SoCal Issue 137, Aug. 24, 2017

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ISSUE 10 AUGUST 24, 2017 SOCAL EDITION

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elcome to the newest addition to our Football Preview Empire.

We’re proud to introduce our first SoCal Football Preview edition and hope its one that will grow as large as the eight NorCal versions we’ve produced to this point.

To get this done, we leaned heavily on the help of Cal-Hi Sports editor and cofounder Mark Tennis. If you’re gonna lean on somebody, it may as well be one of the most respected names in California high school reporting over the last three decades.

This will be the first full academic year of our effort to cover SoCal schools. Our first SoCal edition didn’t come until late November of 2016. Tennis will be helping us spearhead our coverage down there, and we’re hoping we can continue to grow that issue.

As for the content ahead, look for a feature on Mission Hills-San Marcos — a team with one of the best QBs in the state (Jack Tuttle) and receiver Chris Olave, who will be one of Tuttle’s top targets after sitting out a year due to a transfer rule that no longer exists. We’ve also got a cover story on Mission Viejo standout Olaijah Griffin, the son of famed rapper and hip-hop producer, Warren G. There’s also a story on the impact of the CIF L.A. City Section creating an Open Division as well as a Preseason All-SoCal team and Preseason SoCal Top 20 team rankings.

And for those looking to find out more about the northern end of the state, our NorCal Preview includes preview features and stories on five different sections, plus a Preseason All-NorCal Team and the NorCal Top 20 team rankings.

We hope you enjoy this first effort, and look forward to spending this year growing our relationship with our new SoCal readers.

Untlil then, Hooray Football. ✪

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SoCal Preseason Top 20 Rankings.

Who will challenge the Big Three?

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The L.A. City Section adds intrigue with a new Open playoff Division

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If any player knows how to regulate, it’s Mission Viejo’s Olaijah Griffin.

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EXCLUSIVE: Preseason All-SoCal Team. Only the best made the list Mission Hills has look of a team ready to chase a section crown Cal-Hi Sports Preseason State Top 20

August 24, 2017

Chris Olave

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SoCal Pr

No. 2 St. John Bosco

No. 3 Centennial

1. MATER DEI | 13-1

6. LONG BEACH POLY | 7-4

With 10 returning starters on offense — including the Cal-Hi Sports State Sophomore Player of the Year, QB JT Daniels (4.849 yards, 67 TDs), and the state’s No. 1 overall senior recruit in WR AmonRa St. Brown (1,229 yards, 21 TDs) — and a defense bolstered by incoming high-profile transfers, it’s hard not to look at the Monarchs as THE team to beat.

The arrival of transfer QB Matt Corrall (Florida) has many believing the Jackrabbits could reclaim

2. ST. JOHN BOSCO-BELLFLOWER | 13-2 The defending CIF Open Division State Bowl champ and Cal-Hi Sports State Team of the Year still has plenty of big-time talent on the roster, despite some key names graduating. Dual threat QB Re-al Mitchell leads an offense that also returns tailback Demetrius Flowers. But the true star power resides on the Braves defense, and major DB recruits Jaiden Woodbey (Ohio State), Stephan Blaylock (UCLA) and jr. Chris Steele (also UCLA)

3. CENTENNIAL-CORONA | 11-2 Returning Elite 11 Finals QB Tanner McKee (3,522 yards, 36 TDs; 539 rushing yards, 17 TDs) is back to lead another Huskies team that should have plenty of firepower. McKee will have a number of new skill guys around him, but four of his top offensive linemen are back to make the transition a bit easier.

4. MISSION VIEJO | 11-1

5. NARBONNE-HARBOR CITY | 14-1 L.A. City Section Player of the Year Jalen Chatman returns behind center after throwing for 3,926 yards and 52 TDs last season while also rushing for 600 more yards and six scores. Redondo transfer Jermar Jefferson should take over at RB and benefit from returning junior OL Jonah Tauanu’u (6-5, 290). USC-bound LB Raymond Scott leads the defense.

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returnees include RB Mike Mauai (670 yards rushing, 11 TDs), LB Wiley Purry (91 tackles) and DL Aaron Frost (6-4, 290).

7.CHAMINADE-WEST HILLS | 8-4 The Eagles may have lost a number of key players to transfers, but RB Andrew Van Buren, QB Ryan Stevens and WR Michael Wilson (1,278 yards and 12 TDs last season) are all back in the fold. All of which makes it unlikely Chaminade will skip a beat.

8. SERRA-GARDENA | 7-4 New junior QB Blaze McKibbin will see an easy transition thanks to WRs like Kobe Smith, Bryan Addison and John Jackson The defense will feature junior linebacker Merlin Robertson (88 tackles in 2016) and sophomore linebacker John Houston (80 tackles as a freshman).

