Cate School, a third-year eight-man high school football program, has tons of experienced players to challenge Thacher for the Condor League championship in 2007.

Tri-captains Matt DeGroot, quarterback; Will Meldman, running back; and David Soto, linebacker and lineman, are among 17 returning players for Cate coach Ben Soto.

Cate is coming off a first-round playoff loss, 44-21 to Rolling Hills Prep, in 2006. The Rams were 5-2 last season.

"We have a pretty good group of seniors," said Soto. "But we place academics first and athletics second. They're excited and we have a good foundation."

Garner Hicks, a linebacker and fullback, along with Richard Gelb, are two other players to watch.

When school was finished in the spring, Soto said the players returned home to places like Saudi Arabia and Japan, but they were going to work out and be ready when the summer training sessions opened.

Soto expects Thacher to be a favorite, while Laguna Blanca was strong two years ago and Dunn will be seeking its first win in three seasons.

Ojai Valley is the new football school in the Condor League. Athletic director Doug Colborn said 29 boys were being fitted for pads last spring.

"We're building community spirit and ready to go to battle," said Colborn.

Craig Floyd, a 1983 graduate of Ojai Valley, returns to be the school's first football coach.

Ojai Valley's season opener will be Sept. 15 at Ventura County Christian.

Because of a septic system project on the football field, Colborn said the school might have to play all of its games on the road or might play on the lower campus field.

Jeff Hooper, the fifth-year Thacher coach, believes Cate is the favorite.

"We had a great game against them at our place last year," Hooper said of a 45-35 win over Cate.

Thacher was 8-2 last season and won the league title.

"We expect a very challenging, competitive year in the Condor League and will rely heavily on our seniors to lead us," said Hooper.

Thacher was a semifinalist in the playoffs last season, dropping a wild 64-52 decision to Riverside Christian.

Thacher's Chris Thomas is one of the standouts returning on defense. Grffin Triplett, a fullback last year, will be Thacher's quarterback.

An interesting matchup will be Sept. 15 when Hillcrest Christian of Granada Hills plays at Thacher. Gene Uebelhardt is the Hillcrest Christian coach. His father Gene coaches Royal. Cate also hosts Hillcrest Christian at 3 p.m. on Oct. 6.

Hillcrest Christian (3-6) is one of the favorites in the Heritage League. Quarterback Preston Furuqawa and running backs Dustin Travers and Michael Garcia were honorable mention All-CIF last season.

"I feel good about this team. It's an all-senior team," said Uebelhardt, who started the program in 2004.

Uebelhardt coached three years at Vasquez and two years at Antelope Valley Christian after being a longtime Pop Warner coach.

The elder Uebelhardt said he received a call from CIF telling him he couldn't be a head football coach at two schools at the same time, but he explained it was his son who was the Hillcrest Christian coach. The father and son do not use Jr. or Sr in their names.

Dave Dealy, the third-year Cornerstone Christian coach, is coming off a 5-3 season, but the Eagles tied for third in the Omega League and didn't advance to the playoffs.

Seniors John Rossie, a linebacker and running back; Jordan Bridges, wide receiver, place-kicker and punter; and Justin Kiraly, defensive end and center are returning standouts for Cornerstone Christian.

Senior Chris Bustos is a fourth-year player in the Ventura County Christian program. Cheyne Eppard, a sophomore, returns at quarterback and linebacker. Cameron Emerson, a junior defensive back, had three interceptions, returning two for touchdowns last year.

Coach Lance Eppard picks Cornerstone Christian as the favorite in the Omega League. Skyward lost its coach, Rich Lowe, and a number of key players. Lowe is coaching at First Lutheran in Sylmar.

Viewpoint of Calabasas plays 11-man football and is a member of the Prep League.

The eight-man Omega League features defending champion Skyward Christian of Tujunga, Cornerstone Christian, Westmark, Pilgrim and First Lutheran. Hillcrest Christian of Thousand Oaks announced earlier this month it has dropped football for the 2007 season, but hopes to bring back the sport at a later time.