Countdown to Kickoff: Area football programs gear up for 2016 season

By Steve Breazeale

It’s that time of year again, when the Friday night lights flicker on and hundred of local football players take the field for the new season.

But this will not be just an ordinary high school football season. In the offseason, the CIF-SS, the high schools sports governing body, voted for and implemented a new competitive equity-based playoff format, which shuffled teams into newly formed divisions. Playoff division are no longer based on enrollment. Instead, the CIF-SS created a power rankings index using past performance, strength of schedule and postseason performance to determine which programs will play in certain divisions.

Several San Juan Capistrano programs are poised for big seasons, and in our annual preview, we get you up-to-date on all five of the teams in town. Click on the links below to read up on your favorite teams.

San Juan Hills is hoping a ‘fearless’ mentality and physical edge will lead to success.

Following a landmark season, Saddleback Valley Christian reloads with a mix of underclassmen and veterans.

St. Margaret’s has waited years for the opportunity to play against larger schools in the postseason, and will get that chance in 2016.

Impact veterans are ready to lead a young JSerra team through the program’s toughest schedule to-date.

Capistrano Valley Christian has a new coach, and a new look. 

Make sure to follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports all season long for in-game updates, scores, news and more.