9. HELIX-LA MESA | 10-3 St. Augustine transfer WR/DB Isaac Taylor-Stuart comes in to join up with 13 returning starters and

Star seniors WR/DB Olaijah Griffin (UCLA) and WR Austin Osborne (Washington) combined for 27 TD catches last season. Joey Yellen, a transfer from St. John Bosco, will be the new QB getting them the ball. Christian Lavalle (Arizona State) leads the defense from the LB position.

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their elite SoCal status. Another transfer, WR Jalen Hall (USC) also joins the roster. Village. Key

keep Helix among the team to beat in the San Diego Section. QB Carson Baker (UC Davis) is set up for a big year behind an experienced offensive line. Returning WR Rashad Scott will be a key weapon along with sophomore RB Elelyon Noa.

10. RANCHO CUCAMONGA | 12-2 The Cougars were the team to snap Mission Viejo’s 39-game winning streak, doing so in last year’s playoffs. Rancho returns QB Nick Acosta (2,288 yards, 27 TDs) and junior tailback Sean Dollars (1,193 yards), Dollars is a major Div. I recruit, as is junior defensive back Jeremiah Criddell.

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Matt Masin/Orange County Register/ZUMA wire

reseason Top 20

No. 12 Central Catholic

11. MURIETTA VALLEY-MURIETTA | 11-3

16. ST. AUGUSTINE-SAN DIEGO | 10-3

The big-play passing connection of QB Hank Bachmeier and WR Marquis Spiker returns this year.

Despite being a junior, Bachmeier is still beginning his third year as a starter. He threw for 3,862 yards and 46 TDs a year ago while also rushing for 679 yards and eight more TDs. Spiker had 90 catches, 26 for TDs. Twelve starters return in all.

Fourteen starters return for the Saints, including senior WR J.R. Justice. The son of former MLB

12. CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC-SAN DIEGO | 15-0 The defending Division I-AA champions have just six starters returning, but will get a boost from an defeated 2016 JV team. Jake Lynch, son of 49ers GM and NFL Hall of Famer John Lynch, is one of the linchpins on defense. Junior RB Shawn Loma (1,338 yards, 19 TDs) will provide a legitimate dual threat out of the backfield.

13. CALABASAS | 14-1

standout David Justice caught 46 passes for 932 yards and 12 TDs a year ago, but looks to be going to QB for 2017. Senior LB Andrew Alves and senior DB David Ambagtsheer lead the defense.

17. BAKERSFIELD | 11-3 Junior QB Cameron Williams leads a roster with 15 returning starters and a load of skill players.

Shane Jones is back at RB after rushing for 10 TDs a season ago, as well as WRs Justin McGill (876 yards, 6 TDs) and Tahj Wright (711 yards, 6 TDs). McGill and Wright go both ways as DBs also.

18. JSERRA-SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO | 5-6 Double threat QB Matt Robinson returns after passing for 2,053 yards and 20 TDs, and rushing for

Jaden Casey takes over at QB for the Coyotes and will have some top underclass targets in junior Mycah Pittman (Oaks Christian transfer) and and sophomore Johnny Wilson. The defense also gets help from an incoming transfer as Mykee Irving comes from Chaminade to join the defensive line.

Returning DE Reggie Hughes is committed to Arizona State.

459 yards and five more scores. He’ll pick up a new downfield threat in Santa Margarita transfer MuNir McClain. UCLA commit Abdul-Malik McClain leads a staunch defense that also includes LB T.J. Medina and DB Eli Jefferson.

19. SAN CLEMENTE | 13-3

14. VALENCIA | 10-3

Star QB Jack Sears graduated, but his replacement will reap the benefit of three-year starters back at

Everything is set up nicely for the Vikings, who look to be the top Central Section team thanks to 15 returning starters and new faces coming from a 10-0 JV team. Moises Haynes (1,682 yards, 22 TDs) returns at RB as two-way junior standout Mykael Wright. Wright caught eight TDs from the receiver position and had seven interceptions on defense.

both WR and RB. The tailback, Austin Whitsett, rushed for more than 1,100 yards in 2016. There’s

15. BISHOP AMAT-LA PUENTE | 7-4

tackles) and Jack Shippy (seven interceptions).

20. EDISON HUNTINGTON BEACH | 13-2 The Chargers have senior Griffin O’Connor returning at QB after a season of 3,600 yards passing

Junior Blake Achuleta returns for his second year behind center. He’s joined in the offensive backfield by senior RB Dominic Barra. The defense features UCLA-commit Aaron Maldonado (eight sacks in 2016) at defensive end.

