Palomar League Football Preview : Booker and Barrick May Be Gone, but Balance Remains

This time of year, football coaches rarely say their league is too easy or too tough. Rather, a one-word description is often used: balanced.

But when a coach from the Palomar League starts talking about balance, don’t interrupt. The Palomar League actually fits the description.

Last season, Fallbrook High School, the league’s third-place team, went on to win the San Diego Section 3-A championship against first-place Vista. Even the league’s worst team in 1986, Poway, played very respectably outside the league.

Poway was winless in league play and undefeated in nonleague competition. Three of Poway’s four victories came against section playoff teams (Granite Hills, Mira Mesa and San Marcos).

“I’ve always felt the league has been balanced,” Fallbrook Coach Tom Pack said. “You look at the nonleague results; we win our share of ballgames.”

The league may be more balanced this year because of the graduation of Tommy Booker, Vista’s All-American running back, and Scott Barrick, Fallbrook’s quarterback, who were the section’s co-offensive players of the year in 1986. Both now attend San Diego State.

But neither Vista nor Fallbrook will have to start from scratch. Vista has Marc Jones as a capable follow for Booker. Fallbrook’s Mike Turiace is expected to continue the tradition of top-flight quarterbacks at Fallbrook.

Discounting the loss of Booker, Vista was the least hurt by graduation, and again considered by many as one of the top teams in the state.

“Vista will always be a power,” Pack said.

Fallbrook

Last season’s record: 4-2, 7-2-1.

Finish: Third.

Coach: Tom Pack.

Top returners: Darrow Nelson (6-0, 175, Sr., WR), Greg Frinell (5-10, 170, Sr., DB), Paul Rutledge (6-0, 215, Sr., OT), Mike Turiace (6-1, 170, Sr., QB).

Top newcomers: James Loftis (5-10, 230, Jr., C), Aaron Tapia (5-9, 145, Jr., RB).

Outlook: Pack developed a passing offense at Fallbrook six years ago (something he terms “run-and-gun”) and has no plans to abandon it. Who can blame him? Fallbrook has had three of the county’s top quarterbacks during that time (Steve Blair, Jaime Miramontes and Scott Barrick). Turiace will be working with only two returning starters on offense--Nelson and Rutledge. Defensively, Fallbrook returns five starters, including second-team all-league free safety Frinell.

Mt. Carmel

Last season’s record: 1-5, 3-7.

Finish: Sixth.

Coach: Bill Christopher.

Top returners: John Tejcek (5-11, 165, Sr., DB), Mark King (5-11, 180, Sr. RB), Soliman Labrador (6-3, 258, Sr., OT), Trevor Roberts (6-2, 235, Sr., OG).

Top newcomers: Mike Moffat (5-9, 165, Jr., WR), Alan Cross (6-4, 185, Sr., WR).

Outlook: Mt. Carmel will be one of the most experienced teams in the league with 24 players returning, but first-year coach Christopher is still trying to get acquainted with the team. He’ll get plenty of help from Frank Andruski, last season’s head coach and a defensive back coach this year. The entire offensive line returns, as does much of the defense. Mt. Carmel nearly beat Vista last season, after leading the Panthers, 10-0, in the fourth period. Vista rallied for a 14-10 victory.

Orange Glen

Last season’s record: 2-4, 6-4.

Finish: Fifth.

Coach: Dave Lay.

Top returners: Dan Early (6-3, 195, Sr., S), Greg Anderson (6-0, 212, Sr., LB), Tom Esposito (6-2, 225, Sr., DT), Craig Teschendorf (5-5, 175, Sr., NG).

Top newcomers: Bill McNeil (5-10, 155, Jr., DB), Shane Copeland (6-0, 175, Jr., RB).

Outlook: Lay, in his first season with Orange Glen, is expecting his defense to carry the team. That’s an attitude he almost has to take considering only one experienced player, guard Dave Henry (5-11, 190), returns on offense. There are no weak spots on the defense, with the entire line returning. At quarterback, Lay is still deciding between Sean Gousha, a 1986 second-stringer, and Cree Morris, a former junior-varsity starter.

Poway

Last season’s record: 0-6, 4-6.

Finish: Seventh.

Coach: Brad Elrod.

Top returners: Greg Warden (5-10, 185, Sr., LB), Brian Davisson (5-10, 175, Sr., NG), Scott Bloom (6-0, 180, Sr., DT), John Musgrove (5-8, 210, Sr., OT).

Top newcomers: Mike Beam (5-9, 165, Jr., QB), Jose Castro (5-9, 160, Jr., DB).

Outlook: “We will throw the heck out of the ball,” Elrod said. It’s up to Beam to follow through on that promise. Beam was brought up from the junior varsity for the final three games last season. Other than Musgrove, Poway will have a relatively small team. That’s a concern for Elrod, but he said Poway’s quickness could compensate. When Poway does run, Elrod will look toward speedy junior running back Shawn Eagle (5-10, 160).

San Dieguito

Last season’s record: 5-1, 8-2.

Finish: Second.

Coach: Ed Burke.

Top returners: Mike McCune (6-4, 225, Sr., OG), Brett Ward (5-11, 165, Sr., QB), Tom Pellegrino (5-10, 185, Jr., NG), Kelly Hockey (5-10, 195, Sr., LB).

Top newcomers: Tim Patterson (6-3, 205, Jr., C), Tim Kechter (6-1, 171, Jr., S).

Outlook: San Dieguito’s offense lost all but two experienced players because of graduation. But there’s no need for sympathy for Burke. The reason: Hockey was the league’s defensive player of the year last season. Even with its youth, San Dieguito could have the strongest defense in the league. San Dieguito finishes its regular season against Vista. “I love that,” Burke said. “It seems that every year the team that plays Vista last, plays them for the championship.”

Torrey Pines

Last season’s record: 3-3, 4-6.

Finish: Fourth.

Coach: Rick Haines.

Top returners: Tim Walker (6-0, 191, Sr., RB), Tyler Batson (6-7, 240, Sr., LB/TE), Lance Delay (6-2, 233, Sr., DE), Bob Kennedy (5-10, 170, Sr., WR).

Top newcomers: None.

Outlook: Haines has 24 lettermen returning, including three-time starter Walker. Last season, Walker rushed for 744 yards and is expected to anchor the offense this season. However, the key to the Torrey Pines’ game plan is defense, headed by inside linebacker Batson. Haines is concerned, however, that his defense may be vulnerable to the big play.

Vista

Last season’s record: 6-0, 12-1.

Finish: First.

Coach: Dick Haines.

Top returners: Billy Faraimo (6-2, 190, Sr., QB), Tamasi Amituani (6-3, 275, Jr. OT), Marc Jones (6-0, 185, Sr., RB), Clarence Loa (6-2, 240, Sr., OG).

Top newcomers: Bob Morgan (5-11, 185, Sr., RB), Chris Cannon (6-1, 180, Sr., S).

Outlook: Jones has the ability to be the kind of impact player Booker was a year ago. Even with Booker dominating the offense, Jones wasn’t overshadowed. In Vista’s league opener last season against Fallbrook, Jones scored on a 72-yard run. Faraimo is experienced and quick. He is also a threat to throw on the run. Barring injury, Vista will be the favorite to win the league.