MISSION

OUTLOOK

Some defensive coordinators may need to see a therapist after facing St. Francis. Is there a coach out there who can prevent the Golden Knights from moving the ball with their talented personnel? Joe McNab will take a crack. He has been Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator for 19 years. Unless McNab succeeds, St. Francis will cruise to the title. Chaminade will try to pass the ball under first-year Coach Bill Culpepper. Crespi, which ranked 49th out of 50 area schools in offense last season, needs help from its 10-0 freshman team to return to respectability.

SCOUTING REPORT

ST. FRANCIS

Jim Bonds, first year

* Coming back: QB John Sciarra, RB Matt Milton, WR Brett Mitchell, TE Nathan Terrazone and OT Bobby Garafolo all rank among the best in the region at their positions. Bonds is going to do for them what he did for Alemany last season--build an unstoppable offense. Checking in: Ricky Valenzuela, a 6-3, 315-pound tackle who’s the son of former Dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, will add size to the line. LB Jason Turner, a sophomore, could be an important defensive contributor.

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NOTRE DAME

Kevin Rooney, 21st year

* Coming back: Only five starters return, but don’t feel sorry for the Knights. In 1994, with only four returning starters, Notre Dame won its only Southern Section championship. There’s plenty of talent. Mike Luderer and Jimmy Sharp are two-way starters at WR/DB. QB Phil Beckmann showed promise as a sophomore backup. OL Carlos Gonzales and LB Tom Curiel will be all-leaguers. Checking in: DL Tim Volk, who transferred from Westlake, is a 220-pound junior who won’t be as dominant as All-American Travis Johnson but can be effective.

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CHAMINADE

Bill Culpepper, first year

* Coming back: TEs Jesse Taylor (6-2, 235) and Kevin McGlynn (6-2, 235), DB Pat O’Connor and OT J.P. Salazar provide a nucleus to build around. The Eagles intend to emphasize the pass. Culpepper is a former Westlake assistant who has been coaching in Texas. Checking in: QB Erik Vose, a 6-2 sophomore, should be successful if given time to throw. He has capable receivers in juniors Josh Jones and Amin Abuseleh.

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CRESPI

Ron Gueringer, second year

* Coming back: Receivers Larry Viltz and Adam Verdugo, FB-LB Donnelly Pyle and lineman Brian Decal are returnees who must lead the way. QB Will Jacoby could start, but sophomore Garrett Feig will see time. Improving the play on both lines is crucial. Checking in: No school had a better freshman team than the Celts. There’s talent in RB Robert Landrum, LB Jeff Asher and DB Nick Daniels, likely starters as sophomores.

DATES TO MARK

Sept. 29 Notre Dame vs. Alemany

Nov. 3 St. Francis vs. Notre Dame

Nov. 10 St. Francis vs. Chaminade

FAST FACT

Since 1992, Notre Dame has won or shared every Mission League title except when it left for the Del Rey League in 1998.