HS FOOT: Oaks coach Redell: 'Alemany should probably be favorite'

Opening night is fast approaching, and Oaks Christian coach Bill Redell says his team is an underdog against visiting Alemany on Sept. 3 -- and Redell is not kidding, even though Oaks Christian has won six section titles over the past seven seasons.

"I don't know, Alemany gave us a real good game last year, and they probably should be the favorite this time with so many players coming back," Redell said. "We'll see how it goes."

Oaks Christian was hit hard by graduation but still has a lot of talent, including USC-bound junior receiver Jordan Payton, Duke-bound receiver Blair Holliday and top recruit Dillon van der Wal (tight end/defensive end), among others.

"We're coming along, but depth has always been a problem for us," Redell said. "When you're playing in the Marmonte League now instead of the Tri-Valley League, depth is more more of an issue. But we should be pretty good."

-- Gerry Gittelson