Successful boys basketball coach Russ May, who turned Los Alamitos High into a perpetual Sunset League champion, is heading to Cerritos College as the Falcons' next head coach, according to sources.
May, who guided the Griffins to league titles in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 2007, 2008 and 2009, and CIF-SS championships in 2006 and 2007, was an assistant coach at Cerritos College from 1993-99 (Falcons won JC state title in final year) before going to Los Al.
Standout running back Jerry Stone "is done playing football at Lakewood," according to coach Thadd MacNeal, after Stone was incarcerated following a run-in with the law Friday night in Compton.
Coach Mac said Stone, one of the top couple RBs in the area this season, is being held in juvenile hall on a "very serious offense."
More info will be made available as it becomes known.
Over the past decade and a half, the Moore League has been owned outright by Poly High. The Jackrabbits have won 79 consecutive league games, dating back to 1994 (lost to Jordan).
Since then, it's doubtful that the Jackrabbits' hold on the league title has ever been as tenuous as it is this year.
Poly graduated almost every starter from the teams that won back-to-back CIF Southern Section Pac-5 titles, a state championship and a state runner-up. Coach Raul Lara's team will be made up primarily of unproven players from the sophomore and junior ranks. In short, the Jackrabbits have a ton of question marks. But as the Moore League has learned, Poly doesn't rebuild; its reloads.
Lakewood no longer appears to be an up-and-comer. The Lancers are here-and-now and ranked among the top teams in the nation. They are led by USC-bound QB Jesse Scroggins and have the best offense in the league, if not the CIF-SS.
Jordan and Compton are also contenders who could land an upset or two.
With the most competitive Moore League race in recent memory at hand, the coaches and four Press-Telegram sports staff writers were asked to rank the teams in an informal preseason poll.
This is how the balloting shook out, with total points (7 for first, 6 for second, 5 for third, etc.) and first-place votes in parentheses.
2009 MOORE LEAGUE FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL
1. Poly ..... 70 points (5)
The Jackrabbits will be made of primarily of underclassmen, but the feeling among many is that they are the champs until proven otherwise.
2. Lakewood ..... 68 points (4)
The Lancers, with the likes of QB Jesse Scroggins, RB Jerry Stone and WR Kevin Anderson, boast the best offense in the league, if not the CIF-SS.
3. Jordan ..... 50 points
With a great athlete like reigning MVP John Timu on the field at all times, the Panthers will continue to show they are a team to be reckoned with.
4. Compton ..... 48 points (1)
The Tarbabes return most of a team that was among the contenders last year and will be in the playoff hunt, if not the title hunt, again this time out.
5. Wilson ..... 34 points
The Bruins made a solid showing in passing league this summer, got the attention of several rivals and appear ready to make a move up the ladder.
6. Millikan ..... 19 points
It might be a bit of a rebuilding year for the Rams, but coach Kirk Diego always does the best with what he has to work with.
6. Cabrillo ..... 19 points (1)
Coach A.J. Luke looks to build on his rookie season and is optimistic about his team's chances of making a push for a playoff spot.
The question "Will Poly's long league winning streak came to an end this season?" was also asked. Eight of the 11 voters said yes, while the other three said no. There was one interesting comment from a voter: "If their winning streak isn't snapped this year, it might never be snapped in my lifetime."
Those questioned were also asked to vote for a preseason MVP. Scroggins got five votes and Timu three.
We'd like to know what you think about the 2009 Moore League race. Feel free to cast your votes and share your opinions by commenting on the blog post.
The CIF Southern Section has announced the top ten girls and boys athletic programs in the 18th Annual Commissioner's Cup.
On the girl's side, Corona del Mar took top honors, and on the boy's side, it was Loyola, which, with three titles, ties the Cubs for the most of any boy's champions with Oaks Christian, LB Poly and Santa Margarita.
The only local school to finish in the top 10 this year was Cerritos, its boys program taking fifth.
