Times Honors Tucker, Reddington, Vollnogle

Quarterback Mike Reddington of CIF champion Leuzinger, lineman Mark Tucker of City champion Banning and record-setting Coach Gene Vollnogle of Carson were the top award winners Sunday at The Times’ football awards brunch.

The 6-2, 185-pound Reddington, who led Leuzinger to the Desert-Mountain Conference title--Leuzinger’s first ever--and a 12-1-1 record, best in the South Bay, was named South Bay back of the year for his leadership skills as well as his outstanding statistics: nearly 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns passing, more than 900 yards and 9 touchdowns rushing. He threw for seven touchdowns in the playoffs.

Reddington also played defensive back. He is the first back of the year in a decade not to come from Banning, Carson or Gardena.

Banning is well-represented, however, by Tucker, the biggest player on the All-South Bay team at 6-5, 260 pounds. The two-year starting offensive lineman was cited by scouts as a standout college prospect for his combination of size and his polished blocking skills.

Pacific League Champ

Vollnogle, who led Carson to the Pacific League title and a City runner-up finish, had a 10-2 season--the best record among City 4-A teams despite the disappointment of losing to Banning in the finals. Along the way this season Vollnogle became the first California coach to record 250 career victories. His total now stands at 254 and counting.

Reddington and Tucker were the standouts on the 23-member All-South Bay first team that was honored Sunday. Other members of the offense were wide receivers Sean Smith of Leuzinger and Mike Jones of Redondo; linemen Rocen Keeton of Serra, Jim Tulette of North Torrance, Nick Subis of West Torrance and Brian Kelly of South Torrance; running backs Brian Brown of Gardena, Alvin Goree of Carson and Brian Connors of Palos Verdes and kicker Dominick Cefalone of West Torrance.

The first team defense had linemen Eric Marrero of St. Bernard, John Stangl of Bishop Montgomery, Matt Williams of South Torrance and Peter McLachlan of Carson; linebackers Earl Saunders of Banning, Lionel Robinson of San Pedro and Ken Sale of Bishop Montgomery and defensive backs Robert Morris of Hawthorne, Kevin Maher of West Torrance, Michael Ford of San Pedro and Jason Carr of Morningside.