The Bulldogs are expected by many, including other league teams, to win the Golden League championship. Last season they were 5-6 overall and 5-2 in league play, placing fourth in league before getting knocked out of the first round of the postseason 42-17 by Valencia.

“Yeah expectations are real high,” Highland head coach Troy Jackson said. “Our problem is slow starts, we've got to do a little better before we get to the Golden League. It always takes us three weeks to get started and this year I hope we fixed that.”

Over the past two seasons Highland has managed the same league record, but was overshadowed by the competition. Most of the senior players have been on the varsity squad since their sophomore year.

Christian Tago enters his third straight year as the starting quarterback. Last season he threw for over 1,200 yards, averaging 160.1 yards per game, 13 passing touchdowns and rushed for over 380. Tago is centerpiece of the offense and the success of the team rests on his shoulders.

Hunter Sharp (WR/Safety) returns to the line-up for the third straight year as well. Sharp is an offensive threat when he posses the ball. He's a player that Coach Jackson loves to utilize on the field. He also plays on special teams as a return specialist.

Leonard Marryweather will be featured in the backfield at tailback. He was a backup last season as he averaged 4.11 rushing yards per game and a total of four rushing touchdowns for the season. Also returning is tight end Zach Diaz, defensive lineman Tua Tuvai, and a bevy of offensive lineman. Diaz was the number two tight end after last season's team MVP Dwayne Carter.

The Bulldogs acquired more players in this offseason as they have a total of 55 players on the roster. That is an asset that a lot of the other Golden League teams don't have, giving Highland a slight edge.

Highland opens up the season on September 9 at 7 p.m. against at Burroughs (Ridgecrest). It starts Golden League action on Sep. 30 by hosting Palmdale before taking on Quartz Hill and Knight in successive weeks.

“We got our work cut out for us right in the beginning in the Golden League,” Jackson said. “We have two of the toughest teams in league to go against.”