HS FOOT: What an opening night it's going to be in September

I know it's early -- really early -- but now that national powers Oaks Christian and St. Bonaventure have joined the Marmonte League (that includes defending Northern Division champion Westlake), you know it's going to be a great high school football season.

So it's never too early to talk about what's going on, as teams have begun summer 7-on-7 competitions, and opening night looms closer by the minute.

And what an opening night it's going to be on Friday, September 3. Glancing at some of the schedules, there are at least three intriguing showdowns: Alemany at Oaks Christian; Dominguez at Crespi; and Serra at Notre Dame.

The Alemany-Oaks Christian opener is all about speed, as Alemany is loaded with fast skill-positions players, and of course so is Oaks Christian. It should prove fascinating to see how Oaks Christian rebounds from last year's devastating loss to Serra that no one saw coming.

Meanwhile, Serra has joined the Mission League, so get used to 'em. Serra also returns its star quarterback, Connor Preston, and Notre Dame does not, as record-setting Ryan Kasdorf has graduated. I see Notre Dame as a big underdog in its own house on opening night, and that's not something you see every year.

-- Gerry Gittelson