 1-4 finish in league play and still found themselves being bumped up three divisions after the CIF-Southern Section announced it’s playoff groupings.

“We’re excited and we’re going to let it rip every practice and game,” Locklear said. “Being bumped that high is an indicator of our league more than anything. That goes to show you that the MRL is big boy football.

“If you don’t bring your lunch and strap up your cleats tight, you’re going to get beat up. We were in some close games last year. Burroughs came back to beat us in OT in the season finale.

There were a couple other close games that we dropped the ball on. Those were games we feel we were able to win.”

— Jose Quintero

Sultana High School’s Angelo Mastrandrea throws during practice on Wednesday, August 1, 2018.

James Quigg, Daily Press 2018 High School Football Preview 31

EXCELSIOR EAGLES 2017 RESULTS

Final Record: 3-6 overall, 1-2 Cross Valley League (third place)

Ashan Peret

Brian Norman

Yucca Valley 62

Excelsior 29

Excelsior 30

Palo Verde Valley 20

Excelsior 57

Ribet Academy 0

Linfield Christian 45

Excelsior 7

Arrowhead Christian 44

Excelsior 14

Santa Paula 21

Excelsior 13

Excelsior 22

Riverside Prep 13

Big Bear 50

Excelsior 13

Silver Valley 35

Excelsior 14

2018 Schedule AUG. 17 at Webb 7 p.m.

AUG. 25 vs. St. Margaret's 7 p.m.

By The Numbers

25 990

111

AUG. 31 vs. Palo Verde Valley 7 p.m.

SEPT. 7 at New Designs Watts 7 p.m.

Joseph Zamora

SEPT. 14 vs. Linfield Christian 7 p.m.

SEPT. 21 at Granite Hills 7 p.m.

SEPT. 28 at Firebaugh 7 p.m.

1-5

OCT. 12 at Silver Valley 7 p.m.

The Eagles are 25-27 since becoming an 11-man football team in 2013.

Graduating senior Jacob Jakubec will be hard to replace for Excelsior. The Eagles top player gained 990 yards, 892 of which came on the ground, and scored 13 touchdowns on offense. He was also the team’s top tackler on defense.

Lawrence Oliver threw the ball 111 times, completing 52.3 percent of his passes, last season, but will be playing wide receiver and cornerback this year.

After starting the season 2-1 the Eagles went 1-5 the rest of the way, including a two-game losing streak to end the season.

They were outscored 85-27 in those last two games.

OCT. 19 at Riverside Prep 7 p.m.

OCT. 26 vs. Big Bear 7 p.m.

Taylor Pico

The Basics HEAD COACH: Shawn Moore, first season CALPREPS.COM RATING: -31.6 KEY PLAYERS: Lawrence Oliver (WR/CB), Joseph Zamora (CB), Brian Norman (S), Alex Andrade (QB)

Shawn Moore

KEY LOSSES: Jacob Jakubec, Jesse Taja, Jacob Gebhardt, Demari Simmons

32 2018 High School Football Preview

Excelsior’s Joseph Zamora, left, prepares for the 2018 football season on Tuesday, July 17, 2018.

James Quigg, Daily Press As soon as Shawn Moore took over as Excelsior’s head coach, he knew changes were coming.

Big changes.

For starters, Lawrence Oliver was expected to return as the Hawks’ starting quarterback.

Oliver will now start the season as a wide receiver and also play cornerback.

Senior Brian Norman was the team’s defensive end last year, but now he’s lining up at safety.

Moore said Norman will be the key player on defense for Excelsior and has now even gotten looks from colleges at his new position.

“We are still ironing things out, but the fact of the matter is that we have some athletes here at Excelsior,” Moore said. “It’s just a matter of putting them in the right places on the field. There were kids that played out of position last year

and we quickly made those adjustments.

“We are putting them in the best position, not just for the team, but for themselves so that they have a chance to play at the next level. Getting to the NFL is a 1 percent chance, no matter where you coach or play high school football. The goal is to get kids to college because that is always achievable with putting in the work.”

Moore is in his seventh season as a coach at the high school level. Prior to coming to Excelsior, he spent two seasons as head coach at A.B. Miller in Fontana.

Coming to the High Desert already feels like the right decision for him, especially with the heart his new players have shown early on.

“This is a small school but it’s certainly a diamond in the rough,” he said.

He was pleased with his team’s 7-on-7 season against bigger teams, including Chino, Chino

Hills, Redlands East Valley and Aquinas. Moore said in seven passing league games the Eagles scored a total of 287 points.

That’s not a true indication of what will happen during the regular season, but it’s a nice start, Moore said.

When he decided to make the change from last year’s starting quarterback, Moore says it was almost easy.

And that’s not a knock on Oliver, he said.

“We did a lot of evaluation and found the kid that would be most successful at the position,” Moore said. “‘Oliver was kind of thrown there last year. But he’s an athlete. He likes to catch the ball and is good at it.”

As a sophomore, Oliver completed 58 of 111 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns.

He also ran for 314 yards on 41 carries.

Moore will turn to another sophomore quarterback this season in 5-foot-11 Alex Andrade.

— Jose Quintero

Excelsior prepares for the 2018 football season on Tuesday, July 17, 2018.

James Quigg, Daily Press

2018 High School Football Preview 33

RIVERSIDE PREP SILVER KNIGHTS 2017 RESULTS

Final Record: 3-6-1 overall, 0-3 Cross Valley League (fourth place)

Antonio Allen

Yucca Valley 56

Riverside Prep 13

Riverside Prep 24

Capistrano Valley Christian 20

Riverside Prep 28

Santa Rosa Academy 28

South Pasadena 55

Riverside Prep 6

Calipatria 38

Riverside Prep 20

Riverside Prep 47

Malibu 21

Riverside Prep 48

Ribet Academy 0

Excelsior 22

Riverside Prep 13

Silver Valley 41

Riverside Prep 20

Big Bear 49

Riverside Prep 6

Caleb Black

2018 Schedule AUG. 17 at Granite Hills 7 p.m.

AUG. 23 at Capistrano Valley Christian 7 p.m.

AUG. 30 vs. California City 7:30 p.m.

By The Numbers

662 73 8

SEPT. 7 vs. Desert Christian 7 p.m.

Logan Soriano

SEPT. 15 at St. Monica 7 p.m.

SEPT. 21 vs. Bosco Tech 7 p.m.

SEPT. 28 at Santa Rosa Academy 7 p.m.

OCT. 6 at Big Bear 1:30 p.m.

OCT. 19 vs. Excelsior 7 p.m.

13

OCT. 26 vs. Silver Valley 7 p.m.

Over the past two seasons the Silver Knights have allowed 662 total points to opposing offenses.

Eric Drennan steps in as the team’s defensive coordinator with the hope to stop the opposition from shredding his defense.

Riverside Prep were outscored by 73 points in Cross Valley League action. The Silver Knights went winless in league to finish in last place.

Riverside Prep hasn’t won a league game since 2015, a streak of eight games. The Silver Knights last win came in a 45-0 victory against California School for the Deaf/ Riverside when they were in the Arrowhead League.

The Silver Knights remain in Division 13 and will be playing teams almost exclusively from that division this season. They have two games against teams outside the division — Big Bear in Div. 9 and Silver Valley in Div. 11.

