Players to Watch

Ilan Lesov (jr., RB, 5-10, 165)

Sam Lyons (sr., FS/WR, 6-2, 170)

Lesov, only a junior, rushed for over 1,000 yards as a sophomore, catching the rest of the league by surprise. Lyons is a captain this season and calls all the adjustments on defense. This year, he is expected to contribute a lot on offense this season.

Carlmont

Nick Passanisi (sr., QB, 5-9, 170)

Michael Rosenberg (sr., RB/WR/S/P/K, 5-8, 185)

Passanisi comes into the this season as the unquestioned starter after spending the last half of the season last year as the starter. Rosenberg is expected to help the team in every facet of the game: Offense, defense and special teams.

Half Moon Bay

Nick France (sr., RB/LB, 6-0, 220)

Josh Dunne (sr., RB/DB, 6-0, 180)

Dominic Sena (jr., RB/KR/PR, 5-8, 170)

One of the best trio of runners in the PAL, who all offer something different. France is the banger, known for his rugged style of play. Sena is player the Cougars want to get into space and around the corner of the defense. Dunne is a combination of the two is equally at home running inside or outside.

Menlo School

Clay Robbins (sr., WR, 5-11, 170)

Beau Nichols (jr., RB, 5-10, 175)

Robbins missed the first six games of last year due to injury but came on strong and is ready for a breakout season. Nichols is one of the best running backs in reading his blocks and waiting for a hole to open up. Strong instincts make him a breakaway threat each time he carries the ball.

San Mateo

David Rango (sr., RB/DB, 5-7, 150)

Lemoto Filikitonga (jr., RB, 6-1, 170)

Elusive, nimble and light-footed, Rango is a threat to reach the end zone everytime he touches the ball. Filikitonga has the tall, athletic and lean frame coaches covet, and he uses that -- along with his powerful lower body -- to constantly churn for extra yardage.

South San Francisco

Shadi Azar (sr., RB/MLB 6-1, 195)

Matt Los (sr., T/DE, 6-4, 215)

Manning the middle of a talented corps of linebackers, Azar looks to continue a grand tradition of great South City defense.

Los is a towering 6-foot-4 defensive end, who has what South City head coach Frank Moro calls "next-level kind of size".

LAKE DIVISION

Capuchino

Anthony Amato (sr., RB/SS, 5-8, 180)

John Bacchi (jr., QB, 6-0, 180)

Both players have some pretty big shoes to fill, but if they do, the Mustangs could be looking at playoff berth.

Amato, in limited action, had three games of over 100 yards. Bacchi is a first-year varsity player, but if he is Bacchi successful, the Mustangs will be successful.

El Camino

Rob Roman (sr., QB, 5-10, 165)

Kenny Anderson, (sr., K, 6-1, 180)

The 5-foot-10 Roman may not fit the towering, rah-rah stereotype of a prep QB, but the kid can throw. After a late-season call-up in 2007 he played the fourth quarter of loss to Palo Alto in the CCS opener.

Anderson, a standout soccer player, is translating his kicking prowess to the gridiron. Anderson hit a 52-yard field goal over the summer at a Stanford camp. He also drilled a 47-yarder last year in a scrimmage with King's Academy.

Hillsdale

Gustavo Torres (sr., RB/LB, 5-9, 180)

Jovan Carter (sr., WR/DB, 5-9, 170)

Torres will be charged with keeping the chains moving, while Carter is the Knights' game-breaker. Excellent in space, Carter has the ability to score any time he touches the ball. Torres is one of the hardest workers on the team and sets the tone for the rest of the squad.

Jefferson

Ezekiel Nunu (jr., QB/S, 6-1, 185)

Steve Samera (sr., TE/DT, 6-1, 280)

Just a junior, Nunu quarterbacked the 2008 Jefferson frosh-soph squad to a perfect 10-0 record. He can throw. He can run. Now all he needs is varsity experience.

A 6-foot-2 defensive tackle, Samera isn't even the biggest players on the Indians defensive front. He is the most experienced though.

Mills

Tevita Lataimua (sr., FB/LB, 5-11, 210)

Erik Kramer (sr., WB/DB, 6-1, 175)

Whether he's delivering a crushing block, bowling over a defender with the ball or making a big hit at linebacker, Lataimua can do it all.

Kramer plays vital role in Mills' triple-option fly offense as the man always in motion. Ability to get to the outside forces defenses to take Kramer into account on every play.

Sequoia

Vita Taungahihifo (jr., DE, 6-3, 215)

Loti Lauese (jr., FB, 5-10, 170)

Having to replace almost all the skills position on offense, new coach Rob Poulos is hoping that a strong defense will keep his team in games. He thinks he found the linchpin for the defense line in Taungahihifo, who Poulos believes can shut down whatever side he lines up.

Lauese is the nephew of defensive coordinator Fine Lauese so his football IQ should be pretty high. If a sophomore is starting at the varsity level, he must be good.