Santa Clarita Valley high school football preview. KHTS Sports previews the 2016 season for all eight area schools. Find all the latest news and updates on your hometown schools at hometownstation.com.

Saugus Centurions

Head Coach: Jason Bornn

2015 record: 6-5, 4-1 in league

Key returners: Amir Bishop, SB/CB, Sr.; Daniel Gilmartin, OLB/TE, Sr.; Tahjeem Johnson, OLB, Sr.; Nathan Eldridge, QB, Jr.; Jared Pane, WR/DB, Sr.; Jaelin Kinney, DE, Sr.

The loss of do-everything Foothill League Player of the Year Louis Eusebi will be the biggest challenge for this year’s Centurions. In their big 24-0 win over Hart last season, Eusebi accounted for all 24 points. Power running back David Aubrey, the second most productive offensive player on the team, also graduated. Junior quarterback Nathan Eldridge will have the first opportunity to lead Saugus on the field. Eldridge played sparingly as a sophomore, and struggled in his lone start against Ventura. He’ll have to improve enough to run the up-tempo attack, both as a runner and passer. He’ll have a big safety net in Daniel Gilmartin at tight end as well as senior wideout Jared Pane; however, they’ll spread the ball around in the passing game. This is a running team, but a solid passing game will go a long way in balancing out the offense.

Saugus had the best defense in the Foothill League last season and they should be at or near the top of the defensive rankings again. Michael Stanford is gone, but Daniel Gilmartin steps up as the team leader on d. Gilmartin is a tackling machine and should be one of the top linebackers in Santa Clarita and Tahjeem Johnson complements him well. Do not be surprised if Saugus has the best linebacking corps in the area. Jaelin Kinney brings the pressure off the edge and is primed for a stellar senior season after breaking out with 11 sacks as a junior for a defense that posted 40 sacks as a team.

Saugus’ defense should keep the competitive throughout the season and fighting for the Foothill League banner.

KHTS AM-1220 is your place for the 2016 football season and the Santa Clarita sports report. If you have any news and notes about our teams to share please send them to jp@hometownstation.com and follow us @KHTSSports on Twitter.