Top storylines for the 2025 Southland prep

The high college soccer season begins this weekend with Week 0 video games. Let’s look at storylines and questions to be answered:

What will it take for a staff other than Mater Dei or St. John Bosco to attain the Southern Section Division 1 closing?

The reply is luck, because it’s not occurring. Every season since 2016, the Monarchs or Braves have gained the Southern Section Division 1 title and have met in the finals every season besides for 2021, when Servite, led by its two future first-round draft picks, Mason Graham and Teteroia McMillan, beat St. John Bosco in the semifinals. Those two faculties have offensive and defensive traces too big, too strong and with an excessive amount of depth for others to take down in the switch period. They face off at the end of the common season on Halloween, then will possible play again 4 weeks later for the part title.

What will life be like in the City Section after the collapse of Narbonne for guidelines violations?

It’s back to beating Birmingham if you need to win the City Section Open Division title. The Patriots had their 48-game City profitable streak end with a loss to Narbonne but that was turned into a forfeit victory, so the streak is at 49. It’s a wide-open City race. Look for Carson, San Pedro and Palisades to be a part of the Patriots for the proper to win a lacking trophy (yes, put up a reward to discover it).

What’s the strongest place in the Southland this season?

It’s the defensive position. There are so many elite linemen and ends succesful of making an affect this season, and past that quarterbacks better be warned to put on additional gear to cushion the blows about to be inflicted. From Mater Dei’s Tomuhini Topui to Gardena Serra’s Khary Wilder, from Sierra Canyon’s Richard Wesley to St. John Bosco’s Dutch Horisk, anticipate tons of sacks and pressured fumbles.

Which groups might be shock success tales?

A new campus and new soccer stadium has Compton excited and prepared for a big turnaround after going 3-7 last season. Former L.A. Jordan coach Derek Benton has taken over at Fremont, so maybe the Pathfinders can transfer up. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame has acquired some big-time transfers, placing the Knights in place to be aggressive with Sierra Canyon and Gardena Serra in the Mission League. Agoura quarterback Gavin Gray is back from a knee injury, so the Chargers are prepared to roll. Servite has a group of observe athletes to be unleashed in soccer, and velocity will be a game-changer. Cathedral is poised to be a title contender as quarterback Jaden Jefferson receives help on the offensive line. Burbank was spectacular in seven-on-seven competitions and will attempt to show its linemen can help out.

Which groups must discover replacements for big-time gamers from last season?

Newbury Park wants somebody to turn into the No. 1 receiver for quarterback Brady Smigiel after the commencement of Shane Rosenthal. Mater Dei might be attempting out a trio of operating backs to take on the position beforehand held by Jordon Davison, who is now at Oregon. Sierra Canyon’s bid to be a Division 1 contender will come down to play at quarterback (senior Chase Everett, junior Demarco Hernandez and senior Laird Finkel are competing for the beginning job). Mission Viejo must discover somebody to duplicate Jaden Williams’ 23 sacks. JSerra is popping to untested quarterback Koa Smith-Mayall to exchange Ryan Hopkins, who left for Mater Dei.

Which coaches might be under the microscope?

Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer takes over at Santa Margarita, having put together a top workers that consists of last season’s interim coach, Steve Fifita. No one has a larger process forward than Narbonne first-year coach Doug Bledsoe, whose staff is ineligible for the postseason and noticed an exodus of gamers. Former NFL defensive back Troy Hill is a first-year coach at St. Bonaventure with no head teaching expertise. Rick Clausen takes over at Westlake, which went 0-10 last season. Former Crespi coach Dameon Porter will get a second probability at Harvard-Westlake, which forfeited a sport in 2023 because of a lack of gamers.

Which freshmen might have an affect?

Quarterback Thaddeus Breaux, Hamilton; quarterback Ezrah Brown, Orange Lutheran; quarterback Ford Green, Westlake; quarterback Marcus Washington Jr., Cajon; linebacker Ethan Harrington, Sierra Canyon; tight end Austin Miller, Bellflower; quarterback CJ Woods, Harvard-Westlake; quarterback Evan McCalister, Valencia; security Tyrin Jefferson, Cathedral; receiver Mason Fowler, Corona Centennial.

What are video games you don’t need to miss?

Mission Viejo vs. Santa Margarita at Trabuco Hills, Friday; Mater Dei at Corona Centennial, Sept. 12; Mater Dei at Bishop Gorman, Sept. 19; Gardena Serra at Sierra Canyon, Oct. 3; St. John Bosco vs. Orange Lutheran, Oct. 10; San Clemente at Mission Viejo, Oct. 17; Roosevelt vs. Garfield, Oct. 24; Carson at San Pedro, Oct. 30; Mater Dei at St. John Bosco, Oct. 31.

Which faculties have new stadiums to go to?

Garfield, Roosevelt and Hamilton have new stadiums in the City Section. Long Beach Jordan, Hawthorne, Crescenta Valley and El Rancho open new stadiums in the Southern Section.