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Prep Football Palomar League Preview: Broncos armed for another title run

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The Rancho Bernardo High football team surprised everyone with its run to a Palomar League title and to the San Diego Section Division II championship game.

The Broncos wouldn’t be surprising anyone should they do both again this season.

Rancho Bernardo is loaded and are the favorites in the Palomar League. But close behind is Ramona and Mt. Carmel.

Poway and Westview should both improve this season, meaning every contest in the Palomar League could be an exciting one. Here is a glance at the Palomar League teams:

Mt. Carmel

Coach: John Anderson, 5th year.

2014 record: 6-6, 1-3

Division: II

Outlook: The Sundevils are led by dual-threat quarterback Lucas Johnson, who is committed to San Diego State University. He threw for 1,456 yards and 13 touchdowns and ran for 648 yards and another 12 scores last season.

Johnson alone makes the Sundevils a threat to compete for the Palomar League title, but add in returning receivers Dane Hines and Kion Gould and Mt. Carmel is as scary as any team in the league.

Expect the Sundevils to improve on that 1-3 record from a season ago and compete for a league title.


Poway

Coach: Damian Gonzalez, 12th year.

2014 record: 1-9, 0-4

Division: I

Key players: QB/S, Conor Boyle, Sr.; RB/DB, Jacob Gaines, Sr.; WR/S, Chris Butler, Jr.; RB/DB, Jared Adelman, Jr.; S/WR, Dustin Marvin, Sr.; LB/FB, Zane Abbott, Sr.; LB/FB, Leo Ronces, Sr.; OL/DL, Paris Tulafono, Sr.; OL/DL, David Nunez, Sr.; TE/LS, Connor Kirkegaard, Sr.

Outlook: The Titans’ youth showed up plenty last season, as they lost nine straight after winning the opener.

Most of that same group is back and with more experience. Gaines and Adelman are expected to lead the running game and be key guys on the defense.

Also playing a huge role defensively will be linebackers Ronces and Abbott.

Ball control on offense and strong defense and special teams play will be the key for Poway to be competitive this season.

Expect the Titans to be much improved and to battle for a spot in the middle of the pack in the Palomar League.


Ramona

Coach: Damon Baldwin, 11th year.

2014 record: 8-3, 3-1

Division: I

Outlook: The Bulldogs look like they will be explosive on offense once again, led by third-year starting quarterback Marco Cobian. The senior passed for 1,737 yards and 22 touchdowns last year.

Cobian will likely be handing off to a committee of running backs, including EJ Schmidt, Sean Stemm, Austin Pierce and Caleb Berman.

The defense will be anchored by all-league defensive tackle Marcus Bradley. Expect the Bulldogs to compete with Rancho Bernardo and Mt. Carmel for the league title.


Rancho Bernardo

Coach: Tristan McCoy, 5th year.

2014 record: 10-3, 4-0

Division: II

Key players: DB, Jeff Molino, Sr.; WR, Devaughn Vele, Sr.; TE, Matt Nelson, Sr.; OL, Devin Lecakes-Jones, Sr.; RB, Milan Grice, Jr.; RB, Anthony Barnum, Sr.; DL, Mitchell Lindgren, Sr.; DL, Wes Anderson, Sr.; LB, Devin Dunn, Sr.; LB, Ray Velasquez, Sr.; QB, Mark Salazar, Jr.; DB, Nathan Lovato, Sr.; DB, Steele Reed, Sr.; DB, Torey Franklin, Sr.; FB, Jordan Calero, Sr.; WR, Leo Wagner, Jr.; DB, Jace Kempner, Jr.; OL, Chase Layne, Jr.; OL, James Lee, Jr.; OL, JR Ortiz, Jr.

Outlook: The Broncos are full of talented offensive and defensive athletes, as they look to defend their Palomar League title.

The running game will be anchored by returners Barnum and Grice, taking the pressure off of new quarterback Salazar, who did not lose a game at the junior varsity level last season.

Senior receiver Vele looks primed to have a breakout season, as he is being recruited by several schools.

Velasquez and Dunn return to lead the Broncos’ defense, which held opponents to an average of just 12.9 points per game last year.

Expect Rancho Bernardo to not only compete for a Palomar League title but also make another run to the Division II championship game.


Westview

Coach: Mike Woodward, 9th year.

2014 record: 3-8, 2-2

Division: II

Outlook: The Wolverines have 10 returners, including all-league defensive end Chris Nagy.

The offense will be led by newcomer Beau Nelson, a sophomore quarterback who led the freshman team to an undefeated league season last year. The running game will be anchored by returner AJ Leonard, who rushed for 984 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Expect the Wolverines to surprise a few teams this year, especially if Nelson locks in early at the varsity level.

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