ORANGE COUNTY : TOP GUNS : THE PLAYERS : Scott Spalding Is a Mean, Not-So-Lean Eating Machine

Those who have seemingly tried every diet there is, who have sacrificed eating their favorite fattening foods, who have counted every last calorie in an effort to be slim, will have no stomach for Scott Spalding’s problem.

Here’s a 17-year-old football player from El Toro High School who is 6-feet, 5-inches and 250 pounds and wants to get bigger . So, he eats virtually every hour he’s awake, hoping to take in more calories than he burns off.

No celery sticks and skim milk for this guy. Spalding, who was named by USA Today as one of the top 25 high school football players in the nation, eats anything he wants--steak, potatoes, lasagna, ice cream, candy bars, peanut butter--any time he wants.

And he has the nerve to complain.

“It’s hard to eat a lot,” Spalding said. “I get tired of eating. Sometimes, I’d just like to not worry about having to keep my weight up.”

Poor Scott. Weight watchers everywhere are probably crying in their cottage cheese.

Spalding may not hang out with the spa-cuisine and mineral-water set, but, at the same time, he isn’t one of those legendary eaters--the behemoth type who who can power down nine plates of beef ribs and a few pounds of french fries in one sitting.

He just rarely stops eating.

“He’ll come up to practice with a Snickers bar hanging out of his mouth and a bag of chips in his pants,” Charger Coach Bob Johnson said.

Spalding has an answer for that one. “Hey, it’s a long walk to the practice field,” he said.

About two weeks ago, before the team left for last Thursday night’s game against Whitehall High in Pennsylvania, Spalding’s father, Marty, who is El Toro’s line coach, took Scott to dinner at a Chinese restaurant.

“I promise you that I ate more Chinese food than he did that night,” Marty said. “But from the restaurant to home is a 10-minute drive, and when we got home, he made two sandwiches and something else.”

Spalding tries to eat something before he goes to bed every night. Usually, it’s a peanut butter and honey sandwich with about a half-inch of peanut butter. “That has mega-calories,” Spalding said. “It bulks you up real fast.”

It can mess you up real fast, too. One day last year, he fell asleep with sandwich in hand and woke up the next morning with peanut butter all over him.

Spalding adopted the continuous feeding diet at the beginning of his sophomore year when he decided that, to be a good lineman, he had to be all that he could be.

He also began a strenuous weight-training program, spending five days a week, two hours a day in the weight room. During the season, he lifts three days a week, an hour each session.

He gained 50 pounds in one year, going from a 6-3, 185-pound sophomore to a 6-5, 235-pound junior. He became one of Orange County’s top linemen last year, and, after helping the Chargers advance to the Southern Conference semifinals, was a first-team selection on The Times’ All-County team.

He’s 15 pounds heavier and even stronger this year, which is why Street and Smith magazine named him to its preseason high school All-America team. He’s not the fastest linemen around--he runs 40 yards in 5.2 seconds--but has excellent lateral movement and technique, and is very strong.

Spalding has attracted the attention of most major colleges in the country. Recruiters from Penn State and Notre Dame watched him play in the Chargers’ 20-19 victory over Whitehall in Allentown, Pa. last week. He plays both offensive and defensive tackle, but Johnson thinks he’ll be recruited as a defensive player.

The fact that Spalding is even being recruited is a bit of a surprise, considering he never played a down of tackle football before high school. Marty Spalding, who was the head coach at Canyon High of Saugus for six years before moving to El Toro in 1977, didn’t want Scott to play Pop Warner football.

“It wasn’t a matter of Pop Warner not doing him any good,” Marty said. “I think the coaching there is serious and well-intended. I’m telling you, Scott was just a skinny kid.”

Instead, Scott played flag football in junior high and and spent time as a ball boy at El Toro’s practices. But once he got into pads, he was an immediate success.

He has started both ways on every level of the Chargers’ program. Heading into his senior season, he is being touted as one of the nation’s best linemen and should have his share of college scholarship offers to choose from.

All that is far from his mind, though.

