ESPN

Senior-to-be lineman Coleman Shelton of Loyola is finally getting the recognition he deserves from recruiters. The 6-foot-4 All-Serra League selection received a scholarship offer from Colorado last week and a number of other Pac-12 schools are starting to show interest.

Teammate Cameron Walker, one of the area's top cornerbacks, is already up to eight offers, including Michigan, Boise State and Cincinnati. Tight end Jack Neuheisel, the son of former UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel, is planning a visit to Southern Methodist.

Loyola has one of the toughest non-league schedules around: Harvard-Westlake, West Covina, Newport Harbor, St. John Bosco, Mira Costa and Valencia.

The Narbonne Gauchos gain a stranglehold of the top spot after an eye-opening semifinal victory. Of course, a little help from rival Carson didn't hurt. The Colts return the rankings following their shocking upset of top-seeded and previously unbeaten San Pedro. Ocean League champion Santa Monica falls out after its lopsided loss to underdog Culver City. The south Los Angeles County top 10 rankings heading into the championship round:

1. (3) Narbonne (10-3)
The Gauchos made easy work of a very good defense to secure a spot in the title game for the third time in four years. Quarterback Troy Williams is hungry. Last week: Beat Dorsey, 41-7. Next: City Section Division I championship vs. Carson at East L.A. College, Friday.

2. (2) Long Beach Poly (10-2)*
Order appears to have been restored for the back-to-back Moore League champions.

3. (5) St. John Bosco (8-4)*
The third-place team from the Trinity League made its first playoff appearance since 2006.

4. (6) Charter Oak (10-2)*
The Chargers won the Sierra League and have a dynamic talent in tailback Kurt Scoby for the next two years.

5. (NR) Carson (8-5)
The Colts leap back into the rankings following a rather surprising upset of top-seeded San Pedro. They were expected to make it back to the title game, but they took a difficult route to get there. Last week: Beat San Pedro, 24-19. Next: City Section Div. I championship vs. Narbonne at East L.A. College, Friday.

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The south Los Angeles County top 10 rankings heading into the playoffs:

1. (1) Long Beach Poly (9-1)
No problem for the Poly defense against Cabrillo's Derek Stewart, the leading passer in the entire Pac-5 Division. Linebacker Matthew Rowe and safety David Price each returned interceptions for touchdowns. Last week: Beat Cabrillo, 43-6. Next: first round vs. Newport Harbor, Friday.

2. (2) Loyola (8-2)
The resilient Cubs erased a 15-point deficit, blocked an extra-point attempt in overtime, and Conrad Ukropina made his PAT to clinch the Serra League's second automatic playoff berth Friday. Last week: Beat Crespi, 36-35 (OT). Next: first round vs. Huntington Beach, Friday.

3. (3) St. John Bosco (7-3)
A breakout performance by the lesser-known Royce Moore (178 rushing yards and four touchdowns) helped the Braves grab the third and final Trinity League playoff berth Friday. Last week: Beat Orange Lutheran, 48-28. Next: first round at Alemany, Friday.

4. (4) Charter Oak (9-1)
Hobbling and in pain, senior quarterback Travis Santiago barely warmed up before Thursday's Sierra League title game. He wasn't mobile but still passed for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Last week: Beat Chino Hills, 38-7. Next: first round vs. Santiago, Friday.

5. (5) San Pedro (10-0)
Same old, same old for the Pirates on Friday as they blew out another opponent. On Saturday they received the top seeding for the CIF Los Angeles City Section Division I playoffs. They're the favorites. Last week: Beat Banning, 37-0. Next: City Section first round vs. Gardena, Friday.

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League championships are up for grabs across the region this week. Here are Friday night’s top games in south Los Angeles County:

No. 15 Chaminade at No. 25 Serra, Friday, 7 p.m. -- A couple of months ago Gardena Serra football coach Scott Altenberg appeared to be in the clear from yet another celebratory ice-water bath. That's no longer the case -- not that he really minds. The abilities of sophomore quarterback Jalen Greene have the Cavaliers (7-2, 4-0) thinking about the Mission League championship during a supposed down year. Chaminade (8-1, 4-0), which nearly upset Serra last year, hopes Terrell Newby and Logan Scott can finish the job this time around.

