2014 Prep Football Preseason Rankings: #1 Mission Hills Grizzlies

#1 Mission Hills Grizzlies

Location: San Marcos, CA

School Colors: Cardinal & Gold

Division: I

League: Avocado East

Championships: 1 (Section), 5 (League)

Head Coach: Chris Hauser (11th Season)

2013 Recap: 12-2 Open Division Champions (3-1 Avocado East, T-1st)

Going into its 10th season in program history, Mission Hills had never won a section championship despite appearing in the title game three times. They were also 0-6-1 all-time against Oceanside. The Grizzlies would go on to defeat the Pirates twice, including a 36-14 victory in the first-ever San Diego Section Open Division Championship.

The win earned the Grizzlies a bid to the state playoffs, where they fell to Bakersfield (CA) in the regional.

Early Outlook

The Grizzlies' offense will feature one of the best receiving tandems in the county. Seniors DeChaun Holiday and Martrel Holmes should put up big numbers this season despite having a new starter at quarterback.

Holiday and fellow senior Jerad Cheetwood will be asked to lead a defense that's only returning four starters. The Grizzlies will be solid at secondary and defensive line, but the departure of standouts Ricky Liuchan and Fred Warner leaves a big hole at linebacker.

Impact Losses

WR/DB Scott Higgins
LB Ricky Liuchan
OL/DL Garth Nogalez
WR/DB Nate Ostrom
OL Sam Riebel
RB Malachi Votaw
LB Fred Warner
QB Connor Wynn

Impact Returners

Senior DE Jerad Cheetwood 6'5" 240lbs
- 2013 All-Avocado League First-Team Defense

Senior CB/WR DeChaun Holiday 6'3" 205lbs
- 2013 All-CIF San Diego First-Team Defense
 - 2013 All-Avocado League First-Team Defense

Senior WR/DB Martrel Holmes 6'0" 165lbs
- Great hands, speed, and athleticism.

Junior LB/TE Justus Te'i 6'2" 215lbs
- 2013 All-Avocado League Second-Team Defense

2014 Schedule

August 30 vs. Timpview (Provo, UT) at Cathedral
September 5 vs. Torrey Pines
September 12 vs. Bonita Vista at Southwestern College
September 19 vs. Poway
September 26 @ Escondido
October 10 @ #3 Oceanside
October 17 vs. Rancho Buena Vista*
October 24 vs. Del Norte*
October 31 @ Vista*
November 7 @ San Marcos* (#)

*League Game
(#) Rivalry Game

Sources

Cal Preps
Max Preps
Partleton Sports
 U-T San Diego