SGV/WHITTIER PREP SPORTS ZONE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2022: LA SERNA
Lancers are the overwhelming favorites to win another Del Rio League title and make another deep playoff run.
(Photo: Arnold Leos Graphics)
La Serna High School
Coach: Andy George
2021 Record: 10-3
2021 Calpreps.com Rating: 31.4
Last Six Year Calpreps.com Avg. Rating: 40.66
Number of Returning Players: 35
Number of All-League Players Returning: 13
OFFENSE
Offensive Coordinator: John Calballero
Number of Off. Returning Starters: 5
Number of OL Returning: 5
Number of Off Skill Players Returning: 5
Rushing yards: 2,085 (160.4 YPG, 6.1 AVG.)
Passing Yards: 2,493 (191.8 YPG, 15.0 AVG.)
Key Offensive Skills Players Returning
Owen Long 11 6'1 185 RB First Team All-League & First Team All CIF
Jake Long 12 6'2 195 QB Co Offensive MVP DRL & First Team All CIF
Jayden Northrup 11 6'2 175 WR Honorable Mention DRL
Austin Martinez 12 5'8 170 RB Second Team All-League
AJ Nambo. 12th grade. WR/DB. 6’1, 185
Key Offensive Lineman Returning
Tyler Callahan 12 5'11 190 Center First Team All-League
Ryan Duron 12 6'0 220 Tackle Second Team All-League
Marcus Blake 12 6'1 200 Tackle
Nolan Laracuente 12 6'1 205 TE First Team All-League
DEFENSE
Defensive Coordinator: Brian Mustain
Number of Def. Returning Starters: 9
Number of DL Returning: 6
Number of Def. Skill Players Returning: 7
Key Defensive Lineman Returning
Luke Clay 12 5'9 165 DB Second Team All-League
Owen Long 11 6'1 185 DB First Team All-League & First Team All CIF
Elijah Garcia 12 5'11 190 LB First Team All-League
Adrian Castro 11 5'11 220 LB Second Team All-League
Key Defensive Lineman Returning
Chase Bernal 12 5'11 170 DE First Team All-League & First Team All CIF
Max Dressen 12 5'10 190 DE Second Team All-League
Gavin Welling 11 5'11 190 DL Second Team All-League
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER SKILL PLAYERS
Lazlo Haas 11 6'1 160 WR/ DB
Isaiah Ramos 11 5'11 195 LB
Jonny Navarro 11 5'11 170 DB/RB
COMMENTS FROM ANDY GEORGE “I am very impressed and excited with the progress our team has made up to this point. This team appears to be extremely competitive, dedicated to one another, and eager to face the challenges that lie ahead. In our summer competitions, we showed great promise and our desire to improve, and win was evident. We have worked hard in the weight room and are counting the days until we are able to compete under the lights. The strength in this team is its athleticism and experience. We return 17 starters on offense and defense from a successful 2021 squad. Five of them on the offensive line, all of the running backs and the Quarterback are also returning. These returners include two All CIF players. The defense returns most of its starters in the secondary linebacker and d-line positions. Including another All-CIF returner. The challenges are going to be our rigorous and demanding pre-season schedule and league opponents who will be looking to de-throne the Lancers. Our depth is always a challenge as it is for most teams, so staying healthy will be extremely important. Another challenge is to replace the production at the wide receiver position, however our wide outs this summer have been impressive. If a strong work ethic continues, this team has the potential to have a memorable 2022 campaign”
2022 Schedule (with 2021 season records)
Week 0: at Pasadena (9-3, CIF-SS Div. 7 Quarterfinals)
Week 1: at Warren (8-1, CIF-SS Div 2 First Round)
Week 2: (Thurs.) vs. Los Osos at California HS (1-8, 1-2)
Week 3: at Tesoro (2-8, 0-3)
Week 4: vs. Damien at California HS (3-7, 0-4)
Week 5: vs. Culver City at California HS (7-4, 4-1, CIF-SS Div. 7 1st Round)
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: at California (7-5, CIF-SS Div, 8 quarterfinalists)
Week 8: vs. Santa Fe (1-9, 0-4)
Week 9: vs. El Rancho (9-2, Div. 7 First Round)
Week 10: vs. Whittier at California HS (3-7, 1-3)
CRYSTAL BALL: That’s a pretty impressive questionnaire that La Serna coach Andy George. You will not find a more consistently successful program with a culture that borders on the elite level more than this program. Lancer fans should expect more of the same in 2022 with a truckload of talent on both sides of the ball. Owen and Jake Long return and represent a powerful QB/RB combination that most area teams would love to have. Three quality offensive linemen return along with first-team all-league tight end Nolan Laracuente. The defensive unit is as stout and consistent as you will find anywhere. The schedule is top notch with Pasadena, Warren, and Damien among the teams that headline an outstanding lineup. There are not many sidelines that I enjoy spending a game on than the La Serna sideline. The coaches are always positive with the players and get the most out of them. The projected record we have for this team is solid. The Damien game should give us some major clues as to how far this team can advance in the CIF-SS playoffs. La Serna looked just fine in the summer passing league circuit and is odds-on favorites to win another Del Rio League title.
Projected record: 8-2
Projected League order of finish: 1. La Serna 2. El Rancho 3. California 4. Whittier 5. Santa Fe.