No. 23 Crespi vs. No. 17 Loyola at L.A. Valley College, Friday, 7 p.m. -- The Loyola Cubs (7-2, 2-1) don't have to win -- they're in the Pac-5 Division playoffs no matter what happens Friday. The same can't be said for Crespi (7-2, 1-2), which is coming off a bye week and, even more alarming, two straight losses. If the Celts lose again, they'd hope for a Notre Dame loss to league leader Alemany, which would set up a three-way tie for the third playoff spot between Crespi, N.D. and Bishop Amat. The Celts can avoid the mess with a win.

Orange Lutheran at No. 18 St. John Bosco, Friday, 7 p.m. -- Will the third time be the charm in Bellflower? The St. John Bosco Braves (6-3, 2-2) have lost two straight Trinity League games -- to Servite and Santa Margarita -- that would have earned them a playoff bid. Now, it’s quite simple: Win and they’re in. Orange Lutheran (6-3, 1-3) lost a game it wasn't supposed to lose last week against JSerra.

St. Bernard at Bishop Montgomery, Friday, 7 p.m. -- With a mere 121 passing yards Friday, quarterback Christian Smith of St. Bernard (9-0, 5-0) can reach the 3,000-yard mark. His single-game low this year is 155 yards (his next lowest output is 267), so Smith should have no problem. The senior ranks third in the state with 2,879 yards and is tied for fourth with 30 touchdown passes. Bishop Montgomery (6-3, 5-0) is surely aware of it, but it's one thing to know and another to stop. B.M. looks to defend its Del Rey League title.

Blair Angulo covers preps for ESPN Los Angeles. Follow him on Twitter.

It is unclear whether Bishop Amat senior quarterback Rio Ruiz will play football again this year after a left knee injury forced him to leave Friday night's home loss to Loyola. According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Ruiz will have an MRI exam this week to determine the severity of the injury.

"He's very sore and we don't have anything official yet without the MRI," Ruiz's father Rudy told the newspaper. "The good thing is that he's walking around the house without his crutches."

Ruiz is one of the area's top baseball players and a projected first-round selection in next year's MLB draft. He homered at Dodger Stadium in June to lead Amat to the CIF-Southern Section Division 4 title.

Before the season, Ruiz was scheduled to miss three nonleague games to play for the U.S. Under-18 national baseball team in Colombia. Ruiz stuck with football when the tournament was postponed due to inclement weather. He started the season off slow following a summer-long baseball tour but seemed to find his form in a road win at Crespi on Oct. 21, throwing for 231 yards and two touchdowns on 18 for 24 passing.

The Lancers (6-3, 1-2 Serra) can clinch a spot in the Pac-5 Division playoffs with a win at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame on Friday.

Here are this week's top five games in south Los Angeles County:

No. 1 Servite at No. 16 St. John Bosco, Friday, 7:30 p.m. -- A year older, wiser and better, the St. John Bosco Braves (6-1, 2-0 Trinity) hope they can pull off the shocker this time around. They held a brief lead against Servite (6-1, 2-0) last season before the Friars' experience -- and the Braves' inexperience -- took over. Junior tailback DaVonte Young's spectacular performance against Mater Dei last week was proof that Bosco has another wrinkle to its prolific spread offense. And the Braves were great on defense too, limiting the Monarchs to only a field goal. A Cody Pittman-led Servite attack is an entirely different test, though.

No. 15 Loyola at No. 14 Bishop Amat, Friday, 7 p.m. -- Apparently, the return of hybrid receiver/tailback Zachary Shay (concussion) was exactly what Bishop Amat (6-2, 1-1 Serra) needed to rejoin the league race. After missing the previous five games, the senior had eight catches for 83 yards and a touchdown run in the Lancers' rather surprising 28-14 win at Crespi. If Shay can stay healthy, and if the defense holds up the way it did against the potent Celts, Amat can be a scary team. The Loyola Cubs (6-1, 1-0), meanwhile, haven't won a league road game since 2008, which also marks the last time they beat Amat. The game will be televised by Time Warner Cable on Channel 101 at midnight.

No. 22 San Pedro at Carson, Friday, 7 p.m. -- Undefeated San Pedro (7-0, 2-0 Marine) finally gets to show that its record is no fluke. The Pirates have won their games by an average of 26 points behind senior quarterback Kenny Potter's 25 total touchdowns, but the combined record of their seven opponents is a woeful 16-33. That obviously hasn't earned them much respect. Carson (3-4, 1-1) comes in on the other side of the spectrum, having played a mini Pac-5 Division series against the likes of Mater Dei, Long Beach Poly, Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo. The Colts are motivated following last week's last-minute loss to rival Narbonne. Quarterback Kevin McMahon has to find a way to get the ball to top playmaker Darreus Rogers more consistently.

