Times All-Southeast Team : Consistency Carries Players to the Top

Football coaches adore consistency. They stress it and preach it to their players.

At La Mirada High School, Kelly Brooks is known as Mr. Consistency. Every week he would dazzle spectators with his pounding style of running. Brooks ground out 2,003 yards and scored 28 touchdowns. When Matador Coach Ray Mooshagian needed the big play, Brooks made it.

Brooks’ effort in leading La Mirada to the co-championship of the Suburban League and into the second round of the CIF Southern Section’s Central Conference playoffs landed him on The Times All-Southeast football team.

Three of his TDs came on pass receptions and another was a kickoff return. He averaged 167 yards a game rushing. He also averaged 39.9 yards as a punter.

Small wonder he was also named Offensive Player of the Year in the Suburban League. “Kelly is a total football player,” Mooshagian said. “He is the best all-around player that I have coached. He’s an outstanding student, player and has an outstanding attitude.”

Brooks heads a trio of first-team running backs that also includes Rodney Bowman of Valley Christian and Rene Barton of Whittier. The group combined for more than 5,000 yards and 65 touchdowns.

The fourth member of the backfield, quarterback Eric Rubalcava of Schurr, threw for more than 2,800 yards and 27 TDs. He did not throw an interception in his first six games.

Brooks and his All-Southeast teammates survived by being consistent.

Fifteen schools are represented on the first and second teams selected from the Southeast area, with Olympic League champion Valley Christian and Whitmont League champion El Rancho leading with four first-team choices each. La Mirada placed three on the first team.

Awards Brunch Sunday

The 23 first-team members will be honored at The Times’ Football Awards Brunch Sunday morning at the Anaheim Hilton hotel. Featured speakers will be Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott Jr., superintendent of the Air Force Academy, and Bruce Johnson, defensive coordinator at the academy.

Awards for back of the year, lineman of the year and coach of the year will be announced at the brunch. Those selections will be published Dec. 19.

The Times selects two offensive and two defensive teams from each of 10 geographic zones in Southern California.

The following Southeast area players were selected to The Times’ first team based on information supplied by coaches, college scouts and staff writers:

OFFENSE Quarterback--Eric Rubalcava, Schurr (5-10, 170, Sr.). Rubalcava threw for just 400 yards as a junior, but in his final season he passed for 2,871 yards and 27 touchdowns. He completed 137 of 226 passes (60.6%) and was intercepted just six times. He would have reached 3,000 yards had three long TD passes not been called back by penalties. He led Schurr to a 10-2 record and into the second round of the playoffs.

Wide receiver--Frank Mazzotta, St. Paul (6-0, 180, Sr.). His quickness and hands made him the big-play man. In helping St. Paul (7-4) to its first playoff appearance in three seasons, Mazzotta averaged a touchdown every third catch. He caught 24 passes for 594 yards and eight touchdowns. He accounted for 78 points and also place-kicked. Mazzotta developed into a complete player, capable of filling his role as much or more away from the ball as with it.

Tight end--Rory Ewing, Pius X (6-5, 180, Sr.). A standout linebacker as a junior, Ewing had no clue that he would be asked to play tight end when summer practice started. Coach Ken LaVigne had been anticipating the return of All-Southeast tight end Jonathon Scott, but Scott suddenly decided not to play football. Ewing, although bothered by a knee problem, was forced into a two-way role. He responded with 25 catches for 311 yards and four TDs. He averaged 12.4 yards per catch, but he made the team primarily for his outstanding blocking ability.

Lineman--Javier Calderon, El Rancho (5-8, 200, Sr.). In the trenches, coaches refer to offensive linemen as “the skilled players.” Calderon fit right in. He is the classic El Rancho lineman: undersized, gutty and trench-smart. His ability to trap-block earned him back-to-back All-Whitmont League honors at guard and he was a major factor in the Dons’ drive to the second round of the playoffs. “He’s the best guard we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Coach Don Peterson, who has been at El Rancho 17 seasons.

Lineman--Rudy Garay, El Rancho (5-10, 210, Sr.). A two-way starter at tackle, Garay was a key element in the Dons’ wing-T offense, which gained more than 3,000 yards rushing. Peterson called him “our best one-on-one blocker.” He also fit into the mold of the traditional El Rancho lineman and was the most improved player on the team by the end of the season.

Lineman--Steve Baker, Norwalk (6-1, 222, Sr.). Baker was a co-captain and a two-time All-Suburban League choice at guard. The team’s most valuable lineman, he led an offensive line that protected a quarterback who threw for more than 900 yards and cut holes for a running back who gained more than 1,000.

