The best football teams in the area — covered by the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News and Whittier Daily News — are ranked in the preseason Top 10. The countdown will conclude with the top team unveiled Aug. 13.

2021 record: 10-3 overall; Del Rio League champions (4-0); Division 4 semifinals

Strengths: There is much to like about the Lancers, starting with a roster that returns 17 starters on offense and defense, including two CIF-SS Division 4 first-team selections in quarterback Jake Long and running back Owen Long, from a team that advanced to the CIF-SS Division 4 semifinals a year ago. The two Longs formed a potent combination in 2021 and could be even better this season. Jake Long, with a season of experience under his belt, should produce huge numbers under coach Andy George, who is an offensive genius. Jake Long threw for over 2,000 yards last season with 18 TD passes. He also nearly had 1,000 yards rushing. Gone is Whittier’s 2021 area player of the year, Jake George, and backup QB and athlete CJ Ceron recently transferred to Alemany. The Lancers are still solid in many areas. The offensive line returns five starters and the Lancers’ defense returns nearly everyone up front and in the secondary. The Del Rio League will be improved, but the Lancers are still the clear favorites. They will have another shot at a CIF-SS title depending on the playoff division they draw at the end of the regular season.

Outlook: What stands out is the Lancers’ nonleague schedule, which should prepare them for some of the top playoff divisions they will likely draw. A nonleague schedule that includes Pasadena, Warren, Los Osos, Tesoro, Damien and Culver City is a gauntlet, but it’s the type of schedule the Lancers have to play to see how they stack up against teams that have expectations similar to theirs. La Serna squads are always well-coached, and when you have a talent level like this returning, the sky is the limit.

Coach Andy George said: “I am very impressed and excited with the progress our team has made up to this point. This team appears to be extremely competitive, dedicated to one another, and eager to face the challenges that lie ahead. In our summer competitions, we showed great promise and our desire to improve and win was evident. We have worked hard in the weight room and are counting the days until we are able to compete under the lights. The strength in this team is its athleticism and experience.”

Top returning players

Offense

Jake Long, QB, Sr.; Del Rio League Co-Offensive player of the year, Division 4 first team

Owen Long, RB, Jr.; Del Rio League first team, Division 4 first team

Jayden Northrup, WR, Jr.; Del Rio League honorable mention

Tyler Callahan, OL, Sr.; Del Rio League first team

Nolan Laracuente, TE, Sr.; Del Rio League first team

Ryan Duron, OL, Sr.; Del Rio League second team

Austin Martinez, RB, Sr.; Del Rio League second team

AJ Nambo, WR, Sr.

Top returning players

Defense

Owen Long, DB, Jr.; Del Rio League first team

Chase Berna, DE, Sr.; Del Rio League first team

Max Dressen, DE, Sr.; Del Rio League second team

Luke Clay, DB, Sr.; Del Rio League second team

Elijah Garcia, LB, Jr.; Del Rio League first team

Adrian Castro, LB, Jr.; Del Rio League second team

Gavin Welling, DL, Jr.; Del Rio League second team

Top newcomers and transfers

Lazlo Haas, DB/WR, Jr.

Johnny Navarro, DB/RB, Jr.

Isaiah Ramos, LB/TE, Jr.

AJ Tafurt, DE/RB, Jr.

Josh Rios, DE, Jr.

2022 schedule

Aug. 19 at Pasadena

Aug. 26 at Warren

Sept. 1 vs. Los Osos at California HS

Sept. 9 at Tesoro

Sept. 16 vs. Damien at California HS

Sept. 23 vs. Culver City at California HS

Sept. 30 at California*

Oct. 14 vs. Santa Fe at Pioneer HS*

Oct. 21 vs. El Rancho at California HS*

Oct. 28 vs. Whittier at California HS*

*League game

— Fred Robledo