DIVISION XI

2001 champion: Ventura St. Bonaventure (has moved to Division IV).

League favorites: Santa Monica St. Monica (Camino Real), Beaumont (De Anza), Van Nuys Montclair Prep (Olympic), Carpinteria (Tri-Valley).

Contenders: San Pedro Mary Star (Camino Real), San Jacinto (De Anza), Lancaster Paraclete, Cerritos Valley Christian (Olympic), Ojai Nordhoff, Westlake Village Oaks Christian (Tri-Valley).

Key dates: Oct. 4, Beaumont at San Jacinto, Nordhoff at Carpinteria; Oct. 25, Carpinteria at Oaks Christian; Nov. 1, Montclair Prep vs. Paraclete at Antelope Valley College; Nov. 8, Cerritos Valley Christian vs. Montclair Prep at L.A. Valley College; Nov. 15, Mary Star vs. St. Monica at Santa Monica College.

The scoop: Paraclete won its fourth consecutive Division XII title--and section-record fifth championship in a row--last season. But the Spirits lost three NCAA Division I players to graduation and are tabbed to finish behind Montclair Prep and Cerritos Valley Christian in the new Olympic League. Carpinteria has 16 returning starters, including quarterback Aaron Gonzales, who last year ran for 900 yards and threw for 1,100. St. Monica returns 17 starters, including all-league linebacker Andrew Ramirez.