BOYS
1. Loyola
2. Thousand Oaks
3. Mater Dei
4. Oaks Christian
5. Cerritos
6. Quartz Hill
7. Valencia/Placentia
8. Torrance
9. Laguna Beach
10T. Dana Hills
10T. South Hills
GIRLS
1. Corona del Mar
2. Saugus
3. Chadwick
4. Dana Hills
5. Rio Mesa
6. La Canada
7. Laguna Beach
8. Palm Desert
9. La Reina
10 .Harvard-Westlake
PAST COMMISSIONERS CUP WINNERS
YEAR BOYS GIRLS
1991-1992 San Marino Peninsula
1992-1993 Esperanza Poly/Pasadena
1993-1994 Calvary Chapel/S.A. Newport Harbor
1994-1995 Santa Barbara Poly/Long Beach
1995-1996 Santa Margarita Buena
1996-1997 Santa Margarita Woodbridge
1997-1998 Santa Margarita Marina
1998-1999 PolyLong Beach Santa Margarita
1999-2000 Poly/Long Beach Santa Margarita
2000-2001 Paso Robles Harvard-Westlake
2001-2002 Poly/Long Beach Harvard-Westlake
2002-2003 Loyola Santa Margarita
2003-2004 Loyola Corona del Mar
2004-2005 Oaks Christian Corona del Mar
2005-2006 Oaks Christian Corona del Mar
2006-2007 Viewpoint Marlborough
2007-2008 Oaks Christian Corona del Mar
2008-2009 Loyola Corona del Mar
SANTA FE LEAGUE
ST. ANTHONY
Sept. 4 vs. Downey Calvary Chapel at Clark Field
Sept. 11 vs. Brentwood at Clark Field
Sept. 18 vs. Fairmont Prep at Clark Field
Sept. 25 vs. Montclair Prep at L.A. Pierce College
Oct. 2 at Brethren Christian, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Animo Leadership
Oct. 24 at St. Genevieve* at L.A. Poly
Oct. 30 vs. Salesian* at Clark Field
Nov. 6 at St. Monica*
Nov. 13 vs. Bell-Jeff* at Clark Field
ALPHA LEAGUE
DOWNEY CALVARY CHAPEL
Sept. 4 vs. St. Anthony at Clark Field
Sept. 11 vs. Western Christian at Downey HS
Sept. 18 at Brethren Christian, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 3 vs. Maranatha* at Downey HS
Oct. 9 at Campbell Hall*, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 vs. Marshall* at Downey HS, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 vs. Sierra Canyon* at Granada Hills HS
Oct. 30 vs. Kilpatrick* at Downey HS
Nov. 7 at Brentwood*, 2 p.m.
Nov. 13 vs. Montclair Prep* at L.A. Pierce College
SUNSET LEAGUE
LOS ALAMITOS
Sept. 11 vs. Mayfair at Bellflower HS
Sept. 17 vs. Fremont at Vets Stadium
Sept. 24 vs. Wilson at Gahr HS
Oct. 1 vs. La Habra at Gahr HS
Oct. 8 vs. Narbonne at Gahr HS
Oct. 16 at Newport Harbor*
Oct. 22 vs. Marina* at Westminster HS
Oct. 30 vs. Edison* at Huntington Beach HS
Nov. 5 vs. Esperanza* at Vets Stadium
Nov. 13 vs. Fountain Valley* at Gahr HS
TRINITY LEAGUE
ST. JOHN BOSCO
Sept. 4 vs. St. Bonaventure, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 vs. Damien, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 at Cabrillo
Sept. 25 vs. Loyola at L.A. Valley College
Oct. 2 at St. Paul, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 vs. Servite*, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 vs. Santa Margarita* at Saddleback College, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 30 vs. Orange Lutheran*, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 6 vs. JSerra* at Saddleback College, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 13 vs. Mater Dei*, 7:30 p.m.
OLYMPIC LEAGUE
VALLEY CHRISTIAN
Sept. 4 vs. Cypress
Sept. 10 vs. La Quinta at Bolsa Grande HS, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 at St. Bernard
Sept. 25 vs. Tahquitz
Oct. 10 vs. Ontario Christian
Oct. 16 at St. Margaret's
Oct. 23 vs. Whittier Christian* at Whittier College
Oct. 30 vs. L.A. Baptist*, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 7 vs. Village Christian* at L.A. Kennedy
Nov. 13 vs. Paraclete*, 7:30 p.m.
FREELANCE LEAGUE
FIREBAUGH
Sept. 4 vs.
Sept. 10 vs. Bassett at
Sept. 17 at
Sept. 24 vs.
Oct. 2 vs. La
Oct. 9 at Manual Arts
Oct. 24 vs.
Oct. 30 vs.
Nov. 7 vs. Vasquez at
Nov. 12 at
PIONEER LEAGUE
CENTENNIAL
Sept. 11 at Compton. 5 p.m.
Sept. 18 vs. Lynwood at Lynwood MS
Sept. 25 at Culver City
Oct. 2 vs. Hawthorne
Oct. 9 vs. Esperanza
Oct. 16 vs. North Torrance*, 5 p.m.
Oct. 23 at El Segundo*
Oct. 30 at South Torrance*
Nov. 6 vs. Torrance*
Nov. 13 vs. Lawndale*, 5 p.m.
