1986 Times’ San Diego All County FOOTBALL TEAM : Many Players Buck Trend, Excel at More Than One Position, Sport

SAN DIEGO — In pro football, this is the age of specialization. Twenty-two players for 22 positions.

In high school football, at least in San Diego County, this new age has yet to arrive. Many top players seem to excel at a lot of positions and, in some cases, different sports.

This year’s Times’ All-County football team contains many examples.

For instance:

--Fallbrook’s Bill Dunckel, the county’s leading receiver this season, who last year was an All-County kicker.

--Vista’s Tommy Booker, last season an All-County defensive back, is the county’s top running back this season.

--Oceanside’s Junior Seau, an All-County basketball player in February. Now, he’s an All-County defensive lineman, even though many recognize him more for his pass receiving talents.

--Orange Glen’s Scott Carlovsky, who started the season as a wide receiver, switched to tight end at midseason and still finished his career fourth on the all-time county receiving list.

New-age purists need not despair completely, however. There are still some excellent specialists. Such as Poway kicker John Ashworth, whose 12 field goals tied the single-season San Diego Section record.

Here’s a closer look at The Times’ All-County team, which was selected with the help of county coaches.

The Times’ Back of the Year, Lineman of the Year and Coach of the Year will be announced at The Times’ awards banquet Dec. 14 at the Anaheim Hilton hotel.

OFFENSE

Scott Barrick, Fallbrook quarterback--Led the county in passing with 194 completions in 326 attempts for 2,512 yards and 23 touchdowns. Barrick’s yardage put him fourth on the section single-season list behind Jim Plum, Jeff Van Raaphorst and another Fallbrook quarterback, Jaime Miramontes. Barrick’s 59.5% passing percentage is seventh on the all-time list and his 23 touchdowns ties Rodney Hill (Lincoln) for ninth.

Tommy Booker, Vista running back--What would Vista be without Booker, who rushed 202 times for 1,662 yards (162 yards a game) and 21 touchdowns? “We would still be good, but, hey, Booker gives you the dimension of being able to go from good to great at times,” Coach Dick Haines said. “We knew we had a genuine product (in Booker) a long time ago.” Last year, Booker was named to The Times’ All-County team as a defensive back.

Tom Vardell, Granite Hills running back--Vardell, a second-team All-County selection last year as a junior, rushed for 1,414 yards this year and scored 13 touchdowns out of Granite Hills’ wishbone attack. Vardell also excelled in the classroom. Including honors courses, he has a grade-point average above 4.0. He wants to attend Stanford. “He’s got a very good combination of speed, strength and desire,” Coach Paul Wargo said. “He just won’t go down easily.”

Bill Dunckel, Fallbrook wide receiver--Dunckel set the San Diego Section single-season reception record with 71 catches, four more than Travis Knox (San Dieguito) caught in 1984. Dunckel’s receptions were good for 1,044 yards and 15 touchdowns. He ranks second in both yardage and touchdown pass receptions for a single season. Dunckel’s career total of 131 catches is fourth on the section list.

Patrick Rowe, Lincoln wide receiver--Rowe started every game at wide receiver and defensive back. He returned two punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns. He caught 43 passes for 1,015 yards (23.6 yards per catch) and 12 touchdowns. At defensive back, he recorded three interceptions. “This kid could very well step in and play during his first year in college,” Coach Vic Player said.

Ian Dunn, Chula Vista tackle--Dunn began playing football seriously only two years ago, but because of his willingness to learn and his excellent work habits he turned into a fine player in this, his senior season. “I hope he goes to a college program that will give him some more time to learn,” Coach George Ohnesorgen said of his 6-foot 4-inch 265-pounder. “If he goes to the right place, he’ll be a very good one.”

Clarence Loa, Vista guard--Loa is one of the few juniors ever named as a team captain at Vista. “He traps, he pulls, he pass blocks . . . he’s unreal, that’s all there is to it,” Haines said. Loa was a unanimous pick for All-Palomar League honors as a sophomore. Early this season, Loa played most of every game, starting at guard and defensive end.

