San Diego U-T Preps

CLAIREMONT

Last year: 4-7

Coach: Joseph Kim, 3rd season

Division: IV

Key players: Dylan Suitts (RB-MLB), Griffin Catarius (QB), Jay Rensfield (RB-LB), Devon Rensfield (RB-LB), Brian Martinhauk (MLB-RB), Daniel Torales (DE-OT), Minh Hong (OL, DE), Jack Fitzmaurice (RB-DB), Austin Rice (WR-CB).

Scouting report: The Chieftains run Georgia Tech’s wing-T flex bone offense. Suitts, who goes 5-10, 215, will get the bulk of the carries. A junior, he rushed for 698 yards and scored eight TDs last season. The Rensfield twins are rugged, physical players. The roster lists just 18 players so depth is a concern.

CORONADO

Last year: 10-5

Coach: Tony Isabella, 6th season

Division: IV

Key players: Briley Knight (QB), Daniel Komorowski (RB-LB), Kyle Gilbert (WR-CB), Alec Legidakes (WR-LB), Hugo Shirey (LB-G), Sullivan Alexander (DE-OT), Wyatt Montague (TE-LB), Alex Cheever (WR-SS), Joshua Wink (C-DT), RJ Billups (G-NT).

Scouting report: The Islanders lost 18 seniors on last year’s team that won the school’s third section championship and first in 29 years. Coronado advanced to the Division IV-AA state championship, losing to Sacramento’s East Nicolaus 16-6. Komorowski and Jacob Stewart will handle the ground duties. A starter as a sophomore, Knight will throw the ball more this year. Shirey and Montague lead an active defense.

CRAWFORD

Last year: 10-3

Coach: Michael Wright, 5th season

Division: V

Key players: Ricardo Flores (OL-DL-K), Tyjhael Lenard (OL-DL), Kwali Purvis (RB-LB), Niko Perry (RB-LB), Josh Thweatt (WR-DB), Ali Musa (WR-DB), Isaiah Perez (OL-DL), Jaden Sanders (LB).

Scouting report: Wright directed the Colts to the section finals two of the past three years behind a ground-oriented attack. This year, he moves to a spread offense. The QB will be Santhar Sophan, who has never played football. With defenses stretched to cover receivers, Purvis might bust loose running the ball. Perry and Sanders lead the defense.

KEARNY

Last year: 6-6

Coach: Will Gray, 2nd season

Division: IV

Key players: Levi Olumati (DE-WR), Treshaun Gray (Slot-S), Lerone Randle (QB), Gabe Childs (LB), DJ Linton (WR-LB), Veon Carroll (CB), Alan Daniels (DE-TE), Logan Williams (C).

Scouting report: Takoda Browne and his electric open-field skills are gone, but the Komets still expect to put points on the scoreboard. Randle boasts a big arm. From the spread, he’ll deliver the ball to Gray and Linton. Olumati is a dangerous defensive end.

SAN DIEGO

Last year: 1-9

Coach: Charles James, 2nd season

Division: IV

Key players: Quinn O’Connor (QB), Andrew Curto (WR-DB), Jeremy Carter (RB-DB), Trevor Teel (WR-K), Indae Gammon (LB-G), Raiden Hunter (LB-RB), Malachi Gilbreth (DT, G), Esteban Garcia (DE), George Harris (OT-DL).

Scouting report: The Cavers have won two games combined the past three seasons, but James feels this year’s young team is headed in the right direction. On a varsity roster of 20, four sophomores may start on offense. Gammon is a returning all-league player at guard, plus he’s a physical inside linebacker. The Cavers will operate out of the pistol with Carter and Hunter expected to chew up yards on the ground.