Eight teams enter the season with hopes of bending the rest of the Valley Oak League to their will, while one more enters its first year of varsity competition with an independent schedule. Here’s your guide to the squads that will soon take to the field.

Oakdale Mustangs

Head coach: Trent Merzon (82-23-1)

2008 record: 8-3 (7-0 VOL)

Key losses: RB Nicky Batteate, FB Isaiah Borba, MLB Donnell Young, FS/TE Tyler Murdock, OL/DL Ryan Thompson, WR/DB Logan Bruce, OL Kacey Stout, DB Vince Helms, LB Trevor Cramer

Key returners: Sr. QB Tanner Combs (6-2, 180), Sr. FB Tim House (6-3, 225), Sr. RB Devin Brooks (5-11, 185), Sr. OT Tim Barnard (6-2, 230), Sr. C Joey Machado (5-8, 215), Sr. WR/DB Nate Madsen (6-4, 190), Sr. DB Daniel Gazdic (5-9, 150), Sr. LB Charlie Gilstrap (5-10, 210), Jr. TE A.C. Brown (6-3, 215), Sr. LB Anthony Salazar (6-2 185)

Key additions: Jr. DE Dillon Rowe (6-2, 185) Jr. WR Vince Thompson (6-1, 175), Jr. WR Blake Thompson (6-1, 175), Jr. OT Arco Camacho (6-3, 235), Jr. RB Daniel Linder (5-9, 175)

Offense: Spring

Defense: Even

Game to watch: Whitney at Oakdale, Sept. 25. This was expected to be the Division IV final last year, until Placer upset Oakdale in the playoffs. The Wildcats went on to win the Sac-Joaquin Section title.

2009 outlook: Manteca coach Eric Reis said it best when he labeled Oakdale as the team to beat again. Merzon is 54-6 in the VOL and knows what it takes to stay on top. With Combs, Madsen, House and Brooks leading the offense and a handful of stubborn linemen returning, it will take a big feat to unseat the league champion. Expect Oakdale to be tough as usual in 2009, though the Mustangs will miss the playmaking ability of Batteate.

From the coach: “The kids are tough, buy into the program and are goal-oriented.” — Merzon

Sierra Timberwolves

Head coach: Jeff Harbison (23-19)

2008 record: 9-3 (6-1 VOL)

Key losses: QB Ryan Flores, TE/S Nick Wendell, OL Jacob Faulkner, WR Ryan Erion, S Jason Lewis, OL Robert Plunk, CB Zach Doty, LB Michael Turner

Key returners: Sr. RB/FB Jarrod Daniels (5-11, 193), Sr. TE/LB Cody Dias (6-0, 210), Sr. WR/RB Anthony Hall (5-7, 157), Sr. OL Alex Trujillo (6-2, 217), Sr. DT Fabian Aguilera (5-10, 210), Sr. C Tony Ollivier (6-1, 244), Sr. DB Moses Cordova (5-8, 170), Sr. LB T.J. Sataua (5-11, 210), Jr. LB Alex Nuanez (5-4, 185)

Key additions: Jr. OT Adam Bennett (6-0, 213), Jr. DB/RB Aaron Manuta (5-4, 158), Sr. DT Chris Membrano (5-8, 218), Sr. LB John Perez (5-10, 228), Jr. G Nick Baker (6-0, 211)

Offense: Spread option

Defense: 3-3-5

Game to watch: Sierra at Granada, Sept. 18. Granada plays in the same league as De La Salle and should be a tough North Coast Section test for Sierra in the second week of the season.

2009 outlook: Coming off the school’s first football playoff appearance, Sierra returns plenty of players, including one of the top runners in the state in Daniels. Dias will lead a strong cast of defenders that should punish rushers. Ryan Flores lit up the VOL with fantastic play last season, so much will be expected of quarterback Jonathan Davis in the early going. Should the incumbent QB falter, Sierra could turn to talented junior backup Adrian Valencia. Sierra should be in top form and among the best in the VOL again.

