San Diego High School Football : USDHS Will Try to Stay Unbeaten

University City and University of San Diego high schools, teams with a lot in common, open Western League play at 7 tonight at University.

USDHS, ranked No. 10 in San Diego County by The Times, is 5-0. University City is 3-1. Last year, the teams finished one-two in league with University City beating USDHS, 21-7, to win the championship.

Both have explosive offenses. USDHS is averaging 24 points a game, University City 22. University City has allowed an average of 7.7 points a game, with all the points coming in a 31-0 loss to Mira Mesa. USDHS is giving up 8.4 points a game and has not allowed more than 13 points in any game.

Both have strong running games. USDHS is led by tailback James Wilson, who has 689 yards and 6 touchdowns in 102 carries. University City is led by last year’s Western League Player of the Year, running back Paul MacRenato, who has 367 yards and 4 touchdowns in 63 carries. Teammate Darrin Wagner has 377 yards in 42 carries, including 117 in 7 carries in last week’s 21-0 victory over Brawley.

Yet there is one big difference between the teams. University City was expected to be where it is and USDHS was not.

USDHS may be the league’s surprise. USDHS surprised league coaches last year, too, when it advanced to the playoffs.

USDHS’s success hasn’t surprised Coach Ron Hamamoto. However, he didn’t expect the strong play of his offensive and defensive lines, both anchored by Chris Nottoli.

“They’re not big but they go after people,” he said. “That’s basically where we’ve been winning games.”

University City has been winning, too, but not the way Coach Steve Vukojevich thinks it should.

“We’re still groping,” Vukojevich said. “We’re trying to find our personality. I don’t mean by score, but mechanics. We haven’t been a smooth team.”

Vukojevich says part of the problem is injuries. All-league linebacker-offensive lineman Greg Cleveland has missed the last three games with a sprained ankle, but he is expected to play tonight. Also out is defensive back-wide receiver Matt Kelly, who stretched knee ligaments last week against Brawley. Kelly will be out for at least four weeks and perhpas the remainder of the year.

The coaches say that tonight’s game could be pivotal in the Western League race, and agree on how the game will be won.

Said Hamamoto: “The team that makes the least number of mistakes--and with two running teams that means fumbles--is going to win it.”

Said Vukojevich: “Turnovers.”

Other Games to Watch

TODAY Valhalla (3-2) at No. 5 Granite Hills (4-1)--It’s difficult for Valhalla Coach Carl Iavelli to take a positive attitude into this game. The thought of Todd Vardell and Robert Padillo running out of the Granite Hills’ wishbone offense is enough to lower any coach’s expectations. Vardell has rushed 85 times for 609 yards and 5 touchdowns and Padillo has run 69 times for 425 yards and 6 touchdowns. “No one has really stopped them all year,” Iavelli said. “They are going to knock you down and run all over you. I’m just hoping they will look past us (to their league opener next week).” Iavelli said he hopes passing can keep Valhalla close. Valhalla quarterback Joe Crisci has completed 63 of 132 attempts, including 4 touchdowns. His primary target is wide receiver John Ace, who has 31 receptions for 527 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Carlsbad (2-0, 4-1) at San Marcos (2-0, 2-2-1)--The Carlsbad offense could decide this Avocado League game. San Marcos will have to stop the combination of Carlsbad quarterback Karl Molinar and wide receiver Greg Beach. Molinar is 54 of 105 for 681 yards and 7 touchdowns. Nearly half his completions have been to Beach, who has made 26 catches for 323 yards.

No. 9 San Dieguito (1-0, 4-1) at Poway (0-2, 3-2)--San Dieguito, which beat Fallbrook last week, 21-12, joins the powers in the Palomar League. No. 1 Vista defeated Poway, 35-19, last week but it wasn’t as easy.

BIG GAME FACTS

Who: University City at No. 10 University of San Diego High School.

Where: University of San Diego High.

When: 7 p.m.

Records: University City 3-1; University of San Diego High 5-0.

Players to watch: USDHS: James Wilson, (6-4, 190) TB; Martin Correia (5-10, 180) FB; Makie Hastings (6-4, 220) OT/DL; Chris Nottoli (6-1, 200) OT/DL. University City: Paul MacRenato (6-1, 195) RB; Greg Cleveland (6-3, 215) OL/LB; Brian Sexton (6-0, 165) QB.

Last meeting: University City won, 21-7, in 1985.