Central Catholic Raiders

Coach: Roger Canepa

Career record: 163-38-1

Record at school: 38-12

Last year: Central Catholic (10-3, 5-1) lost its three games by a total of 15 points to teams that finished a combined 32-6. Losing a halftime lead at Escalon in the second round of the playoffs was a bitter way to go into the offseason, though.

Last league title: 2009

Last playoff berth: 2011

Coaching staff: Myron Larson, Leroy Rocha, Josh Woods, Billy Hylla, Jeff Mitchell, Kenny Sauls, Dave Escobar, Chris Torres, Phillip Martinez, Deonce Whitaker, Leslie Bonsu.

Top returners: RB/SS Ray Lomas (5-7, 183), FB/LB Blake Escobar (5-11, 205), TE/LB/DE John Mundt (6-5, 235), WR/DB Nate Loya (5-9, 165), OL/LB Dave Henriques (5-9, 210), WR/DB Chris Lein (6-2, 190), WR/DB Tyler Johnson (5-11, 180), OL/DL Terrell Elder (6-0, 215), QB Garret Ardis (5-9, 180), OL/DL Matt Palazzo (6-1, 235), K Kenny Smart (jr.).

Top newcomers: RB/DB Rey Vega (5-8, 185), FB/DE/LB Reggie Bland (5-9, 195), QB/DB Donovin Townsend (5-10, 195, jr.), OL/DL Spencer Stark (6-1, 300, jr.), OL/DL Ivan Swalve (6-2, 230, jr.), WR/DB Joey Abbate (5-6, 165).

Outlook: Lomas (714 yards, 8.5-yard avg., 5 TDs) is a two-time state qualifier in wrestling, so that leg strength and agility should create big plays, and the arrival of the explosive Vega (3,500 yards, 42 TDs at Davis the last two years) could make this the top team in the district – regardless of school size. … Mundt is one of the nation’s top TEs and has a verbal with Oregon, but he has to catch more than last year’s 17 passes. … Loya provides another downfield threat, but who is taking snaps? Ardis was the backup in 2011, while Townsend is one of the team’s best athletes. … Lots of size on the line, particularly with arrival of Stark and Swalve. … Defense should be stout with Mundt, Escobar and Henriques lining up at LB.

Key game: Week 5 (Sept. 21) vs. Los Banos. Success at Central Catholic is counted in championships, and it hasn’t won a title of any kind since 2009. This is a must-win game for the Raiders to end that drought, but it will be difficult with LB featuring explosive RB James Sams.