New Season May Look a Lot Like ’86 : Amat, Muir Expected to Field Powerhouses in Battle for No. 1

It’s a new season for high school football in the San Gabriel Valley, but in many respects 1987 looks a lot like last year.

The top two teams still figure to be Bishop Amat of La Puente and Muir of Pasadena, among the elite of the CIF Southern Section for years and the best in the valley last season.

Valley teams also appear in good position to win as many championships as last season, when Muir won its second straight Coastal Conference title, Los Altos captured the Eastern Conference and Arroyo took the Southeastern. About the biggest change has come off the field as Muir, Diamond Bar and Temple City named new coaches.

But on the field the results figure to be about the same.

Bishop Amat may be slightly ahead of Muir in the battle for No. 1. The Lancers have won their first 11 games in each of the last two years, only to lose in the Big Five Conference quarterfinals.

If Amat or Muir stumbles, traditional powers Diamond Bar, Los Altos, Pasadena and Damien are waiting to assume the top spot. Northview, Nogales, Temple City and Arroyo--four teams that had good seasons last year--should be among the elite.

Here’s a closer look at the Top 10 teams:

1.Bishop Amat (Angelus League; Big Five Conference)--Mark Paredes, coach of the Lancers, cannot understand why his team is listed so high.

“I’m surprised that people would even consider us highly rated because of what we lost,” he says.

Paredes was alluding to the fact that Bishop Amat graduated running back Eric Bieniemy and several other All-Southern Section players from last year’s 11-1 squad, which won its second straight league title and was ranked No. 1 in the conference most of the season before losing in the playoff quarterfinals.

What the coach forgot to mention is that the Lancers, who return seven starters and 33 lettermen, still have as much talent as any school in the valley.

Granted, there is no Bieniemy--a big loss for any team considering that he rushed for school records of 2,001 yards and 28 touchdowns last year and 4,882 yards and 64 touchdowns for his three-year prep career.

But Bishop Amat does have an excellent replacement in senior Mazio Royster (6-1, 178), a speedster who rushed for 707 yards and three touchdowns as Bieniemy’s backup last year. “He’s our best running back,” Paredes said. “Whether he’s at the level of Bieniemy is another question.”

The Lancers also figure to have an improved passing attack with the return of quarterback J.R. Phillips (6-0, 175), who passed for 919 yards and 12 touchdowns last year, and breakaway threats Stephon Pace (6-0, 181), who had 17 catches for 236 yards, and Derek Zdarstek (5-11, 155) at wide receivers.

In addition, Bishop Amat still has good size on its offensive line led by big tackle Kevin Szalonek (6-4, 253) and guard Aron Gideon (6-3, 245).

The pair will also be tackles on defense, which has a strong secondary that includes Pace and senior Ruben Duran (5-8, 162). Pace, a Times all-valley selection last year, led the Lancers with six interceptions as a junior.

2.Muir (Pacific League; Coastal Conference)--With the departure of longtime successful Coach Jim Brownfield, who is taking a leave of absence for health reasons after guiding Muir to 24 straight wins over the last two seasons and two straight conference titles, it is the start of a new era for the Mustangs.

However, don’t be surprised if the end result is the same under first-year Coach Dwain Thornton.

Despite graduating blue-chip players such as running back Ricky Ervins and quarterback Vince Phillips from last year’s 14-0 team, the Mustangs appear to have the talent to challenge for a third straight title.

The Mustangs have nine starters returning, along with their usual supply of outstanding speed in the skill positions. Making matters worse for Mustang opponents is the fact that this will also be one of Muir’s biggest teams ever.

With an offensive line that averages 235 pounds, Muir may have the biggest line in the valley. It is led by juniors James Ellison (6-3, 275) at tackle and George Bugarin (6-2, 237) at center, and senior guards Dallas Kearney (6-1, 245) and Wes McGarrity (6-2, 215).

