SAUGUS

the line, appreciates Johnson’s ability to communicate.

“Just him being able to talk to us, communicate with us, know what we’re doing at the same time that he knows what he’s doing,” Hawk said. “It’s just awesome to have that communication and that teamwork with our quarterback.”

Hawk, fellow senior Parker Koontz and junior Jake Franano are expected to be key pieces on the line for Bornn, who has high hopes for that group. “I think our line on both sides of the ball is going to be pretty solid,” Bornn said. “You can have all the skill players you want, but if your offensive line can’t protect the quarterback and your defensive line can’t stop the run, you’re not going to be very successful.”

Speaking of skill players, Bornn has no shortage of options. The question is who will cement themselves and in which positions.

Seniors Kayden Ky-Yeith, Lucas Francke and CJ Mound have been splitting time at receiver and running back, while senior Shane Morton and sophomore Degan Grant are options at receiver. Senior RJ Temple is expected to be the guy at tight end to go along with his work at linebacker.

“I think we’re gonna shock people,” Temple said. “We got guys that could perform and we’re gonna go out there and surprise people.”

Johnson likes what he’s seen at practice and is excited to see how everything shakes out once the season starts. He knows he has big shoes to fill but looks forward to the challenge. “We’ve been working a lot. Summer camp was really fun. We started off pretty strong, finished strong, too,” he said. “The main part was just getting new guys into the system, helping them out, focus up and just learn our stuff, just know our culture. And it was really successful. I’m looking forward to it. I think we got a really good chance this year. League is up for grabs, I’d say, and now we’re just keep grinding every day.”

The league could be in reach. West Ranch, last year’s league winner, has lost nearly every starter, and it remains to be seen how much better Valencia and Hart have gotten. Golden Valley is retooling after a banner year, while Castaic and Canyon look to take their next steps.

“It just takes hard work, and nothing’s impossible,” Mound said. “You know, a lot of people believe that Valencia is the best team. I mean, I know we can beat them. We just have to work really hard and just prove that we can beat them, because I know we can.”

While winning the league for the third time in four years would be quite a feat, many Centurions also look at the playoffs, where Saugus has been knocked out in the first round each of the past two years.

“Last year was pretty tough and the year before was pretty tough, but I think we could have a pretty good shot at it this year,” Hawk said. “As long as we just keep going and keep trying. You got to put 100% effort in everything you do.”

Bornn isn’t quite sure yet what his spread offense will look like. “We’re trying to be as balanced as humanly possible,” Bornn said. “Ideally, we’d love to be 50-50. It’s a week-to-week thing. If our run game is clicking, then we’re going to run the ball more. If our pass game is clicking, we’re going to pass the ball more. And if they’re both clicking, then we’ll be as balanced as we can get.”

However things shake out, Bornn will be happy to see improvement, physically and mentally.

“Every year the goal is to devel-

2023 Roster

2 CJ Mound WR/CB

3 Ty Hall RB So.

4 Deandre Garland WR/CB Sr.

5 Shane Morton WR/CB Sr.

6 Degan Grant WR/DB So.

7 RJ Temple TE/LB Sr.

8 Kayden Ky-Yeith RB/LB Sr.

9 Jake Nuttall QB So.

10 Kyson Marome LB/TE Jr.

11 Andrew Cerritos RB/DB Jr.

12 Gage Sheklow WR/DB Jr.

13 Jake Abalos WR/DB Jr.

14 Hayden Wilson DB Jr.

15 Anthony Torres RB/LB Sr.

16 Abe Rivera QB/DB Jr.

17 Nolan Campeau WR So.

18 Trent Johnson QB Sr.

19 Gavin St. Peter WR/DB Sr.

20 Jordan Lima-Kuderer RB/LB Sr.

21 Jaden Montiel RB Jr.

22 Johnathon Sabatucci WR/DB Jr.

23 Andrew Alfaro WR/DB Sr.

24 Christian Lozano DB/WR Jr.

25 Lucas Francke RB Sr.

26 Timothy op these players into outstanding human beings beyond high school,” he said. “If we can win some games along the way, that’s awesome, too.”

Saugus was set to begin its 2023 season against Rio Mesa on Thursday at College of the Canyons. 