It was a magical season for Serra High School in 2009.

But as good as the 15-0 final record, the CIF State Football Bowl Game victory made it, the Cavaliers could be in for just as much fun this year.

Even with the graduation loss of wide receiver Robert Woods to USC, the Cavaliers, ranked fifth in the state preseason poll by Cal-Hi Sports, are still loaded heading into Friday’s opener at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.

Start with the passing combination of SMU-bound quarterback Conner Preston and wide receiver George Farmer, one of the nation’s top recruits (rivals.com has him the No. 6 overall ranked prospect in the country). Preston threw for 3,437 yards and 44 touchdowns with just nine interceptions. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Farmer, a sprinter on the track team, caught 41 passes for 891 yards (21.7 avg.) and 12 TDs.

But this is a team with weapons all over the place.

Shaquille Richard (1,042 yards, 16 TDs) Marqise Lee provide them with a running game that complements the air attack.
Then, there’s the defense.

Heading that side of the ball is end Jason Gibson, who had 15.5 sacks a year ago, tackle David Moala, who had 110 tackles, tackle Sione Veikoso and linebacker Woodson Greer, who had 129 tackles. Lee, coming off a season in which he intercepted six passes, leads the secondary.

As if that isn’t enough, L.A. Jordan transfers Patrick Wooten (linebacker) and Raymond Ford (defensive back) make them even stronger. Wooten, a junior, has 300 tackles over the past two seasons in which he was a two-time All-City selection.

In the event they are ever forced to kick a field goal,  the Cavaliers have one of the area’s best in Francisco  Olloqui.

A year ago, Serra won the Division III Bowl after a wild 42-41 overtime victory over Oaks Christian in the CIF-SS Northwest Division title game. This year, the Cavaliers are in Division II when it comes to State Bowl considerations. But they are considered a favorite to get another bid.

San Gabriel Valley League
Look for Dominguez (6-3, 3-2) to return to a familiar spot — atop the San Gabriel Valley League standings.

The Dons bounced back from an off-season and a slow start to last year to tie for second and win two playoff games before losing to Alemany in the semifinals.

With prolific running back Jesse Callier (now at Washington) departing at defending league champion Warren, Dominguez is the logical favorite to win the title.

The Dons return eight starters on each side of the ball and are especially potent offensively with veteran quarterback Chris Brown (1,278 yards, eight TDs) and all-league running back Will Gregory (1,350 yards rushing) to lead the way.

Brown has talented and experienced receivers to throw to in John Bell (31 catches for 585 yards) and Aaron Williams. Stanley Taylor and Davonte Carter will also carry the ball. Taylor, a linebacker, was the top tackler a year ago.

Heading a big line will be Jonathon Lavergne (6-1, 275), Jahmal Charles (6-0, 255), Demario Moses (6-1, 325) and Damion Turpin (6-4, 250).

With several players going both ways, depth could be an issue.

As for the rest of the league, Downey (3-7, 2-3) has one of the league’s best running backs in Kyle Lewis and one of the best pass catchers in Jabari Ruffin.

Warren (10-2, 5-0) loses Callier, but returns quarterback Sam Bettancourt and running back Jamil Magee, who will take more of the load carrying the ball.

Gahr loses the state’s leading passer in Casey Nielsen, but returns standout receivers Josh Perkins and Delshawn McClellon.

Lynwood (5-5, 2-3) has a standout in Julius Childs, who will see action at running back, wide receiver and in the secondary. Kenny Johnson, up from the JVs, is the quarterback.

Paramount (2-8, 0-6) has a big-time two-way lineman in Maataua Brown (6-6, 315), who has committed to Washington.

Ocean League
In senior Patrick Onwuasor (6-3, 195) and junior Derrick Woods (6-0, 185), Inglewood (7-4, 4-1) has an outstanding one-two punch at wide receiver. Onwuasor caught 25 passes for 773 yards and three TDs and Woods hauled in 30 for 636 yards and six scores.

Running back/cornerback Kyle Evans (5-8, 165) heads the ground attack for coach Daniel Thomas.
The Sentinels are also strong on the offensive line, but are breaking in a new quarterback.

Morningside (2-8, 1-4) has plenty of team speed, but not a lot of experience (one returning starter on each side of the ball).

Players to watch are junior running back Michael Garrison (5-5, 160) and sophomore wide receiver/defensive back Taveon Campbell (5-9, 155). Tykeem Brown anchors both lines.

Also in the Ocean League, Culver City (9-2, 5-0) attempts to defend its title with an experienced defense (seven returning starters).

