Editor’s note: Over the next week, the U-T will preview the upcoming high school football season with a conference-by-conference breakdown of San Diego County’s teams. Up first: the City Conference.

CITY CONFERENCE

Western League

Cathedral Catholic

Last season: 6-6

Coach: Sean Doyle, 28th year

Division: I

Key players: Jack Stevens (QB), Ethan Ford (RB-DB), Ty Cortes (Slot-DB), Luke Westfall (DL), Preston Morris (DL), Sam Bjerke (OL), Anthony Taylor (DB-Slot), Matthias Beals (LB), Cade Smith (LB), Charlie Abts (RB), Will Buck (OL).

Scouting report: The Dons have won three state titles and 11 San Diego Section crowns during Doyle’s reign, so 6-6 didn’t sit well. “They know our program doesn’t settle for 6-6,” said Doyle. “They’re a little angry.” The offensive line wasn’t to Cathedral’s standards last year, but with Bjerke and Sacramento transfer Buck, that unit looks fortified. Buck’s brother, also named Will Buck, is a standout defensive tackle at the University of San Diego. Doyle thinks the only QB in the section as accurate as Stevens is Alabama commit Julian Sayin of Carlsbad. Expect Ford to post big rushing numbers while Abts is an outside rushing threat. Cortes, who’s drawing multiple college offers, is a thumper at safety. How good is Taylor? Last year as a sophomore he covered the opposing team’s best wide receiver. As for Westfall at defensive end, Doyle said, “He’s scary as all get out.”

Lincoln

Last season: 13-1

Coach: David Dunn, 13th year

Division: I

Key players: Jerome Roberts (LB), Jamarion Herbert (DE-TE), Micah Valenzuela (LB), Eugene Rice (DT), Journey Tala (DT), Mahki Gray (WR), Ayden Billups (WR), Aden Jackson (RB), Akili Smith Jr. (QB), Dreyden Garner (WR).

Scouting report: Gone from the reigning State Division I-AA champions are running back Roderick Robinson, the state player of the year, and safety Josiah Cox, the section defensive player of the year. But fret not for the Hornets. Said Madison coach Rick Jackson, “They’ve just reloaded.” The 6-foot-6 Smith, son of the third pick of the 1999 NFL Draft, transferred from Vista Murrieta, and he’s a rare talent. A junior, he threw for nearly 3,000 yards last season. His scholarship offers include Florida, Michigan and Oregon. There’s a bevy of fleet receivers led by Gray. The starting offensive line averages 291 pounds, topped by Tala (6-3, 340). Roberts led the team in tackles a year ago. The biggest question mark is the secondary, where no starters return.

Madison

Last season: 9-2

Coach: Rick Jackson, 20th year

Division: I

Key players: Makhai Viavia (RB-DL), James Tivao (RB-LB), Martell Hughes (WR-DB), Jaylon Brown (RB-DB), Titus Toilolo (LB), Takori Davis (DE), Najon Gillespie (OL-DL), Davion Haley (OL), Josh Baumgardner (OL), David Faatolia (OL-DL).

Scouting report: Madison’s only losses last season came to Lincoln. In the other nine games, the Warhawks allowed an average of 8.3 points per game. Their defense is incredibly talented again, led by Viavia and Tivao, first team All-CIF selections last season. An Arizona State commit, Hughes anchors the secondary. Then there’s Toilolo. “He’s physical,” said Jackson. “He brings that nasty attitude.” The player to watch on offense is Brown. He had to share time last season, getting just 30 carries. He averaged 14.7 yards per carry, but will play a much bigger role as a senior. Riley Parenteau takes over at QB after attempting just nine passes last season. He’s athletic, qualifying for the state track meet last season in the long jump.

St. Augustine

Last season: 4-8

Coach: Ron Gladnick, 2nd year

Division: I

Key players: Brady Palmer (QB), Isaiah Hasten (WR-DB), Parker Patterson (RB), Parker Johnson (WR-DB), Humble Fa’alave Johnson (RB-LB), Bronx Letuligasenoa (TE-DE), Anthony Bibiaff (OL-DL), Ezaya Tokio (TE-LB), Kieran Hodson (OL-DL), Zach Horne (TE-LB), Viliamu Trollinger (OL-LB).