Gardena Serra at St. Paul, Friday, 7 p.m. -- Yeah, the Serra Cavaliers (5-2, 2-0 Mission) are young and depleted, but they're still dangerous and a legitimate league contender. Just ask previously unbeaten St. Francis, which fell victim to the young Cavs and standout junior running back Anterio Bateman. St. Paul's only loss came to Chaminade, the league favorite and top-ranked team in the Western Division. "I know this league is awesome from top to bottom," Serra coach Scott Altenberg told the Daily Breeze following last week's victory against St. Francis. "We know how tough it's going to be week to week, and now we know how tough it's going to be half to half."

Gahr at Dominguez, Friday, 7 p.m. -- These teams are heading in opposite directions. Gahr (5-2, 0-2 San Gabriel Valley) has dropped two straight after winning its first five; Dominguez (5-2, 2-0) lost its first two in lopsided fashion -- albeit to Crespi and Redlands East Valley -- but has since won five in a row.

Tough to keep the list short this week with the bevy of clutch performances across south Los Angeles County. But here are the five honorees for Week 7 in our helmet stickers feature:

QB Rio Ruiz (Bishop Amat): Committed to USC for baseball, the senior quarterback showed Friday why he's more than just a highly regarded third baseman. Ruiz passed for 236 yards and two touchdowns, keeping the Lancers in Serra League contention with a key win at Crespi.

QB Troy Williams (Narbonne): The junior quarterback scored the go-ahead touchdown against rival Carson on a three-yard sneak Friday. He also threw for 231 yards and two scores.

RB Anterio Bateman (Serra): Bateman's 26-yard touchdown scamper sealed the upset victory over previously unbeaten St. Francis. He finished with 176 yards rushing and three scores.

RB DaVonte Young (St. John Bosco): Young ran for 162 yards and two touchdowns in 23 carries to lead the Braves to a dominant 24-3 Trinity League win against streaking Mater Dei.

QB Brandon Martinez (El Monte): Five touchdown passes and 282 yards for Martinez in Friday night's 50-14 win against Mountain View. He took a seat midway through the third quarter.

Blair Angulo covers preps for ESPN Los Angeles. Following him on Twitter.

Orange Lutheran took another hard fall in our weekly top 25 rankings after its loss to Santa Margarita, further complicating its bid for a Pac-5 Division playoff spot. Upland gained control of the Baseline League with its clutch victory over Rancho Cucamonga, and Bishop Amat rejoined the Serra League race by beating Crespi on the road. The rankings heading into Week 8:

1. Servite (6-1)
No issues against the league bottom-dwellers as the Friars earned their 16th consecutive Trinity League victory. Senior quarterback Cody Pittman was effective on the ground and through the air. Last week: Beat JSerra, 42-14. Next: at St. John Bosco, Friday.

2. Westlake (7-0)
A slow start Friday was just a minor glitch for Warriors quarterback Justin Moore, who passed for 225 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Dashon Hunt added 118 yards rushing in 14 carries. Last week: Beat Moorpark, 34-13. Next: vs. Newbury Park, Friday.

3. St. Bonaventure (6-1)
It's becoming a weekly thing for the powerful tandem of Shaun Wick and Zack Green, who combined to score six of the team's eight touchdowns Friday. The Seraphs gave up only 12 yards rushing. Last week: Beat Agoura, 56-0. Next: vs. Thousand Oaks, Friday.

4. Corona Centennial (6-1)
The defense bent but didn't break, forcing four turnovers despite surrendering 438 yards of total offense Friday. The high-powered Huskies capitalized behind Hayden Gavett's 248 total yards and four scores. Last week: Beat Norco, 45-18. Next: at Corona, Friday.

5. Long Beach Poly (6-1)
A bye week might have come at the wrong time for a Jackrabbits offense that seemed to be finding its groove recently. Players, meanwhile, probably weren't complaining about the extra rest heading into the final Moore League games. Last week: Idle. Next: at Millikan, Friday.

6. Santa Margarita (6-1)
A solid bounce-back win Friday for the Eagles, who were coming off an upset loss in the Trinity League opener. Johnny Stanton had 235 total yards and scored twice in the final five minutes. Last week: Beat Orange Lutheran, 31-10. Next: vs. JSerra at Saddleback College, Friday.

7. Redlands East Valley (7-0)
The Wildcats needed overtime to survive their crosstown rivals' upset bid Friday. They raised the Smudge Pot trophy after quarterback Austin Decoud scored the game-winner on a 16-yard run. Last week: Beat Redlands, 21-14. Next: at Eisenhower, Friday.