The Basics HEAD COACH: Leland Eudy, third season (overall record at Riverside Prep: 6-13-1) CALPREPS.COM RATING: -44.5 KEY PLAYERS: Caleb Black (QB), Antonio Allen (RB), Logan Soriano (WR, LB), Sal Fanelli (OL/DL) Leland Eudy

KEY LOSSES: Domenick Woods, Michael Caballero, Chandler Hubbard, Andres Morales

34 2018 High School Football Preview

The Riverside Prep football team believes the program’s first Cross Valley League victory awaits them this season.

If the saying the third time’s the charm holds any truth, that elusive win in CVL action could come this year.

Head coach Leland Eudy is in his third year as head coach, and the team is in its third year of action within the CVL. Caleb Black starts the season as the Silver Knights quarterback.

Black was able to get some early season reps under center last year when quarterback Domenick Woods suffered an injury.

Black helped lead Riverside Prep to a lastminute victory over Capistrano Valley Christian in Week 1. Black guided the team downfield in a two-minute offense and completed the gamewinning touchdown pass for the 24-20 victory.

“That was big for his confidence,” Riverside Prep assistant coach Mark Mora said. “He did well commanding the offense when Domenick was hurt, especially in that two-minute offense drive to win the game.

“He’s been putting in the work. He’s stepping up as a captain and doing what he needs to do.

He doesn’t run like Domenick did for us, Caleb likes to stay in the pocket and reads the defense well. We are hoping for a big year from him.”

Mora also joined the coaching staff three years ago after receiving a call from Eudy, who was his coach at Victor Valley in the late 1980s.

The Riverside Prep Silver Knights prepare for the 2018 season on Tuesday, July 17, 2018.

James Quigg, Daily Press Mora has also coached for Eudy, and vice versa, while with the Jackrabbits.

“I stepped away from football after the 2015 season at Victor Valley,” Mora said. “But the call from Eudy asking me to join him came and I couldn’t say no. I’m loyal to that man. And coming here to Oro Grande has really rejuvenated me. I miss playing in games like the Bell Game and the Axe Game, but there is something

The Riverside Prep Silver Knights are excited to begin the 2018 season tonight at Granite Hills.

James Quigg, Daily Press

special here with the small schools. It’s certainly a different experience.”

Mora was given the keys to the team in the spring when Eudy was forced to take some time off for health reasons. But Eudy is back with the team and called Mora his right-hand man, and his co-head coach.

Mora said he’s confident with what he’s seen early on from his core of returning wide receivers, led by senior Logan Soriano, who is also the team’s starting middle linebacker.

Soriano will line up on the offensive side of the ball in the slot, and also at running back when the offense shifts to a two-back set.

Senior Antonio Allen returns to the team as the starting running back. Allen missed the first half of the season last year after transfering to Riverside Prep from CVL rival Silver Valley.

Mora likes what he’s seen early on from Allen.

“He’s got a nice balance of power and speed,” Mora said. “It’s not exceptional power and speed. But he’s powerful enough to break some tackles and quick enough to shed a few defenders.

“What I like most about him is his vision on the field and feel for the game. He’s a playmaker. He finds a weakness, or a hole to hit, and he makes it happen. It’s going to be fun to see what he can do after sitting out half the season last year.”

— Jose Quintero 2018 High School Football Preview 35

SILVER VALLEY TROJANS 2017 RESULTS

Final Record: 9-4 overall, 2-1 Cross Valley League (second place)

Lillyan Greenslate

Noah Caton

Silver Valley 58

Trinity Classical 18

Silver Valley 29

Mountain Empire 0

Silver Valley 58

Bishop Union 19

CMI 28

Silver Valley 26

Rosamond 30

Silver Valley 27

Silver Valley 51

St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy 18

Big Bear 55

Silver Valley 21

Silver Valley 41

Riverside Prep 20

Silver Valley 35

Excelsior 14

Silver Valley* 40

Carnegie 36

Silver Valley* 35

Nogales 29 (2OT)

Silver Valley* 49

La Quinta/Westminster 40

Orange* 30

Silver Valley 20

*Playoff Game

2018 Schedule

By The Numbers

10

Valley ran for a whole lot of 4,200 Silver yards last year. The team combined for

4,200 yards on 561 carries. Leading rusher E.J. Ane ran for 2,885 yards and 35 touchdowns on 370 carries as a senior.

Valley will definitely miss Anthony Brown. Brown, who was just a 2,789 Silver sophomore but transferred out of the

AUG. 17 at Boron 7 p.m.

AUG. 24 at Kern Valley 7 p.m.

Yves Bosmans

AUG. 31 vs. Nuview Bridge 6 p.m.

SEPT. 7 vs. Mountain Empire 6:30 p.m.

SEPT. 14 vs. Sports Leadership & Management 6:30 p.m.

SEPT. 28 vs. Calvary Murrieta 6:30 p.m.

area, was one of the more dynamic quarterbacks in the area last year after piling up 2,789 total yards. Brown ran for 1,183 yards and passed for 1,606.

He ran for 19 touchdowns and passed for another 12.

Trojans usually spend long times 688.2 The on bus rides during the football season,

OCT. 5 at Southlands Christian 7 p.m.

OCT. 12 vs. Excelsior 7 p.m.

OCT. 19 vs. Big Bear 7 p.m.

Ruben Garcia

The Trojans made it to their first-ever championship game in school history as the No. 10 seed in Division 13. They also lost the game by 10 points. Silver Valley pulled within three points in the fourth quarter but wound up falling 30-20 to Orange.

OCT. 26 at Riverside Prep 7 p.m.

being located in Yermo. Silver Valley will only have four bus rides this year for away games. However, they will still travel at least 688.2 miles for those four games. Their shortest ride is a 86.4mile round trip to Riverside Prep.

The Basics HEAD COACH: Randy Block, first year CALPREPS.COM RATINGS: -25.9 KEY PLAYERS: Ruben Garcia (OL/DL), Yves Bosmans (WR/S), Isaiah Craddock (RB), JD Handsford (RB/LB), Lillyan Greenslate (K) Randy Block

KEY LOSSES: E.J. Ane, Anthony Brown, Andre Youngblood, Michael Marrero.

36 2018 High School Football Preview

Silver Valley’s Lillyian Greenslate kicks a field goal during a summer practice.

Robert Najera, For the Daily Press The Silver Valley football team might be the youngest team in the area.

The Trojans return just two players who saw regular playing time on last year’s team that made a run to the CIF-Southern Section Division 13 championship game.

Both players are juniors — lineman Ruben Garcia and kicker Lillyan Greenslate.

“Rueben has really taken on the leader role and he’s only a junior. He knows we have high expectations for him not to be just a good player, but a good leader. He’s a tough kid. You can tell he likes the expectations,” Silver Valley head coach Randy Block said.

“I’m excited to have Lillyan on our team. I’ve been watching her in practice and she has a great leg. I know once the season rolls along, if

Silver Valley’s Noah Caton runs with the football during a summer practice. Robert Najera, For the Daily Press

we are in a close game, I’m going to have all the confidence in her if there’s ever an opportunity to kick us a game-winning field goal.”

Block is in his first year as head coach for the Trojans.

When Block accepted the head coaching position earlier this year, he knew exactly what he was up against. He embraces the challenge and is eager for the season to start.