EXPRESS LEAGUE
AVALON
Sept. 12 vs. Clovis Christian, 1 p.m.
Sept. 19 at Big Pine, 1 p.m.
Sept. 26 vs. Hesperia Christian, 1 p.m.
Oct. 8 vs. St. Michael's Prep*, 1 p.m.
Oct. 17 vs. Liberty Christian*, 1 p.m.
Oct. 23 vs. Eastside Christian* at Pacific Drive School
Oct. 30 vs. Capistrano Valley Christian* at San Clemente HS
Nov. 7 at Southlands Christian*, 1 p.m.
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY LEAGUE
All games at 7 p.m. unless noted
* - League games
DOMINGUEZ
Sept. 11 at Bishop Amat, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 at Compton, 5 p.m.
Sept. 25 at Jordan
Oct. 2 at S.O. Notre Dame
Oct. 16 vs. Warren*
Oct. 23 vs. Gahr*
Oct. 30 vs. Downey*
Nov. 6 at Paramount*
Nov. 13 vs. Lynwood* at Lynwood MS
DOWNEY
Sept. 11 vs. La Serna at Whittier College
Sept. 18 vs. Schurr
Sept. 25 vs. La Habra
Oct. 2 vs. Kennedy at Western HS
Oct. 9 vs. Santa Fe
Oct. 16 at Gahr*
Oct. 23 vs. Paramount*
Oct. 30 at Dominguez*
Nov. 6 vs. Lynwood*
Nov. 13 at Warren*
GAHR
Sept. 4 vs. Millikan
Sept. 10 vs. Kennedy
Sept. 18 vs. Cerritos
Sept. 25 at Artesia
Oct. 2 at Trabuco Hills
Oct. 16 vs. Downey*
Oct. 23 at Dominguez*
Oct. 30 vs. Lynwood* at Lynwood MS
Nov. 6 vs. Warren*
Nov. 13 at Paramount*
LYNWOOD
Sept. 11 vs. Harvard-Westlake at Lynwood MS
Sept. 18 vs. Centennial at Lynwood MS
Sept. 25 at Palisades
Oct. 2 at San Fernando
Oct. 9 at Lawndale
Oct. 16 vs. Paramount* at Lynwood MS
Oct. 23 at Warren*
Oct. 30 vs. Gahr* at Lynwood MS
Nov. 6 at Downey*
Nov. 13 vs. Dominguez* at Lynwood MS
PARAMOUNT
Sept. 11 vs. Cabrillo
Sept. 18 vs. Bellflower
Sept. 25 vs. Norwalk at Excelsior HS
Oct. 2 vs. Whittier at California HS
Oct. 9 at Bell Gardens
Oct. 16 vs. Lynwood* at Lynwood MS
Oct. 23 at Downey*
Oct. 30 at Warren*
Nov. 6 vs. Dominguez*
Nov. 13 vs. Gahr*
WARREN
Sept. 4 vs. Torrance
Sept. 11 vs. Santa Fe
Sept. 18 vs. Whittier at California HS
Oct. 2 vs. La Serna
Oct. 9 at Vista Murrieta
Oct. 16 at Dominguez*
Oct. 23 vs. Lynwood*
Oct. 30 vs. Paramount*
Nov. 6 at Gahr*
Nov. 13 vs. Downey*
Here is the National Prep Football Poll, compiled by high school sports journalist Jamie DeMoney with input from sportswriters, experts, and coaches. The national Top 25 and regional Top 10's follow with 2008 won-loss-tie records:
NATIONAL TOP 25
#1. Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Aquinas (15-0-0), two-time defending 5A champ
#2. Duncan, S.C., Byrnes (14-1-0), travels to No. 1 Aquinas on Oct. 5
#3. Miami, Northwestern (13-2-0), seeks second 6A title in three years
#4. Katy, Texas (13-3-0), back-to-back 5A/II titlist
#5. Cleveland, Glenville (11-1-0), went 1-1 against '08 state champ St. Ignatius
#6. Chesapeake, Va., Smith (15-0-0), defending Division 6 champion
#7. Lakewood, Calif. (10-3-0), led by USC-bound QB Jesse Scroggins
#8. Bellevue, Wash. (14-0-0), plays at No. 4 Katy on Sept. 12
#9. Sammamish, Wash., Skyline (14-0-0), hosts No. 15 Oaks Christian on Sept. 18