That should make the transition easier for Muir’s talented but inexperienced backfield, which will include speedy junior halfback Tim Milton (5-8, 160), fullback Alfred Robinson (6-1, 190) and either Tarrall Amos or Kenton Hampton at quarterback. The Mustangs also have good pass targets in wide receiver Paul Pitts (6-1, 160) and tight end Chad Brown (6-4, 220).

Brown, a senior who is regarded as one of the top outside linebackers in the valley, is also the leader of a big, fast defense. In addition to Brown, Muir’s talented linebacker corps includes Anthony Allen (6-6, 230), Eddie Turner (6-0, 170) and McGarrity. The defense also includes big tackles Craig Hudson (6-3, 220) and David Wilkins (6-3, 205) and cornerbacks Carl Norman (6-1, 190) and Jerry Phillips (5-11, 165).

3.Diamond Bar (Sierra League; Eastern Conference)--For first-year Brahma Coach Lance Gross, the timing couldn’t have been better.

Gross, an assistant coach at Diamond Bar the past three years, was promoted to the top spot at a time when the Brahmas are expected to flourish. He replaced the successful Terry Roche, who guided Diamond Bar to Southern Section finals in three of the last five years and a 9-3-1 record and the conference semifinals last season.

That’s a formidable tradition to uphold, but Roche has not left his replacement empty handed. Diamond Bar returns nine starters and 22 lettermen, including key players in skill positions.

Gross says that for the most part his team will appear similar in formations to last year’s team. “We haven’t changed the (pro set and I) offense that much. I figure: Why change a good thing? We’ll also be using the same (5-3) defense.”

The Brahmas are two deep at quarterback with seniors Bill Holstein (6-3, 190) and Jim Edmonds (5-11, 180), who passed for 1,115 yards and seven touchdowns last year. They also have speed at running back with halfbacks David Morland (5-10, 175) and Brian Schuford (6-1, 175), and strong skill players in fullback George Spada (6-1, 195) and tight end Corey Kapano (6-2, 205).

Diamond Bar also has an excellent offensive line that includes heavily recruited senior Bascom Mellon (6-5, 250) at guard and Greg White (6-1, 225) at center.

Mellon, an All-Southern Section player who is being recruited as a defensive tackle, is one of several two-way players for the Brahmas. Two others are Spada (6-1, 195), a two-year starter at linebacker, and Kapano, who plays safety and is also one of the top place-kickers in the valley.

4.Pasadena (Pacific League; Coastal Conference)--There is a tone of confidence in the voice of Coach Gary Griffiths these days--and for good reason.

With many key players returning from last year’s team, which finished 8-4 and reached the conference quarterfinals, the Bulldogs could be heading for a year to remember.

“I think in terms of ability, they rank up with some of the good teams we’ve had in the past,” Griffiths said. “And we have experience too.”

Pasadena also has excellent size on its offensive line, which should help keep the wishbone attack moving. Leading the way are highly regarded junior tackle Terry McDaniels (6-5, 245), who starred as a sophomore, and senior guard Brian Wright (6-1, 220), who has been all-league the last two years.

“I think we have formidable size and not just big athletes,” Griffiths said. “We should have confidence to run behind that group.”

That is comforting news for the talented Bulldog backfield that includes halfbacks Jon Lee (6-0, 195) and Chris Thomas (5-8, 160), fullback J.J. Hall (6-0, 200) and quarterback David Griffiths (5-10, 165)--the coach’s son who started last season before breaking an ankle. Pasadena also has a speedster at wide receiver in junior John McCoy (5-9, 155).

The defense should also excel behind all-leaguers Kenny Phillips (6-0, 165) at safety, Anthony Washington (5-9, 195) and Chris Jeter (6-0, 185) at linebacker and Robert Marrero (6-1, 200) and Stafford Evans (6-1, 210) on the line. The big line will also be led by two-way players McDaniels and Wright.