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six returning starters on defense, including Riley Croft (130 tackles last season), Bryce Wilson (105

and 37 TD strikes. He also rushed for 10 TDs. Senior 1,000-yard back Jack Carmichael returns as well, as does senior WR David Atencio. Junior Luke Hoggard leads thee defense after recording 119 tackles lat season.

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CITYShakeup An Open Division In The L.A. City Section Adds A New Wrinkle To Its Postseason

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nly one school district encompasses the entire membership of the CIF L.A. City Section, but the L.A. Unified School District isn’t just any school district. It’s gargantuan, with more than 640,000 students. And at the high school level, it’s been a transformation in recent years with movement away from huge enrollment, comprehensive high schools to smaller public charter and magnet high schools.

At the top of the section’s football playoffs, in a continuing effort to spread competitive equity across more schools, a creation of an eight-team Open Division has added a twist to the upcoming season. Those eight teams will be comprised of the top eight teams regardless of class with the remaining schools placed into divisions according to other factors.

To the common high school football fan in Southern California, the move may appear to be a reaction to the recent run of dominance by Narbonne-Harbor City in the L.A. City Division I playoffs. The Gauchos have won five of the last six section titles in that bracket, and two years ago they added the CIF Division 1-A state title.

But it’s a bit more complicated than that.

“In the past six years there have been only four schools to participate in the Division 1 final, with Narbonne winning most of those titles,” said L.A. City commissioner John Aguirre in an email exchange. “In addition, there have been several first round blowouts and no upsets of the top six seeds within the past few years.

“One of the obstacles in maintaining competitive equity in Division I is that there has been nowhere to move the schools that are the top contenders. With the Open Division taking out the top eight (ranked teams), it will allow for the remaining Division I teams to maintain more parity for competitive equity, offering a realistic chance for all Division I schools to compete for the championship.”

Open Divisions at the CIF section level are not new. The L.A. City is joining a group of them that will have them in football this season. The list includes the Central Coast, North Coast and San Diego sections.

One of the more difficult aspects of such divisions is how each section handles which teams to send to the CIF state playoffs. In football, that’s the CIF regional bowl games. Just because a section goes to an Open Division, the CIF does not add more eligible teams into its playoffs or bowl games. It’s up to the section to provide a method that the CIF approves.

When the CIF North Coast Section added an Open Division to football last season, it became possible for the NCS to give its second bowl berth to the runner-up in its Open Division. That came at the expense of the Div. I champion (which didn’t get a bowl berth last season).

In the new L.A. City Open Div., the only way the Div. I champion will go to a bowl game instead of the Open runnerup is if the Div. I champion owns a head-to-head win over that runner-up.

Aguirre said he met with CCS commissioner Duane Mor-

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Narbonne-Harbor City celebrates its 2015 CIF Bowl Div. I-A Title.

Louis Lopez/CSM via ZUMA wire

To the common high school football fan in Southern California, the move may appear to be a reaction to the recent run of dominance

by Narbonne-Harbor City in the L.A. City Division I playoffs.

The Gauchos have won five of the last six section titles in that bracket, and two years ago they added the CIF Division 1-A state title.

But it’s a bit more complicated than that.

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gan several times about how that section developed its own Open Divisions.

“Our football advisory committee, composed of representatives from each league, did investigate what other sections were doing in California,” Aguirre said.“Andy Moran from Eagle Rock, and Shane Cox from Fairfax took the lead on gathering the information for the options and the data to support the reason for the Open Division.”

If there had been an Open Div. in the section last season, both Division II finalists, Los Angeles High and Hawkins-L.A. would have been in it along with Narbonne and Div. I runnerup Dorsey-L.A.. Both L.A. High and Hawkins were loaded with major college prospects at many positions, but both also have since been hit with significant sanctions, including forfeits of all wins from last season.

“I thought the L.A./Hawkins situation was an anomaly,” Aguirre said. “It was created by the abuses of the coaches’ efforts to attract talent to their schools. Having said that, the advisory has changed the term for division realignment to review every year to avoid highly competitive teams from being in Division II. This will insure the ability to maintain competitive equity in all divisions.” ✪ — By Mark Tennis Follow us on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook!

Craig Takata/SoCalSidelines.com

Mount Up Son Of Famous Rapper Warren G, Olaijah Griffin Is Gaining His Own Fan Base As A Receiver And Lockdown Corner For Mission Viejo

By Mark Tennis 10

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erhaps the most famous album of the six that have been released by rapper/hip hop producer Warren G is the one called “Take A Look Over My Shoulder.”

Did Warren G, whose full name is Warren Griffin III, know that someday he’d have a son who’d become one of the top defensive backs in high school football — in which looking over the shoulder, and doing so at just the right time, can be such a hard skill to master?

