By Joe Snyder
Serra High’s football program enjoyed success with three CIF-State championships and several Southern Section titles and head coach Scott Altenberg is seeking another possible one.
The Cavaliers return nine defensive starters that includes several already NCAA Major Division I college commits but just two on offense that could be an obstacle for Serra.
Among those returning are preseason all-American defensive tackle Khary Wilder, who already committed to Big 10 and NCAA power Ohio State University. Other outstanding defensive players back include Sacramento State University-bound senior DaVohn Moutra, Jr., University of North Carolina-bound senior defensive back Marcellous Williams and five-star college recruit junior cornerback Duvay Williams. Moutra and both of the Williams are also all-American candidates.
“Almost all of our defensive backs are among the best in Southern California,” Altenberg said. “We have 10 players who have college scholarship offers or commits. We have one of the best defensive secondaries and linemen in the state.”
Another outstanding promising defensive back is junior Wesley Ace.
Defensive lineman Daylon Reed is a fourth-season starting varsity player, who could also see a lot of time on offense.
Question marks, however, loom Serra’s offense as it could have several players have to go both ways, something not seen of the Cavaliers much in most of their previous seasons. Expected to start at quarterback is junior Nicolas Johnson. Johnson has been tested in the spring-summer passing leagues and tournaments and has been effective. Wilder is expected to start at tight end. Moutra will see a lot of time as running back and Ace is expected to start as a wide receiver.
Serra will also have two outstanding offensive linemen in sophomore Larry Shindlon and junior Ace Taylor, a transfer from Santa Fe Springs St. Paul who is 6-feet-5 and weighs 305 pounds.
“We’re replacing almost our entire offense,” Altenberg said. “We’re young but talented. We need our defense to hold us up until we figure things out.”
Serra begins its season at El Camino College against Bay League power Palos Verdes as its defense will be tested against one of the top junior quarterbacks in California and, possibly the United States, in Ryan Rakowski. Rakowski will also get good support from key returning offensive lineman Andrew Condello.
The Cavaliers will not have a real home game due to their stadium being severely damaged by a fire that destroyed their press box, about half of the middle part of the bleachers and part of an athletic building in March. Their other six home games, non-league vs. Los Alamitos on Sept. 5, Orange Lutheran on Sept. 12, Westlake Village Oaks Christian on Sept. 19, Mission League vs. L.A. Loyola on Oct. 10 (homecoming), West Hills Chaminade on Oct. 17 and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame on Oct. 24, will be at L.A. Southwest College, located on the corner of Imperial Hwy. and Western Ave. Serra will begin the Mission League with a showdown at Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth on Oct. 3.
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Panthers hope for continued success under new coach
Gardena High’s football team is under first-year head coach Terrence Williams and will have some holes to replace after losing several outstanding players from last season.
Gone are the likes of running backs Xavier Grant (El Camino College), Myles Mason (Grambling State University) and quarterback Isaiah Kim but do return several outstanding seniors and have some large linemen.
The Panthers, in fact, have one of the biggest lines in, at least, awhile that includes 6-foot-9, 365-pound Gabe Gutierrez, who is expected to go both ways. “Gutierrez can move very well for his size,” Sullivan, who replaced the departed Monty Gilbreth, said. “He is strong and has great feet.”
Gutierrez is also the goalkeeper for Gardena High’s boys’ soccer team and Williams may seek to use him as the kicker.
The Panthers’ line does not go from there. Back is 6-foot-3, 305-pound offensive lineman Valentino Jones, along with 6-foot-2 and 295-pound guard Lionel Jackson.
Two key running backs are gone but Gardena has some experience at receiving that includes senior wide receivers Braglon Williams, Hasson Williams, Akai Brown, and Clevonte Jackson, who will be also be expected to be used as running back. Also back is senior tight end Caleb Morris.
With Kim done with his three seasons as starting quarterback and moved on to college, promising sophomore Cecilo Jones appears to be the favorite as Gardena’s next starting quarterback, who Sullivan considers a very smart athlete. Senior all-purpose player Kevin Martinez could also see some time as a signal caller.
Jackson Martinez is expected to be a key running back for the Panthers.
Gardena’s defensive secondary is expected to be led by cornerback Clevonte Jackson, safety Kevin Martinez and free safety Hasson Williams. Defensive ends Aukeen Sneed and Morris are expected to key the Panthers’ defensive line.
“We have a very young team,” coach Williams said. “We have a balanced offense and a tough defense. We are building around our players. We have a young quarterback but has great decisions. He’s very coachable. We’re looking forward to this season with a challenge. We have a great coaching staff.”
The Panthers begin their season at home against Crespi High from Encino Friday at 4 p.m.
Gardena enjoyed good success under Gilbreth, who stepped down last spring to spend time watching his son, Chaz, play football at Mayfair High in Lakewood. Two years ago, the Panthers won their first Marine League title in 49 years. Gardena made the semifinals of the CIF-Los Angeles City Section Open Division losing to Garfield in East L.A. Last year, Gardena was 7-3 and placed just fourth in the rigorous league but made the CIF-L.A. City Section Open Division where it lost in the quarterfinals to Birmingham High in Lake Balboa.
North success lies with Senior leadership
Over last spring, North Torrance High’s football team received a blow when the brother quarterback-wide receiver tandem of quarterback Kane “Boogie” and wide receiver Kingston Anetema opted to transfer to Bishop Montgomery, also in Torrance.
Kane and Kingston are among some 18 transfers received by the Knights, under first-year head coach Ed Hodgkiss who was previously an assistant at powerhouse Bellflower St. John Bosco.
North, though, returns eight overall starters as its next starting quarterback will be senior Ethan Edwards. In fact, the Saxons have several key senior players and Edwards will have a pair of senior wide receivers in Cole Juarez and King Shelton.
The Saxons’ running game will be led by six-foot, 200-pound junior Jaden Andrade.
North’s line will be sparked by returning center Nick Tauleo.
North is expected to be strong on defense, led by Pioneer League Defensive Player of the Year defensive end Anthony Macias. Macias was also a Daily Breeze first-team all-South Bay player in keying the Saxons to their third consecutive Pioneer League championship. Macias recorded 15 quarterback sacks last season.
North also returns two starting cornerbacks in Edwards and Shelton. Sophomore Dakota Trailor, Most Valuable Player on the Saxons’ freshman team, is expected to be a key starter. Also back is defensive three-year starting inside linebacker Koa Moran, who was also first-team all-Pioneer League and all-South Bay.
“We should have a good year,” North head coach Todd Croce said. “Depth will be a concern. Like most teams, we can’t afford to get too many injuries. On offense, Edwards has plenty of potential.”
Edwards already committed to NCAA sub-Division I college Utah Tech University.
The Saxons will have a tough non-league schedule as they begin on Friday at home against Summit Academy from Utah Friday at 7 p.m. North, then, hosts Centennial High from Las Vegas, Nev. on Sept. 5, defending Ocean League champion and CIF-Southern Section Division VII semifinalist West Torrance at West on Sept. 12, and also on the road against always CIF-Los Angeles City Section power Carson on Sept. 18.
North begins the Pioneer League at Santa Monica, which came off an impressive win over one of the top teams in Hawaii last Saturday, on Oct. 3 before hosting a highly regarded Redondo team the following week. Redondo, meanwhile, is Croce’s alma mater where he graduated in 1987 and played football for the Sea Hawks.
