Times Names South Bay’s Top Gridiron...

There are no Refrigerators, trash compactors or other appliances on The Times 1985 All-South Bay High School Football team, just 46 solid football players highlighted by legions of standout linebackers and running backs--so many good ones, in fact, that they can be found all over the team at various positions.

In all, 15 schools are represented on the 23-man first team and 19 schools on the first and second teams.

First team members, their parents and coaches will be guests of The Times at a Sunday awards brunch at the Anaheim Hilton, where the program’s featured speakers will be Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott, superintendent of the Air Force Academy, and Bruce Johnson, the academy’s defensive coordinator.

Each first team player will receive a plaque and all-star certificate. Second-team members also receive a certificate. At the awards program a South Bay back, lineman and coach of the year will be announced.

Coaches Polled

The team was chosen by a poll of South Bay coaches, along with the observations of Times sportswriters and college coaches and scouts.

On the first team, six players could technically be considered linebackers, and six more start or double at running back. Some players were shifted to secondary positions or to comparable positions to accommodate the best players.

Officially the linebackers are Banning’s Earl Saunders, San Pedro’s Lionel Robinson and Bishop Montgomery’s Ken Sale. Hawthorne’s Robert Morris, listed as a defensive back, and Carson’s Peter McLachlan, listed as a lineman, are also primarily linebackers--and, perhaps, the best players on outstanding teams. Another standout linebacker, Serra’s Rocen Keeton, is listed as an offensive lineman. He made all-league first team at both positions.

The running backs are Gardena’s Brian Brown, Carson junior Alvin Goree and Palos Verdes’ Brian Connors. West Torrance’s Kevin Maher and Morningside’s Jason Carr, listed as defensive backs, could have made the team at either position.

Talented Quarterback

Leuzinger’s Mike Reddington, who probably could have made the team as a running back as well, is the quarterback. Teammate Sean Smith and Redondo’s Mike Jones are the wide receivers. Banning’s Mark Tucker, North Torrance’s Jim Tulette, West Torrance’s Nick Subis and South Torrance’s Brian Kelly fill out the line--literally, averaging 240 pounds.

Along with McLachlan, the defensive line includes St. Bernard’s Eric Marrero, Bishop Montgomery’s John Stangl and South Torrance’s Matt Williams. San Pedro defensive back Michael Ford and West Torrance kicker Dominick Cefalone complete the team.

Tulette and Marrero are repeaters from last year’s first team. Kelly, Goree and Cefalone are the only juniors.

Reddington, Leuzinger’s rugged two-year star, passed for more than 1,000 yards and rushed for more than 600 during the regular season, leading the Olympians to the Pioneer League title, and threw seven touchdowns and scored two himself to lead Leuzinger through the playoffs to Friday’s CIF Desert-Mountain Conference final.

Smith, his favorite target and the team’s best athlete, had more than 500 yards in receptions and scored 10 touchdowns during the regular season despite yearlong double coverage. Coach Steve Carnes, in listing Smith’s athletic prowess, pointed out that Smith was also the league’s best defensive back.

Small but Good

If this year’s team proves anything, it’s that you don’t have to be a Refrigerator to be successful. Redondo’s Jones, a 5-9 bundle of excitement, led all receivers in votes in the coaches poll. He caught eight touchdown passes among his 57 catches for 857 yards. “He caught the tough ones all year,” Coach Les Congelliere noted.

Another small but explosive package is Carson’s 5-8 1/2 Goree, a slashing runner who has started in the Colts’ powerful program since his sophomore year. The junior gained 600 yards in Carson’s nine regular season games and averaged nearly seven yards per carry. He scored eight touchdowns.

Connors, a pile-driving inside runner with surprising speed--as evidenced by an 80-yard touchdown run and a 96-yard kickoff return--had the most votes of any running back for his 1,014 yards and 15 touchdowns, most for any South Bay school. He also earned his coach’s admiration. “He’s the best all-around back ever at P.V., an outstanding blocker as well as runner,” Bill Judy said. “The thing people couldn’t believe about him is he’s so tough. . . . Teams were ganging up on him, and they still couldn’t stop him.”

Gardena’s Brown is a recruiter’s dream--a runner with moves, good size (6-0, 180) and sprinter’s speed. Despite some nagging injuries and gang coverage from opponents, Brown scored five touchdowns and is a blue-chip prospect to college scouts.

Plays Both Ways

Serra’s Keeton is a dominant player at two positions, as evidenced by his selection to the All-Camino Real League first teams on offense and defense. He is considered an outstanding blocker on the line and had 92 unassisted tackles on defense.

Tucker, a two-year starter at Banning, is a top choice with recruiters for his combination of size (260) and ability. He is the latest in a long line of outstanding offensive linemen turned out by Banning Coach Chris Ferragamo, a former all-City lineman himself.