“I’m inheriting a culture where they are used to being successful, the kids that are out here know what happened last year and they believe they can do the same thing even though they have not even played a game yet,” Block said.

“That’s an advantage for me because they believe in themselves. So the approach is I’m going to take whoever comes out to play for us and

Yves Bosmans smiles as he carries the football during a Sillver Valley summer practice.

Robert Najera, For the Daily Press

do the best we can with what we have. We can’t worry about the things we can’t control.”

Block said he talked to previous head coach John Stewart, who shared some advice and gave him a heads up about the “Fort Irwin lottery.”

Just like the Trojans struck the “lottery” in the past two seasons with E.J. Ane and Anthony Brown, Block feels he might have struck gold with a couple players, whose families are now stationed at the nearby National Training Center.

“We have two kids right off the bat that are highly skilled,” Block said. “Yves Bosmans is a junior transfer from Georgia and he is an incredibly skilled receiver and free safety. We are also counting on sophomore running back Isaiah Craddock. He’s got really good vision, good speed and he cuts well.”

Block comes to Yermo with a over a decade of coaching experience at the high school level.

His last head coaching job was at Highland.

He left the program after the 2010 season and then says he went to Europe, where he coached several semi-professional teams over the next several years.

But Block missed Friday night lights.

“I came back from Europe because I missed that Friday night high school experience,” he said. “This is now my 15th year as a head coach. I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I feel really blessed that this opportunity came my way.

“So far, so good. We’ve got a great core of commited kids that have been attending summer workouts diligently.”

— Jose Quintero 2018 High School Football Preview 37

ACADEMY OF CAREERS & EXPLORATION EAGLES 2017 RESULTS Final Record: 6-3 overall, 3-0 Agape League (first place)

Cody Ferrin

Daniel Blalock

ACE 42

Lone Pine 6

Upland Christian 34

ACE 22

ACE 38

UCSA 34

ACE 52

Lutheran 0

Orcutt Academy 57

ACE 10

ACE 61

Lucerne Valley 0

ACE 41

Hesperia Christian 40

ACE 50

California Lutheran 32

Cate* 58

ACE 14

*Playoff Game

2018 Schedule AUG. 24 at Animo Robinson 7 p.m.

By The Numbers

329 3 21

AUG. 31 TBA SEPT. 7 TBA SEPT. 14 at Lone Pine 7 p.m.

Kaleb Hernandez

SEPT. 21 vs. Laguna Blanca 7 p.m.

SEPT. 28 vs. Lucerne Valley 7 p.m.

274

The Eagles’ 329 points last year were almost as many as they’d scored in the first two years of the program’s existence (362).

ACE went 3-0 in Agape League play last year to clinch the program’s first league title.

The Eagles scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to beat Hesperia Christian by a point last year. Hesperia Christian had a 32-20 lead entering the fourth quarter.

ACE ran for 274 yards per game last year but will need production from some new faces to do that this year. The Eagles top three rushers were all seniors.

OCT. 6 vs. Avalon 7 p.m.

OCT. 12 at Hesperia Christian 7 p.m.

OCT. 19 at UCSA 7 p.m.

OCT. 26 vs. California Lutheran 7 p.m.

Lawrence Jointer

The Basics HEAD COACH: Mike Dickinson, fifth season (career record at ACE: 12-14) CALPREPS.COM RATING: 19.8 KEY PLAYERS: Kaleb Hernandez (QB/LB), Cody Ferrin (RB), Daniel Blalock (DB)

Mike Dickinson

KEY LOSSES: Reese Fisler, Chase Mitchell, Zakiah Garcia, William Morton, Justin Mickey

38 2018 High School Football Preview

Academy of Careers & Exploration is coming off its best football season in the school’s short history.

In just their third year in existence, the Eagles claimed their first Agape League title.

They went 3-0 in league to prevent Hesperia Christian from a second-straight league title.

The two squads played a thrilling Week 6 game that helped lift the Eagles to the title.

ACE scored a touchdown with no time remaining on the clock to cut the Patriots’ lead to one point. Instead of kicking the extra point and going to overtime, the Eagles went for two.

“That is going to be in the school’s history forever,” ACE head coach Mike Dickinson said.

ACE’s season ended with a 58-14 loss against Cate in the first round of the CIF Southern Section 8-man Division I playoffs.

Coming off of the program’s first Agape League title, the Eagles now understand the sweet taste of victory, and it’s a taste the team does not want to forget.

“When you lose a lot, nobody expects you to win. The taste of loss is not that bad,” Dickinson said. “The taste of winning is so sweet. We do not want to lose anymore. We want the sweet taste of victory, not the bitter taste of defeat.”

Now the Eagles have a hard reset.

ACE was the senior-heavy school in the

ACE Charter School’s Kaleb Hernandez practice on Thursday, August 2, 2018.

James Quigg, Daily Press Agape League last season. Eight players graduated from the program.

Among those were starting quarterback Reese Fisler, running backs Chase Mitchell and Zakiah Garcia, and last year’s leading tackler, William Morton.

ACE Charter School’s Lawrence Jointer gathers with the team for drills during practice on Thursday, August 2, 2018. James Quigg, Daily Press

Fisler, Mitchell and Garcia combined for nearly 2,000 of ACE’s 3,414 all-purpose yards, according to MaxPreps.

“I am not worried about the transition, I am excited,” Dickinson said. “When you lose eight seniors that start the program with you, it is a big set back. However, we have more kids signing up than ever before.”

Leading the way is senior quarterback Kaleb Hernandez, who played wide receiver last season and has been a starting linebacker for two seasons. He led the team in receiving yards and finished third in total tackles.

Senior running back Cody Ferrin will likely be the Eagles’ biggest playmaker. Last season, Ferrin finished fourth on the team in rushing yards, which included 100-yard games against Lutheran and Lucerne Valley.

Senior defensive back Daniel Blalock, alongside Hernandez, may have the biggest impact on defense.

Overall, ACE has four players with two or more years of football experience.

But despite the limited experience on the roster, Dickinson believes that the Eagles can build on the success of last season.

“We are going to put in the effort, the practice time, the coaching time,” he said. “The coaches are more seasoned. The kids know what the expectations are. We plan on going farther than last year.”

— Jason Reed, For the Daily Press 2018 High School Football Preview 39

HESPERIA CHRISTIAN PATRIOTS

By The Numbers

2017 RESULTS

Final Record: 9-2 overall, 2-1 Agape League (second place)

Nick Williams

Hunter Dobyns

Hesperia Christian 24

Rolling Hills Prep 7

Hesperia Christian 46

Lone Pine 0

Hesperia Christian 42

RCEA 26

Hesperia Christian 50

SJVA 0

Hesperia Christian 72

Public Safety Academy 20

Hesperia Christian 66

California Lutheran 42

ACE 41

Hesperia Christian 40

Hesperia Christian 62

Lucerne Valley 0

Hesperia Christian* 58

St. Michael's Prep 30

Hesperia Christian* 44

Village Christian Academy 26

Laguna Blanca* 42

Hesperia Christian 36

1

*Playoff Game

2018 Schedule SEPT. 7 vs. North Valley Military Institute 7 p.m.

SEPT. 14 at Foothills Christian 7 p.m.

22 156

SEPT. 21 at Sherman Oaks CES 6 p.m.

SEPT. 28 vs. TEACH Tech 7 p.m.