Lineman--Scott Krosschell, Valley Christian (6-1, 211, Sr.). Krosschell was a two-way starter for top-ranked Valley Christian. Coach Mike Wunderley calls him “a consistent, fine performer on the offensive line . . . the finest center I’ve worked with.” Krosschell was a member of an offensive unit that averaged 35.5 points a game and advanced to the semifinals of the Inland Conference playoffs.

Center--Robert Stephens, La Mirada (6-3, 230, Jr.). A “very steady” performer, according to Coach Ray Mooshagian, Stephens started as a sophomore and gained All-Southeast honors this year as a member of the Matadors’ front line that opened holes for multi-talented running back Kelly Brooks. Superb attitude and consistency are the pillars of his game. He has major-college size, which should make him a top prospect next season. He also started on the defensive line.

Back--Kelly Brooks, La Mirada (5-10, 190, Sr.). Brooks gained 2,003 yards on 288 carries. He scored 24 TDs rushing and one on a kickoff return. He caught three passes for TDs and scored on a two-point conversion attempt. He averaged 7.1 yards a carry and often ran more than 20 times a game. He averaged 39.9 yards as a punter. He was the Suburban League’s Offensive Player of the Year.

Back--Rene Barton, Whittier (5-11, 195, Sr.). On a no-name team Barton was the star, bouncing, pummeling and twisting his way through 329 carries. He was the offense for Coach Gene Zeller. Barton managed 1,725 yards in just 10 games. Most of his yardage came up the middle. He scored nine TDs and often carried the ball 25 or 30 times. Barton was named the Whitmont League’s Back of the Year.

Back--Rodney Bowman, Valley Christian (5-10, 160, Sr.). While VC basketball Coach Harold DeBie waited in the wings, Bowman provided a good share of the offensive excitement for the 12-1 Crusaders. He gained 1,636 yards and scored 28 touchdowns. Bowman is an evasive runner who is “very good at changing speed as well as direction,” according to Coach Wunderley. He was named the Most Valuable Running Back of the Olympic League.

Kicker--Waldir Guerra (Bell, 5-9, 145, Sr.). Guerra not only kicks field goals, he has a chance to be the nation’s top high-school career scoring leader in soccer. In one football game this year, the right-footed Guerra, bothered by a sore muscle, kicked a field goal with his left foot. Five of his 10 field goals came from outside 40 yards. Bell Coach Tosh Nitta said he believed he would have done better than a 55-yard kickoff average had he not played soccer the day before football games.

DEFENSE Lineman--Scott Hager, La Mirada (6-3, 245, Sr.). A two-way starter who boasts the size of a major-college prospect, Hager was voted the Suburban League’s Defensive Player of the Year. He recorded 39 solo tackles, 19 assists and had five sacks. A very aggressive and consistent player.

Lineman--Anderson Maae, Bell Gardens (6-2, 290, Sr.). The imposing, soft-spoken Maae was named the Whitmont League’s Offensive Lineman of the Year, and was selected to the league’s first teams for offense and defense. He recorded 31 unassisted tackles, 19 assists, 3 sacks and 2 recovered fumbles. He is being highly recruited by four-year colleges, according to Coach Dave Newell.

Lineman--Victor Vasquez, El Rancho (5-11, 175, Sr.). Vasquez spent as much time in the opposing quarterback’s face as he did on the front line. With lightning reflexes for his size, Vasquez had 21 sacks and 75 tackles for the 10-2 Dons and was named the Whitmont League’s Defensive Lineman of the Year.

Lineman--Jeff Hogan, Valley Christian (6-1, 208, Sr.). Hogan excelled at rushing the passer and had 10 sacks for the Crusader defense, which recorded 10 shutouts. His responsibility was to contain the run and he used his superior agility and quickness to turn plays in. He was named to the All-Olympic League team.

Linebacker--Feliberto Navarro, Pius X (6-1, 225, Sr.). Navarro went both ways for the Warriors and was a second-team All-Southeast choice last year as an offensive lineman. But in ‘85, Navarro’s strength was on defense. A ferocious tackler, he made 124 stops in 10 games. He had five sacks and an interception. Coach Ken LaVigne calls him “strong as a horse.”

Linebacker--Steve King, Valley Christian (6-0, 209, Sr.). As the strong-side linebacker, King was responsible for containment of the run between the tackles. He was the team’s defensive leader, according to Coach Wunderley, and was named Most Valuable Lineman of the Olympic League.

Linebacker--Mike Taylor, Valley Christian (5-11, 170, Sr.). Another two-way starter, Taylor was the weak-side linebacker, responsible primarily for the pass, but he was extremely adept at reading the offense and at covering backs coming out of the backfield. Against Whittier Christian he blocked a punt and recovered it for a touchdown.

