LEAGUE PREVIEWS : GOLDEN

Teams appear in order of finish predicted by Times staff writers. Antelope Valley

COACH: Brent Newcomb, ninth year

LAST SEASON: 9-5; second in league, 3-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Antelopes have an experienced and talented team. “We have a good group of seniors,” Newcomb said. Antelope Valley’s offense is especially high-powered. Junior quarterback Ron Whipple (5-11, 170) begins his second season as the starter. “He has a good arm, quick release and is a leader,” Newcomb said. Whipple likes to throw to wide receiver Shon Grimes (5-8, 155). “Shon is a shake-and-bake guy who gets people excited,” Newcomb said. “He had a season last year better than most guys’ careers.” Grimes returned two kickoffs and a punt for touchdowns last season. Tailback Eric Mortenson, who has 4.5 speed, is a returning starter, and junior Byron Russell will play fullback. James Richards (6-5, 240) and Brian Cardwell (6-3, 240) return at offensive tackle, and Billy Wilson (5-10, 180) returns at guard. “We ought to score plenty of points,” Newcomb said. Senior Mike Stewart (6-1 1/2, 195) will anchor the team at center and middle linebacker. “Mike is our best football player,” Newcomb said. Senior Ricky Cage has moved from safety to outside linebacker and will do the punting and placekicking for the second straight season. Antelope Valley has played in the shadow of Canyon for four seasons, losing to the Cowboys, 9-7, in last year’s Northwestern Conference championship game. Newcomb believes, for the first time in that span, that his team is as talented as the Cowboys. “I think we can play with anyone,” he said, “including Canyon. But of course it won’t be easy. I won’t start thinking about it until the week we play them.”

OUTLOOK: The Antelopes figure to make the Coastal Conference playoffs even if they don’t defeat Canyon. “We usually represent ourselves well in the playoffs,” Newcomb said. “The Golden League has been strong for 10 years, and this may be the strongest it’s ever been.”

Canyon

COACH: Harry Welch, fifth year

LAST SEASON: 14-0; first in league, 5-0

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Canyon wasn’t supposed to go unbeaten last season because of an inexperienced offensive line. This season the reason is supposed to be an inexperienced defense. Only two starters return from the Valley’s leading defense, and both are changing position. Chad Zeigler has moved from safety to cornerback and Andy Boron has moved from defensive end to inside linebacker. Welch speaks highly of sophomore defensive tackle Justin Fix (6-3, 215). Even if opponents find it easier to score on Canyon, they will have trouble keeping Canyon from scoring. Senior quarterback Ken Sollom (6-2, 190), who stepped in during the playoffs and led the team to four straight wins, gained 30 pounds during the off-season and is being recruited by several colleges. “Ken is a special item,” Welch said. Sollom’s primary targets will be Zeigler, a three-year varsity player, wide receiver Trevor Doyle and tight end Chris Peery. Zeigler is the most reliable, Doyle is the most dangerous deep threat and Peery is a freshman with plenty of raw talent. Running backs Lance Cross and Paul Chadwell are returning starters. They are diminutive, but Cross (5-6, 160), who has gained 2,440 yards rushing in two seasons, and Chadwell (5-6, 150), who gained 420 last season, have played well. Shea Danels returns at center and junior linemen Dom Spainhower and Tom Curran “have a chance to be real good,” according to Welch.

OUTLOOK: With 38 wins in a row, 20 straight wins in the Golden League and three straight Northwestern Conference titles, Canyon is currently the most successful team in California. “In some ways it would be best if we lost early,” Welch said. “I don’t want this team feeling the burden of three teams before them. . . . The Golden League will be as strong as it has ever been. Even if we get by our preleague opponents, there are no guarantees.”

Palmdale

COACH: Bill Norton, third year

LAST SEASON: 8-4; second in league, 3-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Although premier running back Toney Edwards has graduated, the most of the offensive line that opened holes for him has returned. Senior John Adams (5-9, 207) returns at right guard, senior Dave Kleschick (6-2, 218), a three-year starter, returns at right tackle, junior Pat Lucero (5-10, 214) returns at center, senior Scott Roark (6-1, 198) returns at left guard and junior Bob Cline (6-2, 212) returns at tight end. The only newcomer is sophomore left tackle Jim Nevelle (6-2, 229). Cline will move to fullback if Zae Perrin, a 6-5, 200-pound junior transfer from Fairfax, learns the system well enough. “Cline would be an excellent fullback,” Norton said.”I’m hoping to be able to make the switch.” Sophomores Don Turner and Shannon Culver may benefit the most from the offensive line. Turner is a halfback with excellent speed, and Culver is pressing senior Daryel Snell at quarterback. “Those two are young, but are enthusiastic and talented,” Norton said. “I won’t hold them back.” Cline, a linebacker, is the best player in Palmdale’s 5-2 defensive alignment. Nose guard Jason Tooman (5-11, 187) should also be a solid player. Junior defensive back Eric Thomas (5-11, 167) is the team’s most outstanding athlete, according to Norton. “There are probably three or four guys from the junior class who will emerge as fine players,” Norton said. “Palmdale is a growing area and every year there are more young men to choose from.”

OUTLOOK: “We have no delusions of grandeur,” Norton said. “Except for the line, we are very young. I’d have to pick us fighting it out for third place. I’d put all four teams after Antelope Valley and Canyon in one basket.”