5.Los Altos (Sierra League; Eastern Conference)--The Conquerors suffered a setback during off-season when all-league linebacker Jack Abel transferred to Colton.

It’s a loss that could cripple a lot of teams but not Los Altos, which still has nine starters returning from a 13-1 season that also saw the team win the conference title.

“I think it’s going to be an exciting year for us,” Coach Dwayne DeSpain said. “We lost some good people from last year but we have a good attitude. I think we’ll be very competitive again.”

The wide-open passing offense, which has played a key role in the team’s success over the years, should be in high gear again. Los Altos has two outstanding wide receivers in all-league Blake Hayward (6-2, 170), who caught 30 passes for 470 yards and four touchdowns last year, and Scott Mahaffey (6-0, 175), who has recovered nicely from a knee injury last year.

Los Altos has two senior quarterbacks with excellent passing arms, David Olson (6-1, 190) and Randy Marquez (6-2, 200). The Conquerors should also have a good rushing attack with all-league halfback Larry Verdugo (5-7, 150), who rushed for 911 yards last year, and fullback Steve Minnicucci (5-10, 185).

There is also strength on the offensive line led by guard Robert Coleman (6-3, 210) and tackles Stuart Currie (5-11, 210) and Eric Dives (6-2, 215), a promising junior.

The defense, which played a big role in winning the championship, also has several top players returning, including linebackers Royce Risser (6-2, 205) and Hans Ruiz (5-10, 175), all-league defensive end Mike Zorn (6-3, 225) and Mahaffey at safety.

6.Damien (Baseline League; Eastern Conference)--For the first time in the 1980s, there is nobody named Henley playing for the Spartans.

Eric Henley, the last of three brothers to star for Damien, graduated after leading the Spartans in rushing last season.

But that is about the only difference between this edition of the Spartans and recent teams. Damien, which finished 9-3 last year and reached the conference quarterfinals, is strong as usual with nine starters and 31 lettermen returning.

And the Spartans are big as usual. Their offensive line includes senior guard Larry Bryan (6-3, 260) and junior tackle Len Gorecki (6-4, 260). “It’s a good-sized bunch but we’ll have to see how they play together,” Coach Dick Larson said.

Damien also has talent in the skill positions with seniors Rick Ward (6-2, 215) at fullback, Kevin Steib (6-1, 175) at tailback and Sean Morrison (6-0, 180) at flanker. The quarterback is junior Marty Fisher (6-1, 175) and Damien also has a good place-kicker and punter in sophomore Carlos Bustos.

The Spartans may be even stronger on defense led by defensive end Fernando Gutierrez (6-0, 195), tackle Mike Evalle (5-11, 235), linebacker Charlie Lough (6-5, 220) and defensive back Derek Bryan (6-0, 180). Lough, a senior who was all-league last season, is considered one of the top linebackers in the valley.

“I’m satisfied with our progress but we don’t usually start off that fast,” said Larson, whose team won eight of its final nine games last year. “We like to build during the season and improve as we get into the league season.”

7. Northview (Valle Vista League; Eastern Conference)--The success of the Vikings last year has not spoiled Coach Brian Beveridge, but it has altered the way he approaches an opponent.

“Before we always were the underdog and we could sneak up on people for a game, but not anymore,” he says. “Now we’re the ones they gear up for.”

That’s what happens when your team wins a league title and goes 10-1--best record in the school’s history.

With many of its top players returning, Northview is hoping for similar success this season.

The Vikings, one of the top offensive teams in the valley last year, figure to have plenty of sock again with the return of highly regarded quarterback Bill Gallis (6-3, 180), wide receiver Dan Gustavson (6-2, 180) and tight end Sean Hutchinson (6-2, 205).

Gallis, a senior, completed 131 of 217 passes for 1,897 yards and 17 touchdowns last year. “We’ve never had a quarterback like him before,” Beveridge said. “He’s probably a once-in-a-lifetime quarterback for us.”