17.2

OCT. 5 at UCSA 7 p.m.

OCT. 12 vs. ACE 7 p.m.

OCT. 20 at California Lutheran Noon OCT. 26 vs. Lucerne Valley 7 p.m.

The Patriots have lost just one regular season game over the past two years. They went 9-0 in 2016 and 7-1 last year. The lone loss was to ACE, who went on to win the Agape League. The teams meet on Oct. 12.

The Patriots offense didn’t skip a beat when Hunter Dobyns stepped in at quarterback, replacing threeyear starter Auston Luton. As a junior, Dobyns was responsible for 22 total touchdowns. Dobyns passed for 846 yards and 14 touchdowns.

He was also good for 243 yards and eight touchdowns on 60 carries.

Dobyns was all over the field as a junior. Aside from leading the offense, he was the team’s leading defender with 156 total tackles, including 48 solo tackles. He also recorded 5.5 sacks, one interception and recovered a fumble.

Braydon Hampton was Dobyns goto receiver last year. He led the team with 17.2 yards per catch as a junior.

He caught 26 fpasses or 446 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Basics HEAD COACH: Bernie Lara, first season CALPREPS.COM RATING: 24.1 KEY PLAYERS: Hunter Dobyns (QB/LB), Jeremiah Fredieu (RB/DB), Braydon Hampton (TE), David Hough (TE/LB) Bernie Lara

KEY LOSSES: Quentin Wilson, Spencer Doherty

40 2018 High School Football Preview

Hesperia Christian coach Bernie Lara talks with his players during a summer practice. James Quigg, Daily Press Only one thing has eluded the Hesperia Christian football team in the last three seasons — a CIF-Southern Section championship game.

Despite some talented teams in that time period, the Patriots have had their season end early each year.

The Patriots fell to Cuyama Valley in the quarterfinals in 2015. They entered the CIF-Southern Section Division 2 playoffs as the No. 2 seed the following season but came up short again with a 60-36 loss to Lancaster Baptist in the semifinals.

Last year they were the No. 1 seed in Div. 2 but still hit a roadblock in the semifinals.

The Patriots lost to ACE in the regular season to drop the Agape League title and were eliminated again in the semis. Laguna Blanca earned ngs may unfold a little,” Lara said.

The Patriots boast a bigger roster, 19 players, than than they’ve had in any of the last three seasons. The roster includes a core group of seniors who will try to carry on the same success.

Hunter Dobyns is a three-year starter and is entering his second season as the starting quarterback. Dobyns is coming off a season in which he was second in the Agape League in passing yards.

Dobyns, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound athlete, has been a starting linebacker for Hesperia Christian since his freshman year. He has recorded 332 career tackles, two shy of Greg Dahl’s school record.

Senior running back Jeremiah Fredieu figures to be the Patriots’ main playmaker. Fredieu is taking over for Quentin Wilson, who led the Agape

League in rushing yards last season.

“Jeremiah was the lighting to Quinton’s thunder last season. He is going to be the guy,” Lara said.

Seniors David Hough, Braydon Hampton and Nick Williams round out a good class of seniors for Hesperia Christian.

Although a championship is the ultimate goal, the Patriots are also focused on their rematch with ACE. The Eagles scored a touchdown with no time remaining on the clock and completed a two-point conversion for the win.

“They got (the Agape League title) last year, that is why it is circled on our schedule,” Lara said. “Overall, we are just trying to shoot for that Patriot history of hard-nosed football and success.”

— Jason Reed

2018 High School Football Preview 41

LUCERNE VALLEY MUSTANGS 2017 RESULTS

Final Record: 0-9 overall, 0-3 Agape League (fourth place)

Hector Avelar

Isaiah Hernandez

UCSA 44

Lucerne Valley 12

Trona 72

Lucerne Valley 0

Desert Chapel 30

Lucerne Valley 28

Animo Robinson 56

Lucerne Valley 0

United Christian 67

Lucerne Valley 0

Calvary Chapel 32

Lucerne Valley 12

ACE 61

Lucerne Valley 0

California Lutheran 70

Lucerne Valley 22

By The Numbers

494 5

Hesperia Christian 62 Lucerne Valley 0

2018 Schedule AUG. 24 vs. Winward 7 p.m.

AUG. 31 at Trona 7 p.m.

3

SEPT. 8 vs. Chadwick 5 p.m.

Jose Alba

SEPT. 14 at Sage Hill 7 p.m.

SEPT. 20 at Noli Indian 6:30 p.m.

SEPT. 28 at ACE 7 p.m.

OCT. 6 vs. California Lutheran 2:30 p.m.

819

OCT. 12 vs. UCSA 7 p.m.

OCT. 26 at Hesperia Christian 7 p.m.

David Cummings

Lucerne Valley went winless last season and allowed 494 points to opposing teams in nine contests.

The Mustangs scored just 74 points on the season.

The Mustangs were shutout in five of nine games last season.

Opponents scored 318 points against the Mustangs during those shutouts.

Lucerne Valley had not been shutout since the 2014 season.

With Doug Odom taking the helm for the Mustangs, the team has now had three head coaches in the last three seasons. Chris Klinger coached the team for eight consecutive seasons before Patrick Lord took over in 2017.

Lucerne Valley will play five games on the road this season and travel at least 819 miles in round trips.

The Mustangs’ furthest bus ride is a 258-mile round trip to Sage Hill in Newport Beach. Their shortest bus ride this season will be a 50-mile round trip to Hesperia Christian.

The Basics HEAD COACH: Doug Odom, first season CALPREPS.COM RATING: -24.3 KEY PLAYERS: Isaiah Hernandez (QB/LB), Frank Fuente (RB/DB), David Cummings (RB/DB)

Doug Odom

KEY LOSSES: Nacho Perez, Leo Cummings

42 2018 High School Football Preview

Lucerne Valley head coach Douglas Odum knows what it takes to be successful at a small school and is looking to translate that knowledge into success with his new team.

Odum takes over the program from Patrick Lord, who replaced Chris Klinger in 2016 after Klinger’s eight-year tenure.

The Mustangs are coming off of an 0-9 season in which the team was shut out five times.

Odum, who has been coaching football since 1989, embraces the challenges.

“It is quite the challenge, it needs a turnaround,” Odum said. “The team, the kids, the school are all in a down cycle. I know what small schools are all about.”

Odum played high school football at Lone Pine and has coached eight different programs.

At Lucerne Valley, he’s looking to change the philosophy of the team to create a domino effect that he witnessed in his playing days at Lone Pine.

“I want to do my best to light a fuse under the community. I see people at restaurants and they joke about the football team,” Odum said.

“At Lone Pine, a new coach changed everything. Changed the way we looked at ourselves.

It is a matter of self-assessment and realization.”

One thing to get excited about is the experience on the roster. The Mustangs enter the season with 17 upperclassmen, four sophomores and one freshman.

Taking over under center is junior Isaiah Hernandez. Odum said Hernandez is a great athlete who is also going to play linebacker for the Mustangs.

Lucerne Valley’s David Cummings runs with the football during a passing league game this summer.

Peter Day, For the Daily Press Odum calls his offensive scheme a fastbreak offense, much like an offense he would run as a basketball coach. The quarterback serves as the point guard.

“We will start every play with the ball in my point guard’s hands, like basketball. From there, all we have to do is make good decisions and put the ball in good places,” Odum said.