“I just want to play this year and see what materializes,” he said. “I’m not going home at night and thinking about where I’m going to college. I’m thinking about playing football.”

And his next meal.

Other players to watch this season:

Ross Bauer (El Modena) 5-10, 170, RB/LB: Bauer rushed for 1,908 yards and 26 touchdowns and contributed defensively from the linebacker position. The three-year starter is one of the best all-around football players the Vanguards have ever had.

Craig Belle (University) 5-10, 190, RB: The senior tailback ran for 800 yards and six touchdowns last season, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. He is very quick and elusive.

Rob Bills (La Habra) 6-1, 232, OT/DT: He helped clear the way for running back Chuck Weatherspoon last year and earned first-team, All-Freeway League honors as a junior.

Pat Blottiaux (Servite) 5-11, 175 PK: The junior came on late last season, kicking field goals of 52, 48 and 47 yards in the Friars’ 30-14 opening-round playoff victory over Millikan.

Kaleaph Carter (Edison) 6-0, 200, RB: A strong, durable runner with breakaway speed, Carter rushed for 927 yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore and began his junior season last week with a 110-yard, three-touchdown performance in the Chargers’ 21-0 victory over St. Anthony High of Maui.

Sterling Coberly (Newport Harbor) 5-11, 165, PK/WR: The senior begins his third season as the Sailors’ kicker, after converting 43 extra points and five field goals last year.

Mike Cover (Westminster) 6-3, 207, DE: A versatile lineman who had three interceptions and returned two for touchdowns last year and also played tailback. Cover was a first-team, All-Sunset League selection in 1985.

Mark Craig (Newport Harbor) 6-0, 205, WR: As a junior, Craig was among the county leaders with 75 receptions for 1,150 yards and 13 touchdowns, but he’ll have to work harder this year because of the loss of outstanding quarterback Shane Foley, who graduated to USC.

Jim DeFilippo (Troy) 6-4, 245, OT: Strong and aggressive, the senior was a first-team, all-Freeway League selection last year and should be one of the county’s top linemen this season.

John Fischbeck (Foothill) 6-0, 190, RB: The senior, who begins his third season as a starter, rushed for 906 yards and eight touchdowns last year and 972 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore. He’s not very flashy but is quick and reliable.

Tony Goulet (Valencia) 6-2, 210, RB: Even with record-breaking Ray Pallares in the backfield, the speedy Goulet managed to gain 824 yards and score 11 touchdowns last year, despite missing three games because of injury. He has gained almost 20 pounds since then and should be stronger this year.

Nick-John Haiduc (Servite) 5-10, 175, WR: With most defenses concentrating on Jeff Fieldhouse last year, Haiduc, who has excellent hands and a knack for getting open, caught 25 passes for 572 yards. He’ll be the Friars’ top receiver this year.

Tom Hansen (Pacifica) 6-0, 200, LB: A first-team, All-Empire league selection as a junior, Hansen had eight quarterback sacks and was one of the team’s top tacklers from his linebacker position.

Marc Hartman (Edison) 6-3, 200, LB: A first-team, All-Sunset League selection at inside linebacker last year, Hartman will move to the outside this season. He led the Chargers in tackles last year, despite missing two games because of an injury.

Tim Imperiali (Sunny Hills) 6-1, 180, WR/DB: Most Freeway League coaches consider the three-year starter the best returning skill player in the league. He should figure prominently this year in the Lancers’ pass-oriented offense.

Bret Johnson (El Toro) 6-1, 170, QB: As a sophomore, the son of Charger Coach Bob Johnson threw for 2,078 yards and 14 touchdowns to lead El Toro to the Southern Conference semifinals last year. He often takes advantage of his quick feet, quick release and strong arm by sprinting out on pass plays.

Ernest Johnston (Anaheim) 6-1, 210, FB/LB: The three-year starter passed for 1,072 yards and ran for 312 as the Colonist quarterback, but he’ll move to fullback this season, where his running skills will be better utilized. Defensively, Johnston has made 183 tackles in two varsity seasons.