Two of Gallis’ top three targets last season were Gustavson, who caught 44 passes for 670 yards and four touchdowns, and Hutchinson with 24 receptions for 277 yards and five touchdowns. Toss in returning running back Shawn Frausto (5-9, 160) and the Vikings are heavy in skill players.

“The biggest need we have is our offensive line, where we lost five outstanding people,” Beveridge said. “We have some people we hope will fill in, though.”

The defense should not have the same problem with the return of key players such as outside linebackers Angel Chavez (6-1, 205) and Tom Navarro (5-11, 200), inside linebacker Rodney Sanchez (6-0, 200) and cornerback Paul Ybarra (5-9, 150).

8. Nogales (Sierra League; Eastern Conference)--Opponents of the Nobles may be seeing a lot of Green this season. Not the color of their uniforms, but running back Darryl Green.

The speedy 5-11 and 160-pound junior, who rushed for 980 yards and 11 touchdowns last season despite missing two games because of injuries, could be the top returning running back in the valley and is the biggest reason why Coach Laing Stevens is bursting with optimism.

“He’s a franchise-type player, no doubt,” Stevens said. “He had a good spring, he has worked real hard and he’s ready to go.”

Now if Nogales can only find enough people to block for him. The Nobles return only one offensive lineman, although senior all-league tackle Al Nila (6-2, 220) is a good one. “I don’t care how good Darryl becomes,” Stevens said. “If we don’t get him the holes on the line he won’t be as effective.”

Green is not the only weapon Nogales has on offense, though. The Nobles also have a good wide receiver in senior Richard Witherspoon (6-2, 200). With two capable passers, junior Roman Chavira and sophomore Jimmy Hunter, battling for quarterback, Stevens hopes that his team will throw enough to take pressure off Green.

“We’re not going to run as much as we did last year,” Stevens said. “We’ll be a little more balanced this year because we have better receivers and better quarterbacks.”

Nogales should also be strong on defense, especially at linebacker with seniors Steve Matuszewicz (6-4, 220) and Pete Rodriguez (6-2, 225). Witherspoon is also a standout at defensive back.

9. Temple City (Rio Hondo League; Northwestern Conference)--Jim Walker, first-year coach of the Rams, realizes that he has a tough act to follow.

Walker knows he will be expected to uphold the winning tradition established by the last two coaches, Don Swanson and Bob Hitchcock. The Rams reached the conference finals in two of the past three seasons under Swanson and won seven Southern Section titles during the 1970s under Hitchcock.

But it’s a situation that Walker has faced before.

“I was at (perennial Big Five Conference power) St. Paul and followed Marijon Ancich,” Walker said. “This is just another traditional situation but I don’t look at it as a hindrance. I look at it as a plus. It’s a real benefit to be able to start with that kind of tradition.”

With only four starters returning from last year’s team that finished 13-1 and reached the Northwestern Conference finals, Walker may have to rely considerably on tradition at first.

He will also depend on senior Mike Mooney (6-2, 220), a workhorse fullback who rushed for 1,410 yards and 15 touchdowns in 233 carries last year.

Fortunately for Mooney and Walker, the Rams should have a solid offensive line led by returning senior tackle Steve Pierce (6-2, 250) and guards Charles Lynch (6-0, 190) and Eric Rosales (5-11, 175).

Walker also expects to have an improved passing attack over recent years led by quarterback Tony Miano (5-11, 160), wide receiver Walter Wood (6-0, 155) and tight end Tom Vandegrift (6-4, 180). “We’re going to find a way to take the pressure off Mooney,” Walker said. “I don’t think we’ll pass with reckless abandon but it will be part of our game.”

The coach is not as concerned about his defense, which is headed by returning line starters Jeff DeMaio (6-1, 185) and Rob Paul (6-1, 180). Temple City also has a strong linebacker corps that includes Mike Busick (6-2, 190), Gino Clark (5-10, 165) and Ted Vance (5-10, 160).

