DIVISION I PLAYOFFS
Santee at Carson, 7:00pm [projection: Carson 52-7]
Birmingham at Crenshaw, 7:00pm [projection: Crenshaw 52-14]
Narbonne at Jordan, 2:00pm [projection: Narbonne 35-17]
Banning at Locke, 2:00pm [projection: Banning 26-21]
Dorsey at San Pedro, 7:00pm [projection: San Pedro 24-20]
Garfield at Taft, 7:00pm [projection: Taft 27-10]
Sylmar at Venice, 7:00pm [projection: Venice 35-17]
West Adams at Westchester, 7:00pm [projection: West Adams 21-20]

DIVISION II PLAYOFFS
Reseda at Arleta, 2:00pm [projection: Arleta 42-14]
Marshall at Cleveland, 7:00pm [projection: Cleveland 28-21]
Panorama at El Camino Real, 7:00pm [projection: El Camino Real 42-12]
Bell at Fairfax, 7:00pm [projection: Fairfax 28-21]
Jefferson at Franklin, 7:00pm [projection: Franklin 35-7]
Wilson at Hamilton, 7:00pm [projection: Hamilton 35-12]
Grant at Roosevelt, 7:00pm [projection: Roosevelt 34-10]
Poly at South East, 7:00pm [projection: Poly 34-21]

Jordan High School’s Deshawn Beck (1) is one of the City Section’s most versatile players. He was an All-City selection as a junior. (Marinmedia.org photo)

Despite the graduation loss of All-City quarterback/defensive end James Boyd to USC, Jordan (7-5) is probably the team to beat in the Eastern League.

There’s still plenty of returning talent for the Bulldogs, beginning with versatile De’Shawn Beck, who played wide receiver last year and could take snaps at quarterback this season.

Rudolph Drayton (6-3, 200), a middle linebacker and quarterback, and two-way lineman Trayronne Archer (6-1, 320) are also back.

Patrick Wooten was All-City as a freshman linebacker and recorded a remarkable 150 tackles. Receiver Raymond Ford is another key returnee.

Coach Elijah Asante cites speed, intelligence and competitiveness as strengths of the team. Replacing key players is a concern. So is depth, considering the Bulldogs suited up only 26 players for most games a year ago.

By RON GUILD, Sports Editor
Story Published: Sep 2, 2009 at 2:00 PM PDT

Though coach Lorenzo Hernandez characterizes his Garfield High School football team as young, he is quick to point out, the kids will be all right in time.

First, the Bulldogs must survive a rugged preleague schedule that begins Friday with City Division I power Birmingham and its standout tailback Trajuan Briggs (USC commit). St. Paul, L.A. Wilson and a road trip to Paso Robles follow.

Then comes the competitive Eastern League, which includes the likes of Jordan and Roosevelt. Garfield shared the title with those two and finished 6-5 a year ago.

“We are young, but we should gradually get better as we get experience,” Hernandez said. “By the time league comes around, we should be able to compete for a league title.”

In Garfield’s favor is that many of the players saw extensive action a year ago as backups.

Among the key newcomers is senior quarterback Jonathan Lazo, who did not play football last year. Still, Hernandez likes who he has taking snaps.

“He has a rocket for an arm,” he said.

Lazo has some pretty good receivers around in wideouts Bobby Vargas and Andrew Rodriguez, as well as tight end Andrew Salas (6-4, 205).

Hernandez is excited about new tailback Jonathan Lopez (5-9, 180). Garfield has had a series of 1,000-yard rushers in recent years and Lopez may eventually rank with any of them, according to the coach.

“He could be as good as any we’ve had in the past,” he said. “He is capable of putting a team on his back.”

The offensive line is a bit on the young side, although senior tackle Santiago Sanchez (6-1, 240) is a returning starter. The anchor though is junior center Richard Torres (5-8, 230), up from the frosh-soph team.

As young as they are, Hernandez feels they will grow into a solid unit.

Defense is where Hernandez has fewer concerns.

“I’d say our strength is defense, especially the defensive line,” he said. “We’re pretty big on the D-line.”

Jose Victoria (6-1, 270) and Alfonso Valdez (5-10, 205) are returnees among the down linemen. Moses Saucedo (5-10, 180) is a returning starter at end.

Hector Cazales, a returning starter, headlines the linebacking corps.

Hernandez is high on sophomore linebacker Jonathan Valles (5-10, 190), a talented player and scholar-athlete (he was a 4.0 student last year).

“He’s an impressive kid who is very talented,” Hernandez said.

By RON GUILD, Sports Editor
Story Published: Sep 2, 2009 at 1:54 PM PDT

It might be assumed the Roosevelt High School football team would take a step back this year after losing two-time All-City quarterback Jesse Diaz to graduation.

But that may not be the case, according to coach Javier Cid.

With Brandon Sifuentes, Diaz’ backup a year ago, moving into the starting spot and a veteran group of receivers and running backs surrounding the senior quarterback, the Rough Riders may be just as potent as a year ago when they went 10-3 and shared the Eastern League title with Jordan and Garfield.

The first chance to see if Cid is correct is Friday when Roosevelt hosts Alhambra in the opener.

“I feel the passing game is better than expected considering the loss of our three-year starting quarterback,” Cid said. “I feel the running game is going to be stronger than expected, as well.

“I think we’re going to be able to score a lot of points. My main concern is how well we defend the pass. That doesn’t mean I think we won’t get the job done. We’re just untested right now.”

Sifuentes eased any fears the coaching staff might have had with a strong summer in the passing leagues. Though not as big as the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Diaz, or the possessor of as strong an arm, he compensates with accuracy.

“He’s a good leader and he’s smart,” Cid adds.

A talented corps of receivers also helps.

Manny Ayon is a returning All-City performer and Tino Lomeli, also a returning starter, gives them a deep threat. Returnee Brian Torres and junior Jonathan Mariscal, MVP of the freshman team two years ago, are also in the rotation. Mariscal is the fastest of the receivers.

Additionally, running backs Jesse Lira and Elgin Rosales return with plenty of experience. Lira is a good receiver out of the backfield.

Cid likes what he has upfront.

Tackles Ramon Barraza (6-2, 260) and Angel Barrera (6-0, 245) anchor the line. Barraza is the first player Cid has coached who was invited to the Nike Combine, an invitation-only event for college prospects.

Chris Moreno (5-11, 300) moves from the defensive line to offensive guard. He moves well for his size, according to the coach. Zach Rivera (5-11, 245), a four-year varsity performer, is the center. He also starts on the defensive line and is the long snapper.

Ronnie Lazo, a converted linebacker, and William Linares are the defensive ends. Rivera and returning starter Jovanny Mejia are the tackles. Junior Jeffrey Simon and Jonathan Toledo add depth to the line.

Juniors Rene Garcia and Richard Martinez, who each had a couple of starts a year ago, are the outside backers. Filling the middle linebacker spot (previously held by All-City pick Rafael Ortega, now at NCAA Division II Minnesota-Crookston) will be either George Avila or Steven German.

Safety Armando Perez, who led the team in interceptions with three a year ago, is back to lead the secondary. Enrique Barragan and Kevin Rios are the other safety candidates.

Victor Gomez, Aaron Hernandez and Manuel Mendoza are the leaders for the cornerback spots.

“I think we’ll do just as well, if not better, than we did last year,” Cid said. “We’re definitely a playoff team. Jordan and Garfield are the two favorites in league. After that, it’s Huntington Park and Roosevelt. South East and Bell are right there, too.”