Matt Purcell, El Capitan center--Purcell is a two-time all-league center in the Grossmont League. He was the first lineman selected for the Grossmont League all-league team this year. “We try to find the best lineman to be our center,” Coach Joe Rockhold said. Purcell was the lead blocker for Bryan Palmer, who rushed for 100 yards a game. Purcell was awarded the Golden Helmet award, given to the team’s most outstanding athlete.

Tim Carosella, USDHS Guard--His coach, Ron Hamamoto, says, “Tim doesn’t just block, he runs over people.” Hamamoto also called him the best lineman in the City Western League. He was the main blocker for Martin Correia (1,288 yards) and James Wilson (897). “We pull our guards a lot,” Hamamoto added. “He made some great blocks to open holes.” Carosella, 5-10, 190 pounds, also is strong as he can bench press 340 pounds.

Anthony (Tiny) Mitchell, Vista tackle--Two years ago, Mitchell arrived at a Vista summer practice session and told Haines he wanted a tryout. At 6-7, 345 pounds, Mitchell was appealing, but the only experience he had was eight-man football at Victory Christian High School. After playing on the second-team last season, Mitchell has proved himself, and trimmed his weight to 296. “He had always lived in the district but never heard of us,” Haines said. “He dedicated himself in the offseason with weights and jumping rope.”

Scott Carlovsky, Orange Glen tight end--At midseason, Carlovsky was moved from outside receiver to tight end so his blocking could aid the offensive balance of the team. Carlovsky didn’t mind. “It’s helped the team and that’s all I’m worried about,” he said. The move helped the team, and it didn’t hinder his reception output. He had 48 receptions for 747 yards and 9 touchdowns. In three years, Carlovsky caught 129 passes for 1,703 yards to rank fourth all-time in both receptions and reception yardage.

John Ashworth, Poway kicker--In his first year of playing football, Ashworth made 12 of 15 field goals attempts and all seven extra points. Also, 80% of his kickoffs went in the end zone and were not returned. “He’s the most accurate kicker I ever worked with,” said Dave Boulware, assistant coach. “That includes Mike Lansford (now with the Los Angeles Rams).” Two of Ashworth’s misses were on a muddy field in the first football game he ever played.

DEFENSE

John Beck, La Jolla lineman--Beck was the Defensive Player of the Year in the City Western League. “With his quickness he’s been able to run down some plays a lot of tackles couldn’t get to,” Coach Gene Edwards said. Beck led La Jolla to a share of the league title and anchored the county’s seventh-ranked defense, which allowed just 8.4 points a game.

Charles Fishero, Morse lineman--At 6-6 and 280 pounds, Fishero was a dominating force on the defensive line. Fishero also played offensive tackle. “He’s just a very strong young man,” Coach John Shacklett said. “His potential is very high.” This is the second straight year Fishero has been named to the All-County football team.

Lawrence Misa, Lincoln lineman--Misa is 6-5, 280. “That speaks for itself,” Lincoln Coach Vic Player said. Misa started at tackle on offense and defense for the Hornets this season. “He has really improved as a defensive player this year,” Player said. “He really overpowers people.”

Junior Seau, Oceanside lineman--Seau, also a wide receiver, was utilized quite a bit in Coach Roy Scaffidi’s defense. At times, he dropped back into coverage as a linebacker, but mostly he was a force as a stand-up defensive end. “People told me he was a great athlete and they were right,” Scaffidi said. Seau made All-County in basketball last year and has accumulated a 4.0 grade-point average the last three years. “He’s going to have his pick where he wants to go to college,” Scaffidi said.

Jerry Brewer, Grossmont linebacker--Brewer’s best asset, at 5-7 and 175 pounds, is his speed. He played inside linebacker but many times went wide to upset enemy sweeps. “He has a lot of speed and desire,” said Judd Hulbert, defensive coordinator. Brewer can bench press 350 pounds. “One great thing about Jerry,” Hulbert said, “I never have to worry about him not being around the ball.”

Kelly Hockey, San Dieguito linebacker--Hockey was named the Palomar League’s defensive player of the year, an award rarely given to a junior. “Obviously his ability overshadowed his (class standing),” Coach Ed Burke said. Hockey was a big reason San Dieguito went from last place in the Palomar League to second. “He’s one of those kind of guys who you can’t seem to block,” Burke said.