10. Arroyo (Mission Valley League; Southeastern Conference)--Considering how difficult it used to be, Coach Don MacKinnon says he doesn’t mind that his team is ranked No. 1 in a preseason conference poll.

“It’s nice to know that we’re being respected and thought of as No. 1,” he said. “There were years when Arroyo couldn’t get out of the locker room without being laughed at.”

Nobody is laughing at the Knights anymore. Arroyo has reached the playoffs five out of the past six years, including last season when the Knights finished 12-2 and won their first Southeastern Conference title.

With 11 starters returning, including most of its top offensive players, there is a good reason why Arroyo is expected to repeat.

Leading the way is senior Rick Fuller (6-8, 270), a three-year starter who is considered one of the premier offensive tackles in the state. The line will also be supported by the return of three-year starter and All-Southern Section guard Frank Imperial (5-11, 210) and center Ramon Davalos (5-10, 190).

They should help provide good blocking for Arroyo’s talented players in the skill positions, which include quarterback Willie Reyna (5-10, 165), tailback Jason MacLelland (5-10, 165) and wide receivers Paco Chavez (5-9, 155) and Marc Chavarria (5-7, 155). Reyna, a junior, completed 53 of 110 passes for 960 yards and 10 touchdowns last year.

The defense does not have as much experience, although the Knights do return all-league linebacker Eric Martinez (5-10, 185) and linebacker Mike Cabral (5-10, 195) and Fuller and Imperial at tackle.

Then there is Arroyo’s difficult non-league schedule that includes games against Northwestern Conference finalists Hart and Temple City, Nogales and Azusa. “It’s the toughest non-league schedule we’ve ever played,” MacKinnon said.

The best of the rest:

Baldwin Park (Montview League; Southeastern Conference)--The Braves always have one of the most explosive passing attacks in the valley.

So opposing coaches probably do not want to hear that Baldwin Park returns its top two receivers from last year, who combined for 81 receptions to lead the Braves to the conference quarterfinals and an 8-4 record last year.

Leading the way is junior Bruno Haro (5-11, 165), who caught 46 passes for 810 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. He will be paired with senior Bob Levesque (6-2, 198), who caught 35 for 693 yards and five touchdowns.

That will place the burden on newcomer Kirk Gair (6-0, 196) at quarterback. “We have confidence that he can get them the ball,” Pagone said.

The coach is also encouraged by Baldwin Park’s talented but untested offensive line, which may be the school’s biggest ever. The leaders are senior tackle Joe Velasquez (6-2, 218) and junior tackle Eddie Andrade (6-1, 254).

Pagone hopes the big line will help improve his team’s rushing attack, which figures to be led by senior running backs Manuel Jacobo and Manuel Martinez. He said his team will still emphasize the pass, though.

“We hope we can use our size a little more but we’re still going to throw a lot,” Pagone said. “I don’t think we’ll ever change that basic philosophy but we would like to run a little more and get a little more balance.”

Baldwin Park will also have good size on defense led by junior lineman Fred Ruiz (6-1, 225), senior nose guard Paul Duran (5-9, 210) and senior linebacker Pete Solia (6-0, 195).

Claremont (Baseline League; Eastern Conference)--It’s a rarity when the Wolfpack misses the playoffs. But that’s what happened last year despite Claremont’s respectable 6-4 record.

With a good blend of size and speed returning, this season should last a little longer for the Wolfpack.

The speed will come from players such as quarterback Barraca Harper (5-10, 160), a good passer who also runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds; twin tailbacks Keith and Kevin Hadley (both about 5-8 and 160), and tailback Scott James (5-11, 175). The fullback is Scott Torlucci (5-9, 190), who bench presses 400 pounds.

“This is the fastest team we’ve ever had at the skill positions,” Coach Bob Baiz said.

The Wolfpack also has good size on its offensive line that includes guard Robert Ellsworth (5-11, 190), center Robert McNair (5-11, 225) and junior tackles Gerrit Becker (6-5, 205) and Josh Coldiron (6-2, 230).