David Lannon (Bolsa Grande) 6-3, 260 OT/DT: The three-year starter and returning first-team, All-Garden Grove League selection is an excellent pass blocker and drive blocker. He’s not extremely fast but usually gets a quick jump off the snap.

Robert Lee (Santa Ana) 6-0, 212, RB: Despite missing the first four games of his sophomore year with an ankle injury, Lee rushed for 997 yards and 10 touchdowns, including 231 yards in the Saints’ Southern Conference championship game victory over Mission Viejo. The junior is explosive and elusive.

Sean Magula (Marina) 6-0, 185, FB: Magula led all Sunset League rushers with 1,128 yards and also scored 10 touchdowns last year as the Vikings reached the Big Five Conference semifinals. He’s not very big for a fullback but is a runner who often hits his tacklers as hard as they hit him.

Todd Marinovich (Capistrano Valley) 6-4, 205, QB: The junior transfer from Mater Dei High may not have the strongest arm in the county, but he has an excellent touch. He passed for 4,358 yards and 34 touchdowns in two seasons at Mater Dei and should fit right into the Cougars’ pass-oriented offense.

Walt McMahon (Tustin) 5-10, 180, DB: A senior with good speed and excellent hands, McMahon will play strong safety and return punts this year for the Tillers.

Danny Ontiveros (Saddleback) 5-11, 160, DB/WR: The speedy senior caught 32 passes for 650 yards and 10 touchdowns last year to help the Roadrunners win the Central Conference championship. He returns as the team’s top defensive back, too.

Brent Parker (Capistrano Valley) 6-1, 183, WR/DB: Even with outstanding receivers Nathan Call and Todd Beightol in last year’s lineup, Parker managed to catch 46 passes for 522 yards. This year, with Call and Beightol gone, the senior should emerge as an outstanding receiver.

Dan Price (Western) 5-11, 190, OG/TE: The returning first-team, All-Orange League senior may not have the size to be a major-college lineman, but his strength and quickness make him one of the county’s top high school linemen.

James Rae (Esperanza) 6-5, 260, OT: Another in a long line of outstanding Aztec offensive linemen, Rae was an honorable mention selection in Street and Smith’s preseason All-American poll. He was a second-team, All-Empire League selection as a junior.

Chris Rose (Los Alamitos) 6-1, 235, OG: The three-year starter has played every offensive down of every Griffin game since 1984. Strong, quick and agile, and an all-league selection last year, Los Alamitos Coach John Barnes calls Rose “the best linemen we’ve ever had.”

Scott Ross (El Toro) 6-2, 215, LB/FB: A first-team, All-South Coast League selection last year, Ross led the Chargers in tackles and also was the team’s starting fullback. He’ll play less on offense this year, though, and that should improve his defensive performance.

Mark Smith (Westminster) 6-2, 217, LB/TE: The senior was a first-team, All-Southern Section selection on defense last year, but he’ll also play at tight end this season. With Smith and teammate Ray Smith, the Lions have one of the best linebacker tandems in the county.

Ray Smith (Westminster) 6-1, 235, LB/OT: Lion Co-Coach Jack Bowman said the junior was the strongest player on the team. Smith runs well and has very powerful legs, which should help him become a good offensive lineman, too.

Darrin Sweazy (Mission Viejo) 5-11, 192, RB: After transferring from El Toro, Sweazy ran for 622 yards last season to complement fullback Todd Yert. This year, he’ll carry most of the offensive load for Mission Viejo.

Jonathan Todd (Laguna Beach) 6-0, 210, LB/FB: The three-year starter led the Artists in tackles and in rushing last year and was a first-team, All-Sea View League selection.

David Townsend (Woodbridge) 6-0, 195, RB/DB: The senior rushed for 763 yards last year, including 235 against city rival University. He’s a strong, durable runner and a solid defensive back.

Brett Valmassei (Servite) 6-1, 220, LB: The senior combined with his brother, Ted, in 1985 to give the Friars a strong group of linebackers. Ted has graduated, but Brett will remain a force on the Servite defense.