CIF PREVIEW : SOUTH COAST : El Toro Has the Ingredients to Win

Start with a quarterback who threw for 2,078 yards and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore. Add two returning starters from a defensive secondary that led Orange County with 30 interceptions. Finally, mix in a preseason All-American lineman, and it’s easy to see why El Toro High School is the overwhelming favorite to win the South Coast League.

Winning a league championship is nothing new for the Chargers. They’ve won five titles in the past six years, including last season when they surprised both Mission Viejo and Capistrano Valley en route to a 9-4 record.

Coach Bob Johnson, who enters his ninth year, isn’t trying to hide the fact that he has a championship-caliber team in 1986.

“This is the best team in the league,” Johnson said. “The potential is there to win another title. But the team is going to have to develop its own character and form the chemistry that is necessary to win. We could win the league, or we could finish fourth.”

With El Toro’s talent, first place is a little more realistic than fourth. For openers, Johnson’s son, Bret, returns at quarterback and should be one of the best at his position in the county.

Johnson’s favorite target, Scott Miller, also returns. Miller caught 51 passes for 834 yards and 6 touchdowns as a junior. Johnson said Pac-10 colleges are recruiting Miller.

Then, there’s Shane Brisbin and Adam Brass returning in the secondary. Brisbin intercepted seven passes last year and Brass had four.

If that’s not enough, Scott Spalding, considered by most to be the premier lineman in the county, returns to anchor both the offensive and defensive lines. Spalding was a first-team Times’ all-county tackle as a junior.

Spalding has been named by USA Today as one of the top 25 players in the nation. He’s being recruited by virtually every major college in the country.

El Toro got a jump on the rest of the league, opening the season last week with a 20-19 victory over Whitehall of Allentown, Pa. The Chargers lived up to their passing reputation as Johnson threw for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns and Miller caught 10 passes for 157 yards.

“We averaged 19 passes per game last year, and I think we’ll be throwing about 25 times a game this year,” the elder Johnson said.

If the Chargers should slip, look for Capistrano Valley to replace them as league champions. Todd Marinovich, who transferred from Mater Dei after 4,358 yards passing and 34 touchdowns in two seasons, was impressive in summer passing league competition. Wide receiver Brent Parker and running back Marcel Durand are also potent offensive players returning for the Cougars.

“El Toro should be favored,” said Dick Enright, Capistrano Valley coach, “but this team could be a strong challenger for the title.”

Here’s a closer look at the league:

CAPISTRANO VALLEY: Key Personnel--Brent Parker (6-1, 183), WR/DB; Marcel Durand (6-1, 185), RB/DB; Richard Grant (6-0, 170), WR/DB; Mike West (6-3, 220), LB/OG; Preston Walrath (6-2, 272), OT/DT; Matt Belardes (6-1, 226), OT, and Randy Stark (6-3, 210).

Top Newcomers--Todd Marinovich (6-4, 205), QB; Joe Wood (6-1, 190), WR/PK; Chris Long (6-1, 180), QB/DB; Tom Adams (6-1, 180), RB; Matt Hamry (6-0, 208), LB, and David Rawson (5-8, 160), WR/DB.

Outlook--Scott Stark, who threw for a county-record 3,154 yards last season, has graduated to Stanford, but don’t look for the Cougars’ passing game to falter with the addition of Todd Marinovich. “Our offense may improve from last year, and our defense should be better,” said Dick Enright. Brent Parker caught 46 passes for 522 yards and should develop into Marinovich’s favorite receiver. Marcel Durand, a multi-talented athlete, was expected to be the Cougars’ quarterback until Marinovich checked in. Marinovich’s four-year passing totals project to 8,716 yards based on his freshman and sophomore seasons. That mark would break Pat Haden’s Southern Section record of 7,633 yards set in 1968-70 at Bishop Amat. DANA HILLS: Key Personnel--Victor Vurpillat (5-11, 190), TB/FS; Billy Mitchell (5-10, 170), FL/CB; Bob Wyant (6-0, 190), TE/LB; Jason Hickman (6-0, 175), QB; Chris Cappola (6-0, 205), C, and Scott Rinderer (6-2, 210), LB.

Top Newcomers--Pete Platt (6-4, 220), OT/DT; Matt Glenn (6-1, 205), OG/LB; Craig Lombardi (5-9, 165), CB, and Greg Massey (5-10, 180), LB.

Outlook--It’s never easy for the Dolphins. Last year, Coach Don Douglass had the best team in the school’s history but had to settle for fourth place in the league with a 4-2 record. The Dolphins handed El Toro its only loss, led Mission Viejo at halftime and finished 6-4, but were denied a playoff berth. The running game is sound with Victor Vurpillat, who gained 468 yards last season. EL TORO: Key Personnel--Bret Johnson (6-1, 170), QB; Scott Miller (5-11, 180), WR; Scott Ross (6-3, 215), FB/LB; Scott Spalding (6-5, 250), OT/DT; Jon Barron (6-3, 225), OT; Shane Brisbin (5-10, 170), DB; Adam Brass (5-11, 170), DB; Ron Chocklet (5-11, 190), RB, and Cory Wayland (6-4, 225), DT.