#10. Cedar Hill, Texas (12-2-0), leading rusher Ben Malena (Texas A&M) returns
#11. Valdosta, Ga., Lowndes (12-1-0), three 5A crowns since '04
#12. Jenks, Okla. (12-2-0), seventh time in preseason Top 25 since '00
#13. Cincinnati, Elder (13-2-0), Division I runner-up last year
#14. Ramsey, N.J., Don Bosco (11-1-0), plays No. 18 De La Salle and No. 19 Prattville this season
#15. Westlake Village, Calif., Oaks Christian (14-0-0), QB Nick Montana is son of NFL legend Joe
#16. Allen, Texas (15-1-0), 5A/I champ returns all five offensive linemen
#17. Lakeland, Fla. (14-1-0), plays at No. 18 De La Salle on Sept. 25
#18. Concord, Calif., De La Salle (12-2-0), six-time Prep Poll champion
#19. Prattville, Ala. (13-1-0), has three straight 6A titles
#20. Bethlehem, Pa., Liberty (15-1-0), defending 4A champ returns state MVP QB Anthony Gonzalez
#21. Peoria, Ariz., Centennial (14-0-0), seeks fourth straight 5A/II title
#22. Dallas, Skyline (12-2-0), nine seniors are Division I commitments
#23. Charlotte, N.C., Independence (13-1-0), seven state titles this decade
#24. Hyattsville, Md., DeMatha (10-2-0), seven-time defending WCAC champ
#25. River Ridge, La., John Curtis (14-1-0), 23 state titles in 34 years
Northeast
#1. Ramsey, N.J., Don Bosco, 11-1-0
#2. Bethlehem, Pa., Liberty, 15-1-0
#3. Harrisburg, Pa., McDevitt, 10-3-0
#4. Montvale, N.J., St. Joseph's, 11-1-0
#5. Oradell, N.J., Bergen Catholic, 9-3-0
#6. State College, Pa., 12-1-0
#7. McKeesport, Pa., 8-3-0
#8. Wayne, N.J., Wayne Hills, 12-0-0
#9. Lansdale, Pa., North Penn, 14-1-0
#10. Central Valley, N.Y., Monroe-Woodbury, 11-1-0
East Coast
#1. Duncan, S.C., Byrnes, 14-1-0
#2. Chesapeake, Va., Oscar Smith, 15--0-0
#3. Charlotte, N.C., Independence, 13-1-0
#4. Hyattsville, Md., DeMatha, 10-2-0
#5. Matthews, N.C., Butler, 12-2-0
#6. Olney, Md., Good Counsel, 11-1-0
#7. Sumter, S.C., 12-3-0
#8. Rock Hill, S.C., South Pointe, 15-0-0
#9. Chantilly, Va., Westfield, 9-3-0
#10. Hampton, Va., Phoebus, 15-0-0
Southeast
#1. Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Aquinas, 15-0-0
#2. Miami, Northwestern, 13-2-0
#3. Valdosta, Ga., Lowndes, 12-1-0
#4. Lakeland, Fla., 14-1-0
#5. Prattville, Ala., 13-1-0
#6. River Ridge, La., John Curtis, 14-1-0
#7. Miami, Central, 8-4-0
#8. Tampa, Fla., Plant, 14-1-0
#9. Madison, Miss., Madison Central, 12-2-0
#10. Nashville, Tenn., Montgomery Bell, 10-2-0
Midwest
#1. Cleveland, Glenville, 11-1-0
#2. Cincinnati, Elder, 13-2-0
#3. Cleveland, St. Ignatius, 14-1-0
#4. Cincinnati, Colerain, 11-2-0
#5. East St. Louis, Ill., 13-1-0
#6. Cincinnati, Moeller, 6-5-0
#7. Chicago, Mount Carmel, 10-3-0
#8. Wheaton, Ill., Wheaton Warrenville South, 8-2-0
#9. Sterling Heights, Mich., Stevenson, 10-2-0
#10. Louisville, Ky., St. Xavier, 12-1-0
Midlands
#1. Denver, Mullen, 12-2-0
#2. Florissant, Mo., Hazelwood Central, 12-2-0
#3. Sandy, Utah, Alta, 13-1-0
#4. Blue Springs, Mo., 9-2-0
#5. Hutchinson, Kan., 11-2-0
#6. Eden Prairie, Minn., 11-1-0
#7. Plymouth, Minn., Wayzata, 13-0-0
