Kickoff 2009: Maranatha, RH Prep have high hopes

"We're going to try to win it again," Rio Hondo Prep coach Ken Drain said. "But we lost our two running backs and our best lineman. We still have a shot."

Maranatha has run into St. Margaret's with little consolation in the last three playoffs. The Minutemen have been blow out each time.

"The good teams, they do the same thing every year," Maranatha coach Joel Murphy said. "You know what to expect from them. We're implementing more of our offense so we can get like that."

Maranatha has a much-heralded newcomer in quarterback Cody Keith, who transferred from North Carolina.

But even with his addition, the Minutemen experienced problems during two-a-day practices. All-Alpha League players Danny Beckwith, a wide receiver, suffered a stress fracture in his tibia, defensive tackle Jake Forrester separated his shoulder and key offensive lineman Pablo Garnica sprained his knee.

"The silver lining is that we're getting those injuries out of the way early instead of during the season," Murphy said.

Rio Hondo's Nick Preciado, Charles Quintero and Chris Llamas will hopefully fit the bill in the backfield.

"We have only 23 or 24 players, so our depth is hard to ignore," Drain said. "We can't afford injuries."

Drain's concern is that Preciado could be more fragile than Tim Esguerra, who rushed for 1,160 yards and 11 TDs last season.

For Flintridge Prep, which won a CIF-SS title in 2003, the season probably hinges on wingback Jordan Whaley. The single-wing offense will go through the junior, who is speedy and has a strong arm.

"We're going to implement our passing attack a little more," Rebels coach Perry Skaggs said. "But we will still primarily be a running team."

Pasadena Poly only returns four seniors, including running back/defensive back Adam Burpee and linemen Matt Morrish and Sheehan Hsu. Junior quarterback Hunter Merryman and running back Blake Edwards also return.

Marshall coach Ricky Pickens is ready to dismiss the Eagles' 30-game losing streak.

"What we need to do is get the monkey off their back," he said. "Once we get that win, anything is possible."

With Ebenezer Haile, Jesse Wright, Bijohn Calloum and Aaron Shanklin back in the fold, the Eagles have a chance for that streak to end.

keith.lair@sgvn.com