Quartz Hill

COACH: John Albee, 19th year

LAST SEASON: 4-6; fifth in league, 1-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Golden League is full of quality quarterbacks, one of whom is senior Steve Weiss. A two-year starter at free safety, Weiss (5-11, 165) split time at quarterback last season. “Steve is good on the option and he’s gotten a lot stronger,” Albee said. Weiss has a 3.9 grade-point average and plays three sports. Quartz Hill will use a run-and-shoot offense, which will allow wide receivers Jeremy Oggs (5-9, 165) and Doug Costa (5-10, 162) plenty of opportunities to catch the ball. Both are seniors and returning starters. “We’ll be throwing to them a lot,” Albee said. “Last year we threw about 40 times a game and I expect more of the same this year.” Center John Remy (6-1,170) is the lone returning starter on the offensive line. “Our weakest spot is offensive tackle,” Albee said. The juniors at Quartz Hill won league titles as freshmen and sophomores. Three junior running backs--Ron Coleman (5-9, 163), Todd Coleman (5-9, 166) and Greg Albaugh (5-9, 166)--will alternate with senior Aaron Waller (6-0, 173), a transfer from Antelope Valley. “We have four quality guys,” Albee said. On defense, Weiss will lead the secondary. Junior Gary Burcham (6-1, 170) and senior Curt Brooks (5-11, 165) will man the corners, and junior Kyle Hughes (5-11, 170) is a returning starter at strong safety. Junior nose guard Eddie Smith (5-11, 210) and senior linebacker Nate Lambert, a 6-1, 215-pound transfer from South Bakersfield, “look real good,” according to Albee.

OUTLOOK: Albee, the elder statesman among Golden League coaches, believes there is more talent in the league than ever before. “This year the league is good from top to bottom,” he said. “We’re looking for a playoff spot. Hopefully, we can upset somebody.”

Burroughs (R)

COACH: Gene Vejtasa, third year

LAST SEASON: 6-3-1; fourth in league, 2-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Burroughs will field a large, senior-dominated team. “We’re the biggest we’ve been in a long time,” Vejtasa said. Returning starters on the offensive line include seniors Tony Scanlon, a 6-1, 235-pound tackle; Randy Telles, a 6-0, 195-pound guard; Ron Doucette, a 6-1, 195-pound center, and Ray Auger, a 6-2, 205-pound tight end. “I’d rather be strong on the line than anywhere else,” Vejtasa said. “Especially with the strength in our league.” The defensive line is also large and experienced. Jamie Baumgardner (6-0, 200) and Mark Bullock (6-3, 205) are senior defensive tackles. Another returning senior is fullback Leonard Graham (5-10, 190). “He is a power runner and an excellent blocker,” Vejtasa said. Graham and Auger also start at outside linebacker, and seniors Gene Byrd and Greg Sorenson return at cornerback. “Our defense is experienced as a unit,” Vejtasa said, “which I’m hoping will pay off against top offenses like Canyon and Antelope Valley.” For Burroughs to have an effective offense, sophomores Scott Wilie, a 6-0, 180-pound quarterback, and Maurice McDowell, a 5-10, 170-pound tailback, will have to mature in a hurry. It appears Wilie will get the starting nod over senior Kyle Blecha (5-9, 150), who was a backup last season. McDowell has 4.6 speed and should gain confidence running behind Graham and the veteran offensive line. Tim Wee returns as kicker and punter.

OUTLOOK: “I’m hoping we physically pound opposing teams,” Vejtasa said. “Our experience could help out in close games. The real question is if we can throw the ball well enough to keep up with the best teams in our league.”

Saugus

COACH: Dave Gross, first year

LAST SEASON: 1-7-2; fifth in league, 1-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: “I’ve got a good, hard-working group of kids,” Gross said, “but they are very inexperienced.” Only three seniors have playing experience on the varsity. “We’ll make mistakes and we’ll have a lot of guys going both ways,” Gross said. Anchoring the team will be seniors Brian McKinney and Barry Crom. McKinney (5-11, 180) will play running back and inside linebacker, while Crom (6-0, 185) will play center and nose guard. Chaka Milbey, a 6-3, 210-pound slot back, is the only other returning starter. Junior quarterback Jered Snyder (5-11, 170) will throw a lot of passes out of the Centurions’ single back set. “We’ll be considered a passing team,” Gross said. Slot back LaMark Allen could be an exciting breakaway threat (“We call him ‘Marcus,’ ” Gross said.) The line is full of questions, and Gross said a few sophomores may be promoted from the junior varsity. The poor Santa Clarita Valley neighbor of talent-rich Canyon and Hart, Saugus is perhaps the weakest team in the Golden League. Still, Gross believes he can build a winning program. “It may take some time,” he said, “but we’ll be an exciting football team.” Traditionally, Saugus has relied on a strong defense: The Centurions tied Hart, 0-0, last season. “Most of the tough defenders graduated,” Gross said. Getting on the scoreboard will be Saugus’ first goal. During its first three years, this year’s senior class has been shut out 18 times.

OUTLOOK: “It looks like a lot of Golden League teams are hitting a good cycle right now,” Gross said. “That may not be true for us this year. But we are going to develop a positive attitude. That’s the first step in building a winning program.”