8. Mission Viejo (5-2)
You can argue that the schedule worked out well for the battle-tested Diablos. They are well rested heading into Friday's crucial matchup, which will likely decide the South Coast League champion. Last week: Idle. Next: vs. San Clemente, Friday.

9. San Clemente (8-0)
The Tritons erased an early deficit against rival Dana Hills on Friday, relying on running back Mike Elespuru and Utah-bound quarterback Travis Wilson. Elespuru rushed for 146 yards and Wilson passed for 205. Last week: Beat Dana Hills, 35-10. Next: at Mission Viejo, Friday.

10. Vista Murrieta (7-0)
The dominant defense forced nine punts Friday, holding Temecula Valley to just 64 total yards. On the other side, Aaron Piecukonis was effective running the ball. Last week: Beat Temecula Valley, 41-3. Next: at Great Oak, Friday.

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League play kicks off with a bang. As part of our running feature, here are five of this week’s must-see games in south Los Angeles County:

No. 19 Lakewood vs. No. 6 Long Beach Poly at Veterans Stadium, Friday, 7 p.m.: When the final whistle blew last year, the Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits gave coach Raul Lara the celebratory, icy Gatorade bath. He probably wouldn't mind a good soaking Friday night. The scoreboard keeper at the Vet might be busy. Poly (5-1, 2-0 Moore League) finally found its offensive rhythm last week, hanging 67 points on Jordan, and the Lakewood Lancers (5-1, 2-0) are averaging 45 points per game under first-year offensive coordinator Zach LaMonda, a former assistant coach at Servite. Jackrabbits senior quarterback Chaiyse Hales was the standout in last year's rivalry game, throwing for 189 yards and two touchdowns, and running for another score.

No. 22 Alemany at No. 7 Bishop Amat, Friday, 7 p.m.: Poor defensive play is Bishop Amat coach Steve Hagerty's biggest concern heading into this one -- and for good reason. The Lancers (5-1) have allowed the most points (111) among Serra League teams this year. These two met for the league title in last season's finale -- Alemany (4-1) claimed the championship with a 38-30 win -- so you know the Lancers will be plenty motivated. "It's going to be a fight," Lancers senior running back Jalen Moore said after last week's 38-35 win at Venice. "The league is going to come down to the end, but I feel like we should be able to take it all way." The game will stream live on FOXSportsWest.com as part of the website’s Prep Zone platform.

Charter Oak vs. South Hills at Covina District Field, Friday, 7 p.m.: For now, the Sierra League appears to be a four-team race and these two are a part of that group. The Charter Oak Chargers are the favorites (4-1) but Friday's road game could get tricky given that the South Hills Huskies (3-2) aren't strangers to tight games. Four of their five contests have been decided by four points or less. Chargers defensive coordinator Roger Lehigh would like to contain tailback Jamel Hart, who has hit triple-digit rushing yards in every game this season. It all adds up to an intriguing league opener.

Damien at Claremont, Friday, 7 p.m.: This is the other marquee Sierra League matchup, though it could have been a headliner any other week. The Damien Spartans (4-1) are fresh off a win against a Pac-5 Division opponent, JSerra, and their only loss this season was to Bishop Amat, which entered the week ranked No. 7 by ESPN Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the Claremont Wolfpack (4-1) are looking to avenge last year's loss. Quarterback Gabe Schaper looks to rebound after throwing two costly interceptions last week.

West Covina at Bonita, Friday, 7 p.m.: Will spectators be in for another epic? These two met twice in 2010. West Covina thumped Bonita in the first game, basically securing the Hacienda League championship behind Chris Solomon's spectacular running. They saw each other again in the Southeast Division title game, which the West Covina Bulldogs (5-1) won on a thrilling last-minute drive. The Bonita Bearcats (2-3), coming off a bye week, will have redemption on their minds.

Blair Angulo covers preps for ESPN Los Angeles. Follow him on Twitter.

Zachary Shay looked on helplessly during pregame warmups Thursday. He asked for a football and started tossing it around. Moments later he was catching practice punts.

All while wearing a letterman jacket and pair of slacks.

The senior has been sidelined since suffering a concussion Sept. 9 in Bishop Amat's 49-14 loss to Servite. Shay is hopeful for a return to the field Friday night when Amat (5-1) opens Serra League play at home against defending league champion Alemany. Needless to say, the Lancers could use No. 5's services.

"At least [the concussion] happened early in the season," Shay joked prior to Amat's 38-35 win at Venice last week.

