CIF PREVIEW : GARDEN GROVE : Quarterback Crop Should Make Offenses Turn Toward the Sky

Something new is in the air in the Garden Grove League this fall, and it’s looking more and more like a football.

The league, which has traditionally preferred to run the ball, looks as though it will join the rest of the county and rely more on passing.

There are four reasons for this change--quarterbacks Derek Debbs of La Quinta, Tim Kuzmick of Los Amigos, Damon Fisher of Bolsa Grande and John Newsome of Rancho Alamitos.

Debbs led the Aztecs to the league title last season and to the Central Conference final against Saddleback, in which La Quinta played well but lost on a last-minute touchdown.

Debbs figures to be the premier passer and runner in the league, giving the Aztecs a good shot at defending their league title.

The big change for the Aztecs is at head coach, where Roger Takahashi has taken over for Joe Zeno. Takahashi, an assistant to Zeno for the past two seasons, doesn’t expect many problems in the transition.

“The kids that are seniors now I coached when they were on junior varsity two years ago,” Takahashi said. “So by now we both know what to expect from each other.”

That La Quinta junior varsity squad was 8-2, and there isn’t any reason to believe that it couldn’t repeat that mark for the varsity.

Challenging La Quinta will be Bolsa Grande, a big, strong team led by Fisher, who is known more for his running than passing.

Los Amigos, Santiago and Rancho Alamitos figure to fight it out for the last playoff spot. Garden Grove will just be attempting to finish above .500.

Despite the abundance of good quarterbacks, Rancho Alamitos tailback Sean Cheatham could steal the spotlight if he gets some blocking.

A closer look at the league:

BOLSA GRANDE: Key Personnel--Damon Fisher (5-11, 172), QB/DB; Shannon Valdez (5-7, 165), RB/LB; John McCullough (5-10, 170), QB/DB; Travin Lui (6-0, 200), RB/LB; Rob Grimsley (6-0, 190), C/DE; David Lannon (6-3, 260), OT/DT; and Alex Galvan (6-0, 215), T/DE.

Top Newcomers--Wes Holland (6-0, 160), WR/DB; John Ramirez (5-9, 173), TE/DB; Danny Jimenez (5-9, 171), RB/DB; Park Steele (5-10, 240), DT; and Jim Usey (5-10, 155), WR/DB.

Outlook--The Matadors’ hopes will rest with quarterback Damon Fisher, who has improved as a passer. “He’s always been a good runner,” Bolsa Grande Coach Greg Shadid said, “but his passing has really come on after participating in a summer league. In our offense, the quarterback has to be able to do both.” Fisher was a first-team, all-league defensive back last season as a sophomore and will likely see action on defense this year as well. Other top Matador defenders include end Alex Galvan and tackle David Lannon, both of whom should put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. If any team can unseat defending champion La Quinta, it’s Bolsa Grande.

GARDEN GROVE: Key Personnel--Jason Seidel (5-10, 170), WR; Mike Gregorie (6-4, 230), OT; Henry Fournier (6-2, 180), DB; Chris Schager (6-2, 205), OT.

Top Newcomers--Nick Huerta (5-6, 150), RB; Billy Moll (5-10, 160), WR; Troy Riggle (6-1, 180), DE; Pat Silva (6-1, 188), C; and Jerry Rodarte (6-1, 220), T.

Outlook--The Argonauts are coming off a 1-9 season but should be improved this year. Tackles Mike Gregorie and Chris Schager, defensive end Pat Silva and offensive lineman Jerry Rodarte give Garden Grove some size. But whether the line can provide enough blocking for halfback Nick Huerta remains to be seen. Garden Grove’s nonleague schedule includes Gahr, Buena Park, Savanna, Artesia and Valencia, so the Argonauts will find out early just how improved they are.

LA QUINTA: Key Personnel--Derek Debbs (6-1, 180), QB; John Boston (6-0, 185), LB; Jim Recktenwald (5-10, 175), TE/LB; Greg Hodge (5-6, 170), FB/LB; Leo Holler (6-3, 210), T; Dave Harriger (5-10, 165), WR/DB; Doug Wolfe (6-0, 185), DE; and Brian Allgeier (6-3, 210), E.

