JUST PREPS : The Top 20

The Times’ top 20 high school football preseason poll of teams from the City and Southern sections, as selected by staff writer Eric Shepard.

1. LOS ALAMITOS (Southern Section, Division I)

Last year: 12-1, lost to Mater Dei, 28-24, in Division I semifinals.

Outlook: Fourteen starters return for the Griffins, whose 47-game winning streak ended in the playoffs last season. They have depth at every position and are particularly strong on offense. Quarterback Kevin Feterik and receivers Tony Hartley and Stan Guyness are considered among the top recruits in the state.

2. SANTA ANA MATER DEI (Southern Section, Division I)

Last year: 14-0, beat Bishop Amat, 28-21, in Division I final.

Outlook: The Monarchs do not appear as strong as in recent seasons, but Coach Bruce Rollinson has proved that he has no problem rebuilding. The team’s strength is on defense, led by 6-foot-6 lineman Brad Williams.

3. FONTANA (Southern Section, Division I)

Last year: 8-4, lost to Bishop Amat, 20-0, in Division I quarterfinal.

Outlook: Coach Dick Bruich is slowly bringing his program back to the level it enjoyed during much of the 1980s. The Steelers expect to contend for a title with a lineup that includes blue chippers Anselmo Zamano at linebacker and transfer R. Jay Soward at receiver.

4. LANCASTER ANTELOPE VALLEY (Southern Section, Division II)

Last year: 11-2, beat Hart, 36-15, in Division II final.

Outlook: The Antelopes will be tested early with a nonleague schedule that includes Bakersfield, Long Beach Poly and Loyola. Senior running back Jermaine Lewis rushed for 1,367 yards and 21 touchdowns last season.

5. LA PUENTE BISHOP AMAT (Southern Section, Division I)

Last year: 13-1, lost to Mater Dei, 28-21, in Division I final.

Outlook: Coach Tom Salter took over a team last year that was considered the most talented in the state. Salter’s main priority is to find a replacement for running back-defensive back Daylon McCutcheon, and the top choice is senior Ralph Brown.

6. LONG BEACH POLY (Southern Section, Division I)

Last year: 10-2, lost to Los Alamitos, 7-0, in Division I quarterfinal.

Outlook: After sharing coaching duties with Thomas Whiting for 10 years, Jerry Jaso goes solo. His first change was to switch himself from defensive coordinator to offensive coordinator. It appears to be a smart move because the Jackrabbits return a good portion of their offense, including fullback Akka-Ar Moses.

7. SYLMAR (City Section, Division 4-A)

Last year: 14-0, defeated Crenshaw, 38-6, in Division 4-A final.

Outlook: The Spartans are in good shape to try to win their third section title in the last four years. The main reason is the return of two-way standout Durell Price, a running back-linebacker who rushed for 1,966 yards, scored 30 touchdowns and had 100 tackles as a junior.

8. PASADENA MUIR (Southern Section, Division II)

Last year: 8-3, lost to Quartz Hill, 33-9, in Division II first round.

Outlook: Michael Harrison replaced Jack Allen as coach during the middle of last season led the Mustangs to the Pacific League title. But Muir was embarrassed in the playoffs, and Harrison expects to be under fire if there is a repeat performance. Transfer running back Michael Graham should provide immediate help.

9. LOYOLA (Southern Section, Division I)

Last year: 8-3, lost to Mater Dei, 31-7, in Division I quarterfinal.

Outlook: This appears to be a typical Loyola team, with solid depth but few superstars. The offense has five returning starters, including junior quarterback Scott Walter. The leader on defense is senior linebacker John Williams.

10. ANAHEIM ESPERANZA (Southern Section, Division I)

Last year: 7-4, lost to Trabuco Hills, 23-12, in Division I first round.

Outlook: It has not been easy playing second fiddle to Los Alamitos, but the Aztecs are better equipped to challenge their league nemesis this season. Twelve starters return and will be joined by two promising juniors: quarterback David Parrish and running back Jamal Footman.