North Torrance Coach Steve Schmitz, who has been producing talented, college-size linemen for several years, calls Tulette his best ever. The 250-pound Tulette started the year at center but shifted back to guard and also played on defense. College scouts have been asking about him since spotting him on film as a sophomore.

Subis was more of a surprise and is a jewel to recruiters: a relative unknown who emerged to win lineman of the year honors in the Bay League and is still growing at 6-5, 235. He became a dominant force both ways.

Kelly a Surprise

Kelly, the South High junior, is another surprise, but he obviously impressed coaches. He received the most votes of any player in the coaches poll.

South High Coach Joe Austin’s personal choice for the team’s standout player is defensive star Williams, the only lineman on the team under 200 pounds. At the other end of the scale is St. Bernard’s 255-pound Marrero, a three-year All-Camino Real selection and the team leader in sacks.

Bishop Montgomery’s Stangl emerged from the shadow of teammate Sale as a lineman who could hold his own in the powerful Angelus League. Carson’s McLachlan is a favorite of recruiters for his versatility--he can play both inside and outside linebacker--and his nose for the ball. In nine regular season games he was in on 97 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception and blocked a kick.

Saunders, Banning’s best player, was the catalyst in the Pilots’ turnaround. When the offense couldn’t get going, Ferragamo shifted him to tailback with positive results--several 100-yard games and seven touchdowns. He was still Banning’s dominant linebacker on key downs. Ferragamo’s assessment: “Dynamite.” The most positive result: Banning is in Friday’s City championship game against Carson.

Leading Tackler

San Pedro’s Robinson, a compact linebacker at 5-9, was the Pirates’ leading tackler the last two years as well as their best runner this season. The 210-pounder seemed to be in on virtually every tackle. So did Bishop Montgomery’s Sale, also an outstanding tight end. He was a preseason All-American who lived up to his billing.

Hawthorne’s Morris teamed with second-team selection Brian Church to give the Cougars a speedy, savage defense that led the way to a 9-0-1 regular season mark. Coaches commented on Morris’ tackling ferocity.

Maher, the Bay League back of the year, rushed for more than 1,100 yards in eight games and was the key to West High’s Bay League title and CIF Coastal Conference semifinal appearance. He was also West’s key defensive back on big downs.

Carr only had two passes completed against him and was fourth on the Morningside team in tackles. He also shifted from wide receiver to running back midway through the season, gaining 620 yards in five games to turn the Monarchs into a surprise Pioneer League title contender. Coach Ron Tatum noted that Carr had “the best attitude . . . that I have seen in some while.”

Top Safety

San Pedro’s multitalented Ford is one of Southern California’s top safeties and wide receivers as well as a track standout. In his spare time he also kicked. He scored six touchdowns.

Kicker Dominick Cefalone of West Torrance ranked among the CIF’s leading punters with a 40.6-yard average and helped win several games with his place kicks. He won two straight one-point playoff games with last-minute field goals.

ALL-SOUTH BAY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM Second Team Offense

Pos Name, School Ht Wt Yr WR Demetrius Smith, Gardena 6-0 175 12 WR David Brantley, Westchester 6-0 175 12 OL Brian Church, Hawthorne 6-5 190 12 OL Falaniko Iakopo, Carson 6-4 205 12 OL Pat Morris, No. Torrance 6-2 230 12 OL Mike Tuione, Torrance 6-2 200 12 OL Arthur Easton, Westchester 6-2 235 12 QB James Castle, Miraleste 6-1 185 12 RB Andre Jackson, Hawthorne 5-9 180 12 RB Daryl Singleton, Serra 5-11 188 12 RB Michael Parks, St. Bernard 6-0 180 12 K John Accardo, Miraleste 5-10 160 12

Second Team Defense

Pos Name, School Ht Wt Yr DL Randy Strickland, Carson 6-0 250 12 DL Javier Muela, Banning 6-0 220 12 DL Kelby Woodward, Miraleste 6-3 190 12 DL Dana Florence, Leuzinger 6-3 195 12 LB Boots Coyoca, Redondo 6-1 210 12 LB Jeff Zumwalt, So. Torrance 5-9 190 12 LB John Slusher, Chadwick 5-9 175 12 DB Calvin Spears, Banning 5-11 175 11 DB John Lauvai, Carson 5-11 170 12 DB Jimmy Tucker, Serra 6-3 190 12 DB Kevin Bayonne, St. Bernard 6-1 192 11

HONORABLE MENTION--Derrick Franklin, RB, Westchester; Mike Jurado, QB, North Torrance; Nate Morris, LB, Gardena; Marc Walters, QB, Carson.