Senior Frank Fuente will serve as co-captain alongside Hernandez. Fuente, who will play running back and safety, was third on the team in rushing yards last season.

David Cummings looks to be the team’s biggest playmaker. The senior running back and safety rushed for 582 yards last season. He was second on the team with 96 total tackles.

Odum’s game plan for Lucerne Valley is built upon relying on the most athletic players on the field; a strategy that is easier to get away with in

eight-man football.

“We have five to six great athletes on our team,” Odum said. “We are going to stack those athletes on defense. They are the quickest and the offense is going to have to run through them.”

The defense will also need to tighten up. The Mustangs allowed 494 points in nine games last season. Every opponent scored more than 30 points against the Mustangs. The four other teams in the Agape League outscored Lucerne Valley 237-34.

Despite the lopsided results last season, Odum believes the door is still wide open for the Mustangs.

“We are in the Agape League. In reality, all we need to do is win three league games to make it to the playoffs,” Odum said.

— Jason Reed

2018 High School Football Preview 43

UNIVERSITY CAREER & SPORTS ACADEMY SAINTS

By The Numbers

2017 RESULTS Final Record: 4-4 overall

Matthias Neos

Matthew Contreras

UCSA 44

Lucerne Valley 12

UCSA 47

Crossroads Christian 12

UCSA 52

Calvary Baptist 28

ACE 38

UCSA 34

UCSA 58

Hillcrest Christian 36

Winward 43

UCSA 8

Cornerstone 40

UCSA 36

Rolling Hills Prep* 42

UCSA 14

*Playoff Game

2018 Schedule SEPT. 7 at Winward 3 p.m.

Josiah Neos

SEPT. 21 at California Lutheran, 7 p.m.

3

44 13 30

University Careers and Sports Academy enters its third year of existence and first year of action in the Agape League.

UCSA enters its inaugural season in the Agape League with one win all-time against an Agape League team, a 4412 victory over Lucerne Valley.

UCSA has 13 players on the roster heading into the school year, making it the smallest roster in the area.

UCSA has roughly 30 kids enrolled in the school for this year.

OCT. 5 vs. Hesperia Christian 7 p.m.

OCT. 12 at Lucerne Valley 7 p.m.

OCT. 19 vs. ACE 7 p.m.

OCT. 26 vs. Maricopa 7 p.m.

Joey Plascencia

The Basics HEAD COACH: George Neos, third season (overall record at UCSA: 5-10) CALPREPS.COM RATING: 0 KEY PLAYERS: Matthias Neos (QB), Josiah Neos (RB)

George Neos

KEY LOSSES: N/A

44 2018 High School Football Preview

There is a new face in the Agape League looking to turn some heads.

University Career and Sports Academy is entering its third football season and first as a member of the Agape League.

UCSA’s narrow 38-34 defeat against last year’s Agape League champs ACE gives head coach George Neos hope for the upcoming season. The Saints started the 2017 season on a three-game winning streak before losing to ACE. However, they lost three starters after the hot start and never recovered. The team went on to lose its final three games.

“I don’t know if anyone is going to be concerned with us, if we lose one guy our entire season can go the wrong direction real quick,” Neos said. “I think our kids are going to compete, though. We are thin, but every kid that is starting started last year. If we were healthy, we would have made a deep push.”

UCSA was founded by Neos. The campus is located at Lighthouse Community Church in Hesperia, where Neos is a pastor.

UCSA made the postseason last year.

The Saints lost 42-14 to Rolling Preps in the first round.

“I know we are a playoff team,” Neos said.

Unfortunately, the Saints will be ineligible for

UCSA’s Matthias Neos practices on Thursday, August 9, 2018. James Quigg, Daily Press the postseason this year. UCSA has had trouble with it’s charter affiliation, which has led the CIFSouthern Section placing UCSA under probation for the second time in its three-year existence.

UCSA Saints practice on Thursday August 9, 2018. James Quigg, Daily Press

UCSA is entering its first school year under the Sage Oak affiliation after it was forced to leave as a branch of Independent Charter Academy in Helendale due to a Jan. 2017 California Supreme Court ruling on non-classroom based charter schools.

“Since we underwent a name change, CIF is considering us as a new school,” Neos said.

“We are on probation for one year so we are eliminated from any postseason play.”

Among the starters to watch are Neos’ sons, Matthias and Josiah. Matthias and Josiah both made the All-CIF-Southern Section Division 2 First Team last season. They will take over quarterback and running back duties, respectively.

The Saints are entering the season with 13 players on the roster and, according to Neos, around 30 kids admitted to start the school year.

However, the new face of the Agape League is still looking to compete, with or without playoff eligibility.

“This is part of football. We must learn to overcome the adversity,” Neos said. “If we can teach them to overcome adversity, it teaches them to be better husbands, fathers, employees and people. There is nothing else like football that tests who you are on the inside.”

— Jason Reed 2018 High School Football Preview 45

Living Large

(Continued from Page 7)

Cyrus Fitivale (6-1, 267) transferred in from Victor Valley in the offseason and rounds out the starting five at left guard.

Last season was a down year for a program that’s been a top team in the High Desert.

Oak Hills went just 6-5 overall and 3-2 in the Mojave River League.

There is optimism Oak Hills won’t repeat those marks, in part because of the offensive line.

We know for sure the offensive line will be big. The expectation is they’ll also be very good.

Notarianni predicts Rodriguez won’t be the last member of this year’s line to have a chance to play Division 1 football. Multiple members of the line should get that opportunity, according to Notarianni, starting with Ibarra, who has received some interest but no offers yet.

“This is going to be the best offensive line I’ve had since I came to the desert in ‘06,” said Notarianni, who has also coached at Hesperia and Sultana.

Tulafono could look at the size of his fellow linemen and get an inclination that they’d be good right away. The Bulldogs’ line cemented that notion as they brutalised other schools in lineman competitions during the summer.

They’d take on Div. 1 and 2 teams like St. John Bosco, Centennial/Corona and Norco and win.

There was a least some trepidation heading into those battles. They were going up against big names. Traditional powerhouse teams from Div. 1 had to be better, right?

But Oak Hills, in Div. 4, proved it belonged and often pushed around the big names.

“On my first rep I was like, ‘Oh, this isn’t that

Jason Rodriguez takes a break during preseason conditioning and lifting.

James Quigg, Daily Press 46 2018 High School Football Preview

bad. We’re good.’” said Tulafono of facing off against Centennial/Corona. “We are D4, right?

And we go into a D1 school. It don’t feel like a D1 school. We are playing higher than them and that’s how our line feels. Like we are not scared.

We like the competition.”

Ibarra lets out a hearty laugh before he succinctly describes the offensive line’s tear through summer linemen competitions.

“We demolished kids,” he said.

4 FEET IN THE AIR It wasn’t always that easy for classmates Ibarra and Rodriguez. They lacked strength even though they had size during their freshman campaigns.

The two became friends in sixth grade and now call each other brothers entering their final high school season. They each started at a similar place when they entered Oak Hills, playing at the freshman level. Ibarra wanted to quit after his first couple days of camp. His parents talked him out of it, telling him no one in the family quits.

Ibarra stuck with it, and both players got called up to varsity for Oak Hills’ run to the Eastern Division title in 2015.