11. NEWHALL HART (Southern Section, Division II)

Last year: 13-1, lost to Antelope Valley, 36-15, in Division II final.

Outlook: The Indians have two of the top skill position players in the area in quarterback Steve McKeon and running back Ted Iacenda. McKeon passed for 2,925 yards and 30 touchdowns last season, and Iacenda accounted for 2,376 rushing and receiving yards and 41 touchdowns. The key will be the development of a young offensive line.

12. SHERMAN OAKS NOTRE DAME (Southern Section, Division III)

Last year: 13-1, beat Chino Hills Ayala, 27-20, in Division III final.

Outlook: A championship team that has its starting quarterback returning figures to fare well, and that is the case for Notre Dame. Ryan Bowne is back after completing 57% of his passes for 1,577 yards and 13 touchdowns. Receiver Troy Garner returns too. Add blue-chip lineman Edgar Nava and the outlook gets even better.

13. DORSEY (City Section, Division 4-A)

Last year: 10-3, lost to Crenshaw, 26-19, in Division 4-A semifinal.

Outlook: This is Dorsey’s best chance at a title since it won in 1991. One of the main reasons is senior Na’il Diggs, a 6-4, 215-pound linebacker regarded as the city’s top prospect. If things come together on offense, the Dons figure to go far.

14. LONG BEACH JORDAN (Southern Section, Division I)

Last year: 8-4, lost to Trabuco Hills, 35-8, in Division I quarterfinal.

Outlook: Jordan finished in a three-way tie for the Moore League title last year, but its most important victory was over Long Beach Poly, 28-0. The two expect to compete for the title again this season. Jordan’s hopes hinge on the play of senior quarterback Ortege Jenkins.

15. MORENO VALLEY CANYON SPRINGS (Southern Section, Division IV)

Last year: 13-1, beat Norco, 48-0, in Division IV final.

Outlook: Canyon Springs’ only loss last season was to Fontana, 24-15, in the opener. It gets a chance for redemption Friday when it plays host to Fontana. Canyon Springs is solid from top to bottom. Linebacker Terrelle Smith is a standout.

16. CHINO HILLS AYALA (Southern Section, Division III)

Last year: 12-2, lost to Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 27-20, in Division III final.

Outlook: In only its fourth year of varsity competition, Ayala surprised most people by reaching the division final. Coach Mark Pasquarella has quickly built up expectations in the community, so don’t be surprised by a repeat performance.

17. BLOOMINGTON (Southern Section, Division VIII)

Last year: 14-0, beat La Mirada, 48-32, in Division VIII final.

Outlook: What can Don Markham do for an encore? In his first season at Bloomington, the coach completely rebuilt a team that had gone 1-9 in 1993. The Bruins not only won a division title, they set a national scoring record with 880 points, and two of their players received Division I scholarships. A nonleague game at Fontana Sept. 21 should show if Bloomington is for real again.

18. PALOS VERDES PENINSULA (Southern Section, Division II)

Last year: 11-2, lost to Antelope Valley, 17-0, in Division II semifinal.

Outlook: Gary Kimbrall welcomes back a veteran group, including returning all-Bay League defensive backs Marty Cheatham and Damon Gourdine. This is not good news for league foes, who were outscored by the Panthers, 294-35, last season.

19. RIVERSIDE NORTH (Southern Section, Division IV)

Last year: 8-3-2, lost to Canyon Springs, 28-13, in Division IV semifinal.

Outlook: After years of success at Bishop Amat, Coach Mark Paredes is at North. In his first season, the Huskies nearly made it to the division final. The team is the preseason favorite in Riverside County, and linebacker Chris Claiborne is the county’s top prospect.

20. SANTA FE SPRINGS ST. PAUL (Southern Section, Division I)

Last year: 7-3, did not qualify for playoffs.

Outlook: Coach Marijon Ancich has had two 7-3 seasons since returning to St. Paul, but he has said all along that it would take four or five years to return the school to its glory days. The Swordsmen lost out on a playoff berth last season after losing their final two league games. Tight end-linebacker Justin Morris is the top player.