The Leuzinger football team always knows it will have a difficult time navigating its way through the Bay League.
The Olympians’ nonleague schedule is no cakewalk, either.
Leuzinger had a scrimmage against Orange County power San Clemente last week and opens the season Friday against L.A. City Section power San Fernando.
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“We wanted to see multiple defenses and see what guys can do and test some guys,” Leuzinger coach Thomas Barnes said of the scrimmage.
Leuzinger was initially scheduled to open the regular season against Rancho Dominguez, but the Lobos had to cancel.
Now the Olympians will face a San Fernando team that had a combined record of 30-5 in the last three seasons.
The Olympians return seven starters on both sides of the ball, led by linebacker Pita Tukutau.
“He’s been in the system for two years, starting 21 games for us so far,” Barnes said. “He’s versatile and he knows what’s going on.”
The Olympians are also counting on juniors Ruben Rodriguez (running back) and Eric Amos (wide receiver).
“Most of our team is juniors,” Barnes said. “We have 22 juniors. (Eric) Amos had a great offseason, probably the best offseason on the team.”
Malakhi Arce, a transfer from Inglewood, is expected to be the team’s quarterback, but as of Tuesday afternoon his transfer had not yet been approved, according to the CIF-SS website.
Also on Leuzinger’s nonleague schedule are two of their rivals, Lawndale and Hawthorne, and games against Torrance and Santa Fe.
Lawndale teammates commit to same university
Lawndale players Makell Esteen and Elijah Jackson have both committed to the University of Washington in recent days.
Esteen is a four-year starter who enters this season with 19 career interceptions. He committed Sunday and Jackson committed Tuesday.
Both players are returning all-area selections.
Maalik Murphy will play for Serra
Serra sophomore quarterback Maalik Murphy has only attempted three passes at the varsity level. However, he’s no stranger to college coaches.
According to 247 Sports, Murphy already has 13 scholarship offers.
Doug Brumfield (UNLV commit) is Serra’s starter, but coach Scott Altenberg said Murphy will see playing time this season.
“He’s fantastic,” Altenberg said of Murphy. “He’s going to play. We have stuff for him (in the playbook) that takes advantage of what he does well. The good thing is they’re different players and so I think that will work to our advantage.”
Peninsula receives boost
Peninsula junior running back Calvin Kim will be eligible for the start of the season. Kim, also listed as a safety, is a transfer from Serra.
Other key transfers who had been cleared as of Tuesday: wide receiver/defensive back Blake Banks, from St. Anthony to North Torrance; linebacker Sebastian Keaton, from Bishop Montgomery to St. Bernard; wide receiver Brody McKinnon, from Mira Costa to Serra.
Only one of Narbonne’s transfers, defensive back Jared Greenfield, has been cleared to play. The Gauchos open the season Saturday at Buchanan of Clovis.
Mathias Malaki-Donaldson will go through the sit-out period.
