LEAGUE PREVIEWS : ALPHA

Teams appear in order of finish predicted by Times staff writers. Montclair Prep

COACH: Pat Blackburn, first year

LAST SEASON: 10-4; first in league, 5-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Eighteen players return from last season’s team, which was defeated in the Inland Conference championship game. Even without the services of Riche Swinton, a Times’ All-Valley first-team tailback last season, the Mounties are the preseason conference favorites. Blackburn has been pleased with the progress made by sophomore running backs Mike Broussard (5-7, 165) and Tyler Robuck (5-10, 170). “They’ve really stepped out in front and impressed me with their running ability,” Blackburn said. The Mounties are building their offense around senior quarterback Frank Charles and wide receivers Anthony Pack (16 receptions, 263 yards) and John DeRouen (30 receptions, 417 yards). Charles has impressed Blackburn with an ability to read defenses and stay poised under the pass rush. “He’s a great leader,” Blackburn said. Robbie Briggs, who caught 26 passes for 462 yards last season, will start at tight end. The Mounties return three players from last season’s offensive line. Chad Pascua (6-4, 275) and Ron Walker (6-2, 280) will start at tackle. Josh Berger (6-0, 200) returns for his third season as the starting center. Strong safety Eric Triebatch (6-1, 185) will also back up Charles at quarterback. Said Blackburn of Triebatch: “He’s the strongest hitter I’ve seen in a long time.”

OUTLOOK: The Mounties are ranked No. 1 in the Inland Conference preseason poll. Blackburn, a former defensive coordinator at Alemany, is adjusting to realities of running a smaller-division program. Said Blackburn: “We’ve got a lot of talent returning, we just can’t afford any major injuries.”

Western Christian

COACH: Tim Kistler, second year

LAST SEASON: 5-5; third in league, 3-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Kistler is hopeful that a returning offensive line averaging more than 200 pounds from tackle to tackle will spring returning fullback Steve Sequancia and junior tailback Torrey Pearson (5-11, 205) for some big runs. Pearson, who rushed for 130 yards against Silver Valley last season will miss the season opener with a fractured thumb. Said Kistler of Pearson: “He’s developing, but physically, he’s still growing. He’s getting a mind-set for the game. The experience we have on the line could open holes for him.” Gary Levin, a starter on last season’s sophomore team, will probably be the starting quarterback. Kistler said Levin (5-8, 150) is a “tough, spirited kid with a good mental attitude.” Lost to graduation are four first-team All-Alpha League players, including running back Kjell Petridis, linebacker/guard Per Negaard, defensive back Mike Arconado, kicker Stewart Perry, and second team wide receiver Chris Trimble. Senior defensive tackle Troy Hanley (6-5, 240) and Brian Block (6-1, 190) will return on the defensive unit. Block will be starting his third season on the varsity as a defensive end.

OUTLOOK: “Our defense carried us last year,” Kistler said. “The offense could carry us this year. I know we’re good, but the inexperience will hurt us.”

Village Christian

COACH: Mike Plaisance, fifth year

LAST SEASON: 3-7; seventh in league, 1-5

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Crusaders will use a pass-oriented offense designed around senior quarterback Chris Johnson (6-2, 210). Johnson, who completed 41 of 106 attempts for 324 yards last season, will be connecting with wide receivers Victor Tyler and Rick Oehler. Tyler (5-6, 165) was an all-Alpha League selection at defensive back and the team’s most valuable player last season. Scott Phillips (5-9, 185) and Craig Hudspeth (5-8, 185) will be in the backfield and sophomore Drew Martenson will be a top offensive lineman. Phillips has 4.8 speed in the 40-yard-dash and developed strength over the summer. Said Plaisance of Hudspeth: “We call him the baby bull. He’s a moose.” Alex Hepburn (6-1, 188) will handle the kicking duties and see some playing time at wide receiver. Plaisance considers Hepburn, a first team All-Alpha League selection last season, to be one of the area’s top kickers. He kicked a 48-yard field goal last season. Two returning linebackers will lead the Crusaders’ 4-4 defense. Senior Ron Romburger (6-2, 185) and Geoff Lloyd (5-11, 205) will be joined by wide receiver/defensive back Andrew Ream (6-2, 180), safety Jordan Nedeff, guard Tad Benson and tackles Brian Bovee and Ken Bolin. “We were the last team to beat Montclair Prep when we beat them at our homecoming in 1983, 10-7,” Plaisance said. “We’d like to get back to establishing a winning tradition.”