It didn’t take long to realize the varsity players were at a different level in just a practice setting.

“They put me in the linemen group, and all of the linemen were pretty shredded,” Rodriguez said. “I wasn’t, so I was suffering for a while.”

Rodriguez got some spot duty here and there during the playoffs with similar results as practice.

“It was pretty scary,” Rodriguez said. “Against La Quinta, I got laid out by this USC commit,” Rodriguez said. “The CIF game was scary overall because (Serrano’s linemen) were pretty big, and I was fragile overall.”

But they hit the weight room and started adding muscle. There’s a difference between size and strength. They’ve always had the former.

Today, the two seniors can employ both.

“Next thing you know, we are making kids fly like 4 feet in the air,” Ibarra said.

A TROJAN AGAIN Scott Rodriguez knows a little bit about playing offensive line. He played the same left tackle position as his son in high school, although he calls himself a “mediocre” player while growing up in football-crazed Texas.

“I was a nobody, but I did it,” Scott said.

He started to realize Jason could have a chance play beyond Oak Hills by the time his son reached high school. Maybe a couple scholarship offers could come in, his parents thought. If they were lucky, maybe some D1 schools would offer him.

They weren’t quite thinking that most of the Pac-12 would have interest — nine of 12 schools in the conference extended an offer.

Even though he had already had several offers entering the season, including Arizona State, Jason’s goals for his junior campaign were pretty quaint.

“I was just hoping I’d start and stuff like that,” said Rodriguez. “Get bigger and maybe get a couple offers here and there. I didn’t really have high expectations.”

He reached double-digit offers by January.

Today he’s rated as the 11th best tackle in the country by ESPN, 14th by Rivals and 15th by 247sports, His recruiting journey turned on the weekend of Feb. 24. It became one of the biggest weekends of Rodriguez’s life.

He attended a junior day event at USC on Saturday. While the school was looking at him, he hadn’t received offered yet. An assistant coach pulled him aside and took him to USC head coach Clay Helton’s office, where Helton offered Rodriguez a scholarship. His parents were in tears.

“Then it hit me, and I was like, ‘Wow,’ ” Rodriguez said.

The school quickly rocketed to the top of his list.

Despite growing up in Southern California, he was somewhat ambivalent about Trojans. His allegiance was with Texas A&M in part because he liked the school’s colors.

But he knew USC felt right after visiting the campus.

“It felt like I was walking on history,” Rodriguez said. “I knew USC was the spot. It felt good.

I knew as soon as I got it.”

The school offers a genealogy degree, and everything else felt like it had fallen into place.

But the list was about to get a lot longer. His performance at the Under Armour All-America Camp the next day opened the floodgates.

Rodriguez admits to having some nerves heading into the camp, but Ghalee Wadood couldn’t tell. Wadood, who is the new head

Jason Rodriguez lines up a block against Apple Valley in 2017.

James Quigg, Daily Press coach at Adelanto, helped get Rodriguez the invitation to the camp and has trained him at his gym in Victorville. Rodriguez started getting extra work there after his sophomore season.

His size made him special. His work ethic separated him from the elite.

“Just with his drive, you knew he could become a great player,” Wadood said.

Rodriguez had his typical quiet confidence heading into the Under Armour camp. The camp is invite only and brings in some of the best football talents from up and down the West Coast.

The premise that players from the High Desert are underdogs is something — much like many things in his life — that Rodriguez has outgrown.

“Jason never looks nervous,” Wadood said.

“He got that same look. It’s just calm. It’s very calm. You can tell he’s focused.

“I try to look in his eyes, he didn’t show no signs. You can kind of tell when you see someone nervous. He was laid back, ready to go.”

Rodriguez wasn’t just good that day. He flat out dominated. He was leveling elite players in one-on-one drills.

Of the roughly 40 reps against defensive linemen, 247Sports’ national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins estimates Rodriguez got beat maybe once the entire day.

“That camp was a really loaded defensive group,” Biggins said. “He was just stoning guys.

That’s really what stood out for me as a believer in him. It was impressive. It wasn’t just that he won them; it was the way he won them. You kind of want to see a guy physically dominate, and he was able to do that.”

Oak Hills’ Jason Rodriquez lifts at the school. Rodriguez has already committed to University of Southern California. James Quigg, Daily Press

His performance earned him a spot at the Under Armour All-American Game, which will be played Jan. 4 in Orlando, Florida, and televised live on ESPN2. Only one offensive lineman from the camp is selected for that distinction.

He had just about everyone’s attention now.

Offers from huge football schools like Nebraska, Florida and Notre Dame came in the following weeks.

Despite the flurry, Rodriguez’s mind was pretty much set from that weekend on.

RESPECT THE GRIP Everyone has a handshake story when it comes to Rodriguez.

It’s a gesture that bridges the gap between his brute strength and respectful demeanor. His dad taught him if you shake someone’s hand and ”it’s noodles, you lose respect,” Jason said. His large hand can feel suffocating, like it’s putting your digits through a pasta maker and pressing them into strands of spaghetti, as it wraps around for a good squeeze. His strength takes care of the rest.

“It just happens,” Rodriguez said. “I know how to control my strength, but that’s just what I usually give everybody.”

College coaches told him they appreciated his strong grip as he met them through the recruiting process. Oak Hills coaches have learned to fist bump for safety.

“He almost broke my hand the first time I shook it,” Biggins, the recruiting analyst, said.

“He has a grip for sure. It was probably the best handshake I’ve ever had, and I mean that in the most masculine way possible.”

There’s duality to Rodriguez that bridges the

gap between strength and respect.

There’s respect for his craft. For all the attention he’s earned in the last year, it hasn’t distracted from the work. He’d workout up to five times a day during the spring.

“He’s probably the hardest working guy in the weight room,” Oak Hills defensive line coach Thomas Riley said. “He’s the hardest working guy on the field. The guy comes and takes care of business nonstop. I think that gets overlooked a lot.

“He’s just a joy to be around because he’s humble. You are never going to hear him brag about any of his accolades or his scholarships.

Anything like that. He’s just a genuinely nice guy, and I think the sky’s the limit for him.”

There’s respect for teammates. He makes a point to help out the younger players coming up in Oak Hills’ program.

And respect for others. When it came time to make a commitment to a college, respect played a big part in the process.

He took an unofficial visit to the University of Oregon in late April. He felt pretty confident USC was the choice in the weeks leading up to the trip but wanted to at least hear what the Ducks had to offer and say thank you in person to a school among his top three.

By the end, he left telling the Ducks they’d have a decision from him soon. The next day he made it official and committed to USC. But no one should expect that kind of deference on the football field this year.

His plan is to leave a mark.

“Just make sure our quarterback doesn’t get hit,” Rodriguez said. “and destroy whoever is in front of me.”

2018 High School Football Preview 47

10 Players to Watch DEFENSE Aaron Bullock, DB, senior, Silverado Bullock was the Hawks’ third leading tackler as a junior last year. He recorded 56 total tackles, including 34 solo tackles. Bullock played a key part in Silverado holding opponents to 20 points or less in 8 games, including two playoff games last season.

Hunter Dobyns, LB, senior, Hesperia Christian Dobyns was all over the field as a junior for Hesperia Christian. Aside from leading the Patriots offense at quarterback, Dobyns was the team’s leading defender with 156 total tackles, including 48 solo tackles. He also recorded 5.5 sacks, one interception and recovered a fumble.

