Simi Valley Pioneers

Last season's result: (7th in Marmonte, 37 overall) The inability to win close games once again proved to be Simi Valley's Achilles' heel in 2006. SVHS lost to playoff qualifiers Westlake, Thousand Oaks and Royal by a combined 19 points.

Notable returnees: Langston Jackson, sr., RB (200 rushes, 998 yards, 10 TDs); Jesse Swayze, sr., WR (26 receptions, 286 yards, 1 TD); Mike Ortiz, sr., DL (53 tackles, 3 sacks); Alan Steele, sr., LB (77 tackles, 2 sacks); Adam Hernandez, sr., S (13 tackles, 2 INTs); Marcus Shelby, sr., CB (32 tackles); Chance Cross, sr., SS (59 tackles, 2 INTs) Impact newcomer: Keith Williams, jr., WR Who they play: The Pioneers play three of their first four games at home, including the Marmonte League opener against Moorpark (Sept. 28). After that, Simi Valley has five of its final six league games away from the friendly confines of SVHS. A chance at the playoffs may very well hinge on the final three games of the regular season- all on the road- against Newbury Park (Oct. 26), Thousand Oaks (Nov. 2) and city rival Royal (Nov. 9).

Overview: They say a productive running game and stout defense wins football games. If that's the case, the under-the-radar Pioneers could be in good shape.

Jackson's an explosive ball carrier who's already received a full scholarship offer from Utah. He's also being recruited by multiple Pac10 universities. Running behind an offensive line that head coach Todd Borowski says is the most tactically sound in his three years at the helm, Jackson should easily post a 1,000-yard campaign.

Juniors Jared Zahorik and Tim Ferralli continue to battle for the starting quarterback job. Both have made strides in their on-field development, but neither has claimed the starting role. Williams, a transfer wideout from Thousand Oaks, is 6-foot-3 and should be a versatile perimeter weapon.

The Pioneer defense, led by Ortiz, Steele, Hernandez, Shelby and Cross, returns seven starters and will be much improved, Borowski said. Simi Valley allowed 24.8 points per game last year.

In a nutshell: Simi Valley has been knocking on the postseason door some time now- two years ago they started 5-0 and finished 5-5- but for one reason or another they haven't been able to get over the hump. Borowski expects much better than another seventh-place finish, and the talent is there to surprise some teams. We say the Pioneers will go as far as their defense takes them.