The son, Mission Viejo senior Olaijah Griffin, actually has mastered many skills of the top cover corner. Whether that’s battling for the ball in the air, being able to come down with an interception, or having the speed, size and leaping ability to stay glued to any opposing receiver. Griffin has become as wellversed in that craft as some of the rappers his dad works with in theirs.

“Yes, I guess that is a great message for a DB,” Griffin said of the “Take A Look Over My Shoulder” title. “It’s part of what we do.

We know the first job is that we’ve got to regulate all of those receivers.”

As with most elite cover corners, you can’t base evaluations on interceptions and tackle stats.

Griffin had two interceptions last season plus nearly 40 tackles for a Mission Viejo squad that finished 11-1 before having a 39-game winning streak snapped in a CIF Southern Section Division I quarterfinal loss to Rancho Cucamonga (which also was 11-0 at the time). He also had 39 catches for 759 yards and 11 touchdowns.

As a sophomore the year before, Griffin was a top corner on defense and key receiving target on offense when the Diablos went 16-0 and won the CIF Division I-AA state title.

“It helped a lot being on that team as a sophomore,” said Griffin, who was named to the Cal-Hi Sports 2015 All-State Sophomore Team as well as the 2016 All-State Junior Team. “It prepared me for the next level. After you go 16-0, a lot of people the next year want to prove themselves against you. I knew a lot of teams would be out to beat us, and that made us get ready for the next year.”

Griffin is now a senior leader and team captain. Even though legendary Mission Viejo coach Bob Johnson says he has to “calm him down sometimes,” the responsibilities of being a prominent player are not lost on Griffin.

“I know I can control myself, but I always want to have a little fun,” he said. “I know when it’s time to get serious and when to stop.”

Johnson started the season with 333 coaching wins since his first season in the 1970s at Los Amigos-Fountain Valley. He should pass Herb Meyer (formerly El Camino-Oceanside) during the season to move into the No. 3 spot on the all-time state list. Meyer won 338 games and also coached at Oceanside High. Johnson also has helped tutor many elite players as a quarterback

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coach, including Carson Palmer and Mark Sanchez.

So how does Griffin rank as an elite player?

“He’s very gifted and one of the best,” Johnson said. “He’s also a real gym rat with great focus. When it’s on, it’s on.”

Griffin’s development as a cornerback also has been enhanced by being able to work out alongside Diablos’ senior receiver Austin Osborne. Osborne also was a sophomore on the state title team from two years ago and has committed to Washington. Others on this year’s team heading to the Pac-12 Conference are linebacker Christian Lavalle and offensive tackle Jarrett Patterson, both of whom are going to Arizona State.

The team also returns 3-star junior tailback Jamari Ferrell. Ferrell was the team’s secondleading rusher as a sophomore in 2016. He had 127 carries for 693 yards and eight touchdowns.

The Diablos opened their season in Hawaii on Aug. 19 with a 39-14 triumph against Baldwin of Maui. They were No. 5 in the CalHi Sports Preseason State Top 50.

As for Griffin, he had offers from throughout the Pac-12 as well as Nebraska, but recently committed to UCLA. “They play at such a really high level and the coaches there made me feel that it was a place where I could play early,” Griffin said. “I am excited.”

Still, Griffin knows he’s been blessed to have been able to be coached by someone like Johnson.

“He’s been amazing,” Griffin said. “He’s the best coach I’ve had, and he’s been teaching the game to me with a lot of logic behind it. He’s just made me feel at home, like part of a family.

Johnson also has dealt with all types of fathers over the years, as well as players. He’s had Joe Montana at some of the quarterback events of the past, and he’s had those who are demanding of playing time for their sons and those who are more laid back.

With a famous dad like Warren G, Johnson said the experiences have all been positive and praised the elder Griffin for making his son’s athletic career a top priority. “(Olaijah) and his dad are best friends,” Johnson said. “His dad is at every every game. I know he’s busy during the day, but rarely is he not around. He likes it on those days when we get on (Olaijah). He’s told me more than once that he knows his son is in good hands.”

“I think it’s been great,” Griffin said of the experiences with his dad and high school football.

“He’s not the type to just show up and do a show. He always tells me before every game to prepare. He prepares me before the game and during the game.”

And it looks like Warren G has also prepared his son very well for the rest of his life. ✪

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Preseason

All-SoCal Team Jalen Chatman, QB/RB Narbonne-Harbor city Photo by SoCalSidelines.com

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

WR Jalen Hall (Long Beach Poly) 6-3, 195, Sr.

DL Reggie Hughes (Calabasas) 6-2, 210, Sr.

WR Marquis Spiker (Murrieta Valley-Murrieta) 6-1, 190, Sr.

DL Aaron Maldonado (Bishop Amat-La Puente) 6-3, 290, Sr.