Claremont’s defense is even bigger and is headed by senior middle guard Denail Sparks (6-4, 235), a strong pass rusher with 4.6 speed in the 40. Two other starters in a big defensive front are junior Dwayne Sparks (6-3, 235), Denail’s brother, and junior J.J. McGwire (6-2, 225).

Other standouts include linebacker Hudson Pruitt (5-11, 190) and cornerback Jason Thomas (6-2, 175), who is also the team’s top receiver.

“I have a good feeling about this team and I said that to them on the first day of practice,” Baiz said. “It’s a real good, close group of kids.”

Ganesha (Hacienda League; Southeastern Conference)--Although his team has been one of the most successful in the valley in recent years, Coach Dave Huey realizes that the Giants’ passing game could stand improvement.

He is hoping that the addition of former Royal Oak High Coach Len Mussack as offensive coordinator will make Ganesha’s air attack more than just a passing fancy.

“He has put in a passing game that has been quite effective in passing league,” Huey said. “I think we’ll be a little more balanced on offense than we have been.”

If the Giants develop a passing attack, watch out because everything else is firmly in place.

Ganesha, which was 8-4 and reached the conference quarterfinals last year, has six starters returning on offense, including four on a big offensive line. The linemen are seniors Brad Wendel (6-5, 245) at tackle, Dion McGuire (6-3, 240) at guard, Mike DeGelia (5-11, 190) at center and junior Jason Irwin (6-0, 225) at guard.

The Giants also return quarterback Paul Bonner (6-2, 175) and tight end Kenny Steele (6-4, 220). In addition, Ganesha has outstanding speed with running backs Jay Franklin (5-9, 165) and Robert Butler (5-5, 160) and wide receivers Roddy Layton (5-7, 160) and Willie Warren (5-6, 150).

Ganesha is not as experienced on defense, where highly regarded defensive end Aaron Brown (6-2, 190) leads the way. Brown, who led the valley with 33 quarterback sacks as a junior, will be joined by returning starters Derek DeWitt (6-4, 215) at defensive end, Mike Barbaro (5-10, 170) at cornerback and McGuire at tackle. The Giants also expect to be led by nose guard Romus Simpson (5-11, 235) and linebacker Arthur Brown (6-0, 180), a promising freshman who is Aaron’s brother.

Wilson (Sierra League; Eastern Conference)--Dave Merrill says that reaching the conference final last year has helped give his team incentive for this season.

“After you have something like that happen the next team tries a little harder because they don’t want to be the one to fall,” Merrill said.

With most of his team’s top offensive players having graduated, Merrill figures the Wildcats will need all the incentive they can muster.

Not that Wilson--which finished with a 9-5 record after losing to cross-town rival Los Altos in the conference title game--doesn’t have talent on offense. The top two players returning are tight end Robert Compton (6-4, 215) and all-league center Jon Eliason (6-1, 185).

But Merrill will have to draw mostly from first-year starters such as wide receivers Anthony Grimsby (5-11, 165) and Tim Rocha (6-0, 170) and quarterback Chris Aquino (5-11, 170), a good passer. The line should also be led by guard Ho Lee (5-9, 185).

The coach is more certain about his defense, particularly his strong secondary that includes cornerbacks Joe Gonzales (5-11, 170) and Brian Aragon (6-0, 165) and safeties Tom Hoppe (6-1, 180) and Compton. “We feel that’s the strongest part of our entire team,” Merrill said.

Other top defensive players include Chung Ro (5-10, 190) at defensive end, Yong Kim (5-10, 185) at linebacker, Jeff Parness (6-0, 210) and Russell Rivera (5-11, 200) at tackle and Eliason at nose guard.

Others to watch:

Azusa (Montview League; Southeastern Conference)--Here’s one team that will not have difficulty making the grade.

