Prep talk: Rio Hondo Prep, with student body of 82 boys, goes for 17th football title

"Coach Mark Carson said he embraces the challenge of his team moving up, from winning Division 9 two years ago to winning Division 7 last season after years of competing in Division XIII under old playoff systems based on size, geography and past performance. Now a computer algorithm decides divisional placement. The school has grades seven through 12, so Carson starts training players in middle school with the same offense through high school."

""The key is we have a great middle school tackle football program," he said. Every boy in the school knows they're going to play football or work in the program as a manager. Many are multiple-sport athletes. The chemistry and knowledge they build together is apparent on the football field. "We don't really pay attention to numbers on the other team," Carson said."

Rio Hondo Prep in Arcadia fields a 13-0 football team despite a student body of roughly 150, including 82 boys, and will play Redondo Union in the Division 5 final. The opponent enrolls nearly 3,000 students. Coach Mark Carson embraces moving up divisions after recent titles and notes that current divisional placement is determined by a computer algorithm. The school serves grades seven through 12, and Carson runs the same offensive system starting in middle school. Every boy either plays or supports the program, fostering chemistry and multi-sport athletes who trust one another.

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