Linebacker--Robert Garcia, El Rancho (5-10, 164, Sr.). Garcia was most recognized as one of the running backs in El Rancho’s wing-T offense, but he also was hard not to notice at linebacker, where he made 83 tackles. For his two-way performance, he was named the Whitmont League’s Most Valuable Player. Garcia has been nominated for national scholar-athlete honors.

Back--Hubert Turner, Schurr (6-2, 180, Sr.). Turner excelled as a receiver, running back, quarterback, punter, kick returner and defensive back during his career. This season he caught 64 passes for 1,423 yards and 15 TDs. He also rushed for two scores. He intercepted five passes, returning three for TDs. He is only 16 years old and didn’t play football until he was a sophomore. “He’ll make a good wide receiver for someone,” Coach Ken Davis said.

Back--Reggie Kennedy, Bellflower (6-2, 175, Jr.). Kennedy was the second leading tackler on the team, even though he played safety. His agile build helped him intercept seven passes. He is also a standout basketball player.

Back--Miguel Ramirez, St. Paul (6-1, 175, Sr.). An All-Angelus League choice, he is called the “best DB in L. A.” by his coach, Rick Ready. Ramirez, who has excellent speed and range, returned two interceptions for touchdowns.

All-Southeast Team

First Team Offense

Po. Name, School Ht. Wt. Yr. QB Eric Rubalcava, Schurr 5-10 170 Sr. WR Frank Mazzotta, St. Paul 6-0 180 Sr. TE Rory Ewing, Pius X 6-5 180 Sr. RB Kelly Brooks, La Mirada 5-10 190 Sr. RB Rodney Bowman, Valley Christian 5-10 160 Sr. RB Rene Barton, Whittier 5-11 195 Sr. Ce Robert Stephens, La Mirada 6-3 230 Jr. OL Javier Calderon, El Rancho 5-8 200 Sr. OL Rudy Garay, El Rancho 5-10 210 Sr. OL Scott Krosschell, Valley Christian 6-1 211 Sr. OL Steve Baker, Norwalk 6-1 222 Sr. Ki Waldir Guerra, Bell 5-9 145 Sr.

Second Team Offense

Po. Name, School Ht. Wt. Yr. QB John Scott, St. Paul 6-2 180 Sr. WR John Harris, Whittier Christian 5-11 160 Sr. TE Rick Younger, St. Paul 6-0 175 Sr. RB Dan Dalziel, Schurr 5-11 175 Sr. RB Francisco Barillas, El Rancho 5-8 149 Sr. RB Robbie Watkins, La Serna 5-11 165 Sr. Ce Kirk Steinburgen, La Serna 6-3 200 Sr. OL Troy Madsen, Whittier 6-3 245 Sr. OL Sean Kelly, St. Paul 6-0 200 Sr. OL Robert Hylton, Bell 6-1 1/2 232 Sr. OL Tyrone Taylor, La Serna 6-2 230 Sr. Ki Pete Hosharian, Montebello 5-11 165 Sr.

First Team Defense

Po. Name, School Ht. Wt. Yr. DL Scott Hager, La Mirada 6-3 245 Sr. DL Anderson Maae, Bell Gardens 6-2 290 Sr. DL Jeff Hogan, Valley Christian 6-1 208 Sr. DL Victor Vasquez, El Rancho 5-11 175 Sr. LB Feliberto Navarro, Pius X 6-1 225 Sr. LB Steve King, Valley Christian 6-0 209 Sr. LB Robert Garcia, El Rancho 5-10 164 Sr. LB Mike Taylor, Valley Christian 5-11 170 Sr. DB Miguel Ramirez, St. Paul 6-1 175 Sr. DB Reggie Kennedy, Bellflower 6-2 175 Jr. DB Hubert Turner, Schurr 6-2 180 Sr.

Second Team Offense

Po. Name, School Ht. Wt. Yr. DL Gary Lingfoot, Bell 6-0 175 Sr. DL Jeff Schlicting, St. John Bosco 6-0 185 Sr. DL John Siracuse, La Serna 5-10 230 Sr. DL Eric Johnson, Valley Christian 6-3 210 Jr. LB Nick Pantuso, St. John Bosco 6-4 190 Sr. LB Bobby Ortega, Bellflower 5-11 217 Sr. LB Steve Caffrey, Whittier Christian 5-9 185 Sr. LB Dave Strohman, La Serna 6-0 200 Sr. DB Jeff Westra, Valley Christian 5-10 155 Jr. DB Roy Amos, Bell Gardens 5-10 165 Sr. DB Marcus Bowen, Bell 5-9 145 Sr.