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (Mater Dei-Santa Ana) 6-1, 190, Sr.

DL Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oaks Christian-Westlake Village) 6-5, 235, Jr.

WR Michael Wilson (Chaminade-West Hills) 6-2, 185, Sr.

DL Jeremiah Martin (Cajon-San Bernardino) 6-5, 225, Sr.

OL Tommy Brown (Mater Dei-Santa Ana) 6-7, 300

LB Jack Lamb (Great Oak-Temecula) 6-4, 210, Sr.

OL Kevin Coblentz (St. John Bosco-Bellflower) 6-3, 290, Sr.

LB Merlin Robertson (Serra-Gardena) 6-2, 220, Sr.

OL Justin Dedich (Chaparral-Temecula) 6-2, 290, Sr.

LB Raymond Scott (Narbonne-Harbor City) 6-2, 220, Sr.

OL Donovan Laie (Oceanside) 6-5, 300, Sr.

LB Solomon Tuliaupupu (Mater Dei-Santa Ana) 6-3, 225, Sr.

OL Solo Vaipulu (Centennial-Corona) 6-2, 280, Sr.

LB De’Gabriel Floyd (Golden Valley-Santa Clarita) 6-2, 220, Jr.

TE Tae Le’ (Corona del Mar-Newport Beach) 6-4, 230, Sr.

DB Stephan Blaylock (St. John Bosco-Bellflower) 5-11, 180, Sr.

QB J.T. Daniels (Mater Dei-Santa Ana) 6-2, 205, Jr.

DB Olaijah Griffin (Mission Viejo) 6-0, 175, Sr.

QB Matt Corral (Long Beach Poly) 6-2, 200, Sr.

DB Steve Stephens (Edison-Fresno) 6-0, 185, Sr.

QB/RB Jalen Chatman (Narbonne-Harbor City) 6-2, 180, Sr.

DB Isaac Taylor-Stuart (Helix-La Mesa) 6-2, 180, Sr.

RB K.C. Carr (Tustin) 5-11, 170, Sr.

DB Jaiden Woodbey (St. John Bosco-Bellflower) 6-2, 205, Sr.

RB Branden Rankins (Aquinas-San Bernardino) 5-10, 205, Sr.

AP Devin Williams (Antelope Valley-Lancaster) 6-5, 190, Sr.

PK Eli Riofrio (Clovis West-Fresno) 6-2, 180, Sr

AP Chase Williams (Roosevelt-Eastvale) 6-2, 190, Sr.

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August 24, 2017

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Chappie-Shasta OHV Opens Up NorCal In Unexpected Ways

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xtend your summer in Redding where you can tear up the trails and soak up the sun on the lake when you’re done.

Redding already boasts 225+ miles of well-maintained trails to hike, bike, walk, run or ride, which has led to the San Francisco Chronicle calling it the “gem of the U.S. trail system.”

But the more daring enthusiasts have another 250+ miles of trails waiting to be conquered in the Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle Area. Load up your toys and navigate through Bureau of Land Management land and the Shasta-Trinity National Forest to shred the wide jeep trails in any vehicle or find the smaller tracks for ATVs and dirt bikes. The terrain takes you through dozens of creek crossings and steep hill climbs, and includes a large staging area on the river with new facilities. To top it off, stunning scenic views of the Three Shastas — Shasta Dam, Shasta Lake and Mt. Shasta — the Sacramento River and the Trinity Alps accompany your entire ride.

After riding, the fun continues on either Shasta Lake or Whiskeytown Lake, both pristine, inviting and only minutes away. Tie up the water ski, wakeboard or tube and cruise across Shasta Lake, a body of water ideal for boating, fishing and swimming.

At the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, you can grab a kayak or standup paddleboard and glide across the sparkling and always full Whiskeytown Lake, which also has free kayak and paddleboard tours available. You’ll quickly see why TIME Magazine labeled Redding as the “unofficial capital of kayaking.” Set out to an island or small cove for a private swimming spot or hop on a sailboat and race away from the sandy shore to a tree-lined horizon of unspoiled beauty.

Don’t let your summer wind down. Get out and explore Redding — where fun meets adventure. ✪ — All copy and photos provided by VisitRedding Follow us on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook!

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August 24, 2017

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Bryan Barrazo 16

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Chris Olave Subscribe to our Digital Edition at SportStarsMag.com

Sam Dixon Follow us on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook!

BEWARE OF

BEARS Elite QB Jack Tuttle And New WR Chris Olave Have Mission Hill Grizzlies Primed To Roar

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Jack Tuttle

njuries and ineligibility can cause important pieces for any team to separate, resulting in close games going into the loss column instead of wins.