From the coach: “We are ready. We have been hitting each other for three weeks, so now it is time to hit somebody else.” — Harbison

Manteca Buffaloes

Head coach: Eric Reis (64-16-2)

2008 record: 8-2 (5-2 VOL)

Key losses: DB Laron Bennett, OL/LB Nick Gardner, OLB/FB James Glidden, DB Junior Perez

Key returners: Sr. RB/LB Marquis Miller (5-9, 194), Sr. WR Reggie Bell (6-0, 174), Sr. QB/DB Jacob Salas (6-2, 191), Sr. QB Matt Barber (5-8, 165), Sr. WR/K/P Bradley Hatfield (5-11, 174), Sr. DB/RB Anthony May (5-10, 171), Sr. LB Adam Decosta (5-6, 180), Sr. TE/LB Dewey Uecker (6-1, 190), Sr. DL Richie Lopez (6-2, 230), Sr. FB/DB Kiefer Haynes (5-10, 180)

Key additions: Jr. OL Matt Carter (5-9, 200), Jr. RB/LB Robert Ladigas (5-11, 180), Sr. OL Dylan Law (6-0, 240), Jr. RB/DL Josh Nkwocha (5-9, 190), Jr. OL/DL Johnny Ruiz (5-11, 210), Jr. OL/LB C.J. Rivas (6-0, 222)

Offense: Multiple set

Defense: 3-4

Game to watch: Manteca at Sierra, Oct. 9. The Buffs are thirsty for revenge after the T’wolves took a 7-6 victory last season, a win that ultimately eliminated Manteca from the playoffs.

2009 outlook: Manteca returns the key figures from last season’s power-rush offense, along with juniors who went 10-0 at the sophomore level. The Buffs should continue to be solid on defense, with enough spectacular plays from the likes of Miller, Salas and Bell to rank among the top programs in the league. Manteca will rely on juniors to fill gaps on the offensive and defensive lines, but it shouldn’t keep the Buffs from contending for a VOL title.

From the coach: “Oakdale is the reigning VOL champ. Until they get beat, they are the team to beat. Our league returns a lot of players from last year, so it should be back to its high standard of play.” — Reis

Sonora Wildcats

Head coach: Bryan Craig (first year)

2008 record: 7-3 (4-3)

Key losses: QB/LB Matt Relei, OL/DL Anthony Woodward, OL Zack Groothutzen, OLD/DL Scott Pittman, RB/LB Tony Barajas, SB/DB Jake Crow, OL Ethan Wilson

Key returners: Sr. RB/LB Dan Link (6-1, 195), Jr. OL/DL Nate Gray (6-1, 230), Sr. DB Dan Molieri (5-8, 145), Sr. OL/DL Dan West (5-11, 210)

Key addition: Jr. LB Ryan Kelly (6-0, 210)

Offense: Spread option

Defense: 3-3-5

Game to watch: Oakdale at Sonora, Nov. 13. Sonora probably will need to snare this home victory in the final week of league play to have a shot at the Sac-Joaquin Section postseason.

2009 outlook: Sonora returns one of the league’s top runners in Link, who carried 185 times for 1,365 yards. Link was held to less than 75 yards in each of the teams’ three losses last season, so getting him going is key to the Wildcats’ success. Sonora should be tough in the trenches with a speedy defense that’s sure to cause problems. If the Wildcats can run Link at will and slow opposing offenses, they’ll be tough to beat.

