Defending Southern Section Southern Division champion La Mirada High School and Norwalk, a playoff semifinalist the last two years, again appear to be the elite in Suburban League football this year.

But don’t count out teams such as Mayfair, which had its streak of eight consecutive league titles snapped a year ago. With 19 returning starters, the Monsoons are ready for a return to the top.

Both La Mirada, which has five players already committed to Division I colleges, and Norwalk feature a strong core of starters to build around in their quest for another big season.

Coach Mike Moschetti has seven returning starters on offense and six on defense from the 2009 Matadores (13-1, 6-0), who crushed Garden Grove, 49-27 in the CIF title game.

While the Matadores graduated their best player — fullback/linebacker Justin Torres (he’s at Colorado) — the cupboard is hardly bare.

Among the top players are offensive lineman Isaac Luatua (6-2, 295), who has committed to Alabama, offensive lineman Bryan Peters (6-5, 305), a Kansas commit, running back Max Gama (5-11, 180), headed to Washington, defensive tackle E.J. Galvez (6-2, 265), bound for Nevada, and defensive back Aaryn Bouzos (5-11, 185), a future Nebraska Cornhusker.

Shane Blood (6-3, 205) replaces the graduated Daniel Poncedelon at quarterback.

Norwalk (11-2, 5-1) should be just as explosive offensively as a year ago when it averaged 47.5 points and 438 yards rushing per game.

Among coach Jesse Ceniceros’ returning starters (seven on offense, seven on defense) is running back/linebacker Elijhaa Penny (6-2, 240), who has committed to Washington. Penny rushed for 1,569 yards (11.6 average) and 22 touchdowns on offense and had 56 tackles and eight sacks on defense.

Also back is running back/defensive back Billy Moore (5-11, 175), who rushed for 1,166 yards and 15 TDs a year ago, and tackle Dixxon Diaz (6-3, 330). Donovan Gumbs (6-1, 185) will run the double-wing T offense at quarterback.

Bellflower (4-7, 4-2) has experience (six offensive, eight defensive returning starters) and good team speed.

Coach Derek Brown counts among his top players, junior wide receiver Dijon Barnes (6-3, 185), who caught 27 passes for 378 yards and two TDs in 2009, tight end/strong safety Michael Jasper (5-11, 185) and defensive end/linebacker Mark Robinson (6-1, 200).

Lack of size and inexperience at quarterback are areas of concern.

Mayfair (4-7, 4-2), coached by Mike Fitch, returns quarterback Evan Hunko (1,302 yards, nine TDs) and running back Dominique Small (1,112 yards, 15 TDs).

Glenn (5-5, 1-5) returns five starters on offense and five on defense.

First-year coach Ray Niemann returns Dejon Bernard (5-10, 170), who will play wide receiver and running back, wide receiver Bobby Hill-Smith (5-10, 170), fullback/linebacker Christian Banuelos (5-10, 190) and two-way lineman Robert Durazo (6-2, 240). Anthony

Escobar (6-1, 190) takes over at quarterback after playing linebacker a year ago.

Artesia (1-9, 1-5), coached by Joe Veach, lacks experience on both sides of the ball.

Top returnees are offensive lineman Troy Sexton (6-0, 245), two-way lineman Josh Garcia (6-0, 270) and wide receiver Deveon Isreal (6-0, 190).

Cerritos (1-9, 1-5), coached by Chad Reed, will be led by wide receiver/running back Aaron Francis (6-1, 185) and quarterback Jimmie Guevara (6-0, 175).

Del Rio League

To defend its Del Rio League football title, California (9-3-1, 5-0) will have to do it with a lot of new faces.

However, one old face who will come in handy is senior quarterback Adam Contreras (6-2, 190), who threw for 820 yards and nine TDs a year ago. His production will likely increase since the Condors lost productive running back Terris Jones (1,912 yards, 26 TDs) to graduation.

Returning two-way linemen Greg Martinez (5-10, 270) and Brandon Vaughn (6-2, 275) provide strength up front.

El Rancho (5-6, 2-3) returns five starters on offense and five on defense, the best being running back Art Franco (5-8, 160). The senior rushed for 894 yards and eight TDs a year ago.

Also running the ball will be Ronnel Lone and Josh Lopez.

Senior quarterback Troy Campos (5-9, 160) is another strong point for the Dons.

Linebackers Micah Rojas and Raymond Herrera are two of the leaders of the defense for coach Rick Zepeda.

They are solid up front with tackles Raul Orihuela (6-4, 240) and Alfred Villanueva (6-2, 250). Cornerbacks Josh Lopez and Freddy

Garcia, who had three interceptions between them, head the secondary.

Santa Fe (7-4, 3-2) is always a contender under veteran coach Jack Mahlstede, but must replace some talented veterans, including wide receiver Andrew Jackson (Portland State).

Offensively, the Chiefs are led by senior quarterback Justin Rincon, who started five games a year ago. Christian Mahlstede, grandson of the coach, will play wide receiver and back up Rincon at quarterback.

Joey Davis and Steven Hernandez are other wide receivers.

Alex Mirola, Julien Solis, Darian King, Aaron Zaragoza and Isaiah Wilson will compete for playing time at running  back. The team suffered a blow in the summer when Jon Pinedo, the projected starter, went down with a knee injury.

Senior center Jacob Prudencio is part of the offensive line.

Mario Bonilla anchors the defensive line, while John Altamirano and Ricardo Saldivar are two of the linebackers. Ernesto Ledesma will play in the secondary.

La Serna (3-7, 2-3) counts wide receiver/defensive back Andrew Rosales (6-1, 165) and linebacker/tight end Jake Houts (6-1, 185) among the top returnees. The Lancers have seven starters back on offense and eight on defense.

Whittier (5-5, 2-3) and Pioneer (3-7, 1-4) should be improved.