Football: Sunset League Preview

By Martin Henderson

Taking a look at the Sunset League heading into the 2013 high school football season. 

SUNSET LEAGUE

Coaches Predicted Order of Finish (three playoff berths)

1. Edison (13-2 overall in 2012, 5-0 in league)

2. Huntington Beach (6-6, 3-2)

3. Los Alamitos (6-5, 2-3)

4. Newport Harbor (7-5, 4-1)

5. Fountain Valley (4-6, 1-4)

6. Marina (3-7, 0-5)

HOW IT SHAKES OUT: After the league was dropped from the marquee Pac-5 Division to Division VI Southwest, Edison won the Southern Section title. It's hard to bet against the Chargers, who were competitive while the league was in the Pac-5. Huntington Beach has shown great improvement and have lots of experience, including QB Kai Ross. Los Alamitos has eight starters back on defense which solidified it as a playoff contender, but the Griffins struggle annually against Newport Harbor and to do so again in the league opener could thwart a finish among the top three teams. Newport has enough talent to make a run if the Sailors stay healthy. Although it may not play out with more victories, Fountain Valley figures to be far more competitive this season under new coach Ray Fenton, who excelled a few years ago at Cypress.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY BARONS

Home site: Huntington Beach High

Coach: Ray Fenton (first season)

Last year: 4-6 overall, 1-4 in league (fifth)

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

8/30 vs. Foothill at Tustin

9/6 vs. Dana Hills

9/13 vs. Trabuco Hills

9/19 vs. Wilmington Banning

9/27 at Westminster

10/11 vs. Marina at Westminster

10/18 at vs. Huntington Beach*

10/25 at Newport Harbor*

11/1 vs. Edison at Orange Coast College*

11/8 vs. Los Alamitos at Veterans Stadium

Notable: Running back Isaiah Davis should keep opposing defenses busy. New coach Ray Fenton did an outstanding job and Cypress and figures to be the right guy to change the Barons' fortunes. 

LOS ALAMITOS GRIFFINS

Home site: Long Beach City College Veterans Stadium

Coach: John Barnes (35th year, 299-91-6)

Last year: 6-5 overall, 2-3 in league (fourth)

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

9/6 vs. Paramount

9/13 at Covina Charter Oak

9/20 vs. Anaheim Canyon at El Modena

9/27 at Lynwood

10/4 at La Verne Damien

10/10 at Newport Harbor*

10/18 vs. Marina at Westminster*

10/24 vs. Edison at Huntington Beach*

11/1 vs. Huntington Beach*

11/7 vs. Fountain Valley*

Notable: The Griffins, whose nonleague scheduling has increasingly come under fire in recent years, haven't won a playoff game since 2004. Four starters are back on offense, which should catch a break by having a solid defense. John Barnes reached the 300-victory threshold last season but his first victory of 2012 will give him 300 wins at Los Alamitos.

NEWPORT HARBOR SAILORS

Home site: Newport Harbor High

Coach: Jeff Brinkley (28th year, 220-99-3) 

Last year: 7-5 overall, 4-1 in league (second)

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

9/6 at Trabuco Hills

9/12 vs. Palos Verdes

9/20 vs. Corona del Mar at Orange Coast College

9/27 at San Clemente

10/4 vs. Manhattan Beach Mira Costa

10/10 vs. Los Alamitos

10/18 vs. Edison

10/25 vs. Fountain Valley

11/1 vs. Marina at Huntington Beach

11/8 at Huntington Beach

Notes: The Sailors will play five league games at only two sites, at home and at Huntington Beach, and the games will be played successively. That should really help in the league finale against Huntington Beach. Newport’s nonleague opponents were 41-19 last season, including Northern Division III champ Palos Verdes and Division IX Southern champ Corona del Mar.