Shay would know about long layoffs. A severely sprained ankle forced him to miss the final five games last season. He had been one of the team's most productive players before the injury, scoring seven touchdowns and amassing 907 total yards in a versatile role.

"I don't know if you replace him, but we're trying to figure it out," Lancers coach Steve Hagerty said. "We're like a step off. We're trying to find that little step."

Senior tailback Jalen Moore has answered the call, rushing for 847 yards and 12 touchdowns in the last four games. "Zach is always telling me what I need to do better, what's there and what's not," Moore said. "Zach is still a big part of this team."

Even when Shay's in slacks.

Blair Angulo covers preps for ESPN Los Angeles. Follow him on Twitter.

VENICE -- Bishop Amat coach Steve Hagerty trusted the process, which included giving Jalen Moore his carries. And more carries. And then some more.

The senior tailback rushed for 214 yards in a whopping 38 carries Friday night, scoring three touchdowns to help the Bishop Amat Lancers fend off a pesky Venice team, 38-35. Moore's final score gave Amat a 10-point lead with 2:11 to go. It took Venice only 52 seconds to respond, with standout receiver Gabriel Marks hauling in a 25-yard touchdown pass to make it a three-point game.

The Lancers covered up the onside kick and Moore, rather fittingly, milked the clock with a handful of bruising runs.

When informed that he had 38 carries on the night, Moore's eyes got big.

"I like that. No, I love that," he said.

Hagerty did too.

"Gosh," Hagerty said. "I just know he runs the ball hard. He's our guy, I guess. He always comes up big for us. Thank God we have him."

Amat (5-1), the No. 8 team in the ESPN Los Angeles prep football Top 25 rankings, was in trouble when it trailed 21-7 late in the first half. Marks, verbally committed to play at Southern Methodist, lined up behind center, in the wildcat formation, and blew through a hole for a scintillating 89-yard score that gave the Gondoliers (1-4) a two-touchdown edge.

The large Amat crowd was silent but it was as close as Venice got to the upset.

Moore scored from five yards out with 36 seconds remaining in the first half to give his team momentum heading into the locker room. Receiver Adam Sanchez tied it, 21-21, early in the third quarter on his second reverse run of the game.

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At least Bishop Amat football coach Steve Hagerty can't fault the energy. He can't blame the Lancers' concentration level or even their will to win. For what it's worth, they looked plenty motivated before their humbling 49-14 loss to top-ranked Servite on Friday night.

Amat simply couldn't hang, though, and now must turn a demoralizing five-touchdown loss into a learning experience.

"Even if it's on the humiliation side of things, we're playing a quality team and the CIF champions and that's why they're good," Hagerty said. "That's why we have to expose ourselves to it. It's risky but hopefully it's worthwhile in the end."

It might not get any easier, either. Amat (1-1) is the only Serra League team to have lost so far -- Alemany, Crespi, Loyola and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame are each 2-0. Only the top three in the final league standings earn bids to the Pac-5 Division playoffs.

The Lancers, ranked No. 11 in the ESPNLA.com prep football Top 25, have games against La Mirada, Damien, Cathedral and Venice before they start league play.

"We've got a long season ahead of us," Hagerty said. "[Friday night] is not everything. It was an indication but it's not everything."

Friday night's attractive matchup between Servite and Bishop Amat has all the makings of a classic. It's the best team in Orange County against the best in the San Gabriel Valley, a possible Pac-5 Division playoffs preview and arguably the top game across the Southland.

And, sure, Lancers coach Steve Hagerty is quick to point out that it's just one of the six non-league games his team has to play. But, after saying that, Hagerty slightly drifts from the comforts of common coach spiel.

"Anytime you get a chance to play the Friars, the CIF Southern Section champions, and anytime we get a chance to play against a quality opponent like that, it's awesome," said Hagerty, who anticipates a special atmosphere at Cerritos College on Friday. "Our kids are going to be fired up to do it. I think Servite's whole mystique and the all-black uniforms -- that's great for high school football. We've got to get our kids to see through that."

Bishop Amat and Servite last met in 2005, a game the Friars won 37-5 behind the likes of Chris Galippo, D.J. Shoemate and Dan Klein. Servite (1-0), No. 1 in the ESPNLA.com prep football rankings, opened with a 20-0 victory at Oceanside on Thursday.

The Lancers (1-0) head into it on the other side of the spectrum, having dodged a disaster by beating Garfield, 14-0. But maybe Hagerty didn't want to show too much of his offense on film.

