CCC Preview: Backfield depth gives Buhach Colony shot at crown

A look at how each team in the Central California Conference League shapes up this season:

Atwater Falcons

• Coach: Bob Valladao
• Career record: 14-18
• Record at school: 14-18
• 2009: Atwater (8-4, 4-2) rebounded from a loss to rival Buhach Colony to win five of its next six — beating Merced — and earn its first playoff berth since 2002. The Falcons made the D2 quarterfinals.
• Last league title: 1998
• Last playoff berth: 2009
• Top returners:OL/DL Dustin Bender (6-2, 255), TE/LB Andrew Morgan (6-3, 210), RB/LB Armando Garcia (5-10, 215), QB Michael Gutierrez (6-1, 170), WR/DB Chris Osborn (5-11, 170), WR/DB Ben Finister (5-10, 165).
• Top newcomers: OL/DL Tracer Coleman (6-0,220, Jr.), WR/DB Marvin Gann (5-10, 160, Jr.), TE/LB Justice Hayes (5-11, 175, Jr.).
• Outlook: No school took a bigger graduation hit than Atwater: QB Nathan Sanchez (2,250 yards, 24 TDs) and stud lineman Chris Hogue. Garcia (307 yards, 3 TDs) plays a larger role, as Falcons also lost top four rushers from a year ago. The key is how quickly Gutierrez adapts behind center.
• Worth noting: With 50 kids in camp, competition is plentiful for starting spots. Plenty of 200-plus pounders should make for good size on lines.
• Key game: Versus Los Banos in Week 3. After two weeks of getting used to one another, new-look Falcons must prove they're ready for CCC games with a good showing here.

Buhach Colony Thunder

• Coach: Kevin Swartwood
• Career record: 13-27
• Record at school: 13-27
• Last year: BC (6-5, 3-3) averaged 45 points a game and beat rival Atwater, to earn its first-ever playoff berth.
• Last league title: None
• Last playoff berth: 2009
• Top returners: RB/DB Dallon Muse (6-0, 190), RB/DB Jarrell Davis (5-6, 160), WR/DB Matt Small (6-3, 190), QB Ben Watkins (6-1, 185), OL Matt Cochran (6-4, 340), DL J.J. Corn (6-2, 235), ILB Eric Ramos (5-9, 190), SS Jordy Kaiser (6-1, 180), OLB D.J. Dawson (6-0, 185).
• Top newcomers: DL Aziz Shittu (6-3, 275, Jr.), OL Andrew Mark (6-5, 260, Jr.)
• Outlook: RB Corey Chapman (1,546 yards, 19 TDs) will miss at least the first half of the season for disciplinary issues, so Muse (1,152, 14) and Davis (977, 10) will get extra carries. The tandem also had 22 catches for 357 yards. ... With Watkins (700 yards passing, 7 TDs) back at QB, this could be th district's premier offense — the Thunder averaged 45 points in six CCC games last year, but they also surrendered 37 a night.
• Worth noting: With Shittu and Mark coming up from the JV team, BC should be able to exploit its tandem of speed in the backfield and size on the line. ... Dawson could become one of the region's top LBs after averaging seven tackles and getting six sacks in 2009 .
• Key game: At Merced in Week 9. These athletic teams use contrasting styles — BC is finesse, Merced is rugged — and this showdown could decide who wins the CCC title.

Golden Valley Cougars

• Coach: Jake Messina
• Career record: 0-0
• Record at school: 0-0
• Last year: GV (3-7, 1-5) was hurt by turnovers and poor tackling. That led to Jon Betschart's firing and the hiring of a defensive-minded coach.
• Last league title: 2005
• Last playoff berth: 2006
• Top returners: DT/OT Alvaro Naranjo (6-4, 225), RB/S Tyler Arnsberg (5-11, 185, Jr.), WR/CB Trey Askew (5-11, 175), QB Jerry Martinez (5-11, 165), DB Alan Suarez (5-9, 180), LB Chris Hoyos (5-8, 180).
• Top newcomers: DB Ander Bodedeker (6-1, 185, So.), DT Michael Romo (6-3, 275, Jr.), DE/TE Chris Winzer (6-3, 210, Jr.), RB Ernie Teal (5-10, 200, Jr.).
• Outlook: Arnsberg (1,854 combined yards, 21 TDs), a talented runner, shifts from QB to RB to exploit skills. It also lets him play free safety, giving GV solid secondary with Askew — the team's most explosive player. ... GV was its worst enemy in recent years, unable to hold the ball or stop opponents (giving up at least 42 in each of its seven losses a year ago). Messina formerly ran the defense at Merced, so he sees a need for ball possession and tackling. ... Naranjo is a muscular player who will be a linchpin on the O-line.
• Worth noting: Arnsberg averaged 7 yards a carry, with four games of 150-plus yards.
• Key game: Versus Johansen in Week 4. GV will have had two games to get accustomed to its new offense and needs to be clicking by this time.