Banning Again Running Gantlet

Wilmington Banning survived a grueling nonleague schedule last season and parlayed the experience into its 11th City Section football championship, the Pilots’ first since 1985. Banning’s players might not have enjoyed all elements of the process, but they certainly cherished the result. So Coach Ed Lalau turned on the autopilot when lining up opponents for the Pilots this season.

Banning opens Friday against Newhall Hart, the three-time defending Southern Section Division III champion. The Pilots then play Long Beach Poly, the two-time defending Southern Section Division I champion, City Section semifinalist Los Angeles Crenshaw, Santa Fe Springs St. Paul and then Southern Section Division I finalist Los Angeles Loyola before opening play in the ultra-tough Marine League.

“When you play the top schools early, you find out what your weaknesses are faster,” Lalau said. “If you play a weak schedule, you don’t have to make many adjustments until the playoffs--and by then it’s too late.”

Banning is favored to repeat as champion, but the Pilots will be challenged by familiar powers.

“It looks pretty much the same,” said Westchester Coach Larry Wein, who is in his 20th season with the Comets. “There are maybe 10 teams that are capable of winning the whole thing.”

Here is a look at each of the section’s eight leagues:

MARINE: The City’s strongest league shows no signs of decline.

Banning is led by lineman Fred Matua, quarterback Damian Satete and A.J. Tuitele, running back and defensive back. Sophomore running back Patrick Perry is the top newcomer.

Most of Carson’s starting skill-position players from last season have graduated, but no one doubts that Coach John Aguirre will have the Colts ready by playoff time with a team that features defensive lineman Mathew Malele and tight end John Rodriguez.

San Pedro running back Kenny Taylor will run behind a line that Coach Mike Walsh describes as his best since the Pirates won the City title in 1997. Gardena finished fourth in the league last season and won the Invitational division of the playoffs--for teams ranked 17th-32nd at the end of the regular season. Richard Perkins, a wide receiver and return specialist, could help the Panthers make a run at the real title.

If Harbor City Narbonne can emerge relatively unscathed from a schedule that includes games against Long Beach Poly and Loyola, the Gauchos might challenge for a playoff spot, perhaps more. Washington hopes to play the role of spoiler.

COLISEUM: Crenshaw has dominated the league the last two years, but Los Angeles Dorsey is experienced and appears to be the team to beat. The Dons, who last won the City title in 1995, are led by defensive back Derron Ware, defensive lineman Jamal Moore and offensive lineman Nate Weber.

Los Angeles Jefferson features one of the most dynamic backfields in the City with quarterback John Brown and running back Travonne Jackson. A lot of Crenshaw’s firepower graduated, but wide receiver Patrick Owens is a playmaker.

Los Angeles Fremont features three of the section’s most talented players in Marco Guerra, a lineman, Mark Bradford, a receiver and defensive back, and receiver Shelvion Williams. Los Angeles Manual Arts will try to get the ball to senior receiver James Finley as often as possible. Los Angeles Locke, under first-year Coach Vincent Smith, will rely on big plays by receiver Richard Marshall.

WESTERN: Quarterback Brian Johnson leads perennial league power Westchester, which opens Friday against Long Beach Poly. As usual, the Comets are loaded with gifted athletes such as receivers Sam Calhoun and Michael Sanford. Venice, featuring slot back Anthony Soto and receiver Ryan Vickers, is the only team that can challenge the Comets.

Fairfax, Los Angeles, Los Angeles University and Los Angeles Hamilton have made strides to elevate their level of play, but those schools and rebuilding Palisades will compete for an Invitational playoff berth.

VALLEY MISSION: San Fernando, Sylmar and Granada Hills Kennedy are the top teams and all three will rely heavily on their quarterbacks.

San Fernando’s Ruben Nevarez, Sylmar’s Clarence Simpson, who transferred from Woodland Hills Taft, and Kennedy’s Adam Geery are all accurate passers. Bobby Mesa and Steve Kingery are first-year coaches at Van Nuys and Reseda, respectively. North Hills Monroe is a potential spoiler.

WEST VALLEY: Van Nuys Birmingham stepped to the forefront last season before getting hammered by Carson in a playoff quarterfinal. The Patriots figure to come back stronger with running back Kevin McCleary leading the way.

Taft, featuring junior wide receiver Steve Smith, is among the fastest teams in the state, and Granada Hills is always well-coached under Darryl Stroh and Tom Harp.

Woodland Hills El Camino Real, with quarterback Will Savage, could also contend. Reseda Cleveland and Chatsworth will be competitive.

NORTHERN: Los Angeles Marshall ended Highland Park Franklin’s six-year reign as champion last season and the same schools will likely battle for the title again.

Eagle Rock must find a way to offset the loss of Torwin Session, who keyed the Eagles’ resurgence the last two years. Defensive back Armando Velasco will keep Belmont in contention. Los Angeles Wilson and Los Angeles Lincoln are improving.

EASTERN: Defending champion South Gate, under second-year Coach Paul Hernandez, will be challenged by Bell, which is led by quarterback Mark Moreno, a three-year starter.

Los Angeles Roosevelt has only three starters returning from a team that went to the Invitational final last season. The Roughriders will meet rival Garfield, under first-year Coach Lorenzo Hernandez, in the regular-season finale, Nov. 9 at the Coliseum.

Los Angeles Jordan running back Dell Hester is one of the most electrifying backs in the section, and Huntington Park is improving.

SUNSET SIX: None of the teams will challenge for the section championship, but--like the Eastern League--this circuit has evenly matched teams.

Defending champion Van Nuys Grant must find a way to replace running back Perry Clayton.

Canoga Park will be formidable if quarterback Jeremy Egan stays injury free. Steve Porter, who plays wide receiver and defensive back, leads North Hollywood.

Sun Valley Poly, Hollywood and Verdugo Hills are aiming for respectability.