1987 PREVIEW : VALLEY FOOTBALL : HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEWS : MARMONTE

Teams listed in predicted order of finish by Times staff writers. Thousand Oaks

COACH: Bob Richards, fifth year

LAST SEASON: 10-2; 1st in league, 6-0

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Thousand Oaks may repeat as champion if the team’s reconstructed offensive line opens holes for the league’s best pair of running backs. Marc Monestime, a three-year starter, and Mike Moore combined for 1,877 yards last season. Richards concentrated on the line in the off-season and hit on the nucleus of Greg Banks (6-0, 250), the only returning starter, Eric Dennis (6-1, 195) and Rich McCathron (6-4, 230). Quarterback Steve Sisco started six games last season, completing 22 of 50 passes. He’ll throw to another returning starter, slot back Lance Alverson, who caught 14 passes. Three starters return on defense, led by defensive back and kick returner Chris Gann (5-10, 170), who returned a fumble and an interception for touchdowns last season. Also back are linebacker Mack Humphrey (5-11, 207) and defensive end Ben Catlin (6-0, 185).

OUTLOOK: If the Lancers’ offensive line is as good as it was last season, Simi Valley Coach Dave Murphy says: “Then go ahead and mail them their championship patches.”

Channel Islands

COACH: Joel Gershon, 15th year

LAST SEASON: 7-3-1; 2nd in league, 4-1-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Only three players return to the Channel Islands offense, but because one of them is Johnny Johnson (5-11, 180), Gershon has reason to smile. Johnson, a junior running back, was a first-team all-league selection last season. “He’s very gifted,” Gershon said. “Last year Johnny averaged 10 1/2 yards per carry. He’s one of the premier backs in Southern California.” Johnson is the free safety on a defensive unit that includes eight returning starters. Defensive ends Pili Lualemana (6-2, 195) and Bill Hall (6-0, 198), and defensive tackle Manuel Camarillo (6-2, 235) form the defensive core. At linebacker is first-team all-league selection Ray Mosones (6-1, 210) and E.J. Miller (5-8, 170). Three-year starter John Sunia (5-10, 195) is the strong safety and Dale Fallejo (5-6, 150) is a cornerback.

OUTLOOK: If this truly is the year of the running back in the Marmonte League, then Channel Islands may be the best equipped to stand up to the onslaught. “A synopsis of our team indicates that we should be strong defensively,” Gershon said.

Newbury Park

COACH: Ken Cook, 13th year

LAST SEASON: 5-5-1; 3rd in league, 3-2-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Panthers have only four starters returning from last season’s third-place team, but one is fullback Darrin Jelly (6-1, 205), who ran for 482 yards. Cook will move Jelly to tailback if he can find another fullback. Linebacker Shane Watkins (6-1, 212) is being considered. If Jelly remains at fullback, junior Geoff Black (5-11, 165) is projected as the starting tailback. Replacing quarterback Jayson Merrill’s 1,454 yards passing will be difficult, but perhaps not as difficult as living up to the expectations placed on junior quarterback Wayne Cook (6-3, 170). Ken’s son, Wayne, has no varsity experience but was effective in summer passing leagues. “He is potentially the best quarterback we’ve ever had here,” the coach said. “And I know potential is a lousy word. We’re hoping he continues what he did as a freshman and sophomore.” Steven Wade and David Angulo are Newbury Park’s best prospects at wide receiver. Only Greg Goulart (6-2, 230) returns to the offensive line which, like the defensive line, is waiting to be shaped. “Greg is going to be an all-leaguer,” Cook said. The secondary seems more sound. A starting cornerback last season, Angulo has been moved to strong safety. Wade and junior Kelly Carmack are the corners and senior Steve Allison is the free safety.

OUTLOOK: Cook has the attitude of a man who knows something no one else does. Despite having an untested quarterback, questions along both lines and only four returning players, Cook predicts his team will challenge for the league title. “I think we will give Thousand Oaks all they want,” he said. “If we get a kid hurt here or a kid hurt there, we can go from a good team to a mediocre one.”

