Well, it may not seem like it, but it is time for another season of Southern Athletic League football. Friday night (Saturday afternoon in the case of Mariposa), the current six teams in the SAL will be taking the field, and with the exception of Turlock Christian, all will be fairly big underdogs. The good news is that my sources indicate that all of the schools will be fielding a team, and there was some serious concerns about that early this summer.

Depth is going to be an issue for a couple of teams (Delhi and Turlock Christian), while it looks like the traditional powers are going to be the favorites once again. One twist this year, only the top two teams are guaranteed a playoff berth. Any team finishing third gets caught up in a convoluted system.

The division still has the Golden Empire League to contend with in post-season, and it is almost a certainty that they will have higher power ratings if nothing else. As usual, from worst to first

#6. DELHI HAWKS (-45.6) Head Coach: Ray Cedras. 2008 record: 0-10

Would really love to say that I think the Hawks are gonna be better this season, but I ain't gonna lie to you, they aren't. Ray has struggled finding players after last years disastrous campaign, and the kids coming up from JV won't be a big help. What little experience he did have, graduated. Has a couple of young kids with some speed that could cause some concerns down the road, but the team overall is small, slow, and under 20 players when I saw them. That, my friends, is a recipe for disaster. Calpreps sees them as actually worse than last year... and I can't wrap my mind around that, considering they only scored six points all season

#5 DENAIR COYOTES (- 17.6) Head Coach: Theron Gregory. 2008 record: 2-8.

A traditional SAL power that has fallen on hard times the past couple of years. This will be a rebuilding year, but they could improve over last season and move up a position or two if a couple of their skill players come along.

Their defense should be improved this season, and they have a bit more team speed. It is the smallest public school in the league, so it doesn’t have the talent pool some of the others have.

#4. TURLOCK CHRISTIAN EAGLES (-19) Head Coach: Rusty Lyon. 2008 Record: 3-7

The reason I see TC in the fourth spot over Denair is they are returning nine starters on both sides of the ball. Their good little QB, Smallwood, is back, and they have a good bit of game experience in the skill positions. They are also running a new offense that the coach feels will play to their advantage in speed.

#3. WATERFORD WILDCATS (-17.3) Head Coach: David Hill. 2008 Record: 5-6

This team is going to be a real mystery until we get into the meat of the season. They made the playoffs last season for the first time in school history, but graduated virtually every starter. Coach Hill feels that he has good team speed this year, and likes the talent he sees on the field, but admits that his squad is very inexperienced.

#2. LE GRAND BULLDOGS (+0.9) Head Coach: Rick Martinez. 2008 Record: 7-5

The ‘Dogs came on strong last season in league play and also gave section champion Marysville a game in the playoffs. This season Le Grand is returning a strong core of skill players. including MVP prospect Tony Ortegon who will be joined in the backfield by junior Bob Perez. Le Grand will, most likely, be a strong contender for the league title, but have a tough pre-league schedule. They open with Central Valley, and also face perennial power Chowchilla and a much-improved Summerville. If they can run this gauntlet without significant injury or damage, the Oct. 23 game against Mariposa will likely be the SAL championship game.

#1. MARIPOSA GRIZZLIES (+1.2) Head Coach: Bob Kelly. 2008 Record: 9-2

The Grizzlies are always a factor in the SAL, and though they lost most of their skill-position starters to graduation, they still look to be the team to beat for 09. The Griz are well-known for a great defense and a punishing ground attack, and this year should be no different. But the Grizzlies have a couple of weaknesses that limit their effectiveness: team speed and a passing game. There is a potential star in the making for MCHS, 6'5", 250-pound Cody Wichmann has opened some eyes and attracted attention at summer football camps.

Mariposa, as usual, will have the most team depth in the league, and are always well conditioned, but they can't afford to get complacent, or Le Grand could surprise them in a very bad way. On paper, they look to be prohibitive favorites, but the game is played on the field.

WEEK ONE PICKS:

DELHI at Ripon Christian: Ripon Christian will be joining the SAL in 2010, and despite the fact that they are a small, private school. This game should be a cakewalk for them. Ripon Christian by 30+

Hilmar at DENAIR: Traditional opening rivalry, this season Hilmar looks to be in the hunt in the TVL, while Denair is still rebuilding. Even a diehard Coyote fan will have to admit a win here isn't likely. Hilmar by 21+.

LE GRAND at Central Valley: CV had one of the top QB's in the section last year, but despite the fact he graduated, they still run the same offensive scheme. CV has much more team speed than the Dogs, but I expect that Le Grand will keep the game in reach with their physical play and tough rushing game.Central Valley by 14.

TURLOCK CHRISTIAN at Big Valley Christian: Two schools, roughly the same size... but TC's Eagles have a football tradition, Big Valley doesn't. TC should have a pretty good pre-league record, they have a number of starters returning and a soft schedule of primarily Harvest Christian League teams. Could be the only SAL win of the week.Turlock Christian by 14.

Hughson at WATERFORD: Last season, Hughson was down a bit, and the Wildcats gave them a pretty good game. This year Hughson is reported to be much improved, while Waterford is still a bit of a mystery. A good game here by the Wildcats could serve notice to the rest of the league.

Hughson by 14.

MARIPOSA at Truckee: Last year, the Grizzlies pulled off a stunning upset over the highlytouted Truckee. Truckee came back, and were the runner-up in the Nevada 3-A, so they have a bone to pick. It's one heck of a ride, and this year the Griz are the ones making it. All the cards are stacked against MCHS, but you would be making a mistake by counting them out. Truckee by 10.

This is the last year of the sixteam SAL, next year Ripon Christian will join the league, and Gustine will return to the SAL. It looks like it's gonna be another fun year, and I look forward to seeing you at the games.