OUTLOOK: “Last year we were young and we had a problem keeping the continuity,” Plaisance said. “For the first time, we have a little size on the line. We have a good nucleus, but I think we’re a year away from being a legitimate contender.”

Maranatha

COACH: Greg Ireland, sixth year

LAST SEASON: 5-5; third in Olympic League, 3-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Twelve players return for the Minutemen, who enter their first season in the Alpha League. All of last season’s top wide receivers and quarterback Erik Johnson, the team’s most valuable player and a Times’ All-San Gabriel Valley selection, have graduated. John Kitterman (6-0, 170) will start at quarterback with John Inouye, Perry Danny and Michael Warner at wide receiver. Steve Gallon (6-0, 165) will play tight end and Richie Talbert (6-1, 180) will be a halfback. Talbert, who will also start at strong safety and is one of the team’s captains, ran for 1,000 yards his first season and just under 800 his second after missing 3 1/2 games with a dislocated thumb. “He’s definitely a team leader,” Fisher said. “Richie’s the kind of guy that doesn’t like to tell you that he’s hurt.” Maranatha lost depth at middle linebacker with the graduation of Derek Dohy and Mike Kapros, both all-league selections. Tommy Martinez, who runs a 4.65 40-yard-dash, will play running back and outside linebacker. John Howe will start at inside linebacker and offensive guard and is considered the team’s hardest hitter. Sophomores Jeff Johnson (5-9, 170) and Tim Tyler (5-8, 175) will start at offensive tackle, but a lot of weight has been put in the play of sophomore Keith Lewis (5-11, 200) who moved into Aaron Hinojosa’s spot at noseguard. “Lewis is ready to go right now,” Fisher said. “He is undoubtedly one of the strongest kids we’ve seen.” Hinojosa has been moved to defensive tackle.

OUTLOOK: “We don’t believe in the psychological game with our kids,” Fisher said. “We like our kids to be relaxed and I think that’s when they play they’re best ball. With the new format where only two spots are guaranteed for the playoffs, it’s going to be tough.”

Marshall Fundamental

COACH: Lew Underwood, third year

LAST SEASON: 3-7; fifth in league, 2-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Four of five starting offensive linemen return to Marshall, including junior tackle Thomas De La Torre (5-10, 240), second team all-league guard Kenyatie Shaw (5-9, 200), center Robert Buitron (6-0, 210) and Peter Pacheco (5-11, 215) at guard. Shaw and running back Keenyan Knapp, a senior transfer from Blair High in Pasadena, are the team’s impact players. “Knapp will add some maturity coming from a school like Blair that has a tradition of playing winning football,” Underwood said. “He is the kind of player that other kids look up to. They recognize talent.” The Eagles will be less experienced at quarterback and wide receiver. Because of injuries, Underwood used six quarterbacks last season. Junior Alvin Rhodes started several games last season and will be the starter this year. Said Underwood: “He’s learning to pass, but his thing is running with the ball.” Serge Delus, who scored 11 touchdowns last season, will again start at running back. On defense Underwood is counting on the trio of Luis Robinson (5-10, 240) at defensive tackle, Gabriel Flores at linebacker and safety Javier Valdivia (5-8, 145).

OUTLOOK: “The only thing we have returning that we’ll put our hopes on is the offensive line,” Underwood said. “And we expect a lot out of Serge Delus.”