Simi Valley

COACH: Dave Murphy, fourth year

LAST SEASON: 3-7; 7th in league, 0-6

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Simi Valley will open the season trying to halt a seven-game losing streak. “I don’t think you ever recover from seven straight losses,” Murphy said. “We were embarrassed last year, and we’ll never be embarrassed again as long as I’m here.” The Pioneers try to bounce back with a stronger defense and three of their top four running backs. Senior Tony Kerr (5-9, 165) gained 542 yards, and seniors David Gregware (5-11, 172) and junior Lamont Harris (5-10, 165) were occasionally effective. Kerr, the team’s most versatile player, is an All-Ventura County running back and earned all-league recognition as a defensive back. Senior quarterback Larry Jones (5-11, 170) started Simi Valley’s final four games, but threw only 26 times. Murphy said that Jones will be protected by “the best offensive line Simi Valley’s ever had.” Returning starters Jon Jones (6-5, 240) and Jason Fein (6-2, 215) will try to live up to that praise. Inside linebacker Jeff Lujan (6-1, 223), who Murphy said joins Jon Jones as a Division I prospect, and nose guard Larry Soria (5-9, 175) anchor Simi Valley’s defense.

OUTLOOK: Everyone is overlooking Simi Valley after the disaster of 1986, and that’s what Murphy is counting on. “That’s fine with us,” he said. “That’s exactly how we like it. We’re not going to be afraid of anybody.”

Westlake

COACH: George Contreras, 10th year

LAST SEASON: 5-5; 4th in league, 3-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Bob Grandpre (6-2, 203), a converted offensive tackle who has played five different positions, will try his luck at quarterback. At halfback in the Delaware Wing T offense is three-year starter Todd Thompson, who rushed for 518 yards last season. He’ll be spelled by senior Chris Maturo, also a returning starter at safety. At fullback is Noel Baker and Mike Nohrden. Senior Garret Messner returns as the tight end, as well as placekicker. Senior defensive ends Chris Choich and Rick Choate, at 200 and 195 pounds, respectively, lead a defense that averaged only 161 pounds last season and still averages just 172. “We have to stop the running game,” Contreras said. “We haven’t made the playoffs in four years because of our run defense.” Contreras would prefer to keep Grandpre off the field when Westlake is on defense but said he’d use him on the line or at linebacker if necessary. Outside linebacker Allen Waldrop and cornerbacks Jerry Edwards and Rick Kohut should be busy.

OUTLOOK: Westlake is the only Marmonte team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 1982. “My big goal is to get back into the playoffs,” he said. “Obviously, it would be great to win the championship, but that’s going to take some good players and some good breaks.” Westlake has talent at the skill positions and has improved its size on the lines.

Camarillo

COACH: Carl Thompson, fifth year

LAST SEASON: 5-5; 4th in league, 3-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Surprisingly, the league’s regular-season leading rusher did not play at Thousand Oaks or Channel Islands, but at Camarillo. Bill Bell (6-1, 195), who Thompson said is “bigger and stronger,” gained 1,062 yards despite playing the first two games at flanker. Robert Jevens (6-2, 210) heads an offensive line that averages 214 pounds. All-league split end Gil Valencia caught 40 passes last season, but inexperienced Donald Dodson (5-9, 175) is at quarterback. The team’s 3-5 defense is designed for the linebackers to make most of the tackles. Seniors Joe Bosman (5-11, 195) and Craig Henry (5-10, 170) at inside linebacker and Trent Spangler (6-1, 205) and J.R. Enriques (6-0, 195) on the outside are back. Cornerback James Hand is the other returning player on defense. Camarillo missed the playoffs last year for the second straight year after winning the Coastal Conference title in 1984.

OUTLOOK: Thompson’s claim that Camarillo can compete with anybody will be tested early; the Scorpions begin their league season with Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park. Camarillo’s offense hinges on Dodson’s ability to pass successfully, which should prevent defenses from keying on Bell.

Royal

COACH: Tom West, third year

LAST SEASON: 2-8; 6th in league, 1-5

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Just two starters return from last year’s disappointing season. Eric Anhalt (6-4, 240), a two-year starter at linebacker, will move to nose guard. West said he’d prefer not to play him on offense, but chances are Anhalt will be a starting offensive tackle. “Eric’s the main man around here,” defensive coach Bob Miskow said. Running back Chad Sourbeer (6-0, 170), the other returning starter, is the team’s fastest player. Senior quarterback Chris Sinsheimer takes over at quarterback for Shaun Christensen, who passed for 4,570 yards in three years. Junior Pat Ledesma (5-8, 160) will start at wing back in Royal’s Delaware Wing T offense, and junior Jason Jones (5-8, 147) is the split end. The defense will have to improve drastically if the Highlanders are to make the playoffs for the first time since 1983. Seniors Jack Vian (5-9, 170), a transfer from Houston, and John Greenberg (5-10, 175) will be the safeties on a small but active 3-4 defense.

OUTLOOK: Royal has depth at the skill positions, but is weak on the lines. “What we’re going to have to do is find some people to block,” West said. Defense, especially against the run, is a concern. “Our defense has to be our strength,” he said. “We haven’t played solid defense in two years.”