PACIFIC

OUTLOOK

With Crescenta Valley losing nine offensive starters to graduation, the Falcons will be hard pressed to compete with Muir and Arcadia. All three shared the league title last season. Glendale and Hoover have increased their rosters considerably from a year ago and hope to pull off one upset in league play.

SCOUTING REPORT

CRESCENTA VALLEY

Coach Alan Eberhart, eighth year

* Coming back: Senior WRs Jason Hogan and Jason Burkhart are the only returning offensive starters. Hogan scored 12 touchdowns last season. Senior LB Bobby Mena is among area’s finest. Senior Russ Van Leuven is a two-way lineman. Checking in: Junior QB Hudson Gossard guided the sophomore team to a league title last season. His main target was junior WR Brett Atkins.

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HOOVER

Coach Rob Swartz, first year

* Coming back: Seniors Craig Christiansen and Edgar Mirzakhanyan are the only returning offensive starters. Checking in: The Tornadoes expect their first touchdown pass in two seasons to come from senior QB Edvin Isayan. Sophomore Armond Esmaili, a 5-10, 200-pound RB/LB, is among the most promising players Hoover has had in years.

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GLENDALE

Coach Loi Phan, first year

* Coming back: Kevin Hickcox and WR Eriko Ortiz combined for 37 catches last season and are among 13 returning starters. Hickcox, a junior, is battling Armen Dembekjian for the QB job. Senior FB Dustin Nersesyan averaged 4.7 yards a carry last season. Checking in: Juniors Ebony Henry and Paul Rodriguez are TB prospects.

DATES TO MARK

Sept. 8 Crescenta Valley at Thousand Oaks

Sept. 15 St. Francis at Crescenta Valley

Nov. 9 Glendale at Hoover

FAST FACT

Glendale, an undefeated league champion and Southern Section Division II quarterfinalist in 1991, hasn’t made the playoffs since.