It’s not like Mission Hills-San Marcos was that bad last season, but with eligibility in a better place and no key injuries, the Grizzlies could be a threat to defending champion Cathedral Catholic-San Diego and preseason favorite Helix-La Mesa in this year’s CIF San Diego Section Open Division playoffs. They checked in at No. 2 in the San Diego Union-Tribune preseason rankings and also were in the Top 50 of the Cal-Hi Sports preseason rankings (although there were four other San Diego Section teams besides Helix starting higher).

The primary reason for the preseason excitement at Mission Hills is the return of quarterback Jack Tuttle, a three-year starter who saw his stock skyrocket during the spring and summer. He wound up rating as one of the best performers at the National Elite 11 event. He committed early in the recruiting process to Utah, and has stayed with the Utes despite offers from others, including Alabama.

Last year, however, Tuttle didn’t have a major college Division I receiver to work with. That has changed.

Senior Chris Olave is now eligible after having to sit out last season due to a CIF rule that made an athlete ineligible for one year if a transfer was deemed to have taken place for athletic reasons.

Olave, who came to Mission Hills from EastlakeChula Vista, was making leaping catches and onehanded grabs in the Grizzlies’ first scrimmage. He has offers from San Diego State, Boston College, BYU and many more.

“I feel great and the team could be really good,” Olave said in a phone interview just two days before the Grizzlies’ Aug. 25 season-opener at Paramount. “I’m just going to try to get my job done

Story By Mark Tennis Photos By Rudy Shmoke

Jack Tuttle

Chris Olave

and run great routes. I just know that when I turn and look, the ball from Jack will be right there.”

The ironic part of Olave’s ineligibility is that the CIF rule that was cited in his case was removed from the CIF guidelines in May. He’d have been eligible last season under the new rules.

“It isn’t that bad for me, but I still feel bad for my older brother (Josh) because he had his senior year taken away from him,” Olave said. “I’ve come to believe that everything happens for a reason. I prefer looking to the future and not at the past. I’m not trying to hate on anybody or anything, but I am going to try to play for (Josh) this season.”

“I applaud the guys for going for it last season,” Tuttle said during an interview at the Elite 11 Finals last June in Redondo Beach. “It was tough because of some injuries that came up.”

One of those came late in the season to top defensive lineman Anthony Berrelleza, who missed games with a right ankle/foot injury.

Without him and others, the Grizzlies lost in 18

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their annual rivalry game with San Marcos High (known as the Discovery Bowl) 14-10. Even with a 6-4 regular season finish, they still had a strength of schedule ranking that put them in the CIF San Diego Open Div. playoffs. In a 49-48 first-round win against Grossmont-La Mesa, Tuttle completed 22 of 32 passes for 354 yards and two touchdowns while running back Sam Dixon rushed for 186 yards on 34 carries and scored twice. Mission Hills then lost the next week 44-21 to Cathedral Catholic, which ended up not looking too bad when the Dons went on to go 15-0 and win the CIF Division I-AA state title.

Dixon, who is switching to linebacker this season, is another key returnee. Also back are offensive line standouts Nate Becerra and Gabe Cruz.

Tuttle also mentioned Maurice Jones as a player to watch on offense. Jones also is one of the team’s top defensive backs. In addition to all that, former Cathedral Catholic linebacker Chris Calhoun is now a Grizzly. With him, Dixon and Adam Barraza at

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Sam Dixon

linebacker, the Mission Hills defense may have the best set of linebackers in the section. Calhoun had 88 tackles last season at his former school Another younger player to watch is sophomore defensive lineman Shiloh Seau, a nephew of the late Junior Seau — arguably the greatest linebacker ever from California.

“Everyone has been giving 100 percent toward this season,” Tuttle said. “Olave has offers from all over the place and I can’t wait to be working with him.”

Since head coach Chris Hauser arrived 14 years ago, the Grizzlies have been a program looking to rise to the top overall spot in San Diego. They got there in 2013 and then lost in a CIF Southern California regional playoff game to Bakersfield, which later won the CIF Division I state title.

“I’m definitely humbled by what happened last year and it’s helped me work harder toward this season,” Olave said. “There’s some really good opportunities out there for me and the team.” ✪ Follow us on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook!

SPEED VS

STRENGTH

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Why Choose? Here’s How To Maximize Both powered by trucks: anthony trucks So everyone is looking to increase their speed in sports. Speed is still king. There are two primary ways to do that. 1) You work on your speed mechanics and move more efficiently. 2) You increase your strength. In this column we focus on the latter.

You’d think it would pretty easy to just train and increase strength to increase speed, right? Wrong. See, most people think, “lift weights, build strength. Good to go.” The problem is that in the process of lifting weights to increase strength, you are gaining muscle weight and slightly working against yourself.

