As the defending City Division I champion and a participant in the State Open Division Bowl Game last year, the Crenshaw High School football team has even an even bigger target on its back than usual.

The Cougars, coming off a 14-1 season (the loss was to storied Concord De La Salle in the finale), enter 2010 with their usual high hopes.

They are the favorites to repeat as City champs and are a solid bet to make it another state bowl game, provided they can navigate a treacherous preleague schedule that begins with the Sept. 3 opener at Georgia state power North Gwinnett, which will already have two games in, including Saturday’s opener, a 34-14 rout  of Lassiter. Gwinnett, 12-1 a year ago, has plenty of star power on its roster, including Auburn commit C.J. Uzomah, who plays quarterback and wide receiver.

After the nationally-televised (by ESPN) game with North Gwinnett, Crenshaw faces a preleague gauntlet at Norco (Sept. 10), at home against Riverside J.W. North (Sept. 24) and at home against Culver City (Oct. 1) before heading into Coliseum League play.

There  won’t be a shortage of talent on the Crenshaw roster.

Running back/defensive back DeAnthony Thomas, who has committed to USC, is the No. 5 overall ranked player in the nation, according to Rivals.com. The speedster rushed for 902 yards, caught passes for 204 and excelled in the secondary a year ago. The five-star recruit is looked at as an “athlete” who can play either side of the ball at the next level.

Also returning is quarterback Marquis Thompson, who completed 56 percent of his passes for 2,001 yards last season.

Running back Qujuan Floyd and wide receiver Dayvon Allen are other weapons at the disposal of the coaching staff on offense.

Anchoring the line is 6-foot-3, 357-pound USC commit Marcus Martin and 6-3, 320-pound Antonio Loggins.

Despite the graduation losses of standout linebacker Hayes Pullard (USC) and Ronald Stovall, the defense should be solid.

All-City pick James Brock (seven sacks) and Junior Alexis (six sacks) anchor the front wall. Floyd (81 tackles) is back at linebacker. Thomas heads the secondary.

If there’s a challenger in the Coliseum League, it figures to be Dorsey (9-4, 3-2), the City’s third-ranked team, according to maxpreps.com.

With the return of quarterback Joseph Gray (1,932 yards, 18 TDs) and receivers Jaydon Mickens (48 catches for 787 yards) and Marvin Hall (15 for 273), the Dons have been shifting away from the run-first philosophy of the past.

“Quarterback is going to be a key part of our game,” veteran coach Paul Knox said. “All of our skill players played a lot last year and all have good speed. All of them ran track.”

Defensively, Dorsey is led by senior linebacker Matthew Lyons (135 tackles) and junior lineman Jeremiah Allison (20 sacks). DeAndre Nelson gives them another weapon at linebacker.

The Dons get their first test Sept. 1 at North Hollywood.

Locke (7-5, 4-1) reached the City quarterfinals after finishing second in the Coliseum League. But the Saints have to overcome the graduation loss of All-City quarterback Omar Herrera and standout linebackers Treveon Harris and Kiliyeon Cooper.

The center of the offense will be versatile running back Tony Bell (6-1, 190), a San Diego State commit. Bell accounted for more than 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in 2009.

West Adams Prep (9-2, 6-0), which won the last two Southern League titles, is new to the league and should  be a factor in the playoff chase under first-year coach Russell Shaw.

The top player for the Panthers is wide receiver Anthony Sheffield (6-3, 190), who has verballed to San Diego State. He caught 11 passes for 130 yards and a TD last year.

The big losses are quarterback Karrington Jones and wide receiver Terrance Montgomery, the latter now at California.

Manual Arts (3-7, 0-5) and Fremont (1-9, 1-4) will be fighting to stay out of the cellar in this competitive league.

MARINE LEAGUE
Elijah Asante, who turned Jordan into a perennial power in the Eastern League, has inherited one of the City’s strongest teams in his first year at Carson.

One philosophy has not changed: A tough preleague  schedule. The Colts (10-3, 5-0) open at Mater Dei Sept. 4, followed by games with Fontana A.B. Miller, Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo and San Diego Lincoln.

With one of the City’s top returning quarterbacks in Justin Alo and talented running backs Dion Willis (San Diego State commit) and Myles Johnson in the fold, Asante’s Colts are built to withstand the preleague and the rugged Marine League.