Central Valley Hawks

Head coach: Tim Garcia (9-21)

2008 record: 5-5 (3-4 VOL)

Key losses: QB Trevor Mew, WR/DB Ricky Rogers, DE/OL Tyler Dodd, FB/LB Stephen Fonsworth

Key returners: Jr. RB/DB Vince Lopez (5-7, 170), Sr. TE/LB Alex Casas (5-11, 205), Sr. OL/DL Nate Lopez (6-1, 210), Sr. OL/DL Patrick Smith (6-0, 220), Sr. QB/OL Nick Mead (5-10, 175), Sr. OL/DL Dario Manriquez (6-1, 215), Sr. WR/DB Sonny Purewal (6-1, 170)

Key additions: Jr. WR/FS Greg Matthews (6-2, 190), Jr. FB/MLB Chris Moscozo (5-11, 190), Sr. RB/LB Jonavan Solorio (5-10, 180), Jr. RB/DB Tyree Jones (5-11, 160), Jr. RB/FS Terrance Sadler (5-10, 180), Sr. OL/DL Jesus Maldonado (5-10, 215), Jr. WR/FS Damarea Reese (5-10, 170), Jr. QB Jesse Hatfield (6-1, 180)

Offense: West Coast

Defense: 4-4

Game to watch: Central Valley at Hilmar, Sept. 25. The Hawks dropped a 10-8 decision to the Yellowjackets last season and watched Hilmar rumble to a Sac-Joaquin Section Division V title. The final preseason game should be a good one.

2009 outlook: Losing talented quarterback Trevor Mew will be tough to recover from, but Hatfield has the starting nod and will look to build some tradition of his own. The team returns four starting offensive linemen and three defensive linemen. Three returning linebackers should make for a much-improved defense. Lopez accounted for 1,250 all-purpose yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions last season.

From the coach: “This group of kids has played together since they were real young. They are a close group that has been working real hard. This might be the most physical team we have ever had.” — Garcia

Ceres Bulldogs

Head coach: Brett Johnson (6-24)

2008 record: 2-8 (2-5 VOL)

Key losses: DB/WR Martino Bertolotti, OL/DL Justin Hidahl, RB/DB Marcus Hilgen, RB/DB Rajdeep Singh, QB/LB Johnny Clark

Key returners: Jr. LB/FB Hadon Lopez (5-10, 180), Sr. QB/DB Josh Edwards (5-11, 175), Sr. WR/DB Justin Canatsy (6-0, 160), Sr. LB/TE Brandon Jolley (6-1, 190), Sr. DL Marc Ortega (5-9, 190), Sr. LB/TE Erik Eisenbeis (5-8, 185), Sr. P/K Kyle Cerny (6-1, 215)

Key additions: Sr. OL/DL Josh Jones (6-2, 220), Jr. LB/WR Jeremy Cagle (6-1, 160), Jr. QB/LB George Borden (6-0, 180), Jr. RB/DB Vince Tomao (5-8, 155), Jr. WR/DB Dustin Baisdon (5-9, 145), Jr. DB/WR Jeremy Ford (5-7, 135), Jr. OL/DL Chris Husong (5-11, 200), Jr. DL/OL DaShawn Mena (6-2, 260), Jr. DB/RB Brent Ward (5-8, 135)

Offense: Wing-T hybrid

Defense: 4-3

Game to watch: Ceres at Sierra, Oct. 30. The Bulldogs lost to Sierra by one touchdown last year. Ceres will be thirsty for an upset late in the season.

2009 outlook: Lopez is in his third varsity year and will have to be dealt with on both sides of the ball. Ceres returns a capable quarterback in Edwards with a string of talented running backs and receivers to support him. Canatsy caught 36 passes for 569 yards and will be a top offensive threat in the VOL. Jolley and Lopez will lead a tough group of linebackers hungry for a chance to bring Ceres into VOL contention.