The Aztecs had 21 players who posted grade-point averages of 3.0 or higher last year, a fact that makes Coach Mark Schuster proud. “Doing well (on the field) is only important to the kids and parents,” he said. “To us there’s a bottom line that is education and we want to show them that.”

Azusa has had success on the field, too. The Aztecs were 7-3-1 and reached the playoffs last year. With 13 starters returning, the forecast is similar this season.

Azusa’s offense is led by versatile quarterback Leon Sherwood (5-10, 160), a speedster who rushed and passed for about 1,700 yards last year. The talented Aztec backfield also includes fullback John Goyich (6-1, 205) and tailback Matt Haden (5-11, 185).

They will benefit from a big Azusa offensive line that includes tackles Tom Bell (6-1, 255) and Albert Lobio (6-0, 255), guard Bobby Leber (5-11, 225) and center Eric Bars (6-0, 200). “It’s probably as big a line as we’ve ever had here,” Schuster said.

Azusa’s defense is led by a strong secondary that includes cornerback Jon Crawford (6-0, 175) and safety Chris Rodriguez (6-2, 165). Others include linebackers Joe Larios (5-10, 175) and Aaron Moreno (5-10, 175) and all-league tackle George Penalbert (5-11, 240).

Arcadia (Pacific League; Coastal Conference)--It’s an age-old problem for Arcadia: keeping up with perennial powers Muir and Pasadena in the Pacific League.

The Apaches, who finished 7-5 and surprisingly reached the conference quarterfinals last year, still may not finish ahead of Muir or Pasadena but have the talent to make a return trip to post-season play.

Arcadia will certainly not give up anything in its interior line. The offensive line is headed by seniors Jeff Wickline (6-2, 240), Jay Ingram (6-2, 220) and Jim Marrone (6-1, 200) and the defensive front by seniors Andy Moran (6-2, 230) and John Leavitt (6-2, 200).

The offense will also be boosted by the return of powerful fullback Brian Goodrich (5-10, 210) and speedy wide receiver Colin Policky (5-9, 140). The quarterback is junior Guy Alexander (6-1, 175), a good runner to direct Arcadia’s veer offense.

In addition to Moran and Leavitt, the defense should be led by all-leaguer Bill Darlis (5-11, 191) and Steve Holt (5-10, 170) at linebacker and Steve Shaul (5-9, 155), Craig McDonald (5-11, 175) and Bobby Durbin (5-6, 155) in the secondary.

“Our strength is our offensive line and Goodrich at running back,” Coach Dick Salter said. “We’re hoping for a playoff spot. We have some good kids but we’re a little green in certain spots.”

Monrovia (Rio Hondo League; Northwestern Conference)--On the surface things couldn’t look much worse for the Wildcats. After all, they return only five starters from last year’s 6-4 team that reached the playoffs, and have a non-league schedule that includes games against Southern Section powers Bishop Amat and Los Altos.

Then why is Coach Al Clegg so enthusiastic about the season?

“I think this team has a lot of talent and potential,” Clegg said. “At this point in time we’re ahead of last year’s team.”

There is no disputing that the Wildcats are talented. Their run-oriented wishbone offense figures to be potent as usual with speedy running backs such as senior Charles Allen (6-2, 190), a transfer from Lincoln of San Diego, and junior Marvin Jackson (5-8, 175). Not to mention the big, strong offensive line that features senior tackles Craig Hewitt (6-1, 350), who has started the last two years, and Todd Stockford (6-4, 235), and junior guard Scott Hovdal (6-2, 260).

Monrovia also has a big, fast receiver in junior Fred Williams (6-2, 205) and two good athletes, seniors Tucker Sides and Mario Nevarez, who are battling for quarterback. Both are also excellent receivers.

The defense should also be quick with linemen John Haynes (6-2, 200), Herb Green (6-2, 190) and Williams, linebacker Todd Losasso (5-10, 175) and cornerback Randy Kyle (5-8, 150) leading the way.

