For the first time in four years, San Gabriel Valley  football coaches won’t have to concern themselves with Warren High School’s Jesse Callier.

The prolific running back, who rushed for a state-leading 3,010 yards and scored 45 touchdowns a year ago and compiled 6,529 yards and 82 TDs during his career, is now at the University of Washington.

That means the defending champion Bears (10-2, 5-0) will have to  look elsewhere for their offense in 2010.

A squad with six returning starters on offense and seven on defense won’t be totally rebuilding.

Senior Sam Bettancourt (6-0, 190) returns at quarterback and look for him to carry more of the load. He threw for 802 yards and seven TDs in 2009.

Coach Gil Jimenez also returns running back/safety Jamil Magee (5-6, 185) and two-way lineman Ruben Iosefa (6-0, 250). Magee, who had 308 yards and five TDs on the ground a year ago, is the likely feature back now that Callier is gone.

Junior Josh Callier (6-0, 225) steps in at fullback and junior Grant Carter (6-7, 240) presents a huge target at tight end.

Iosefa and Edward Posadas (6-2, 260) anchor both lines. Linebacker Joseph Palacios (5-9, 215) and defensive back Anthony Luevanos (5-11, 165) are other key returnees.

Downey (3-7, 2-3), which returns seven starters on offense and five on defense, should be in the title picture, as well.

Running back/free safety Kyle Lewis (6-1, 185) is one of the league’s best, as is junior wide receiver/linebacker Jabari Ruffin (6-4, 215).

Lewis rushed for 463 yards and five TDs a year ago. Look for that production to increase dramatically. Ruffin caught 24 passes for 302 yards.

Tight end/linebacker Isaac Dan (6-0, 205) is also back after catching 29 passes for 506 yards and provides another target for junior quarterback Dallas Lopez (6-0, 170), who started several games last year.

Junior Robert Chism (6-2, 285) anchors the offensive line.

First-year coach Jack Williams, previously an assistant, will also be counting on defensive back Peter Prieto (6-1, 190, linebacker Justin Haro (5-9, 170), who had 102 tackles a year ago.

Another player to watch is Robert Moss (6-1, 200), who can play a number of positions.

Gahr (6-5, 3-2) must replace quarterback Casey Nielsen (4,406 yards, 41 TDs) and wide receiver Shaan Johnson (Utah State), but still should be prolific offensively.

Coach Greg Marshall does return wide receiver Josh Perkins (6-3, 200), who has committed to Washington.

Junior Eric Richardson and senior D.J. Lopez are battling it out for the quarterback spot.

The Gladiators also return key  defensive linemen  in Devaughn Hanley (6-3, 265) and Lene Lesatale (6-3, 245), the latter a BYU commit.

Dominguez (6-6, 3-2) came on strong after a slow start and should also be  contending for the league title.

The reason: The return of running back/defensive back Will Gregory (6-0, 175) and quarterback Chris Brown (6-0, 160). Gregory, who is getting looks from a number of colleges, ran for 1,350 yards (8.0 average) and caught 16 passes for 210 yards. Brown passed for 1,278  yards.

Paramount (2-8, 0-5) has a major talent in offensive lineman Maataua Brown (6-4, 280), who has committed to Washington.

New coach Matt Howard also looks to senior quarterback Lawrence Hill and wide receivers Taj Davis and Deon Moore to improve Pirate fortunes.

Brown and Kevin Shade (5-8, 275) are a standout duo on the defensive line.

Lynwood (5-5, 2-3) should contend for a playoff spot.

The top player for coach Mark Williams is Julius Childs, who will line up at running back, wide receiver and in the secondary. Last year, he had 517 yards rushing, 386 receiving and two interceptions on defense).

Senior Kenny Johnson, up from the JVs, is the quarterback. Junior Diamonte Wiggins (6-4, 175) provides him with a big target at wide receiver.

Malik Bradford (6-2, 250) and Geder Loaiz (6-1, 240) anchor both lines. Raul Lopez (5-10, 200) plays on the defensive line.

Freelance
Firebaugh, in its third year of varsity football, looks to improve on the 1-9 mark of last season. A key will be the small, 25-man roster holding up over a full year.

Leading the way for the Lynwood school is quarterback Kevin Moore (6-1, 165) and wide receiver Cameron Jackson (6-3, 170). Angel Villalobos (6-0, 160) is another wideout. Kevin Gutierrez (5-8, 160) is the number one running back.

There is size on the line with Carlos Garcia (6-1, 320), Juan Guerrero (6-3, 275) and David Garibay (5-11, 240).