He’s going to be fun to watch this year.

Darius Glover, DL, senior, Hesperia Glover was one of the few bright spots on a Scorpions team that went 1-9 last year. Glover recorded 41 tackles, including 13 solo tackles, and seven sacks as a junior last year. Glover stands at 6-foot-5 and might do some damage against opposing offensive linemen and quarterbacks this year.

Hesperia (CA) High School Scoprions practice on Tuesday July 31, 2018.

James Quigg, Daily Press Antonio Ili, DB, junior, Barstow Ili was one of the Aztecs leading defenders as a sophomore last year and will likely serve as a captain in his junior season. Ili registered 36 total tackles, including 24 solo tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and recovered a fumble last season. Second-year head coach Curt Mitchell says he’s eager to see what Ili can do with last year’s “valuable” experience.

Jeremy Justice, DB, junior, Apple Valley Sun Devils head coach Matt Rohrbaugh is excited about the kind of year Justice might have as a junior. Justice will lineup as a safety, and is tasked with filling the void left by Mojave River League Defensive MVP Seth Baker. In limited time as a sophomore last year, Justice had 40 total tackles, recorded three sacks and caused a fumble.

Almatino Mau’u, LB, senior, Silverado Mau’u was the leading tackler in the Desert Sky League with 126 despite receiving All-DSL Second Team honors. Mau’u recorded 59 solo tackles, also a DSL high, and assisted on 67 in his junior campaign, while serving as the team’s defensive captain. He also had seven tackles for a loss and recorded two sacks.

Silverado’s Tykeil Ogbonna practice on Thursday, August 9, 2018. James Quigg, Daily Press 48 2018 High School Football Preview

Sione Moa, DB, junior, Oak Hills Midway through his sophomore season Moa proved he was more than “just” a quarterback,

running back and wide receiver for the Victor Valley football team. He also lined up at safety and was a nightmare to opposing offenses. Moa, along with his brother Lake, recently transferred to Oak Hills and figures to have another bone-crushing year in the Bulldogs’ secondary.

Tykeil Ogbonna, DL, senior, Silverado The Desert Sky League’s Defensive Most Valuable Player returns to the Hawks for his senior season. As a junior Ogbonna made 62 tackles and recorded nine sacks during the regular season, and made two more sacks and 26 more tackles in three playoff games.

Justice Pele, DL, junior, Sultana Pele comes from a long lineage of Pele siblings who have dawned a Sultana uniform.

As a sophomore last year the defensive lineman recorded 47 total tackles, one sack and recovered a fumble.

Chad Smith, DB, senior, Apple Valley Smith could have easily been part of this list on the offensive side. But he was a key part of the Sun Devils’ loaded defensive backfield that held opposing offenses in check for most of the year last season. Smith recorded 54 total tackles, including 22 solo tackles, and recovered a fumble.

OFFENSE Marshawn Buchanan, RB, junior, Adelanto Buchanan is one of several players to transfer to Adelanto from Oak Hills during the offseason and is poised for a big junior year.

The sample size on Buchanan is small. While serving as the backup running back for the Bulldogs, Buchanan averaged 8.4 yards per carry. He had 40 carries for 336 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore.

Mikey Delgado, WR, senior, Oak Hills Delgado was the Bulldogs leading receiver last year despite suffering a season-ending leg injury Week 4. As a junior, Delgado caught 13 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns in five games. Plus he filled in at quarterback during his sophomore season. Now he’s back to full health this year and figures to be the focal point for quarterback Josh Stewart.

Donovan Ferguson, RB, senior, Apple Valley Ferguson had a breakout year for the Sun Devils as a junior last year averaging 7.8 yards per carry. Ferguson ran for 1,377 yards and 15 touchdowns on 177 carries. But he was also effective out of the backfield receiving the ball.

He caught 13 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns. Opposing defenses should keep several eyes at all times on Ferguson this year.

Anthony Jackson, QB, senior, Silverado Jackson has some very large shoes to fill after Levi Taylor graduated from Silverado after

two monstrous seasons at quarterback. We don’t know much about Jackson, but Silverado head coach Rafael Ginorio said Jackson is much faster than Taylor, who ran for 312 yards and seven touchdowns on 65 carries. We’ll take Ginorio’s word for it and expect to see another dual-threat quarterback leading the Hawks this year.

Matt Lowe, TE, junior, Serrano Lowe is a big body. He stands at 6-foot5 and is Serrano’s starting center on the basketball court. He was the Diamondbacks’ leading receiver as a sophomore last year with 19 catches for 398 yards and six touchdowns.

Lowe might wind up being the focal point of the Serrano offense this year with his size advantage alone.

Angelo Mastandrea, QB, junior, Sultana Mastandrea made the Players to Watch cut last year as a wide receiver. He’s back this year as the starting quarterback for the Sultans.

He’s explosive with the ball in his hands as a receiver or a rusher. Mastandrea got a few reps at quarterback last year. He’s been working on his craft as a quarterback with former Oak Hills and Victor Valley College quarterback Nolan Brammer.

Nicholas Reed-Casey, RB, senior, Silverado Reed-Casey was the leading rusher for Serrano last year and figured to be the focal point of the offense for his senior. As a junior, he led the Diamondbacks with 815 yards and 10 touchdowns on 150 carries, while splitting time in the backfield. However, he transferred

Sultana High School’s Angelo Mastrandrea throws during practice on Wednesday, August 1, 2018.

James Quigg, Daily Press

The Sun Devils’ running back Donovan Ferguson practice on Tuesday, July 17, 2018.

James Quigg, Daily Press to Silverado, where we may wind up being the focal point of the offense.

Jason Rodriguez, OL, senior, Oak Hills Rodriguez is probably the most highly recruited athlete, regardless of sport, to come out of the High Desert. All eyes will be on the Bulldogs starting tackle, who is committed to USC. Rodriguez was part of a push up front that generated 141.2 rushing yards per game.

Josh Stewart, QB, senior, Oak Hills With one of the biggest offensive lines the area has ever seen, all signs are pointing towards Stewart having a memorable senior season. As a junior Stewart completed 51 passes for 775 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has a nice bunch of playmakers to work with.

Jeff Widener, QB, senior, Apple Valley Widener had a huge season as a junior and led the Sun Devils to their first league title since 1985. He threw 35 touchdown passes, including 19 that went to returning wide receivers Chad Smith and Xander Witt.

Widener was also a threat while scrambling with the football. He ran for 536 yards and seven touchdowns on 97 carries.

2018 High School Football Preview 49

Storylines Apple Valley’s title defense The Sun Devils have built slowly since Matt Rohrbaugh took over in, but that patience culminated in a league title last year for the first time since 1985. Will they be able to hold off the rest of the MRL for repeat?

The Serrano Diamondbacks’ Head Coach Casey Maholchic, center, calls plays during a practice on Tuesday, July 31, 2018.

James Quigg, Daily Press Moving Divisions Teams were shuffled between divisions within the CIF-Southern Section more than ever before in the competitive-equity era. You have a team like Apple Valley jumping up five divisions and Serrano falling back from Division 3 to 6. Who will be the winners and losers under current divisions?

