San Diego U-T Preps

CHULA VISTA

Last year: 1-9

Coach: Daryl Butterfield, 2nd year

Division: III

Key players: Jesus Araujo (OL-DL), Sio Pongia (OL-DL), Cameron O’Neil (WR-DB), Joseph Espinoza (OL-DL), Sergio Figueroa (RB-LB), Gabriel McPherren (RB-DB), Ubaldo Nolasco (TE-DE), German Contreras (DL-OL), Paul Escobar (QB-LB).

Scouting report: Things figure to get better in Spartanville as Butterfield starts his second year. Every returnee is listed as a two-way player, even QB Escobar plays linebacker, but players like Araujo (5-11, 200), Pongia (6-0, 265) and Espinoza (6-0, 275) figure to hold their own against anyone in this league. Look for Chula Vista to run the ball, hoping to keep turnovers to a minimum.

HILLTOP

Last year: 5-6

Coach: Drew Westling, 1st year

Division: III

Key players: Alex Tejeda (QB), Edi Sanchez (LB), Gus Ferreira (WR), Dominic Esparza (RB-LB), David Corona (LB-TE), David Garcia (OL-DL), Angel Pineda (RB-DB), Greg Marshall (WR-DB), Noe Sanchez (LB), Myles Pena (OL).

Scouting report: A good balance of seniors to provide leadership and juniors to offer an enthusiastic push and the Lancers should be right back in the league chase again this year. Westling is upbeat about the group that includes all-league veterans Esparza and Pineda, both of whom saw action at running back on offense, where they combined for 800 yards and 13 TDs rushing. Tejeda passed for 1,390 yards while Ferreira averaged a first down per catch.

MAR VISTA

Last year: 8-4

Coach: Tyler Arciaga, 4th year

Division: IV

Key players: Khalil Spruill (RB-LB), Gabriel Preciado (OL), Jacob Hinojosa (LB), Michael Wilson (QB-DB), Sergio Munoz (OL), Latu Tuavao (OL-DL), Noah Berry (WR-DB), Jake Borst (TE-DE), Nico Figueroa (DL), Kyle Denney (DB-RB).

Scouting report: At the start of the season the offense will be relying on Spruill, who rushed for 1,049 yards and scored 13 TDs in just nine games. Veteran QB Wilson will be asked to toss the ball even more this year with Berry as his favorite target. Up front, Preciado (6-4, 275), Munoz (6-6, 285) and Tuavao (6-2, 275) will open more than a few holes.

SWEETWATER

Last year: 1-9

Coach: Wesley Charles, 1st full year

Division: III

Key players: Roque Espinoza (OL-LB), Alfredo Ulloa (RB-DB), Alan Reyes (OL-DT), Adrielle Lagda (RB-DB), Manny Salazar (QB-DB), Phillip Brandon (OL-DL), Rudolph Castaneda (OL-DL), Angel Regalado (OL-DL), Adrian Kercher (TE-LB), Marty Sesma (RB-DB).

Scouting report: Charles inherited the team three games into last season and coached the lone win. The Red Devils list three experienced running backs — Ulloa (606 yards), Francisco Velasquez (544 yards) and Sesma (454 yards) — and starting QB Salazar for a team that passed just 48 times. The team is young, especially on the line, where Reyes (6-0, 303) is the anchor.