#8. South Jordan, Utah, Bingham, 11-3-0
#9. Littleton, Colo., Columbine, 11-2-0
#10. Iowa City, Iowa, 10-1-0
Southwest
#1. Katy, Texas, 13-3-0
#2. Cedar Hill, Texas, 12-2-0
#3. Jenks, Okla., 12-2-0
#4. Allen, Texas, 15-1-0
#5. Peoria, Ariz., Centennial, 14-0-0
#6. Dallas, Skyline, 12-2-0
#7. Tulsa, Okla., Union, 13-1-0
#8. Round Rock, Texas, Stony Point, 13-2-0
#9. Garland, Texas, 11-2-0
#10. Longview, Texas, 13-3-0-x
x-one loss by forfeit
West Coast
#1. Lakewood, 10-3-0
#2. Bellevue, Wash., 14-0-0
#3 Skyline (Wash.), 14-0-0
#4. Oaks Christian, 14-0-0
#5. Concord De La Salle, 12-2-0
#6. Servite, 7-4-0
#7. Mission Viejo, 10-2-0
#8. Long Beach Poly, 14-1-0
#9. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 11-1-0
#10. Edison, 7-3-0
SUBURBAN LEAGUE
All games at 7 p.m. unless noted
* - league games
ARTESIA
Sept. 4 vs. Edison
Sept. 11 at Millikan
Sept. 25 vs. Gahr
Oct. 2 vs. Villa Park
Oct. 9 vs. Bellflower*
Oct. 16 vs. Cerritos*
Oct. 23 vs. Glenn* at Excelsior HS
Oct. 30 vs. Mayfair*
Nov. 6 vs. Norwalk* at Excelsior HS
Nov. 12 vs. La Mirada
BELLFLOWER
Sept. 4 vs. Montebello
Sept. 10 vs. Victor Valley
Sept. 18 at Paramount
Sept. 25 vs. Troy
Oct. 2 vs. Norwalk*
Oct. 9 at Artesia*
Oct. 16 vs. Mayfair*
Oct. 30 vs. Cerritos*
Nov. 6 at La Mirada*
Nov. 13 vs. Glenn*
CERRITOS
Sept. 3 vs. Beckman at Tustin HS
Sept. 11 vs. El Rancho at Gahr HS
Sept. 18 at Gahr
Sept. 25 vs. Rancho Alamitos at Gahr HS
Oct. 2 vs. Mayfair* at Gahr HS
Oct. 9 at La Mirada*
Oct. 16 at Artesia*
Oct. 23 vs. Norwalk* at Gahr HS
Oct. 30 at Bellflower*
Nov. 5 vs. Glenn* at Gahr HS
GLENN
Sept. 5 vs. S.A. Valley at Santa Ana Bowl, 1 p.m.
Sept. 11 at Pioneer
Sept. 18 at H.H. Wilson
Sept. 25 vs. La Quinta at Excelsior HS
Oct. 2 vs. La Mirada* at Excelsior HS
Oct. 9 vs. Mayfair* at Bellflower HS
Oct. 16 vs. Norwalk* at Excelsior HS
Oct. 23 vs. Artesia* at Excelsior HS
Nov. 5 vs. Cerritos* at Gahr HS
Nov. 13 at Bellflower*
LA MIRADA
Sept. 4 vs. St. Paul, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 vs. La Habra
Sept. 17 at California
Sept. 25 vs. La Serna
Oct. 2 vs. Glenn* at Excelsior HS
Oct. 9 vs. Cerritos*
Oct. 23 vs. Mayfair* at Bellflower HS
Oct. 30 vs. Norwalk* at Excelsior HS
Nov. 6 vs. Bellflower*
Nov. 12 at Artesia*
MAYFAIR
Sept. 4 at Chino Hills
Sept. 11 vs. Los Alamitos at Bellflower HS
Sept. 18 vs. Lakewood at Bellflower HS
Sept. 26 vs. Kennedy at Western HS
Oct. 2 vs. Cerritos* at Gahr HS
Oct. 9 vs. Glenn* at Bellflower HS
Oct. 16 at Bellflower*
Oct. 23 vs. La Mirada* at Bellflower HS
Oct. 30 at Artesia*
Nov. 13 vs. Norwalk* at Excelsior HS
NORWALK
Sept. 4 at South El Monte
Sept. 11 vs. Los Amigos at Garden Grove HS
Sept. 18 vs. G.G. Pacifica at Excelsior HS
Sept. 25 vs. Paramount at Excelsior HS
Oct. 2 at Bellflower*
Oct. 16 vs. Glenn* at Excelsior HS
Oct. 23 vs. Cerritos* at Gahr HS
Oct. 30 vs. La Mirada* at Excelsior HS
Nov. 6 vs. Artesia* at Excelsior HS
Nov. 13 vs. Mayfair* at Excelsior HS