Narbonne (8-6, 3-2), runner-up to Crenshaw in the City playoffs a year ago, returns four starters on offense and 11 on defense.

Players to watch are strong safety/outside linebacker Darrien Watkins (5-10, 200), wide receiver/defensive end Taylor McDaniel and offensive lineman Dontae Livingston (6-5, 280).

The Gauchos, who open at South East Sept. 9, will be pushed by perennial power San Pedro (7-4, 3-2).

Veteran coach Mike Walsh returns All-City linebacker Kristopher Bass (115 tackles) and safety Chase Clayton (6-3, 205).

Gardena (5-5, 1-4) is led by running back Dezden Petty (6-2, 210), who has committed to San Diego State, running back/linebacker Mark Davis (6-0, 210) and defensive lineman Aaron Price (6-3, 250).

Coach Ed Lalau, who returns six starters on offense and six on defense, cites running back and linebacker as areas of strength. Inexperience will be an issue.

Washington Prep (1-9, 0-5) and Banning (4-7, 3-2) will battle to crack the top four.

Washington Prep, under coach Paul Holt, opens Sept. 1 at Canoga Park. Banning, coached by first-year man Tim McTyer, hosts West Adams Prep Sept. 11 in its opener.

EASTERN LEAGUE
No City league race appears more wide open than the Eastern League.

“I don’t see anybody as the favorite, everybody looks pretty even,” Roosevelt coach Javier Cid said.

Roosevelt (10-2, 6-0) won it last  year, but figure on Jordan (6-5, 5-1) and Garfield (5-6, 3-3) to make this a fight to the finish. Teams such as Bell (7-4, 3-3) and South East (4-7, 3-3) will also be dangerous.

Roosevelt has a new quarterback in junior Andony Flores, the backup a year ago.

All-City cornerback Jonathan Mariscal returns and will also play wide receiver.

Leading the way on offense  is three-year starting running back Elgin Rosales, who rushed for 718 yards a year ago. Transfer Aaron Jones plays fullback and linebacker.

Junior Ricardo Alfaro is the lone returning starter on the offensive line.

Jordan has a new coach in Sheron Butler, but there is enough returning talent between the lines to keep the Bulldogs in the hunt.

Jackyle Cooper, who played a lot of quarterback as year ago, will do a bit of everything this year, lining up at wide receiver, running back and behind center.

Watch out for sophomore quarterback Justin Lewis, who shined during the summer.

“The colleges are already looking at him,” Butler said.

Garfield, which faces Bishop Amat in its opener Sept. 3, is led by quarterback Leonardo Vaal, who threw  for 663 yards and five TDs  in six games a year ago.

Bell returns all-league quarterback Adrian Lopez (1,251 yards, 13 TDs).

South East has one of the City’s top returning running backs in explosive junior Robert Lewis (1,085 yards, seven TDs).

New coach Christian Salazar (previously at Manual Arts) returns four starters on offense and three on defense from a team that was 2-8  overall and 0-6 in league.

Quarterback/inside linebacker Emanuel Leyva (6-0, 210), wide receiver Jorge Villanueva (5-9, 170) and running back/cornerback Ernesto Torres (5-7, 165) are the top returnees for the Rams. Leyva threw for 1,268 yards and nine TDs a year ago.

At Huntington Park (3-7, 1-5), veteran coach Leroy Wilson builds around a core group that includes nine returning starters on offense and four on defense.

Players to watch are junior fullback/linebacker Mauricio Maldonado (5-10, 195), senior running back/linebacker Henry Yang (5-7, 170) and senior wide receiver/defensive back Jesus Flores.

NORTHERN LEAGUE
Defending  champion Franklin (9-2, 5-0) might be in a rebuilding mode with only three (one on offense) returning starters, but the Panthers may still be the ones to beat in the Northern race.

The top returnee is running back/defensive back Gemechu Anderson (5-9, 170), who rushed for 1,034 yards and 13 TDs in 2009.

Others coach Eric Jaimes is counting heavily on is quarterback Michael Orozco (6-1, 175) and two-way lineman Orbel Alvarado (5-11, 225).

Lincoln (3-7, 2-3) returns seven on offense and 10 on defense, meaning experience will be a factor weighing in its favor.

