This is a week or so old, but it's still worth reading. It's primarily on Fauria's Crespi team, but Notre Dame HS, where Crist and McDonald play, also gets talked about a lot:
SERRA LEAGUE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Talent there for Crespi football, but N.D. still No. 1
BY GERRY GITTELSON, Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 08/27/2007 10:23:36 PM PDT
If ever Crespi High of Encino's football team is primed to overcome Serra League power Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, this is the year.
Crespi (6-5 in 2006) is loaded with returning talent such as quarterback Kevin Prince, defensive back E.J. Woods and tight end Joseph Fauria - all among Daily News' preseason top-two performers at their respective positions - combined with an exciting influx of impact newcomers, led by sophomore receiver Blake Stanton, a star in the making.
So is this the year of the Celts?
"I hope we can win the league," Woods said. "But you always know our biggest competition is Notre Dame because they always bring their A-game."
Prince, who has received seven Div. I college offers (including UCLA), passed for 1,442 yards and 12 touchdowns last season in just nine games.
The UCLA-bound Woods, also a top running back, must be accounted for at all times, and Fauria, a 6-foot-8 tight end who has committed to Notre Dame, comes from NFL bloodlines.
Crespi certainly is ambitious heading into its much-anticipated season opener Friday against two-time City Section champion Birmingham of Lake Balboa, but the Celts must keep things in persective: Notre Dame (11-1) is the Daily News' preseason No. 1 team, and considering the Knights are 85-6 since 2000 - a winning percentage of .934 - it's unrealistic to favor anyone else.
"Until we beat them, Notre Dame is the team to beat," Crespi coach Jeremiah Ross said. "I have no qualms about that because they deserve it."
Notre Dame is as strong as ever - maybe stronger - because there are standouts everywhere: quarterback Dayne Crist and linebacker Anthony McDonalded are headed to Notre Dame, defensive lineman Wes Horton is going to USC, and running back Thaddeus Brown (1,316 yards, 14 TDs) has three offers.
Limited to five games last season because of a back injury, Crist, 6-5, 225 pounds, is calm under pressure, and has a running back's mentality as a scrambler.
Perennial power Loyola of Los Angeles (4-6) shocked even itself by failing to make the playoffs last year after 26 consecutive winning seasons.
Nevertheless, Loyola's junior varsity team went 9-1 last year, and the Cubs, led by three-year starting offensive lineman Mike Hernandez, figure to make a comeback.
Other top players include offensive lineman Matt Bertole, defensive linemen Johnathan Rossi and Michael Willis, receiver Chris Sheridan, running back Anthony Barr, linebacker Sema'J Myles and tight end John Young.
This season, Loyola plays three home games in the San Fernando Valley (two at Glendale High and one at L.A. Valley College).
Bishop Amat (5-5) is in the same boat as Crespi and Loyola, a proud program hoping to rebound from a down year.
In the third week of the season, the Lancers play local power Hart of Newhall at College of the Canyons.
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Notre Dame
Coach: Kevin Rooney, 28th year.Last year: 11-1
Outlook: No team has more talent and experience.
2. Crespi
Coach: Jeremiah Ross, third year. Last year: 6-5
Outlook: No way this team wins just six games again.
3. Loyola
Coach: Jeff Kearin, third year.Last year: 4-6
Outlook: Expect strong recovery from surprising off year.
4. Bishop Amat
Coach: Mark Verti, second year.Last year: 5-5
Outlook: Great football tradition.
TOP FIVE GAMES
Birmingham at CrespiAug. 31
Classic City vs. Southern Section opener.
Canyon at Notre DameSept. 7
This one came down to final seconds in '06.
Notre Dame at BirminghamSept. 20
Lots of star power on both sides.
Loyola vs. Hart at COCOct. 5
Expect a huge crowd.
Crespi at Notre DameNov. 9
Rivals square off in season finale.
TOP FIVE PLAYERS
1. Dayne Crist, Notre Dame, QB, Sr.
Among nation's top players.
2. E.J. Woods, Crespi, DB, Sr.
Area's No. 1 DB is a blazer.
3. Wes Horton, Notre Dame, DL, Sr.
Committed to USC.
4. Anthony McDonald, Notre Dame, LB, Sr.
Must be accounted for.
5. Joe Fauria, Crespi, TE, Sr.
6-8 and ultra athletic; committed to Notre Dame.