By Erik Boal, DyeStatCAL Editor

Here is an event-by-event breakdown of what to look for in these boys field competitions Friday and Saturday at the 97th CIF State Championships:

Long Jump
Favorite: Bakersfield's Bryce Huggins. After winning the Central Section Masters with a wind-legal leap of 24-4 1/4, he could go from not competing at the state meet last season to becoming the section's first state long jump champion since 1998.
Other contenders: Rio Mesa's Greg Vann. Has been the state leader since March with his wind-legal mark of 24-10 1/2, but finished only sixth at the Southern Section Masters meet. If the Oklahoma signee can regain his early form, he'll be a legitimate title threat.
Sleeper: Kingsburg's Joey Souza. Placed second at last year's state finals and if his hamstring injury has completely healed, then he could the Central Section's next state champion.

Triple Jump
Favorite: Kingsburg's Seth Brooks. Delivered a wind-legal state-leading mark and U.S. No. 4 49-9 3/4 at the Central Section Masters and is attempting to become the section's first state winner in the event since 2008.
Other contenders: Vista Murrieta's CJ Alumbres. The top returnee after placing fifth at last year's state final, Alumbres won the Southern Section Masters meet and a victory for him could be instrumental for Vista Murrieta in their bid to win a team championship.
Sleeper: St. Mary's Berkeley's Ron Smith. Thrives on elite competition and when healthy, has raised his level in big meets, especially at the North Coast Meet of Champions when he won with a wind-legal 48-11 1/2.

High Jump
Favorite: Oakmont's Isaiah Holmes. One of three athletes in the state to clear 7 feet this season, he has been above 6-10 four times, including at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters. Holmes is entered in the long jump, triple jump and high jump.
Other contenders: Lemoore's Michael Burke. The UCLA signee has also cleared 7 feet and placed fourth in last year's state meet, giving him greater motivation to become the Central Section's first state winner in the event since 2003.
Sleeper: St. Francis Mountain View's Darius Thomas. Has a 7-foot clearance, but only needed 6-9 to win the Central Coast Section title, so he has plenty of upside if he reaches the final.

Pole Vault
Favorite: Oak Ridge's Austin Laut. One of the state's most consistent vaulters, the Yale commit has been over 16 feet five times this season, including a personal-best 16-3 1/4 at the Sacramento Meet of Champions.
Other contenders: Lompoc Cabrillo's Steven French. The state leader with a 16-10 clearance only finished third at the Southern Section Masters meet at 15-3 and hasn't cleared higher than 15-6 since his personal best at the Los Padres League finals.
Sleeper: Flintridge Prep's Barrett Weiss. The Southern Section Masters meet winner cleared a personal-best 15-9 and has continued to show improvement throughout the postseason.

Shot Put
Favorite: St. John Bosco's Matt Katnik. One of the most significant title favorites of any athlete in any event, the national leader at 72-3 is looking to become the first state champion to eclipse the 70-foot barrier since 1990.
Other contenders: West Ranch's Nathan Bultman. Finished second at the Southern Section Masters meet, but was more than eight feet behind Katnik. Would need to surpass his personal best and have Katnik struggle in order to have an opportunity to win the title.
Sleeper: Esperanza's Bronson Osborn. One of the nation's most talented sophomores, he finished third at the Southern Section Masters meet and is a legitimate contender to medal.

Discus Throw
Favorite: Mater Dei's Malik McMorris. Has been the state leader at 194-7 since the Arcadia Invitational, but three other athletes have since exceeded 190 feet, putting the pressure on him to perform after finishing fourth at last year's state final.
Other contenders: Oceanside's Charles Lenford. Produced a personal-best 191-7 at the San Diego Section championship meet and will be determined to perform well after taking 12th in last year's state finals.
Sleeper: Sacramento Grant's Darrin Paulo. Finished second at last season's state finals, falling eight inches short of a title. Hasn't approached last year's 184-2 mark, but his experience in the championship setting will be invaluable.