Scouting report: Gladnick is into Year 2 of the rebuild at Saints. By the end of last season, the varsity was down to 27 players. Twenty of the 22 positions were manned by freshmen or sophomores. There is talent in all that youth. Palmer, Letuligasenoa, Parker Johnson and Tokio all drew Pac-12 looks as freshmen. Palmer accounted for 1,645 yards from scrimmage and Gladnick thinks he’s special. At 6-2, 190, the QB is one of the strongest players on the team. “He has a Division I arm and runs like a running back,” said Gladnick. “He’s not a normal kid.” Letuligasenoa (6-3, 240) is the most highly recruited player. As a defensive end he intercepted two passes last season.

The key will be how quickly the other young linemen develop.

University City

Last season: 11-3

Coach: Paul Lawrence, 3rd year

Division: II

Key players: Quentyn Demara (QB), Jack Stahl (OL-LB), Roman Rodriguez (RB-LB), Josh Dixon (WR-DB), Ethan Obrigewitch (OL-DE), Zaire Lockett (RB-LB), Cameron Landeros (WR-DB), Matthew Bresko (WR-LB), James Redd (OL), Jahlon Adams (RB-LB).

Scouting report: Two-way standout Samuel Cooper IV graduated, leaving behind 2,398 yards in total offense and combined 30 TDs for a team that reached the Southern California Regional championships. But in Demara, who threw for 11 TDs last season as a freshman, there’s a talented QB. His task is made easier with four starting offensive linemen back. Look for a breakout season from Dixon. He started the past two seasons in the secondary and will be a go-to receiver. The standout on defense is Stahl, a fourth-year starter. A rugby player, Stahl seldom leaves the field, starting on the offensive line. “He’s an Ironman,” said Lawrence. “His motor never stops.” Centurions face the challenge of jumping into the uber-competitive Western League. Said Lawrence, “We embrace being part of the best. We’ll compete against anybody.”

Eastern League

Christian

Last season: 6-5

Coach: Patrick Bugg, 2^nd year

Division: II

Key players: Dylan Eads (WR-DB), Brady Eads (TE-LB), Ryder Jennings (OL-DL), Brooks Harwell (OL-DL), Bryce Vowels (RB-LB), Jake Marsh (WR-DB), Roman Gustin (WR-DB), Forrest Brunneto (OL-DL).

Scouting report: With only six players back who played significant varsity minutes, it might be a rebuilding year for the Patriots. Offensively, there’s talent in the receiving corps with Dylan Eads, Marsh and Gustin. Quarterback will come down to a battle between junior Spencer Johnson and a promising freshman, Caleb Runkle. With inexperience at QB, look for the Patriots to run the ball a lot early, taking pressure off defense and giving passers time to develop. On the defensive side, Dylan Eads was one of Christian’s leading tacklers last season. At 6-6, 260, Jennings creates mismatches on the defensive line. “Teams will have to game plan for him,” said Bugg. “That’s for sure.”

La Jolla

Last season: 6-6

Coach: Tyler Roach, 7^th year

Division: II

Key players: Jackson Diehl (QB-Athlete), Brendon Goldstein (RB-DB), Sawyer Moseley (OL-DL), Logan Bonnett (OL-LB), Jett Thomas (OL), Hank Hansen (WR-DB), Carson Diehl (WR-DB), Nick Sebro (WR), Aiden McGill (RB), Hudson Smith (QB), Wyatt Boczanowski (LB).

Scouting report: The 6-3 Diehl is one of the section’s best-kept secrets. He accounted for 2,396 yards in total offense last season as a junior, throwing 28 TDs, rushing for another two. And there’s skill on the outside in Hansen and Sebro, who combined for 944 yards receiving and 14 TDs. The OL is anchored by one of the section’s best in Thomas (6-4, 300), who’s drawing Pac-12 offers. A junior, Boczanowski is a third year starter. His 93 tackles ranked second on the team a year ago. After compiling just nine turnovers last season, one of the main defensive goals will be to force more fumbles and interceptions.

Mira Mesa

Last season: 9-4

Coach: Aurelio Morales, 3rd year

Division: I

Key players: Tyson Line (QB), Chris Brown (WR-DB), Victor Gore (LB-RB), Danny Underwood (WR-DB), Isaiah Thompson (WR-DB), Korey Fortune (OL-DE), Noah Chiw (OL-LB), Justin Brown (OL-DL), Amari Sanders (WR-DB).

