Inglewood coach Clemente Gonzalez has a simple perspective this season.

"In the Ocean League, it's Santa Monica and then the rest of us," he said.

Santa Monica, ranked fourth in CIF Southern Section Division IV, is a talented squad that includes standouts Artur Jozkowicz, Charlie Paris and Eddie Delgado.

But while Santa Monica sits atop its lofty perch, the rest of the league will try to figure out how to beat the Vikings. And if they can't beat them, they hope to join them in the CIF playoffs by taking second and third place in the league.

Among the hopefuls looking to bounce back from a down year is Inglewood, which finished at the bottom of the league last season.

The Sentinels boast nine returning starters, including standout sophomore midfielder Alfredo Gomez, junior defender/midfielder Bernardo Gonzalez and seniors Jesus Betancourt (midfielder) and Luis Trejo (striker).

"We have a good nucleus of returning players that were all freshmen and sophomores last year but are now all sophomores and juniors, with a couple of seniors mixed in," Gonzalez said. "I like our experience."

Inglewood is an offensive-minded team with a lot of speed up front. It also boasts midfielders who are proficient controlling the ball.

Gonzalez said the key for Inglewood, which plays its home games at Coleman Stadium, is to hold serve at home and get occasional points on the road.

"I see Culver City, Hawthorne and Inglewood vying for the other two playoff spots behind Santa Monica," Gonzalez said. "And Beverly Hills might be a darkhorse."

Hawthorne returns just three starters in senior captains Yesi Salgado (midfielder) and Luis Paz (forward) and sophomore defender Alberto Briseno.

Senior Jose Ortiz steps in as a first-year starter at stopper and freshman goalkeeper Juan Becerra gives the program hope for the future.

"So far he's been able to stop a lot of things," Hawthorne coach Yury Najarro said. "He's our jewel. I hope to keep him for four years. By next year, he should shine."

You can't rule out Morningside as a possible playoff contender, either, because in the Ocean League, after Santa Monica, it's anyone's game.