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 on Aug. 13.

2021 record: 6-6 overall; Freeway League champions (5-0); second round of CIF-SS Division 5 playoffs

Strengths: With Justin Gil back at quarterback — after throwing for 1,846 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2021 — the Highlanders have their most important piece back. They also return last year’s top receiver in Jacob Apodaca (31 receptions, 666 yards and 10 touchdowns) to go with Dathan Lui, who led the team in rushing (662 yards, 10 touchdowns). With three returning all-league selections on the offensive line, the offense should click. The Highlanders defense returns strength in the secondary, but has several new starters up front, which is an area to watch. There are some key additions, like Grey Grier, a running back and defensive back transfer from Placentia Valencia, along with Brandon Giron, who transferred from Los Altos and will play running back and help in the secondary. Eddie Rodriguez (Villa Park) and Mario Evans (Sonora) are transfers who could provide an immediate impact.

Outlook: The Highlanders’ coaching staff and its history of success over the past two decades plus, which includes 20 league titles over the past 24 seasons and seven CIF-SS championships under coach Frank Mazzotta since taking over the program in 1998, is without peer locally. So, it was strange to watch the Highlanders start 0-5 last season. But they rebounded to go undefeated in the Freeway League and advanced to the second round of the CIF-SS Division 5 playoffs, and hope to use that momentum heading into 2022. They added a few key transfers, and though their nonleague schedule is tough, especially the first two games against Upland and Bishop Amat, expect the Highlanders to win another league title, and be a factor again in the playoffs.

Coach Mazzotta said: “I think we definitely will be in the mix for our 21st league title in 25 years. Expectations are high as usual. Our preseason (schedule) is always selected for its difficulty. Obviously, Upland and Bishop Amat out the gate are going to be very challenging. We are experienced at the offensive skilled positions and return three (offensive line) starters. Defensively, we return two (linebackers) and three (defensive backs). The main challenge is depth. It is difficult to fully see our potential beyond preseason and league because of the playoff situation.”

Top returning players

Offense

Justin Gil, QB, Sr.; Freeway League offensive player of the year, Whittier All-Area first team

Jacob Apodaca, WR, Sr.; Freeway all-league

Dathan Lui, RB, Sr.; Freeway all-league

Marcus Works, WR, Sr.; Freeway all-league

Brad Bartling, OL, Sr.; Freeway all-league

Blayke Maynes, OL, Sr.; Freeway all-league

Jesses Alcantara, OL, Sr.; Freeway all-league

Defense

Marcus Works, FS, Sr.; Freeway all-league

Nico Munoz, LB, Sr.; Freeway all-league

Gabe Medel, LB, Sr.; Freeway all-league

Jeremiah Solares, Sr.; Freeway all-league

Damian Gomez, FS, Jr.

Top newcomers & transfers

Keion Afford,CB/WR, Sr.

Anthony Moreno, CB, Sr.

Grey Grier, RB/DB, transfer from Placentia Valencia

Eddie Rodriguez, WR/CB, Sr., transfer from Villa Park

Brandon Giron, RB/CB, Jr., transfer from Los Altos

Mario Evans, DL, Sr., transfer from Sonora

2022 schedule

Aug. 19 at Upland

Aug. 26 vs. Bishop Amat

Sept. 2 at Eastlake

Sept. 9 vs. Orange

Sept. 16 vs. El Modena

Sept. 30 vs. Troy at Fullerton HS*

Oct. 7 vs. Sunny Hills*

Oct. 14 vs. Fullerton*

Oct. 21. vs. Sonora*

Oct. 28 at Buena Park*

* league game

— Fred Robledo