Players to watch for the Centaurs are wide receiver/defensive back Chris Brown (5-8, 165), two-way  lineman Billy Sanchez (6-0, 235) and defensive back Ijumaa Armstrong (5-11, 180).

Beverly Hills (4-6, 2-3) is led by five-star recruit Greg Townsend Jr. (6-4, 240), a defensive lineman, wide receiver/defensive back Cameron Countryman (5-10, 165) and quarterback Josh Newman (6-2, 180).

Santa Monica (4-7, 3-2) is led by running backs Brandon Taylor (5-11, 190) and Kori Garcia (5-10, 17), who also play in the secondary. Joel Ramos (6-3, 255) anchors the offensive line.

Hawthorne faces an uphill climb after going 0-10 a year ago.

Moore League

James McConico may have graduated, but Compton (4-5, 2-4) will still have a productive running game.

The reason being talented junior Roger Jones, who rushed for 687 yards (9.2 avg.) and 11 TDs a year ago. He’s a threat running the ball and returning kicks.

Tremell Sneed (6-2, 170) is back at quarterback and will also play safety. Tony Austin is at fullback and linebacker.

Sophomore twins Devonte and Deonte Dixon are promising running backs.

Two-way lineman Melvin Lewis (6-3, 275) and sophomore defensive end/linebacker Garrett Sialoi (6-1, 230) are others to watch for coach Calvin Bryant’s Tarbabes. Lalotoa Laumea (6-4, 240) and Marcus Jones (6-0, 255) give Compton more big bodies on each line.

Depth will be an issue because most players go both ways.

The league race should be between Long Beach Poly and defending champion Lakewood.

Poly (6-6, 4-2) should bounce back after an off-year by its standards.

The Jackrabbits, who return nine starters on offense and nine on defense,are led by defensive end/linebacker Cory Waller (6-2, 210), defensive tackle/fullback Michael Teo (5-11, 250), linebacker Josh Fasavalu (5-11, 215) and defensive back Kameron Jackson (5-10, 175), a Washington commit.

Lakewood (11-2, 6-0) loses quarterback Jesse Scroggins (USC) to graduation, but returns enough talent to contend for the top spot.

Senior defensive end/tight end Todd Barr (6-3, 265), senior linebacker Rahim Cassell (6-1, 215) and senior running back/defensive back Rashad Wadood (5-10, 180), an Arizona State commit, head the returning talent. Another Lancer of note is UCLA-bound offensive lineman Torian White (6-6, 275).

Pioneer League
Jimmy Nolan takes over the coaching reins at Centennial and must deal with small numbers and little experience.

Although the Apaches (7-4, 5-0) are defending league champs, Wesley Perkins (6-2, 225), who will play quarterback and linebacker, is the only returnee. They would have had another, but linebacker Leonard Graham, the Pioneer League’s co-defensive player of the year, is injured and out for the year.

Dcarry Watson (5-8, 140) and Dwaine Jackson (5-8, 150) will be the main running backs. Troy Martin (5-10, 155) will be at wide receiver, but also will line up at quarterback on occasion.

Anchoring both lines are Randall Tucker-Bayne (6-2, 205) and Rene Harris (6-0, 300).

Del Rey League
Exceptional talent at the skill positions and key spots  on defense could be enough for Verbum Dei (6-5, 3-1, tied for first) to overcome its small roster.

The Eagles build around a talented junior tailback in Anthony Charles (5-9, 165), who rushed for 1,454 yards and seven TDs as a 10th grader, and junior middle linebacker Terrence Harper (5-11, 190), who had 119  tackles a year ago.

Cantwell Sacred Heart (5-5, 2-2) has plenty of experience (nine offensive, eight defensive returning starters) to build around.

Offensively, the Cardinals look to quarterback Christian Espinoza (1,692 yards, 12 TDs). Linebacker/fullback James Becerra (5-10, 210) and two-way lineman Steven  Silva (6-2, 255) are other key returnees for coach Kim Taylor.

Bosco Tech (4-6, 0-4) should be more of a factor in the race based on experience.

Best of the returnees are the brother duo of junior quarterback Dillon Welsh (812 yards, seven TDs passing) and senior tailback Devon Welsh (571 yards rushing). C.J. Alvarez and Jeren Cuevas (eight catches for 135 yards) return at wide receiver.

Christian Reveles (6-1, 280), John McDonald (5-10, 251) and Cesar Pena (5-11, 255) anchor both lines. Linebacker Adam Uballez had 62 tackles as a sophomore.