Top Newcomers--Aly Diaz (5-11, 175), TB; Mike Hoelker (6-3, 185), TE; Lance Doalson 6-1, 180), WR; Chris McCarthy (5-8, 155), WR; Adam Demalignon (6-3, 225), NG; Davin Jackson (5-10, 180), DE; Craig Pyatt (5-10, 180), LB, and Brendan Bailey (5-9, 165), DB.

Outlook--Coach Bob Johnson, on reversing the roles as a sleeper team last year to the favorite this season: “I like the change. Two years ago, we were favored and won. Last year, we upset Capistrano Valley and Mission Viejo to win. All I care about is the end product.” Junior Chris McCarthy was the star of the Chargers’ undefeated sophomore team with 15 touchdowns. Running back Ron Chocklet suffered a cracked fibula in El Toro’s fourth game last year but is healthy again. Aly Diaz is a transfer from Twentynine Palms High where he was named offensive player of the week five times. IRVINE: Key Personnel--Jeff Kemper (6-4, 230), OT; Johnny Kang (6-0, 230), OG; Ron Goodlin (5-10, 170), HB/DB; Danny Lach (5-9, 180), FB/LB; George Koutures (5-10, 160), SE/DB, and Mark Henigan (5-10, 170), HB/DB.

Top Newcomers--Mike Steinke (5-9, 160), FB/DE; Shaun Connolly (6-0, 200), OG/NG; Brian Brocoff (6-0, 170), QB; Scott Joslyn (6-0, 190), TE; Terry Rahmatulla (5-8, 150), QB/CB, and Joe Pontius (6-0, 200), LB.

Outlook--Fullback Danny Lach, halfback Ron Goodlin and wingback Mark Henigan are all returning starters, but they were all defensive players last year. The offensive line features returning tackle Jeff Kemper and guard Johnny Kang. Coach Terry Henigan enters his sixth season at Irvine with a 27-22-2 record. He has six returning starters, including George Koutures, the team’s most versatile athlete. Many of the defensive starters will be newcomers up from a 7-2 sophomore team. MISSION VIEJO: Key Personnel--Pat Jarvis (5-8, 160), DB; Rick Angle (5-10, 160), DB; David Bancroft (6-0, 192), LB; Jeff Pease (6-3, 220), LB; Darrin Sweazy (5-11, 192), RB; Eric Bashaw (5-10, 215), OT, and Don Bailey (6-3, 181), WR.

Top Newcomers--Tony Arnone (5-11, 180), QB; John Emerick (5-9, 160), DB; Mike Spinello (5-11, 180), DE; John Burns (5-10, 170), DE; Brett Varner (5-9, 165), RB; Mike Howerton (5-8, 145), DB; Mike Costello (6-2, 220), DT; David Huettl (6-2, 220), DT; Danny Reed (6-0, 165), TE, and Peter Moses (5-11, 160), WR.

Outlook--Coach Bill Crow stops short of calling this season a rebuilding year: “We’re inexperienced, but I never call it a rebuilding year. I can’t stand that word.” The Diablos have seven starters returning, but Eric Bashaw is the only down lineman with experience. Fullback Darrin Sweazy gained 622 yards as a junior after transferring from El Toro. “Darrin is a whale of a back,” Crow said. “He’s big with good speed. But if we can’t block anyone, it’s going to be tough.” Tony Arone gets his chance at quarterback after seeing some action behind Brendan Murphy last year. The Diablos lost tight end Bill Olsen with a ruptured spleen in practice last week.

SAN CLEMENTE: Key Personnel--Rob Buhler (5-11, 160), HB/DB; Joe Corral (6-0, 260), C; Paul Glissman (5-11, 175), FB; Andy Greek (5-10, 150), QB; Tim Henze (6-1, 190), LB/WR; Todd Johnson (6-1, 185), OT/LB; Darren Milner (6-1, 195), DT; Dan Morgan (6-0, 175), HB; Scott Phillips (5-9, 150), DB, and Dave Arnsten (6-1, 190), TE.

Top Newcomers--Kevin Harrison (5-8, 160), DB; Mark Broccando (6-2, 180), DB and Jack Salerno (5-9, 170), LB.

Outlook--Veteran Coach Allie Schaff has six starters and 14 lettermen returning from last season’s 2-6-1 team. The Tritons’ only victory in the league was against winless Laguna Hills, which has moved to the Pacific Coast league. San Clemente’s strength is its overall team quickness, but, once again, depth will be a problem. “Six returning starters gives us more experience than we’ve had in the past,” Schaff said. But, “We’re the smallest team in the league with the smallest enrollment. This hurts our overall depth.”