Scouting report: The Marauders advanced to the Division II semis last year before losing to eventual state champion Granite Hills. Despite moving up to Division I, another deep playoff run wouldn’t be stunning. As usual, the Marauders are loaded at the skill positions, topped by Line and Brown, both of whom have committed to Southern Utah. In his third season as a starter, the 6-3 Line has thrown for 3,551 yards in his career. Brown (54 catches, 802 yards, 7 TDs last season) is also one of the section’s best kick returners. The biggest question is at running back. It will be carries by committee in replacing Makei Thompson, who totaled 2,431 all-purpose yards last season. Defensively, there’s deep talent in the secondary. Gore was third on the team in tackles last season and anchors the linebacker corps.

Morse

Last season: 7-5

Coach: Tracy McNair, 15^th year

Division: III

Key players: Khalif Bloome (RB-DB), Ian Okada (QB-LB), Jonah Holloway (WR-DB), Nathan Wilson (OL-DL), Therren Jones (OL-DL), Jayden Frazier (RB-DB), Jacob Chaves (QB), Superior Garror (WR-DB).

Scouting report: After losing 28 seniors, one of the best running backs in the section (Damarion Wright) and a QB who threw for 2,569 yards, there could be some early growing pains for the Tigers. Morse operates out of the spread offense, and there’s talent on the outside with Holloway and Garror. Bloom figures to get the bulk of the carries. Chaves moves up from the JV to take over at QB. Despite losing the top six tacklers off last year’s team, the strength of the team is on defense. Wilson and Jones are talented linemen and Okada is tough at linebacker. Illustrating his athleticism, Okada also plays QB. “Our basic goal,” said McNair, “is to bond as a team and grow up.”

Point Loma

Last season: 10-3

Coach: Joel Allen, 4th year

Division: II

Key players: Maxim Newbegin (QB), Brady Allen (WR-DB), Rocket Robinson (RB-LB), Aaron Lee (WR-DB-K), Nate Terzoli (TE-LB), Sean DuCharme (OL-DL), Joaquin Edwards (DT), Ryan Burdine (RB-DB).

Scouting report: The Pointers move up to Division II after reaching Division III title game last year, losing 33-28 in a heartbreaker to University City. Brady Allen (the coach’s nephew) and Lee are marvelous athletes who will get the bulk of touches in Shotgun Wing T. Lee caught 12 passes last season, seven for TDs. He averaged 25.8 yards per catch. Newbegin (6-4, 190) took over at QB late in regular season and played very well, accounting for combined 19 TDs passing and rushing. “He’s just a big, strong athletic kid,” said Joel Allen. Robinson led the Pointers with 105 tackles. Terzoli racked up 12½ sacks. With a taxing non-league schedule, including Madison and Mater Dei Catholic, staying healthy will be key.

City League

Coronado

Last season: 7-4

Coach: Kurt Hines, 7^th year

Division: III

Key players: Graham Bower (WR-LB), Ryder Albin (WR-DB), Jack Delcore (WR-LB), Josiah Kemp (WR-DB), Trey Arnold (QB), RJ Sanchez (QB), Jack Laudemann (DL-OL), Walter Hardy (OL-DL), Luca Salata (OL-LB), Jesse Saflar (OL-LB), Cable Fledderjohn (OL-DL).

Scouting report: With winning records in four of the last five seasons, Hines has done a marvelous job at Coronado. But with only one starter back on offense and two on defense, the Islanders will be tested. “Being young doesn’t scare me,” Hines said. “They’ve bought in to the common goal of being relentless and working hard every day.” At 5-9, 190, Bower is physical at LB and dangerous from the slot. Arnold and Sanchez will battle it out at QB, running the Spread. At 6-3, Delcore can create mismatches as a receiver. Fledderjohn will cause problems off the edge defensively. “He’s quick off the ball, explosive and powerful,” said Hines.

Crawford

Last season: 11-2

Coach: Matt Marquez, 5^th year

Division: IV

Key players: Joseph Minchello (RB-LB), Omar Musa (OL-DL), Esteban Pasillas-Carrillo (OL-DL), Su Reh (RB-DB), Mohando Aweys (TE-DL), Tre’von Blanks (WR-DB), Richard Ferguson (OL-DL), Isaiah McPherson (OL-DL), Thomas Riley (WR-DB), Anthony Ramos (OL-DL).