L.A. Baptist

COACH: Mike Boshers, first year

LAST SEASON: 3-7; fifth in league, 2-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: “I don’t want it to sound like I’m smoking with a big team,” Boshers said, “but I’m optimistic.” His confidence may be partially attributed to the return of Mike MacDonald (6-0, 195), who was a starter at tailback but will start, this season, at quarterback. “One of the things about MacDonald is that we have him playing safety also,” Boshers said. “Mike throws the ball real well and he runs the 40 in 4.7. He’s quick and he’ll be able to cover a lot of ground.” MacDonald moved into the spot when quarterback Jeremy Leach transferred to Granada Hills. Wide receivers Mike Guthrie (5-9, 145) and Chip Morgan (5-9, 165) will be joined on the offensive unit by fullback Glen Hazlett (6-2, 195), a converted guard, tailback Cliff Robinson (5-6, 150) and tight end Dan Mader (6-0, 200). Said Boshers of Mader, a converted interior lineman: “He’s a much better athlete than some people thought. We worked on his hands. He’s very teachable.” Linebackers Roman Jaraabek (5-8, 175), Ron Kalinowski (6-0, 185) and All-Alpha League defensive end Greg Benedick (6-0, 205) will key the Knights’ 4-3 defense. Said Boshers: “It’s all going to come out in the wash when we open up with Bishop. We’re going to have to prove ourselves every game.”

OUTLOOK: “We’ve made all kinds of position changes,” Boshers said. “But, we’re trying to put together a program that hasn’t done so well in the past. No reason we couldn’t be in contention for the playoffs. And there is no reason why they shouldn’t win football games here.”

La Verne Lutheran

COACH: John Rode, 12th year

LAST SEASON: 4-5; third in league, 3-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Trojans graduated most of their offensive unit, including all of their running backs and quarterback Rex Rhorer. The quarterback spot will go to either Scott Garbell or Chris Oleson. Victor Ward and Darren Hunt are vying for the fullback position. The Trojans will run the ball more this season, Rode said. Center David Stone (6-3, 190) is only returning starter on the offensive line. He will be joined by guard Les Parks (5-5, 175), wide receiver David Perez and tight end Mike Wysup. La Verne will have little depth on the defensive line where Doug Schuelke is the only returning starter. Hunt will also play inside linebacker, but Rode said the “outside linebacker is anybody’s guess right now.” Garbell, sophomore Mike Benjamin and Caesar Reyes will fill the two open positions at safety. Rode has a 24-member team, but does not plan to do much platooning. Said Rode: “We’d rather have everybody learn one job well.” Montclair Prep is favored to win the league, but, after the Mounties, there is little difference between the teams, Rode said. The Trojans are scheduled to play Montclair Prep late in the season. Rode is hoping that by that time the Trojans won’t have been decimated by injuries. Said Rode: “If they do physically destroy us, at least we’ll only have one more game to go.”

OUTLOOK: “We’re a lot more inexperienced than we’ve been in the past,” Rode said. “We have some good kids but a lot of them are changing positions. It’s a question of how well they jell.”

L.A. Lutheran

COACH: Stan Dobler, second year

LAST SEASON: 5-5; second in league, 5-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Lions are in a transition year and have moved to a passing offense designed to maximize the potential of returning quarterback Jeff Young (6-1, 150). Young, who threw for 436 yards last season, will be connecting with wide receivers Mark Tietjen (5-10, 150) and Eric Ranck (5-10, 160) and running back Greg Rozsa. Ranck averaged 34.3 yards per punt, which earned him honorable mention All-Alpha League honors. Tietjen, who also starts at defensive back, will be utilized more this season. “We didn’t throw the ball a whole lot last year,” Dobler said. “We’ve gone to a one-back system.” Barry Walter, a 6-0, 190-pound senior who also earned honorable mention all-league honors at guard, will be joined by tackle Jeff Borchert (6-1, 185) and Tim Arnold on the line. Dobler said Borchert is “a leader--not vocally, but by the way he plays.” Said Dobler of Arnold: “It was questionable this past year whether we were going to have a team because our school moved. But during spring ball he never missed a day. He went ahead and did what we asked him to.” Walter and Rob Webb (6-3, 180) will start at defensive end. Scott Yurek, a three-year starter and a second team Times’ All-Valley selection, will be at linebacker along with Brian Gannon (6-1, 200) and sophomore Travis Canel (5-10, 170).

OUTLOOK: “We have a very light team as far as numbers,” Dobler said. “We only have 17 people on the varsity. It will be a good season if we go 5-5.”