ARROYO VALLEY

Home Field: Arroyo Valley High School

2007 Overall record: 7-3-1

2007 League record, finish: 3-1, second

Last playoff appearance, result: 2007, Central Division second round (lost to Ontario Colony, 30-7)

Coach: Marcus Soward, first year

KEY PLAYERS

Ofa Fifita (LB, 6-1, 205, Jr.): Will be asked to lead the defense by stopping the run.

Alex Boykins (DL, 6-0, 230, Sr.): Makes tough tackles, will lead the line.

DeMarcus White (RB, 6-0, 200, Sr.): Good burst of speed, solid work ethic.

Michael Philipp (OL, 6-5, 300, Sr.): One of the top offensive linemen in the nation, will provide running holes and protect the quarterback.

Bottom line: The Hawks football program is known for a strong passing game. Despite the departure of head coach Tony DiThomas, that tradition will continue as Soward had a history of a spread offense when he was San Bernardino's head coach and he had Robert Fuller lead the team as a sophomore and junior. The team may struggle with the spread without Fuller, who was Arroyo Valley's quarterback last year.

CAJON

Home Field: Cajon High School

2007 Overall record: 5-6

2007 League record, finish: 3-1, third

Last playoff appearance, result: 2007, Central Division second round (lost to Moreno Valley, 36-0)

Coach: Kim Battin, sixth year (21-31)

KEY PLAYERS

Walter Kazee (RB, 5-8, 180, Sr.): Ran for more than 2,200 yards last season and continues to improve on his speed.

Jeffery Cooper (DB, 5-9, 180, Sr.): Great speed and a lockdown defender.

Marlon Pollard (CB/WR. 6-1, 175, Sr.): Extremely fast, knows how to go to the ball.

Mark Salaiz (TE/DL, 6-1, 205, Sr.): Solid receiving threat, good hands.

Bottom line: Kazee will be a key in working the running game out of the spread offense. Pollard will be the X factor. If he can contribute on both sides of the ball, the team will be hard to beat.

COLTON

Home Field: Colton High School

2007 Overall record: 8-4

2007 League record, finish: 4-0, first

Last playoff appearance, result: 2007, Central Division semifinals (lost to Moreno Valley Canyon Springs, 13-0)

Coach: Harold Strauss, 10th year (overall 213-83-2 in 30 years of coaching)

KEY PLAYERS

Nat Berhe (RB/CB, 6-0, 175, Sr. ): Progressed very quickly, solid defender.

Derick Malone (RB/CB, 6-2, 190, Jr.): Very quick, strong back.

Nick Vasquez (QB, 5-10, 170, Sr.): Grew into quarterback role last year; average athlete who has overachieved.

Brenden Bradford (RB, 5-9, 185, Sr.): Good athlete, north-south runner, will be the workhorse.

Bottom line: No returners on the offensive line and all three running backs graduated. It has won two consecutive SAL titles and most SAL coaches said the league title still runs through Colton.

PACIFIC

Home Field: Pacific High School

2007 Overall record: 0-10

2007 League record, finish: 0-5, sixth

Last playoff appearance, result: 2005, Division 5 first round (lost to Temescal Canyon, 51-14)

Coach: Oscar Torres, first year

KEY PLAYERS

Jeffery Llerena (OL/DL, 6-1, 225, Jr.): Will use technique to protect QB and create holes for the running game.

Javian Smith (WR/DB, 5-7, 165, Sr.): Solid speed, equally solid on defense and offense.

Louie Lara (OL/DL, 6-1, 320, Sr.): Very agile for his size, very aggressive defensively, top pass rusher.

Kenneth Chapple (WR/DB, 5-9, 185, Sr.): Strong work ethic, soft hands and good field awareness.

Bottom line: The Pirates lack experience and size. The team lacks a strong quarterback or running back. But without any wins in the past two years, the only one way for the team to go this year is up.

SAN BERNARDINO

Home Field: San Bernardino High School

2007 Overall record: 4-5

2007 League record, finish: 1-3, fourth (tie)

Last playoff appearance, result: 2004, Division 5 first round (lost to Norco, 36-0)

Coach: Dominic Monika, second year (4-5)

KEY PLAYERS

Aarein Booker (QB/DB, 6-0, 185, Sr.): Best overall athlete on the team, will play running back and linebacker when needed.

Temaris McAfee (LB/WR, 5-11, 180, Sr.): Good speed, solid knowledge of the game.

Paul Kuriel (DL/OL, 6-1, 250, Sr.): Pass rusher, will help solidify offensive line.

Jason Nieves (DL/OL, 6-2, 290, Sr.): Good size to help anchor line, will plug holes on the defensive line.

Bottom line: The Cardinals will try to expand its run offense and incorporate a passing game. SAN GORGONIO

Home Field: San Gorgonio High School

2007 Overall record: 2-7

2007 League record, finish: 1-3, fourth (tie)

Last playoff appearance, result: 2006, Central Division quarterfinals (lost to Moreno Valley, 26-23)

Coach: Randy Stevens, fifth year (20-22)

KEY PLAYERS

Tre Meadors (RB/CB, 5-10, 170, Sr.): Quick for his size, strong back.

Derrick Osborne (TE, 6-2, 230, Jr.): Good blocker, soft hands, will be best receiving threat.

T. J. Smith (QB/DB, 5-11, 175, Sr.): Perhaps the team's best all-around athlete, strong arm.

Robert Balderama (LB, 5-10, 215, Sr.): Defensive captain, strong athlete, big hitter.

Bottom line: With Smith at quarterback, the Spartans hope to run a strong option offense. A lot of speed on defense will help strengthen the squad. But there is no go-to-guy on offense. So in close games, San G. may not have any one to answer the bell.

PREDICTED FINISH

1. Colton

2. Cajon

3. Arroyo Valley

4. San Gorgonio

5. San Bernardino

6. Pacific

CAN'T MISS GAMES

Oct. 17: Pacific at Arroyo Valley, 7 p.m.: This league opener may indicate Pacific's fate, especially if the Pirates don't win a pre-league game.

Oct. 24: Colton at Cajon, 7 p.m.: This should be the game that determines the league title.

Nov. 14: Arroyo Valley at Colton, 7 p.m.: Last game of the regular season that may help put Colton over the top for the title or give Arroyo Valley a shot.