Scouting report: The Colts reached the Division V title game last season on the strength of a rugged ground game. The bad news: The players who gained Crawford’s entire 2,923 yards rushing are gone. The good news: With four OL starters back, Marquez is confident the ground game will continue. And that’s how he prefers moving the ball. “If you don’t stop the run, we’ll never pass,” he said. The defense is led by Minchello, who led the section with 169 tackles last season, and Musa (111 tackles). Minchello is expected to get the bulk of the carries at RB. Having squatted 425 pounds for five reps, he can handle the load. Ten of Blanks’ 18 catches last year were for TDs. McPherson will be a force at DT.

Mission Bay

Last season: 8-5

Coach: Greg Tate, 4^th year

Division: III

Key players: David Maier (WR-DB), Caden Taffe (RB-LB), Jacob Morgan (QB-LB), Orlando Castillo (RB-LB), Kai West (OL-DL), Jevyn Higman (OL-DL), Marcos Korch (RB-LB), Isaah Whitehurst (WR-DB), Charlie Hutchison (QB).

Scouting report: Mission Bay was 12-31 in the last four full seasons before Tate’s arrival. Since then: 18-8 the past two seasons, with a trip to the section finals and semis. The Bucs have been pass happy the past few years and the new QB is the 6-6 Hutchison, a basketball standout who’s playing high school football for the first time. In fact, all five starters on last season’s Division I finalist basketball team are playing football for the first time. “We’ve been recruiting those dudes for a long time,” said Tate. Maier, who averaged 20.1 yards per catch, is the go-to receiver. Led by Morgan, there’s talent at linebacker. “They can all run and hit,” said Tate.

Patrick Henry

Last season: 2-8

Coach: Colby Davis, 2nd year

Division: III

Key players: Quino Bracamontes (WR-DB), Koa Altmeyer (LB), Vincent Li (WR-DB), Damien Carmichael (WR-DB), Eli Ruiz (QB), A.J. Harris (OL-DL), Max Gonzalez (LB), Lorenzo Epps (OL-DL).

Scouting report: The Patriots lost four games by a touchdown or less last season. To turn that around, big improvement will be needed from a defense that permitted 37.8 points per game. Seven starters return from that unit, with Altmeyer anchoring things at middle linebacker. Li leads the secondary. On offense, QB Malachi Ghitman (2,127 yards in total offense) graduated and will be replaced by Ruiz. Davis is confident in the junior’s skills. “He can spin it,” said the head coach. “And he’s got a high foot football IQ.” The Patriots are deep at wide receiver. A player to watch: Carmichael, who’s just a junior. He goes 6-1, 180 and will be a tough cover.

Scripps Ranch

Last season: 2-9

Coach: Marlon Gardinera, 7th year

Division: II

Key players: Noah Gardinera (RB-LB), Stephen Bosquet (WR), Ryan Stadtherr (LB), Vincent Cruz (OL-DE), Hudson Wanner (LB), Cassius Campbell (QB), Chase Deniz (OL), Markell Martin (DB), Alex Ariaudo (WR).

Scouting report: After winning a 2021 state title, the Falcons were clipped last year by season-ending injuries to two QBs. Jax Leatherwood, who threw for 52 TDs in ’21, suffered a dislocated shoulder in the first game and missed the rest of the year. But after exiting the Western League and dropping to Division II, look for Scripps to make a deep playoff run. In the 6-4 Campbell, a Canyon Hills transfer, there’s talent at QB. In five games last year, Campbell compiled 1,449 yards in total offense and threw 11 TDs. Gardinera calls Deniz (6-5, 245) his best OL prospect ever. The Falcons are loaded at linebacker where Wanner and Stadtherr are fourth-year starters. Of a senior class that experienced the high of a state title and the low of 2-9, Gardinera said, “They’re ready to leave with a bang.”

Central League

Canyon Hills

Last season: 1-7

Coach: Marcus Cook, 1st year

Division: IV

Key players: Tyler Fogg (WR-DB), Lavelle Teague (WR-DB), Drake Landon (OL-DL), Joseph Yankosky (K), Marcus Harman (RB-LB), Joseph Aldridge (OL-DL), Jacob Lee (LB-RB), Marcus Cook Jr. (DB).

Scouting report: After spending the last three seasons at Lincoln as an assistant, Cook will try to bring stability to a program that’s on its third coach in four years. Canyon Hills was a combined 2-15 the past two seasons. The Rattlers will operate out of the Spread, and it’s a battle between three players to land the QB job. Whoever’s aiming passes will have talented targets. Fogg averaged 20.6 yards per catch last season and scored six TDs. Cook thinks Teague, a junior, is a special talent, particularly as a one-on-one cover corner. “Teague is going to shock the world,” said Cook. The linebacker corps, led by Harman and Lee, is the backbone of the defense.