“The only thing we lack is experience,” Clegg said. “I think our preseason schedule will give us that.”

Rosemead (Mission Valley League; Southeastern Conference)--With defending conference champion Arroyo competing in the Mission Valley League, there is no question which school is the league title favorite.

However, Rosemead Coach Jim Hall says it would be a mistake to underestimate his team.

“I think everybody has to look at Arroyo on top and for good reason,” Hall said. “But we think we have a pretty good team and we’re hoping we can battle them for the championship.”

With 13 starters--including five all-league players--returning from a team that finished 5-6 and reached the playoffs last year, there is evidence to support Hall’s feelings.

The Panthers figure to be particularly strong on offense with the return of several key players. The leader is senior quarterback Sean Moore (6-3, 175), a three-year starter who completed 78 of 155 passes for 1,068 yards and 13 touchdowns last year.

Two other standouts are big, fast senior fullback Wallace Gonzales (6-2, 215), who bench presses 455 pounds and is described by Hall as the strongest player in the school’s history, and speedy all-league receiver Marcus Crunk (5-11, 170).

Other leaders on offense include all-leaguer Billy Garcia (5-10, 180) at center, all-league tight end Anthony Flores (6-1, 185), tailback Joe Totsis (5-10, 175) and guard Mike Samarzich (6-0, 180). Among the top defensive players are defensive back Gildardo Jiminez (5-9, 175) and Totsis, who was an all-league defensive end last season.

San Dimas (Montview League; Southeastern Conference)--After finishing a disappointing 5-4 and missing the playoffs last year, the Saints are eager to make amends.

“We had a down year and the kids were disappointed,” Coach Dick Shelbourne said. “But that was last year. We feel like we want to get back where we belong.”

With eight key players returning from last year’s team, Shelbourne says his team has the talent to contend for the title in the well-balanced Montview League.

The offense should be strong with the return of all three running backs in the team’s wing T formation. They are halfbacks Ron Paoletto (5-7, 165) and Felix Badibanga (5-10, 175) and fullback Juan Gonzalez (5-10, 180). The quarterback will be Phil Sanchez (5-11, 170), a junior varsity standout last year.

San Dimas has good receivers in tight end Ellis Gordon (6-0, 180) and split end Sean Spadero (6-0, 205), and the line is led by Roger Pattico (6-2, 215) and Bob Boyde (6-2, 225).

Several of the same faces will also head the defense, including Paoletto and Gonzalez at cornerback and Gordon at linebacker. Two other top defensive players are linebacker Eric Johnson (5-10, 180) and safety Scott Bowman (6-2, 190).

South Hills (Valle Vista League; Eastern Conference)--An era came to an end when South Hills finished second to Northview in the Valle Vista League last year. It marked the first time in eight years of playing in the league that the Huskies did not win the title.

That gives the Huskies, who finished 9-2 last year, plenty of incentive for this season.

“It’s on our minds,” Coach Jack Nemzek said. “We would like to get back on top again but we don’t have a lot of experience.”

With only four starters returning, including only one on offense, Nemzek will not have many familiar faces to carry on the winning tradition.

Returning are linebacker David Vasquez (5-11, 190), defensive tackle Rudy Kranwinkle (6-2, 225) and Dominic Freking (5-11, 190), who will start at center and linebacker. South Hills will also benefit from the addition of halfback and defensive back Jerry Wolak (5-10, 160), a senior transfer who starred for league rival Covina last year.

In addition to Wolak, the South Hills veer offense figures to be led by running back Julian Brooks (5-7, 140). There is a three-way battle for quarterback among senior Shawn Wickoff and juniors Jason Giambi and Curt Himebauch, a transfer from North Carolina.

But with an inexperienced offense, Nemzek expects much of the burden for success to fall on the defense. “Last year we had everybody back on offense, so we didn’t worry about scoring points,” he said. “Right now our strongest point is our defense.”