Central California Athletic Alliance Preview

A look at how Big Valley Christian shapes up in the Central California Athletic Alliance:

BIG VALLEY LIONS

• Coach: Larry Shimel

• Last year: Big Valley (6-5, 3-2) was third in the Harvest Christian League before losing 39-8 to Delta in a playoff opener.

• Last league title: 2008

• Last playoff berth: 2009

• Top returners: RB/LB Jonathan Golliher (5-9, 180, jr.), RB/DB Nick Martin (5-10, 175), RB/DB Seth Leming (5-10, 165), OL/LB Kyle Russell (6-2, 210), TE/DL Justin Nielson (6-3, 185), QB/DB Colton Whisenhunt (6-3, 175).

• Top newcomers: TE/OLB Jonathan Amaral (6-4, 185, jr.), RB James Lee (5-9, 150, so.).

• Outlook: The Lions like to run and this year could be more of the same as Golliher (1,041 yards, 6.6-yard average, 13 TDs; 85 tackles) and Martin (162, 4.2, 2; 4 Ints, 90 tackles) return.

• Worth noting: The Harvest Christian League is now the Central California Athletic Alliance — really, this is a good idea for a league name? — but it has the same six small schools. ... After putting up lights a year ago, the Lions can seat an extra 400 or so with new bleachers.

• Key game: at Millennium in Week 9. After Brookside Christian made a mockery of the '09 race — outscoring HCL foes 256-7 — everyone else plays for second.