All eyes on Rodriguez The High Desert may not see a player like Jason Rodriguez for a very long time. The hulking lineman should be something to watch each Friday for Oak Hills. How do teams approach playing him when there will likely be a big mismatch in size? Does his star power help get more players on Oak Hills’ line recruited?

Can Oak Hills and Serrano bounce back?

Oak Hills and Serrano have built themselves into the premier programs in the High Desert but each took a step back in 2017. Serrano went just 2-8 while Oak Hills was 6-4 and made the playoffs but still didn’t live up to its high standards.

Was last year just blip? Will both teams be back to full strength this year?

A revamped Silver Valley Head coach John Stewart helped build Silver Valley in a consistently competitive team, against many odds. They reached the CIF-Southern Section Division 13 title game last year on a magical run. But just about nobody returns, including Stewart who’s now coaching at Victor Valley. How does this new Trojans team do?

New coaches There was quite the turnover among coaches in the High Desert in the offseason. There are eight new coaches in the area. Is there a learning curve for those coaches? Which one has the best season at his new program?

Which transfer makes the biggest impact on team?

Transfers are always a hot topic. We had some big-name talent changing teams in the High Desert like Marshawn Buchanan jumping from Oak Hills to Adelanto and brothers Sione and Lake Moa moving from Victor Valley to Oak Hills. Which transfer makes the biggest impact for his new team?

Granite Hills on the rise?

The Cougars might be one of the most interesting teams heading into the season. The program has been long suffering but there’s optimism that could be changing. They return 17 starters from last year, including running back Taeshaun Brown. The Desert Sky League is perhaps more wide open than it’s been in a while. Can Granite Hills make a move up the standings?

Can Silverado continue scoring in bunches?

The Hawks’ offense put on a fun show the last two years, averaging 44.7 points per game. With Levi Taylor and bunch of other skill players from those teams graduated will the Hawks still pace the High Desert in offense?

New Coaches Half of the 18 local schools in our coverage area will start the season with a new head coach. Each league that consists of the High Desert has two teams with new faces at the helm. Meet each of the new head coaches in the area.

Randy Block, Silver Valley Replaces: John Stewart

Bernie Lara, Hesperia Christian Replaces: Dean Dorsey

John Stewart, Victor Valley Replaces: Sai Maiava

Sean Fullerton, Burroughs Replaces: Todd Mather

Shawn Moore, Excelsior Replaces: Bill Rivera

Casey Goodnough, Hesperia Replaces: Joe Scherf

Doug Odum, Lucerne Valley Replaces: Patrick Lord

Ghalee Wadood, Adelanto Replaces: Kevin Raines

50 2018 High School Football Preview

Randy Block

Sean Fullerton

Casey Goodnough Bernie Lara

Shawn Moore

Doug Odum

John Stewart

Ghalee Wadood

DSL PAST LEAGUE CHAMPS

MRL PAST LEAGUE CHAMPS

Predictions

2000: Barstow 2001: Barstow, Burroughs,

Victor Valley 2002: Burroughs, Silverado 2003: Burroughs 2004: Silverado 2005: Burroughs 2006: Silverado 2007: Silverado 2008: Silverado, Burroughs,

Barstow 2009: Silverado 2010: Victor Valley, Burroughs 2011: Silverado 2012: Barstow, Burroughs 2013: Victor Valley 2014: Silverado 2015: Barstow 2016: Silverado 2017: Silverado

1996: Victor Valley 1997: Burroughs 1998: Serrano, Victor Valley, Barstow 1999: Barstow, Serrano, Sultana 2000: Serrano, Sultana 2001: Serrano 2002: Serrano 2003: Serrano 2004: Serrano 2005: Sultana 2006: Rim of the World 2007: Serrano 2008: Hesperia 2009: Serrano 2010: Serrano 2011: Serrano 2012: Serrano 2013: Serrano 2014: Oak Hills 2015: Serrano 2016: Serrano, Oak Hills 2017: Apple Valley

Matthew Peters Staff Writer DSL Silverado Victor Valley Barstow Granite Hills Adelanto MRL Oak Hills Apple Valley Serrano Sultana Burroughs Hesperia Jose Quintero Staff Writer DSL Silverado

Granite Hills Barstow Adelanto Victor Valley MRL Apple Valley Oak Hills Sultana Serrano Burroughs Hesperia Jason Vrtis Weekly’s Editor DSL Silverado Victor Valley Granite Hills Barstow Adelanto MRL

Oak Hills Apple Valley Serrano Burroughs Sultana Hesperia Kevin Trudgeon City Editor DSL Silverado Barstow Victor Valley Granite Hills Adelanto MRL Apple Valley Oak Hills Serrano Sultana Burroughs

Hesperia Jason Reed Freelancer DSL Silverado Victor Valley Barstow Granite Hills Adelanto MRL Oak Hills Apple Valley Serrano Sultana Burroughs Hesperia

2018 High School Football Preview 51

Games to Watch DSL GAMES TO WATCH Silverado at Adelanto, Sept. 28: The Hawks have held the Saints to just seven points over the past two seasons, while scoring 120 points.

Last’s years DSL opener was a 78-0 blowout.

But the new-look Saints have revenge on their mind as they look for the program’s first-ever victory over Silverado.

Barstow at Silverado, Oct. 5: Barstow figures to be Silverado’s toughest competition if last two meetings are any indication. The Hawks have won the last two meetings, but the Aztecs have scored a combined 63 points, the most of any other DSL team. Will this be the year for Barstow to finally knock off the defending twotime league champs?

Victor Valley at Barstow, Oct. 26: The Axe Game, which dates back to 1932, needs little introduction. Victor Valley rides a two-game victory in the rivalry game. Last year’s 21-20 nailbiter determined second place in the DSL and guaranteed a playoff spot for the Jackrab-

52 2018 High School Football Preview

bits. Will this year’s matchup produce the same kind of fireworks?

Granite Hills at Adelanto, Oct. 26: This matchup has come down to the wire for straight years with the teams splitting victories. The Cougars edged the Saints 28-24 in the season finale, which wound up being the battle for fourth place in the DSL. With the DSL seemingly as open as its been in recent years, there’s a possibility this game could have a guaranteed playoff spot up for grabs.

MRL GAMES TO WATCH Apple Valley at Burroughs, Sept. 28: Last year’s matchup was a thriller with Apple Valley holding on to beat Burroughs 14-7. The Sun Devils’ win propelled them to the MRL title while the Burros took second place. Burroughs has a ton of questions marks entering this season but will have the benefit of home field advantage to kickoff MRL play.

Serrano at Burroughs, Oct. 12: Last year’s

meeting was a classic. The Diamondbacks thought they escaped with a victory after stopping the Burros on the two-yard line. But an injury on the field forced a timeout with two seconds left. Burroughs pushed the ball into the end zone as time expired for a 40-38 victory, culminating a 30-yard drive in the final minute of the game.

Oak Hills at Serrano, Oct. 19: Last year’s matchup was a disappointment in context of recent thrillers between two of the High Desert’s top programs. The Bulldogs routed the rebuilding Diamondbacks 49-7 at home.

Here’s a bit of wishful hoping that this game provides the luster of previous meetings.

Apple Valley at Oak Hills, Oct. 26: The Bulldogs scored 24 points against the Sun Devils, which was the most they allowed during MRL play last year. But Apple Valley held off Oak Hills for the league title, 31-24.

Will they both be gunning for a title when they meet again?