Paul MacRenato, University City linebacker--MacRenato was the City Western League’s player of the year as a junior and had another solid season as a senior. And, this year, he didn’t catch anybody by surprise. “They all knew who he was this time,” Coach Steve Vukojevich said. “Last year, I think he snuck up on some people.” MacRenato was also one of only seven running backs in the county to average more than 100 yards a game.

J. J. Mercado, Chula Vista linebacker--Mercado became only the second player in Coach Ohnesorgen’s nine seasons at Chula Vista to be a three-year starter. The other was All-County tight end Darnell Woods (1982-84). Mercado played well at outside linebacker as a sophomore and Ohnesorgen knew then that he had a bona fide player. “We knew he’d anchor our defense the last two years,” Ohnesorgen said.

Scott Catlin, Sweetwater defensive back--Catlin, a junior, has a 3.7 grade-point average and Coach Gene Alim said there is a direct correlation with intelligence and playing safety. “We do a lot of disguising our coverage,” Alim said. “He has a lot of responsibility and mentally he’s fantastic.” Catlin led the team with 10 interceptions, two short of the section record held by, of all people, Gene Alim.

Keith Mitchell, Lincoln defensive back--Mitchell was one of the mainstays of the stingy Lincoln defense, which ranked second in the county. Mitchell was also the starting quarterback on the top-ranked Hornet offense, passing for more than 1,000 yards. “He’s such a great athlete,” Coach Player said. “Usually an athlete with such natural ability lacks patience, but he is a very patient player.”

Ivory Randle, Crawford defensive back--”He’s fast and he’s smart,” Coach Roger Engle said. “The best thing about him is he’s a hitter. He likes to hit.” Randle had three interceptions and was named the City Central League Defensive Player of the Year. His 4.5 speed in the 40 has San Diego State, Nebraska, Colorado and Washington interested.

FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. WR Bill Dunckel Fallbrook 5-11 175 Senior WR Patrick Rowe Lincoln 6-2 175 Senior TE Scott Carlovsky Orange Glen 6-0 180 Senior OT Ian Dunn Chula Vista 6-4 265 Senior OG Tim Carosella USDHS 5-10 190 Senior C Matt Purcell El Capitan 6-1 215 Senior OG Clarence Loa Vista 6-1 235 Junior OT Anthony Mitchell Vista 6-7 295 Senior QB Scott Barrick Fallbrook 6-2 190 Senior RB Tommy Booker Vista 6-1 185 Senior RB Tom Vardell Granite Hills 6-2 210 Senior K John Ashworth Poway 5-11 165 Senior

OFFENSE

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. DL Jon Beck La Jolla 6-5 225 Senior DL Charles Fishero Morse 6-6 270 Senior DL Lawrence Misa Lincoln 6-4 280 Senior DL Junior Seau Oceanside 6-5 215 Senior LB Jerry Brewer Grossmont 5-10 175 Senior LB Kelly Hockey San Dieguito 5-11 190 Junior LB Paul MacRenato University City 6-1 195 Senior LB J.J. Mercado Chula Vista 5-8 185 Senior DB Scott Catlin Sweetwater 5-9 157 Junior DB Keith Mitchell Lincoln 5-10 175 Senior DB Ivory Randle Crawford 6-1 180 Senior

* Scott Barrick not pictured.

SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE: WR--John Ace (Valhalla), Scott Weedman (Escondido). TE--Ray Rowe (Mira Mesa). OT--Jumbo Malsack (Escondido), Alex Gill (Montgomery). OG--Robert Giulietti (San Dieguito), Mike Vivoli (Patrick Henry). C--Greg Cleveland (University City). QB--Brian Murphy (Chula Vista). RB--Pierre Jones (Sweetwater), Sione Fehoko (Chula Vista). K--Robert Padillo (Granite Hills).

SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE: DL--Bill Clem (Mira Mesa), Harry Koyl (Castle Park), Mark Esposito (El Camino), Chris Ojeda (Madison). LB--Sai Niu (Oceanside), Haywood Mathis (Mount Miguel), Scott Weber (Granite Hills), Dan Leoncini (Valhalla). DB--Andre Falkquay (Mira Mesa), John Roots (Hoover), Gerald Harris (Madison).

Chris De Luca, Jeffrey Parenti and Rick Hazeltine contributed to this story.