Considering they are preseason favorites for the City Section Division I football title in the eyes of many, the Crenshaw High School Cougars are easily the favorites in the Coliseum League, as well.

It’s hard to pick against a team that returns many of the key players from a league title winner and playoff semifinalist. The toughest tests may actually come in the preleague, starting with Friday’s opener against visiting Lakewood.

Lakewood, led by USC quarterback commit Jesse Scroggins, is ranked third in the state by maxpreps.com. The Lancers defeated Crenshaw, 42-34 in last year’s opener. Norco, A.B. Miller, J.W North and Culver City follow on the schedule.

Few teams in the state can match Crenshaw’s speed.

Two straight trips to the state track and field championships (he was second in the 200 last spring) is evidence enough of junior running back De’Anthony Thomas’ speed. He was as spectacular as any back in Southern California as a sophomore.

Wide receiver Gregory Ducre was part of the Cougars’ sprint relay team that qualified for state. Geno Hall is another returning receiver with game-breaking talent.

Hayes Pullard, a national top 250 player, will be a force at fullback and linebacker. The 6-foot, 220-pound All-City performer had 145 tackles and five sacks on defense and 900 yards rushing on offense. He is on maxpreps’ preseason all-state team.

Pullard, the league’s defensive MVP a year ago, and junior down lineman James Brock (5-10, 250) will anchor a tough defense. The offensive line is anchored by senior center Corey Robinson (6-3, 220).

Dorsey (7-4), which shared second place with Fremont and Locke, should be improved from a year ago.

Jorrian Washington, a converted running back, had an excellent summer at quarterback during the passing leagues. He missed the entire 2008 season after breaking a collarbone in a preseason scrimmage.

Returnee Brandon Edwards could push Washington for playing time.

Robby Gasaway and Cleshawn Page bring experience to the running back spot and Agent Alexander is the top returning receiver. Jaydon Mickens, up from the frosh-soph team, will be a slot receiver.

On the other side of the ball, all-league defensive back Charles Garrett and Michael Cunningham are standouts in the secondary.

Fremont (6-5) returns senior quarterback George Limbrick (6-0, 230), who passed for 1,112 yards and four touchdowns with 10 interceptions a year ago.

Lafont Tolliver (5-9, 170), a junior running back/cornerback, and Alex Carrillo (6-1, 280), a senior two-way lineman, are other key returnees for the Pathfinders.

Experience on defense is a strength of the team, while areas of concern include an inexperienced offensive line and wide receiver corps.

Locke (5-5) builds around All-City linebacker Kileon Cooper (6-3, 215), who is getting his share of recruiting attention. He also plays tight end for the Saints.

Manual Arts (0-10) has a ways to go before it can contend with the upper half of the league, but it does have experienced seniors to lean on. Depth is a conern at some positions.

The top returnees for the Toilers are senior two-way lineman Kevin Laudermill (6-2, 275), sophomore defensive tackle/tight end Christopher Jackson (6-3, 190) and junior running back Brandon Foley (5-8, 185).

Jefferson (4-6) defeated only Manual Arts during league play a year ago and will be hardpressed

MARINE LEAGUE
Narbonne (12-1-1) won the Marine title a year ago, then played fellow league school San Pedro to a tie in the City title game. Thanks to some talented returning skill players, the Gauchos again look like the team to beat.

Safety/running back Sean Parker, who is being recruited by USC, UCLA, Notre Dame and Florida, among others, is the leading returnee. Another standout is wide receiver/defensive back Bryan Douglas (5-11, 175).

Melvin Davis (6-2, 225) will be a factor at fullback and inside linebacker.

Depth on the offensive line is an area of concern heading into the season.

At Carson (5-6), eight returning starters on offense and five on defense will be the key to the Colts improving.

Daniel Torres returns at quarterback after a fine junior season. Justin Alo had a solid summer at quarterback in the passing leagues.

Darius Rogers (5-10, 170) is the top wide receiver and Dwan Gill (5-9, 180) is the number one running back.

Offensive lineman Wade Yandall (6-4, 295) is being heavily recruited. Two-way lineman MacKenzie Falo (6-2, 275) is also outstanding.

Experience on the offensive unit and the kicking game are strengths of the team. Depth is a concern.

Banning (4-7) could move up if converted defensive end Fie Faaituala (6-2, 208) has a big year at quarterback.

San Pedro (12-1-1) can never be counted out when it comes to contending for the league title.

EASTERN LEAGUE
Despite the graduation loss of All-City quarterback/defensive end James Boyd to USC, Jordan (7-5) is probably the team to beat in the Eastern League.

There’s still plenty of returning talent for the Bulldogs, beginning with versatile De’Shawn Beck, who played wide receiver last year and could take snaps at quarterback this season.

Rudolph Drayton (6-3, 200), a middle linebacker and quarterback, and two-way lineman Trayronne Archer (6-1, 320) are also back.

Patrick Wooten was All-City as a freshman linebacker and recorded a remarkable 150 tackles. Receiver Raymond Ford is another key returnee.

Coach Elijah Asante cites speed, intelligence and competitiveness as strengths of the team. Replacing key players is a concern. So is depth, considering the Bulldogs suited up only 26 players for most games a year ago.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE
West Adams Prep (8-4) won the league a year ago and is poised to repeat with returning All-City quarterback Karrington Jones (6-2, 170) at the helm. Senior wide receiver Terrance Montgomery (5-8, 165) and tackle Edward Lopez (6-7, 270) are other key returnees for coach Brad Ratcliff.

Santee (5-6) finished second a year ago and cannot be discounted because it possesses the league’s top player in Tevin Carter, who has committed to Cal. Rivals.com rates the 6-foot-3, 190-pound receiver as the number 111 player in the nation.

WESTERN LEAGUE
Westchester (3-7) will certainly be able to throw its weight around this season.

Among those manning the lines are Dakota Smith (6-7, 335), Marques Johnson (6-1, 345) and Demetrius Beaver (6-4, 280). Smith, one of the top college prospects in the state, has committed to USC.

Defending champion Venice (6-6) is again probably the team to beat. Fairfax is always in the hunt.