"You can't help but notice they're the most successful program," Hagerty said of Servite. "They're the program we're all trying to become. We relish the opportunity to play them and we're looking at that as great measuring stick for us."

Blair Angulo covers preps for ESPNLosAngeles.com. Follow him on Twitter.

LA PUENTE -- With seven returning starters on each side of the ball, Bishop Amat is one of the most experienced teams in the Southland. In other words, there shouldn't be many surprises when the Lancers take the field Friday night against Garfield. By now, there's plenty of film floating around for Amat's opponents to dissect.

So, when it comes to filling the vacancies on the roster, coach Steve Hagerty is not looking for a dramatic game changer. Or, maybe, he's keeping hush on potential sleepers.

"I hope some kids are going to make contributions, but we don't quite know," said Hagerty, who enters his fourth season at the helm. "We have a lot of healthy competition going on right now and that's a good thing for us because high school kids, when they get complacent, they feel like things are theirs. We have a good culture here of making sure that kids earn theirs. Nothing is handed out."

Last season, quarterback Rio Ruiz threw for 2,000 yards and tailback Jalen Moore ran for 1,634 and 23 touchdowns. Zachary Shay accumulated 907 yards of total offense in five games before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. Bishop Amat's junior varsity team went 7-3.

"I know a lot about the kids that played on JV last year and we're hoping that they'll make a splash, but we're pretty much an experience-oriented team," Hagerty said. "The experienced players are going to be the playmakers and the ones that carry us through the year."

The Lancers went 9-0 to start the 2010 season but lost to Alemany in the Serra League title game and then to Tesoro in the first round of the Pac-5 Division playoffs. Amat is No. 7 in ESPNLA.com's preseason rankings.

Blair Angulo covers preps for ESPNLosAngeles.com. Follow him on Twitter.

Zachary Shay made one cut on the dewy grass and a collective cringe soon followed from those at Bishop Amat's Kiefer Stadium. Shay had suffered a nasty ankle sprain on the fifth play from scrimmage, leaving Amat without one of its top playmakers. The Lancers still had enough firepower to defeat Crespi on Oct. 15 last year, but the injury proved to be a downer the rest of the way.

After a 9-0 start to the season, Bishop Amat lost to Alemany in the Serra League title game and fell at home to Tesoro in the first round of the Pac-5 Division playoffs.

Shay, who had seven touchdowns and accumulated 907 total yards before the season-ending injury, is back for his senior season and, if he maintains a clean bill of health, should form a powerful tandem with quarterback Rio Ruiz and tailback Jalen Moore.

Here’s a closer look at the Lancers:

Team: Bishop Amat.

Coach: Steve Hagerty, fourth season.

2010 Record: 9-2, lost in first round of the CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division playoffs.

Returning starters: 14 total. Seven on offense, seven on defense.

Key players on offense: QB Rio Ruiz (USC baseball commit), RB Jalen Moore, RB Zachary Shay, WR Joseph Cook

Key players on defense: DB Rio Ruiz, DB Ajee Montes, DB Adam Alcantara, LB Jalen Moore

Difference maker: Ruiz, a top baseball prospect who will miss three nonleague games while he plays for the U.S. youth national team, is arguably the best quarterback in the San Gabriel Valley. He's expected to build off the 19 touchdowns and 2,000 yards he threw for last season. Moore, who rushed for 1,634 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior, will have to carry a heavier load during Ruiz's absence.

Newcomers: To be determined, according to Hagerty.

Not to be missed: vs. Alemany, Friday, Oct. 14. This matchup will likely decide the Serra League, and Bishop Amat doesn't want a repeat of last year's disheartening 38-30 loss in the final week. The Lancers pretty much have the same team coming back, so you figure players will be mentally prepared.

Coach’s comment: "I think we do a good job as a staff of evaluating things day to day and that's what we'll continue to do," Hagerty said. "I know newspaper guys don't like that. You want predictions and all that stuff, but I know we'll be fine. Our kids play hard, are aggressive and are going to be physical. We're going to have a shot to win every game we play this year, with or without Rio."

Final analysis: The Lancers return major contributors from an offense that averaged 35 points per game last season. Barring any injuries, expect something in the same neighborhood from this group. Amat's overall success, though, appears to hinge on defensive improvement and minor contributions from role players. The Lancers have the potential to duplicate last year's No. 4 seeding in the Pac-5 Division bracket, but it's expected that they actually advance out of the first round this season.

Blair Angulo covers preps for ESPNLosAngeles.com. Follow him on Twitter.