From the coach: “The VOL is one of the most exciting, competitive leagues in the valley. This season promises not to disappoint.” — Johnson

Weston Ranch Cougars

Head coach: Mike Hale (2-8)

2008 record: 2-8 (1-6 VOL)

Key losses: LB/OL Chris Fleckenstein, DL/OL Franshat Sibley, WR/DB Ruben Hernandez, RB/DB Torrian Brown

Key returners:. DE/TE Chris Contreras (6-1, 190), Sr. WR/DB Angell Mayfield (6-2, 180), Sr. WR/DB Deon Eley (5-7, 205), Sr. RB/LB Corey Lee, Sr. WR/DB Jason Steele (5-10, 160), Sr. QB Ronnie Collins (6-2, 210), Sr. WR/DB Robert Gonzales (5-8, 150), Jr. LB/RB James Aragon (5-10, 175)

Key additions: Jr. WR/LB Anthony Nunez (5-10, 180), Jr. OL/DL Jesus Fuentes (5-10, 185), Jr. WR/DB Cameron Turner (5-9, 150)

Offense: Spread wing-T

Defense: 4-4 variant

Game to watch: East Union at Weston Ranch, Oct. 9. The team that loses this game will struggle to climb the VOL standings, and each needs to distance itself from the other.

2009 outlook: Weston Ranch returns plenty of talented skill players with enough beef on the lines to be improved. Eley was one of the more electrifying players in the league a year ago and should be utilized often in the Cougars’ spread attack. How well Weston Ranch defends the run will decide the team’s fate, as most VOL teams have found success on the ground against the Cougars in recent years.

From the coach: “I’m hoping to see players more understanding offensively and defensively of our system, allowing our players to show how athletic our team is.” — Hale

East Union Lancers

Head coach: Mike James (16-52-1)

2008 record: 0-9 (0-7 VOL)

Key losses: SS/WR Dakota Anderson, RB/LB Brandon Roberts, WR/DB Taylor Edwards, OL/DL Manny Johnson, TE/LB Cory Hardesty, RB/DB Jordan Clark

Key returners: Sr. QB/WR Ricky Inderbitzin (6-1, 191), Sr. QB Dennis Johnson (5-10, 175), Sr. OL/LB Hector Fajardo (5-9, 246), Sr. OL/DL Tim Mora (6-3, 279)

Key additions: Jr. TE/LB Dylan Meneses, Jr. QB/WR T.J. Gordon, Jr. WR/DB T.J. Brown, Sr. OL/DL Jacob White (5-10, 225)

Offense: Multiple set

Defense: 4-3

Game to watch: Sonora at East Union, Oct. 30. If East Union is to cross the line between a mediocre VOL team and a good one, it needs to top one of the league’s oldest stalwarts at home late in the season.

2009 outlook: Life has been tough for Lancers football the past eight years, but the return of offensive standouts Johnson and Inderbitzin and an improved and bulky offensive line should do wonders toward improvement. The defense should be much-improved in the secondary and linebacker corps, with the only question mark on the defensive front. East Union has the talent to surprise VOL programs this season.

From the coach: “The way the kids are working, you could never tell what their record was last year. It is time to change the way the game is played at East Union. Our football players have to be accountable, know their assignments and bring the level of intensity to a higher level.” — James

Lathrop Spartans*

Head coach: Jesse Rodriguez (first varsity year)

Key losses: QB Jamie Christopherson

Key returners: Jr. QB/LB Pablo Chavez, Soph. RB/DB Andrew Aquino, Soph. WR/DE Greg Hawkins, Jr. OL/DL Jose Sevilla, Jr. OL/DL Mike Goldberg

Offense: Wishbone option

Defense: 4-3

Game to watch: Lathrop at Kimball, Nov. 13. Kimball also is in its first varsity season and will be a good measuring stick for the Spartans’ progress.

2009 outlook: With few juniors with any experience, Lathrop will be in a hard place to win varsity games. The wishbone offense can be particularly dominating at times, but the Spartans must control the line of scrimmage to run it effectively. Lathrop plays four teams that made the postseason in 2008, including Sierra in the opener. Expect Lathrop to be a tough program by 2011, when this year’s sophomores wrap up their third varsity season.

From the coach: “We are very young but hope to improve every week.” — Rodriguez

*Lathrop is not affiliated with the VOL and plays an independent schedule this season.