The key is to have a great strength-to-weight ratio. So you want to increase strength without increasing body weight. That will make your body lighter and allow you to move it faster. So how do you make that happen? Well, it’s actually pretty simple, but takes patience.

The first step is to understand concentric (flexing motion) and eccentric (slowing/lowering motion) movement and its effects on muscle. The concentric phase is where the power is output.

So during training, it’s the up phase of a deadlift, for example. The eccentric is the lowering phase where you lower down to start a deadlift, for example.

The concentric phase helps hold strength, but the eccentric phase extends the time of the muscle under tension, which increases the micro tears of the muscle and in turn makes the muscle grow bigger.

So the goal of your training should be to focus on the concentric phase and minimize the time spent in the eccentric phase. This will help you increase strength without increasing muscle mass so the body is lighter and more capable of producing force that will in turn increase speed. ✪ Anthony Trucks is an IYCA-certified trainer who covers weight training for SportStars.

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PRESEASON CALIFORNIA FOOTBALL STATE TOP 20 (Listed with 2016 final record) 1. Mater Dei-Santa Ana 13-1 There are 10 returning starters for the Monarchs on offense and three could be All-Americans — WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, junior QB J.T. Daniels and OL Tommy Brown. Daniels passed for 4,849 yards and 67 TDs as a sophomore. The defense faces numerous graduation losses, but three transfers may make that a moot point, including All-American candidate LB Solomon Tuliaupupu.

2. St. John Bosco-Bellflower 13-2 For the last six years, including this one, the Braves have had teams as powerful as any over six years in state history. That’s including any six straight years De La Salle-Concord has ever had.

The secondary, led by Ohio State commit Jaiden Woodbey, and the return of QB Re-al Mitchell on offense gives Bosco a great chance for the CIF Open Division repeat.

3. Centennial-Corona 11-2 The Huskies are playing IMG Academy of Florida at the Honor Bowl and have their leaders returning. QB Tanner McKee, an AllAmerican candidate, passed for 3,522 yards, 36 TDs last season.

On defense, Cameron Pitcher is an up-and-coming linebacker.

4. De La Salle-Concord 11-2 The gap between the Spartans and the top two or three in SoCal last year was quite wide, but should narrow with the return of 17 starters. Will it be enough? Their game at Bishop GormanLas Vegas on Sept. 16 may provide some of the answer. Kairee Robinson, who rushed for 2,012 yards last year, and USC-bound DT Tuli Letuligasenoa (6-2, 320) are the top veterans.

5. Mission Viejo 11-1 The Diablos, who already opened with a win over Baldwin of Hawaii, have two big-time receivers in Olaijah Griffin and Austin Osborne. Griffin also is an elite DB. Many other top starters also are back.

6. Narbonne-Harbor City 14-1 Head coach Manny Douglas’ squad is going for a sixth L.A. City Section title in seven years and should get it despite the new Open Division format. QB Jalen Chatman (passed for 3,926 yards and 52 TDs) and LB Raymond Scott (USC commit) are the best in a strong corps of returnees.

7. Chaminade-West Hills 8-4 This would have been the No. 5 team based on returning players after last season, but transfers have hurt. We still are ranking the Eagles in front of Long Beach Poly due to their 50-14 win in last year’s playoffs. QB Ryan Stevens, RB Andrew Van Buren and WR Michael Wilson are all elite.

8. Long Beach Poly-Long Beach 7-4 The Jackrabbits have been a big beneficiary of the crazy SoCal transfer scene. They already were going to be much improved in 2017, but may be closer to an elite level with QB Matt Corral, WR Jalen Hall and DB Aashari Crosswell all coming into the program since last season.

9. Serra-Gardena 7-4 The Cavaliers face No. 6 Narbonne in their opener and play other teams during the season to maybe get them up to a No. 4 seed for the CIFSS Div. I playoffs. WR Kobe Smith, LB Merlin Robertson and WR/DB Bryan Addison are all getting major college offers.

10. Rancho Cucamonga 12-2 QB Nick Acosta passed for 2,288 yards and 27 TDs last season and headlines a squad that we don’t think should be too affected by heavy graduation losses. Watch out for junior RB Sean Dollars, who had 1,193 yards as a sophomore.

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11. Pittsburg 9-2 Twelve returning starters are back for head coach Vic Galli. Four first team all-league defenders are among that group while the offense should feature junior RB/WR Willie Harts III and senior WR Ajae Boyd. The Pirates aren’t playing De La Salle this year, unless they meet in the CIF North Coast Section Open Division.