Clairemont

Last season: 3-8

Coach: Eduardo Gonzalez, 1st year

Division: V-AA

Key players: Jackson Merrifield (QB-DB), Leo Landerer (OT-LB), Cash Birtness (TE-DE), Alex Jeter (LB-OT), Axel Moreno (RB-DL), Cooper Barnes (OL-DL), Zack Hovey (WR-DB).

Scouting report: At 24, Gonzalez is among the youngest head coaches in the state. He was a defensive tackle on Madison’s 2016 state championship team and his entire coaching staff is made up of his former Warhawks teammates. Gonzalez is tasked with trying to resurrect a program that hasn’t enjoyed a winning season since 2008. The Chieftains will feature a run-pass option attack out of the Pistol and Merrifield will be the trigger man at QB. Going both ways, he’s a physical safety. “At the end of the day,” said Gonzalez, “he wants to hit somebody.” After missing the last two seasons with knee injuries, Lederer will anchor the defense at linebacker. Barnes can get after the QB, compiling three sacks in one game last year.

Hoover

Last season: 4-7

Coach: Will Gray, 4^th year

Division: V

Key players: Sir Autry (RB), Exavier Williams (WR-DB), Daniel Flores (DL-LB), Kristian Noreiga (QB), Mico Hunter (TE-DL), Xavier Logan (LB), Brayan Penazola (OL).

Scouting report: Hoover’s record from 2014 to 2021 was 5-49. Slowly, Gray has turned the program around, winning a combined seven games the past two seasons. The expectation this year is that the Cardinals will make a deep playoff run, led by an explosive offense. Autry rushed for 1,495 yards as a sophomore. A two-year starting QB at Olympian, Noreiga, another junior, transferred in. Williams gives the attack balance as a pass catcher. And at tight end, Hunter has the best hands on the team. Of his offense, Gray said, “We are going to be dangerous.” Nine starters return defensively but the talent level has so improved that three have been beaten out. Flores led the team in tackles last season and Logan is another standout linebacker.

Kearny

Last season: 5-5

Coach: Jeremy Stump, 4th year

Division: V

Key players: Kwali Wilson (PK-P), Kris Ramses (LB), Aaron Seguin (LB), Marcos Torres (LB), Jayden Jackson (DB), Jared Torres (DB), Brodie Stump (QB), Zaiden Gravely (WR), Kwali Wilson (TE), Jonathan Tachiquin (OL), Nathan Simpson (OL-DL).

Scouting report: It’s the 50^th anniversary of Kearny’s 1973 section championship team and if the stars align, the Komets might be celebrating another title come late November. The key will be keeping Stump healthy. Now a junior, Stump has started since his freshman season. He was leading the state in total offense last season (353 yards per game) when he suffered a broken collarbone, ending his year. Gravely started as a freshman last year and is looking for a breakout season. Tachiquin anchors the OL at center. The Komets gave up 28.4 points a game in 2022, so a key will be playing stingier defense. There’s talent in the linebacker corps where Torres is the most dynamic defensive player and Ramses won the team hit of the week four times. Wilson should help win the field-position game.

San Diego

Last season: 4-6

Coach: Syd Reed, 2nd year

Division: III

Key players: Casey Kotcher-Smith (QB), Caden Petrucelli (WR-DB), Rogelio Zepeda (WR-S), Tuhlon Duncan (WR-DB), Jorvic Ponce (OL-DT), Jayden Wade (WR-DB), Miles Johnson (RB-LB), Eric Walker (RB-LB), DeAngelo Besikof (DB), Anthony Medina (TE-LB).

Scouting report: The Cavers operate out of the spread formation and Kotcher-Smith is the ideal trigger man, blessed with a big arm and quick feet to dart off and run. In Petrucelli, Duncan and Wade, there are plenty of targets. Keep an eye on Wade. At 6-5, the power forward on the basketball team has heaps of potential. Nine starters are back on offense, and the key will be how the line develops. On defense, only four starters return from a team that allowed 31.5 points per game. Besikof anchors the secondary. On the front seven, the 5-11, 270-pound Ponce is a rock that’s difficult to move.