Top Newcomers--Brian Giuliano (5-8, 155), WR/DB; Mark Ralston (6-1, 185), TE/DB; Alan Stevenson (5-9, 170), RB; and Jeff Clevidence (5-10, 170), DB.

Outlook--The Aztecs remain the favorite in the league in spite of the coaching change. Quarterback Derek Debbs is dangerous as a passer and runner and Jim Recktenwald and Dave Harriger are two talented and experienced receivers. Leo Holler is expected to be a solid tackle. Coach Roger Takahashi hasn’t shied away from tough competition as El Dorado, Woodbridge, Western, Marina and Servite all are on the Aztecs’ nonleague schedule. Since the Aztecs advanced to the conference final last year and played 14 games, their returning lettermen have more game experience than most opponents.

LOS AMIGOS: Key Personnel--Mark Hyatt (6-4, 220), TE/DE; Peter Strickland (5-10, 195), G; Barrett Land (5-8, 165), G; Andy Patunvich (6-0, 165), DB; and Jim McGee (5-8, 150), DB/WR.

Top Newcomers--Eddie Tamillo (6-3, 160), TE/DE; Mario Tafalo (6-2, 190), T; Jimmy Siddal (5-11, 150), QB; and Tim Kuzmick (5-11, 170), QB.

Outlook--Los Amigos had 18 starters hurt over the course of last season but still managed to finish league play 3-2 and qualify for the playoffs. This season, Coach Art Michalik is just hoping to keep his team healthy. “We graduated a lot of people from last year, making us a young team this time around,” Michalik said, “but the kids have worked hard so far, which gives us hope.” Tight end Mark Hyatt is a big target for quarterback candidates Jimmy Siddal and Tim Kuzmick. Tackle Mario Tafalo will play offense and defense. Another playoff berth is a reasonable goal.

RANCHO ALAMITOS: Key Personnel--Sean Cheatham (6-1, 190), TB/SS; Jessie Martinez (6-0, 195), OG; Randy Basa (5-10, 175), C; David Martinez (5-9, 200), G; and Don Balboa (6-3, 230), T.

Top Newcomers--Steve Jenkins (5-9, 170), DB; John Newsome (6-0, 190), QB; Charles Panusis (6-2, 170), S; and Jason Sweet (6-3, 210), TE.

Outlook--Rancho Alamitos Coach Paul Shane has a backfield that could be the best in the league before the season is over. At tailback is Sean Cheatham, who scored seven touchdowns in 10 games last season. Cheatham, thanks to weightlifting, is 20 pounds heavier this year, but hasn’t lost a step, according to Shane. John Newsome gives the Vaqueros a good dropback quarterback, and blocking for him will be Don Balboa, a transfer from Texas. Depending upon how quickly the defense develops, the Vaqueros could be the surprise team of the league and challenge La Quinta and Bolsa Grande for the championship.

SANTIAGO: Key Personnel--Randy Adcock (5-10, 180), LB; Hao Dinh (5-7, 155), RB/DB; Tim Hank (5-11, 170), TE/DE; David Petrutis (5-8, 150), DB; and Dana Ripley (6-2, 195), RB/LB.

Top Newcomers--Steve Cessna (5-9, 170), WR/DB; Jim McGarrh (5-8, 150), DB; Mike Mercado (5-10, 170), TE/DB; and Jason Marquez (5-10, 160), QB/DB.

Outlook--Cavalier Coach Fred DiPalma is worried about his team’s inexperience but says that enthusiasm might make up for it. “If we don’t get any injuries, we should start the season with about 32 varsity players,” DiPalma said. “Even then, at least half of our starters will be underclassmen.” Leading the Cavaliers will linebacker Randy Adcock, running back Hao Dinh, tight end Tim Hank and fullback Dana Ripley. Santiago will meet Orange, Costa Mesa, Chaffee, Norwalk and Sonora in the nonleague.

Saturday: the Orange League.