12. Helix-La Mesa 10-3 The Highlanders and Cathedral Catholic-San Diego have traded off being the top team in the CIF San Diego Section the past two years. This year, with 13 returning starters plus the addition of top transfer Isaac Taylor-Stuart, Helix may get back to the No. 1 position. Taylor-Stuart was the fastest player in the nation at Nike’s The Opening in Beaverton, Ore. 13. Murrieta Valley-Murrieta 11-3 Junior QB Hank Bachmeier and senior WR Marquis Spiker comprise one of the best pass-catch duos in the state. Bachmeier threw for 3,862 yards with 46 TDs last season. Spiker latched on to 90 receptions measuring more than 1,700 yards and 26 TD grabs.

14. Cathedral Catholic-San Diego 15-0 Only six starters are back, but Cathedral Catholic has players coming up from a dominant 10-0 JV team and plenty of others from a squad that won the CIF Division 1-AA State Bowl title.

One of those returnees is LB Jake Lynch, the son of recently hired SF 49ers GM John Lynch.

15. St. Mary’s-Stockton 14-2 Despite the loss of key seniors such as QB Jake Dunniway (4,000 yds passing), the Rams have enough back to be considered the team to beat in the Sac-Joaquin Section. RB Dusty Frampton rushed for 2,345 yards and 42 TDs while Marcus Aponte and Tre Jenkins are among top two-way players in the section.

16. Calabasas 14-1 Based on returning players and transfers coming in, the Coyotes are almost as strong as Mater Dei and St. John Bosco in the skill positions, but need a QB to replace graduated standout Tristan Gebbia. Calabasas will be jumping from CIFSS Div. V to Div. II. 17. Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills 10-3 The Trojans have the most returning starters among all of the top teams from a year ago in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section. While they haven’t been able to actually beat Folsom in several years, the loss last year was by one point so ranking them higher than the Bulldogs isn’t something out of left field.

18. Bishop Amat-La Puente 7-4 This is another top squad from the Mission League in the CIFSS (same one as Chaminade and Serra-Gardena). The Lancers return junior QB Blake Archuleta, leading rusher Dominic Barrrera, top lineman Aaron Maldonado (UCLA commit) and junior WR Jaden Allen.

19. Valencia 10This could be a huge year for the Vikings, who look like one of the top CIFSS teams in Div. II along with Calabasas, and therefore would be a major contender for a CIF State Bowl title. Fifteen returning starters will be complemented by newcomers from a 10-0 JV squad.

20. Folsom 12-2 This is actually a low preseason ranking for the Bulldogs in the last few years, but it is coming after their streak of winning CIF SJS titles was snapped at four by St. Mary’s-Stockton. There are heavy graduation losses, but that’s been overcome before by head coach Kris Richardson and staff.

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August 24, 2017

SportStars™

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Today’s Extreme Competition for Team Spots and Scholarships Creates Lucrative New Career Opportunity Jason is a high school junior struggling to get a playing spot on defense of the varsity football team. (This story could easily be about a girl). His dad played Div. 1 football and does everything he can to support Jason, and recognized years ago Jason is seriously talented and fast.

Jason is one of the hardest working kids out there. But, for some reason, his potential never shows up on the field when it counts.

Jason and his dad had gone through countless books and speeches on mental toughness and building confidence, but this invisible problem was hanging over Jason like a dark cloud.

As a junior, the clock is winding down on his opportunities to secure a scholarship — it’s do-or-die time as the fall season is about to start.

In desperation, Jason’s dad brought him to me. To shorten the story, we went deep and cleared some serious mental baggage and uncovered his inner fearless competitor through my proprietary system. Jason went on to have an amazing breakout season, destroying two team records and was offered a full scholarship to a Div. II college before starting his senior year.

Jason and his dad literally called me up in tears telling me the good news, thanking me for all the work we did and how it completely changed his life.

The coach of Jason’s team, and other coaches from that school, continued to send me more players over the years as my practice of helping young athletes flourished. I was picked up by local TV and newspapers, who ran features on my work. I was still in shock over how many parents of kids with mental blocks and confidence kept coming to me.

Let’s face it: the sports world today is brutal. If you can’t hack it, there’s always another player ready, willing, and able to take your place. Nobody has the time or the answers to help that 20 percent of kids who struggle with their confidence or are stuck on performance blocks. They just wash out.

Over the course of working with hundreds of kids, I’ve developed a system and I’m teaching others to become mental toughness trainers.

When I was doing this fulltime, I was seeing an more than 15 clients per week at $175 per session with four weeks of vacation. You can do the math. I started from scratch, not knowing anyone in a brand new city.

The respect of coaches and and parents and personal satisfaction you gain from doing this work is beyond amazing.

I am a mental toughness trainer.

If doing this kind of work is your calling, visit: MentalToughnessTrainer.net and I will teach you everything I know.

Let’s do this!

Craig Sigl

Turn Your Passion For Youth Sports Into A Full or Part Time Career!

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