Once again, the road to the San Gabriel Valley League football title probably goes through Warren High School.

The Bears return most of the key players from an 8-4 team that won the league title.

The most important being senior tailback Jesse Callier, who rushed for 2,466 yards and 30 touchdowns. His biggest game was a 340-yard performance against Lynwood.

He isn’t the only reason the Bears are so dangerous.

There is also all-league wide receiver Bailey Cowins, who caught 10 scoring passes a year ago, and all-league tight end Augafa Vaaulu.Warren also returns starting quarterback Sam Bettancourt, who passed for 1,119 yards and 13 TDs in 2008.

An area of concern is the offensive line, which must be replaced. Chris Gutierrez (6-2, 260), Ruben Iosefa (6-0, 260) and Vaaulu (6-3, 270) will be the anchors of this unit.

Downey (5-6), which tied for second a year ago, has one of the league’s better returning quarterbacks in Steven Cervantes, who passed for 1,750 yards a year ago. He’ll lead an offense that also hopes to get production from the running game.

That means new running backs Joseph Williams and Eric Martinez have to come through.

The receiving corps is led by Jabari Ruffin (6-3, 180) and Kyle Lewis (6-2, 185).

Inexperience is an issue on the offensive line where Diego Mira (5-8, 260) is the lone returnee.

Replacing the secondary is a concern on defense for the Vikings, who will rely early on down linemen Daniel O’Veal (5-10, 220) and Chris Avila (6-0, 185) and outside linebacker Steven Williams (6-0, 185).

Lynwood (8-3-1), which tied for second, should battle Warren for the title.

The Knights return seven starters on defense, which figures to be among the league’s best.

They are strong at linebacker with Deshawn Foxx (5-11, 190), Dave Haley (5-10, 180), Desmond Williams (6-2, 210) and Erin Jones (6-0, 190) returning.

There isn’t as much experience on offense (just four returning starters), but quarterback James Grisom (1,320 yards) is back. Williams and Haley will be the main running backs. Jeremiah Walker and Julius Childs are the wide receivers. Childs is new to the varsity.

Paramount (4-6) needs to find more consistency if it is to make a move in the league. The Pirates won their first four games, then lost the last six and finished at the bottom of the standings.

Greg Lindsey, who will alternate between quarterback and running back, is a key player. So is Josh Perea, who will take snaps when Lindsey is at running back.

Leading the defense is David Lee Kitchen at linebacker. He missed last season with a knee injury.

Two-way lineman Maataua Brown (6-5, 305), linebacker Guillermo Madrigal (6-2, 185) and defensive back Ariel Arguello (5-9, 165) are other key players for the Pirates.

Elsewhere in the league, Gahr (5-5) replaces prolific quarterback Corey Nielson with his brother, Casey, up from the JVs. The Gladiators also have a fine running back in Brenton Allen (6-1, 200) and wide receiver in Shaan Johnson (6-2, 170).

Dominguez (2-8), which has been a dominant force in the league for two decades, has its old coach, Willie Donerson, back at the helm.

The Dons, who went through a mid-season coaching change in 2008, lack depth because of graduation and transfers.

SUBURBAN LEAGUE
This league has been the domain of Mayfair, which has won the last eight Suburban titles and takes a 49-game league winning streak into 2009.

Are the Monsoons vulnerable just because they graduated 17 starters, 10 on offense? Don’t count on it.
Many of the backups from a year ago saw plenty of action. They also have plenty of talent.

Junior quarterback Evan Hunko is a 6-foot-5, 200-pounder with a strong arm. He started five games as a freshman before breaking his collarbone. Last season he backed up Jimmy Ohiri, but still saw his share of game action.

Running backs Keith Harvey and Dominique Small will do most of the ball carrying this season. Last year, they combined for more than 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns even though they split time with other backs. A talented receiver is junior Theo Chambers.

Norwalk (8-5) lost two outstanding running backs to graduation in Jose Guzman and Ray Craig. Senior Adrian Gonzalez lacks experience but should keep the running game going. Adrian Cortez (6-2, 245) provides a threat at fullback and also starts at linebacker.

Junior Billy Moore will also carry the ball.

Triggering the Lancers’ wing-T offense at quarterback is senior Dominic Diaz.

Others to watch are tight end/defensive tackle Elijhaa Penny (6-3, 245) and offensive lineman Jonathan Rodriguez (5-10, 285).

With eight returning starters on offense and nine on defense, Glenn (4-6) is poised to take a step up from the sixth-place finish of a year ago.

The Eagles are fast and athletic, which make them a threat against any team.

Jose Escobar (6-2, 200) returns at quarterback to lead the offense. Brandon Kelly returns at tailback, as does wide receiver Rhamad Green (6-3, 215). Dejon Bernard (5-11, 175) and Clinton Greenway (6-4, 180) are also pass-catching threats.

Miguel Villicana (6-0, 245) anchors the offensive line.

All-league linebacker Davon Foggie, who had 120 tackles a year ago, is back to lead the defense. Nose tackle Joseph Ruiz (6-0, 255) is another key returnee.

Linebacker Christian Banuelos and cornerback Ashton Simmons are other standouts.

Bellflower (2-8) suffered through a tough season in 2008, but is looking for better things this time around.

The Bucs will need to run the ball effectively, which puts a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of tailbacks Larreon White and Travis Newberry. Senior Jeromy Allen is back at quarterback.

Middle linebacker Johnny Allmond (5-10, 220), a three-year starter, down lineman Francis Faalogo (6-0, 285), end Roberto Bribriesca (6-0, 200) and sophomore linebacker Rodney Purvis lead the defense.

DEL RIO LEAGUE
Defending champion Santa Fe (9-2) always has to be considered a prime contender for the Del Rio crown and this year should be no exception.

La Serna (10-2), which finished second, will challenge despite returning only four offensive starters and two on defense.

Junior Connor Burke (6-2, 180), a wide receiver and defensive back, and senior Michael Diaz (5-7, 145), a halfback and defensive back, are two of the top veterans. Senior center Andrew Velasco (5-9, 190) anchors the line.

California (8-3) returns five offensive and six defensive starts from the league’s third-place team.

The skill positions and the secondary are the strength of the Condors. Running back/defensive back Terris Jones (5-8, 165) is a key returnee. Taylor Beyer (6-4, 335) anchors both lines. Tyler Hadden handles the placekicking and punting.

El Rancho (2-8) should improve on the last-place finish of a year ago considering it returns a number (seven offense, eight defense) of starters.

The Dons will be experienced at quarterback with the return of senior Josh Perea (5-10, 165). Perea, who also plays free safety, has his favorite receiver from a year ago, Anthony Ayala (5-8, 160) also returning. Another key returnee is fullback/linebacker Kevin Gilbert (6-0, 220).