Prep Friday : El Toro’s Super Savers : There’s Simply No Substitution for Having a Lot in Reserve

Your All-American lineman has contracted mononucleosis. Your best receiver has an ankle injury, your top running back has a stress fracture in his right leg and your best defensive back has a slight tear in his knee. What will you do?

If you are Bob Johnson, El Toro High School football coach, you don’t panic. You keep winning. And winning big.

In the course of three weeks, Johnson has lost All-American tackle Scott Spalding, the county’s premier lineman; wide receiver Scott Miller, considered by many the county’s best receiver; cornerback Shane Brisbin, who led the team with seven interceptions last season, and running back Ron Chocklet.

Yet, the Chargers have averaged 39.3 points in their last three games and will take a 6-0 record into tonight’s South Coast League showdown against Capistrano Valley at Mission Viejo High.

Johnson admits that his team has been weakened by the injuries, but he has juggled his lineup in the past three games to the point where the team’s stars have hardly been missed.

“We’ve continued to win, and that’s the sign of a good team,” Johnson said. “Four of our seven returning starters have been lost for at least two games, but the kids have responded.”

The play of five reserves in particular has helped keep El Toro undefeated. They have become the Chargers Super Subs, if you will.

Aly Diaz, a transfer from Twentynine Palms High, replaced Chocklet at running back and has gained 300 yards and scored 6 touchdowns in the last three games.

Receivers Chris McCarthy and Lance Doalson have kept the El Toro passing game strong, which is no easy task. Miller caught 27 passes for 463 yards and 7 touchdowns in the Chargers’ opening three games.

Junior Brendan Bailey, a special teams player who makes cameo appearances in the Chargers’ nickel defense, replaced Brisbin at left cornerback.

Tackle Jon Barron, a converted offensive lineman, had the imposing task of replacing Spalding, who was named one of the country’s top 25 players in a preseason article in USA Today.

Here’s a closer look at the five players:

--Brendan Bailey, 5-9, 165, cornerback: Before the season, Bailey was better known on campus as Chris Bailey’s younger brother. Chris was the team’s leading receiver last season.

Brendan figured 1986 would be a learning year. He primarily was a special teams player before Brisbin was injured midway through the El Modena game four weeks ago. Bailey got a crash course on the bump and run. “At first, I was nervous,” he said. “But after the first play, I was excited. The guys that were hurt are the leaders on our team. More than anything else, we miss their leadership.”

--Jon Barron, 6-3, 225, tackle: A returning starter on the offensive line, Barron had never played a defensive down on varsity when he replaced Spalding last week against San Clemente.

“When Scott got sick, I told the coach I’ll do my best, just don’t yell at me if I make a mistake,” Barron said. “It was the first time I’ve gone both ways since I played on the sophomore team. I was dead tired after the game.

“Before the game, I went over to Scott’s house and told him when I came back, we’d be 6-0. Since our trip to Pennsylvania, we’ve united together as a team. We’ve had some major letdowns, but we’ve stuck together.”

--Aly Diaz, 5-11, 175, running back: Diaz has been the year’s biggest surprise. He transferred with impressive credentials after being named Twentynine Palms athlete of the year as a junior. But then Twentynine Palms has an enrollment of 777.

Diaz’s father, John, has been an exchange officer in the Marines for 30 years. He transferred to El Toro in July, which is nothing new. Aly Diaz has been to eight schools in 12 years.

“I didn’t want to move, but now I’m glad we did,” Diaz said. “To be honest, I didn’t know anything about El Toro or its winning tradition when we moved here. I was behind everybody, but I learned a lot through the summer.”

Chocklet had rushed for 317 yards in four games when he suffered the stress fracture. He missed all but three games last season with a similar injury.

“I felt bad for Ron because he was hurt last year, too,” Diaz said. “But I also thought this is my chance and I had better take advantage of it.”

--Lance Doalson, 6-1, 180, wide receiver: Doalson knows something about being prepared. Last year, he was a fifth-string receiver who quickly advanced as the Chargers’ No. 3 receiver when two players quit the team.

“All I did was run in the plays last year,” Doalson said. “I only caught three passes and those came in games that we were way ahead. When Scott got hurt, it gave Chris and I a chance. I think (quarterback) Bret (Johnson) has gained some confidence in us.”

Doalson has caught 13 passes this season and rotates with McCarthy relaying the offensive plays from the bench.

--Chris McCarthy, 5-8, 155, wide receiver: McCarthy has been the big-play receiver in Miller’s absence, catching 10 passes for 224 yards and 3 touchdowns in El Toro’s past two games.

He was the sophomore team’s most valuable player last year with 15 touchdown receptions, but McCarthy figured next year would be his turn to take a leading role.

“Scott has always been Bret’s No. 1 look,” McCarthy said. “I figured I would get the leftovers this year. The last two games have been real confidence builders.

“When Scott got hurt, I told myself it was time to start concentrating and playing good football. I feel good about the way the team has played with all our injuries.”