How Calabasas Football Stacks up in Marmonte League

So now that football team is ready to get serious with full-contact practices in anticipation of a new season, how do the Coyotes stack up in the ultra powerful 10-team Marmonte League?

A year ago, the Coyotes finished 3-7, including winning two league games for the first time since joining the Marmonte. They’d like to do at least as well this season under new coach Christian Pierce, who has taken over for Larry Edwards (still the athletic director).

But it won’t be easy.

While Calabasas has key returnees at the skill positions, particularly the receiving corps led by Caleb Madden, Matt Guttridge and others, the Coyotes are going to have a tough time – again – because everyone else is so good.

Here’s a look at the other nine Marmonte League programs, and where they’re at and where they’re expected to be (beginning with the favorites):

Oaks Christian is going to be tough. The defending Southern Section Northern Division champion Lions graduated a lot of talent, but there are a lot of top returnees and some new faces expected to make an impact.

Receiver Jordan Payton is back, and he is among the hottest recruits in the nation, having formerly committed to USC before re-opening his recruiting options last month. He had 61 receptions and 10 touchdowns as a junior while missing two games, and he has scholarship offers from Arizona State, Cal, Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, Oklahoma and others.

Stepping in for graduated quarterback Richie Harrington is Luke Falk, a junior transfer from Utah who has looked sharp in passing-league tournaments.

Ishmael Adams, a top running back and receiver, is back, too, along most of the offensive lineman and starting receiver Chris Davis. Plus, Oaks Christian has welcomed impact transfer Zach Hernandez, a receiver from Alemany.

Yet the key for Oaks Christian figures to be defense, led by Arizona State-bound linebacker Carlos Mendoza and linebacker Cameron Judge, two of nine returning starters.

Calabasas plays Oaks Christian on Sept. 30, and if the Coyotes are fortunate enough to pull off an upset, it would be one of the biggest wins in program history – the same deal if they were to defeat fellow powers St. Bonaventure, Westlake, Moorpark and perhaps even Thousand Oaks, like the others a consistent playoff contender.

Westlake is 53-12 over the past five seasons, including a section championship in 2009, and the Warriors show no signs of slowing down despite heavy graduation losses that include star quarterback Nick Isham (now at Louisiana Tech) and star receiver Nelson Spruce (now at Colorado).

Westlake still has some of California’s top players, including Colorado-bound defensive lineman Justin Solis, a three-year starter who picked the Buffalos over UCLA, Utah, Washington State, Arizona and other major programs. He’s a 6-3, 300-pound who has 16 career sacks, nine last season. Another top defensive lineman, Johnny Stuart, is also back, along with standout defensive back Dashon Hunt, promising quarterback Justin Moore, receiver Jared Fry, linebacker David Ortiz and several other top players.

Plus, four starting offensive lineman return for Westlake.

St. Bonaventure could be the favorite. The Seraphs have a top returning quarterback in Marc Evans, who threw for 2,412 yards and 30 touchdowns last year, and there are other top returnees in running back/defensive back Shaun Wick and 6-3, 305-pound offensive lineman David Barajas.

Moorpark has a top quarterback, too, in Grant Rohach, who passed for 1,897 yards last year and has committed to Iowa State. He has a fast returning receiver in Alex Tolliver, a promising running back in junior Aaron Stanton, and two top returning blockers in Anthony Peterson and Anthony Sarrocco.

Some of Moorpark’s other top players are defensive linemen Brandon Hughes, Tyler Puccio and Jayce Foster and linebackers Tony Mack, Bobby Eckert and Christian Dearborn.

As for the other Marmonte participants – Royal, Simi Valley and Newbury Park – Royal has looked the best in summer tournaments, as quarterback Logan Bateman has looked sharp, as have tight ends Trevor Kanteman and Garrett Parkinson.

Simi Valley and Newbury Park are aiming for respectability after struggling last year.