With the 2012 high school football season in the books, it's time to look forward to next season. For many seniors, it brings an end to their competitive football career. For graduating college level athletes, they look forward to national signing day and the next step in their football journey.
Despite the loss of such a quality senior class , the 2013 California high school football season is in good hands with the return of so many first-rate ballers throughout the state. The teams featured in this year's bowl games will be loaded again.
The Gardena Serra Cavaliers are still reveling in the joy of their convincing 42-15 triumph over Oakdale in the CIF Division II state bowl game but the prospects for next season look even brighter.
On offense, dual threat quarterback Jalen Greene returns under center. In the backfield, super sophomore Malik Roberson will be back to shoulder the load in the running game. The primary threat in the passing game will be receiver Gregory Webb. Receiver Jordan Lasley should get more opportunities to make plays as well.
Defensively, the Cavaliers are stacked with standout stars Adoree' Jackson and Dwight Williams retuning to spearhead the D. Other players to keep an eye out for are linebacker John Houston, defensive back Glen Ihenacho and freshman sensation Brandon Burton.
Much like Serra, the Corona Centennial Huskies will have their signal caller back. Quarterback Robert Webber set all sorts of records in leading the Huskies to the CIF Open Division final and will be expected to build on that success next season.
A major reason Webber will likely flourish is the return of playmaking receiver Barry Ware. Running back Tre Watson will be back to handle the rock in ground game.
Despite losing star linemen Cameron Hunt and Anthony Juarez to graduation, the Centennial offensive line will be bolstered by the return of a healthy Viane Talamaivao to anchor the line.
If blood lines are any indicator, freshman Daniel Juarez, Anthony's younger brother, should make his presence felt rather quickly.
The Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits will be led next season by playmaking wideout and UCLA recruit Juju Smith. Quarterbacks Eban Jackson and Tai Tiedemann will return to run the offense and get Smith the rock.
The Poly defense is highlighted by standout defensive back Iman Marshall. As usual, the Jackrabbits don't rebuild, they reload and should be a formidable opponent for anyone.
CIF Open Division state champions Concord De La Salle will lean heavily on Das Tautalatasi to fill the void of the departing Tiapepe Vitale in the rush attack. Quarterback Chris Williams returns to captain the ship.
At this point, De La Salle vying for the state title has become, like death and taxes, an inevitable part of life.
There are a number of other players throughout the state to look out for. Mission Viejo is loaded with quarterback Ian Fieber, running back Alex Suchesk and defensive back Hunter Remington all returning from an 11-win team.
St. John Bosco will be tough to score on with standouts like linebacker Chandler Leniu and defensive back Naijiel Hale leading the way. The Braves defense is bolstered by Jaleel Wadood, Lonell Woodhouse and Chandler Hawkins.
Wadood and Woodhouse will also be expected to shine on offense in the running game. Quarterback Josh Rosen returns for his junior season after throwing for over 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns as a sophomore. Rosen's primary target in the passing game will likely be Shay Fields.
The offensive line will be anchored by Damien "Big" Mama who will carry on the proud tradition left by outgoing senior and USC commit Nico Falah.
Folsom quarterback Jake Browning will be back after a ridiculous sophomore campaign where he threw for 5,248 passing yards and 63 touchdowns.
Quarterback Cris Solano will return after leading San Fernando to the Division II City Section crown. Other quarterbacks to look out for are Crenshaw's Ajene Harris and Mater Dei's Chase Forrest.
Running backs to keep a look out for are Narbonne's Johnell Jackson, Granite Bay's Tony Ellison, Clovis North's Bolu Olorunfunmi, Downey's Justin Huff, Citrus Hill's PJ Walker and Burbank's James Williams.
At receiver, Alemany's Desean Holmes will likely fill the void left behind by USC commit Steven Mitchell and be a key contributor for the Warriors.
Other receivers that should ball out include Hart's Trent Irwin, El Toro's Dominic Collins and Valencia's tandem of Nick Jones and Malik Townsend.
Defensive players that should shine include Alemany defensive back Alif Grayes, Salesian linebackers Jamardre Cobb and Kyavha Tezino as well as Chaminade linebackers Rick Gamboa and Jojo McIntosh.
These are just some of the athletes that promise to make the 2013 California high school football season a memorable one. CLA looks forward to highlighting the hard hitting action from the player's perspective.
