Metro South Bay League : Coaches Are Worried as the Youth Movement Spreads

Fans of the Metro South Bay League will have trouble recognizing things this season.

Graduation robbed all but one school of key talent. Only Marian returns an experienced quarterback.

Two of the league’s four teams have new coaches, including the return of Bud Aubuchon to Mar Vista after a 10-year absence.

Coaches usually are optimistic this time of year, but it figures to be pot luck this season.

Southwest Coach Carl Parrick was hardest hit by graduation, which left him with only five returning players. Five sophomores, including wide receiver Will Tate, are expected to start.

“We’ll probably be at the bottom of the pack when the season opens,” Parrick said. “It depends on how much we learn and how quick we learn it.

“Youth won’t kill us, but inexperience could. It’s going to be a big shock to a lot of these kids (coming up from the junior varsity).”

Castle Park Coach Dick Oliver is trying to replace much of his 1985 league-champion team. “We have a lot of inexperienced players,” said Oliver, now in his sixth year as coach. “At this point, I don’t know what will be our strength.”

Mar Vista, led by running back Gonzo Quintero, may be the team to beat, but the coaches doubt there will be an immediate leader. Marian, which had only one victory last season, could be a surprise. The Crusaders have the most returning players and the biggest and most experienced offensive line in the league.

Here’s a closer look at the Metro South Bay League:

MAR VISTA

Last season’s record: 2-1, 4-6.

Finish: Second.

Coach: Bud Aubuchon.

Key Personnel: Gonzo Quintero (5-10, 165), RB; Eric McGarty (5-11, 190), C; Mark Nelson (6-3, 200), OT, and Greg Ellis (5-10, 165), RB.

Top newcomer: Spencer Bernatt (5-8, 155) QB.

Outlook: Aubuchon succeeds Nick Nicoloff, who held the top position only one season. Aubuchon coached Mar Vista from 1965 to 1976, leading the Mariners to a league championship in 1968. The Mariners will be hard to stop on the ground with returning starters Quintero and Ellis in the backfield. Graduation hit much of the Mariner defense and put a dent in the offensive line. Senior Mark Nelson will anchor the offensive line, which Aubuchon listed as his biggest worry. The Mar Vista passing game is also in question, with junior transfer Bernatt and receiver-turned-passer Todd Habel battling for the quarterback job. “We’re slow afoot,” Aubuchon said. “We always have been. But we’re a physical team. If we can get to ‘em, we’ll hit ‘em hard.”

CASTLE PARK

Last season’s record: 3-0, 4-7.

Finish: First.

Coach: Dick Oliver.

Key Personnel: Cricket Carpenter (5-6, 140) DB; John Tolbert (5-11, 180), OLB; Jim Ayala (5-10, 150), DB; Harry Koyl (6-2, 215), OL; Juan Sewell (5-10, 185), OL, and David Carpenter (5-7, 140), WR.

Top newcomers: Bill Anderson (5-8, 180), OLB, and Ahmad Swinton (6-0, 260), OT.

Outlook: There were three junior quarterbacks on the league-champion Trojans last year, but only Frank Salgado, who started nearly half the season, returns. Tailback David Carpenter finished the regular season last year with a spectacular 60-yard touchdown run in the Trojans’ 24-16 victory over Marian. Only three starters return on defense. All-League defensive back Cricket Carpenter will slow opponents’ passing games; while Tolbert and junior linebacker Anderson anchor the linebacking corps. The Trojans will run a 4-3 defense after last season’s 3-4.

SOUTHWEST

Last season’s record: 1-2, 4-4-2.

Finish: Third.

Coach: Carl Parrick.

Key Personnel: John Walker (6-3, 175), WR; Sam Banogan (5-11, 170), OLB; David Martinez (6-0, 185), TE; Gerrado Gurrola (6-2, 215), DT, and Mike Moore (6-3, 180), DE.

Top newcomers: Jesse Martinez (5-8, 140), DB; Mario Zaravia (5-8 1/2, 130), DB, and Will Tate (5-7, 140), WR.

Outlook: Parrick lost 31 of his 36 players to graduation last year. Parrick, in his sixth year as coach, will also have an entirely new coaching staff. Walker is the only returning offensive player. There are three players battling at quarterback, led by sophomore Richard Dalano. The Raider defense could be the only bright spot, with senior Panapa Finau (6-0, 205) returning at middle linebacker. Finau, who was all-league as a sophomore, quit the team after the first game last season because of personal reasons. Banogan “is the best linebacker we’ve ever had here,” Parrick said. Gurrola will anchor the defensive line. Sophomore cornerbacks Jesse Martinez and Zaravia impressed Parrick during summer practice.

MARIAN

Last season’s record: 1-8, 0-3.

Finish: Fourth.

Coach: John Pappas.

Key Personnel: Chris Hazeltine (6-1, 190), QB; Nick Mallari (6-0, 250), OL, DL; Hugo Roji (5-11 1/2, 225), OL, DL; Gordon Bordson (5-7, 135), SE, DB, and Jim Tollefson (5-10, 220), OL.

Top newcomers: David Powers (6-1, 220), OL, DL.

Outlook: Marian wasn’t hurt by graduation but, as always at the small Chula Vista school, there are too few players--24. Several of Marian’s starters may play both ways, which could leave new Coach John Pappas with a tired team late in the game. “Other teams have kids who don’t have to go both ways,” Pappas said. “We have the same kids getting beat up. . . . By the second half, they’re dead.” Veteran quarterback Hazeltine should have plenty protection from the Crusader offensive line, which averages 225 pounds. Hazeltine’s primary target will be Bordson.

Thursday: Grossmont 2A.