Andrew Medrano (6-2, 190), a wide receiver and linebacker, leads the Tigers. He caught 43 passes for 616 yards and seven TDs and had 85 tackles a year ago.
 Running back Carlos Duran (5-8, 170) and defensive lineman Mark Sanchez (5-11, 185) are other key returnees.

Wilson (4-7, 3-2) is strong on both lines, but lacks experience in a lot of areas. That’s why five returning starters on offense and five on defense will be keys to the Mules making a run at the City Division II playoffs.

Top returnees for coach Eddie Martinez are running back Chris Singleton (6-1, 165) and defensive lineman/linebacker Juan Encarnacion (6-1, 230).

Marshall (7-4, 4-1), which opens against Belmont Sept. 2, is always in the playoff picture and this year should be no different.

Eagle Rock (1-8, 0-5) is looking to improve on last season’s uncharacteristically poor showing.

New league team Roybal (0-10, 0-6) looks to overcame lack of experience at key positions as it moves from the Southern League.

Top players for coach Frank Galvan are linebacker Luis Quinteros (6-0, 200), wide receiver/defensive back Gerald Clayton (6-1, 160) and two-way lineman Jose Sanchez (6-4, 260), all 10th graders.

WESTERN LEAGUE
Talented running back Teondray Caldwell (5-10, 190) is back to lead Venice (10-2, 5-0), one of the top teams in the City and the team to beat in the Western League.

He’ll be a key for the Gondoliers, who are looking to replace their starting quarterback and top rusher from a year ago. He caught 51 passes for 776 yards and eight TDs and rushed 47 times for 400 yards and three scores as a junior.

Fairfax (7-6, 2-3) returns eight starters on offense and seven on defense.

All-City running back Matt Bowen, who rushed for 1,621 yards and 19 TDs a year ago, is one of the main returnees.

Quarterback Dejon Mitchell (594 yards, three TDs) and linebacker Don Tyler (6-0, 220) are other key returnees for the Lions, who open at Harvard-Westlake Sept. 10.

Coach Shane Cox cites running back, offensive line and the returning defensive starters as strengths. Depth at wide receiver and the secondary, as well as the kicking game, are areas of concern.

At Palisades (1-9, 1-4), running back/strong safety Malcolm Creer, who ran for 660 yards and four TDs on the ground, is a major returnee. Lawrence Villasenor (5-7, 155), a cornerback and running back, and outside linebacker/running back Hakeem Jawanza (5-10, 180) are others for the Dolphins.

Hamilton (11-3, 3-2), the defending City Division II champion, and Westchester (8-4, 4-1) will also contend for playoff berths.

University (0-10, 0-5) is strong at linebacker and the offensive line, but has question marks at quarterback and the secondary. The Wildcats do return seven starters on offense and seven on defense.

Among the players to watch are junior tight end/defensive end Brian Rivas (6-3, 215), senior outside linebacker/fullback Phila Gcaba (5-9, 180) and guard Ahmal Leslie (5-10, 250).

SOUTHERN LEAGUE
With two-time league champion West Adams Prep moving to the Coliseum League, Santee (7-4, 5-1) or Hollywood (7-3, 4-2) could be poised to take over the top spot.

Santee needs to overcome the loss of some key players, most notably, wide receiver Tevin Carter, a Cal-signee.

Hollywood, under the direction of coach Ceasar Sandoval, returns seven starters on both sides of the ball. Running back/defensive back Luke Reynolds (5-9, 145) and fullback/linebacker Joshuan Valdez (5-9, 175) are the top returnees. Quarterback Jeremy Ross is a top newcomer.

At Contreras (3-7, 3-3), coach Manuel Guevarra is counting on the likes of running back/linebacker Kevin Mejia (5-9, 175), two-way lineman Ivan Guerrero (6-2, 230) and lineman Omar Guadarrama (5-10, 265) to lead the way.

Belmont (4-6, 1-4) builds around running back/free safety Edgar Aguilar (5-5, 140), tackle Alejanro Hernandez (6-2, 230) and quarterback/defensive back Saquil Maheia (5-8, 145). Aguilar rushed for 1,049 yards and six TDs a year ago.

Jefferson (3-7, 2-3) moves from the Coliseum League and will battle Los Angeles (3-7, 2-4) for the fifth spot.