PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS 1987 : Talented Quarterback Pool Distinguishes Area Football

Although Glendale-area teams were short on victories this season, they proved long on talent at quarterback. St. Francis Coach Terry Terrazone said that Bill Morris was one of the best.

“We didn’t throw the ball a whole lot because we run a lot of the option,” Terrazone said. “In terms of impact, there is no back in the league, except Russell White, that can compare to him day after day. I’m sure every coach in the league knew that they had to do something to stop Bill.”

Morris, a 6-2, 180-pound senior, led St. Francis to the first round of the Big Five Conference playoffs and was named back of the year in the Del Rey League. The option quarterback rushed for 349 yards and 9 touchdowns and threw for 1,111 yards and 7 touchdowns this season.

Morris was also a capable team leader and started the last four games of the season at defensive back, intercepting two passes.

“I think his greatest asset is his ability to scramble and to see what’s going on,” Terrazone said “He has a lot of confidence and he was a real inspirational leader.”

But while Morris spent the season scrambling, it was drop-back-and-throw for Franklin’s Ronnie Lopez. Franklin’s offensive line, which was one of the finest in the area, gave Lopez ample time to do just that.

The 6-4, 195-pound senior completed 96 of 156 passes for 1,578 yards and 16 touchdowns in his first season as a starter. Lopez led Franklin to the semifinal of the City 3-A playoffs and was named the Freeway League’s co-most valuable player. But Franklin Coach Armando Gonzalez said that Lopez’ greatest asset may be his poise under pressure.

“He has confidence in himself and he reads the defense very well,” Gonzalez said. “He’s not a runner at all. But when he does see the blitz coming he releases the ball and does a good job of quickly picking up his secondary receiver.”

Lopez threw only three interceptions this season. At the beginning of the season, his lack of experience was a concern to the Franklin coaches.

“He has a lot of good qualities that helped him become a good quarterback quickly,” Gonzalez said. “And he’s been very durable.”

Durability was something that came naturally to Eagle Rock quarterback Chuck Engel this season. Engel was a linebacker before moving to quarterback his junior season. On the first play of the Marshall game this season, Engel sprained the thumb on his throwing hand. Coach Dennis Shaw didn’t notice any drop-off in Engel’s performance and was not made aware of the injury until the next week.

“He’s tough and he really hangs in there,” Shaw said. “He knows when to throw the ball and he knows when to run. He only missed one game in two years.”

Engel, who completed 99 of 172 passes for 1,445 yards and 14 touchdowns, was a repeat selection as player of the year in the Northern League.

“Most of the coaches felt that he was the guy that made it go,” Shaw said.

For the past three seasons, Darren Fitzgerald has been the player that made Verdugo Hills go. The 6-2, 210-pound senior passed for 1,390 yards and 7 touchdowns as a sophomore, 1,550 yards and 5 touchdowns as a junior and finished with 1,480 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. He was also an outstanding kicker, averaging 36.5 yards per punt and converting 25 extra points this season.

“You become good when you play under adversity,” Verdugo Hills Coach Bill Novikoff said. “He hasn’t had the protection that a lot of other quarterbacks have had. He doesn’t have the supporting cast. But he has become a fine leader. He is the finest long passer I have seen in high school in a long time.”

OFFENSIVE BACKS

La Canada’s Eric Jacobsen played tailback, wide receiver and defensive back and returned punts and kickoffs. The 5-9, 160-pound senior rushed for 236 yards on 35 carries and scored 3 touchdowns. As a wide receiver he caught 14 passes for 256 yards and 3 touchdowns. He blocked three punts and a field goal and had three interceptions. He also ran back a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns. . . . In his first season as a starting quarterback, Ronnie Lopez was named the Freeway League co-most valuable player with teammate Jose Aguillar. The 6-4, 195-pound senior completed 96 of 156 passes for 1,578 yards and 16 touchdowns and was intercepted only 3 times. He passed for 303 yards and three touchdowns against San Pedro in the league championship game. . . . Chuck Engel is a repeat selection on the All-Glendale team. The senior quarterback completed 99 of 172 passes for 1,445 yards and 14 touchdowns with 5 interceptions. Engel, 5-10, also rushed for two touchdowns. Engel, who was a first-team All-City selection last season, recently received his second Northern League player of the year award. He led Eagle Rock to its second consecutive undefeated league season. . . . Bill Morris worked out of the option most of the season, rushing for 349 yards on 80 carries and scoring 9 touchdowns for St. Francis. The 6-2, 180-pound senior quarterback also completed 70 of 185 passes for 1,111 yards and 7 touchdowns. Morris, who started the last four games of the season at defensive back, intercepted two passes and was named back of the year in the Del Rey League.

RECEIVERS

Manny Washington, playing in only his first season of football, proved invaluable to the Eagle Rock program. The senior played wide receiver, tailback, punt- and kickoff-returner and free safety. He caught 46 passes for 829 yards and 9 touchdowns and scored 2 rushing touchdowns. He had five kickoff returns for touchdowns and intercepted six passes. Washington was named to the first-team All-Northern League. . . . In this his first season as a starter, Franklin’s Chad Infranca was named to first-team All-Freeway League. He started at wide receiver and returned punts and kickoffs. The 5-10, 160-pound junior caught 47 passes for 783 yards and 13 touchdowns. He rushed for 251 yards this season and had 13 punt returns for 265 yards and one touchdown and six kickoff returns for 153 yards. . . . Although Rod Cassidy spent most of this, his first football season, as a blocker he made quite an impact on the Glendale program. The 6-6, 215-pound senior tight end caught 31 passes in 8 games for 370 yards and 1 touchdown.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

When Hoover Coach Dennis Hughes reviewed this season’s films, Joe Ferguson’s performance was graded above 90%. The 6-4 1/2, 245-pound senior offensive lineman was a second-team All-Pacific League selection last season and a first-team pick this season. “We tried to be balanced and run to both sides,” Hughes said. “But it’s hard with a kid like Joe who opens up big holes. In certain situations you want to run behind your best kid, and that’s Joe.”. . . . Russ Shiraishi played offensive tackle and defensive nose tackle this season and was an excellent pass blocker and the team’s most dominant lineman, Eagle Rock Coach Dennis Shaw said. The 5-11 290-pound senior was named to the second-team All-Glendale last season. “He benches almost 300 pounds,” Shaw said. “Guys can’t get around him.”. . . . Fred Hughes was named to second -eam All-Del Rey League as a center. Said St. Francis Coach Terry Terrazone of the 6-0 220-pound junior: “He is very strong. His run blocking is very solid and he is physical off the ball. He doesn’t make mental errors.”. . . . Chris Smithers logged more minutes than any other La Canada player. The 6-0, 190-pound senior was one of the teams’ captains and led the Spartans in tackles. “If we did not have him in the game, the offense would not be able to play at the same level,” Coach Nic Larez said. “He knew the blocking scheme of everyone on the line.”

KICKER

Darren Fitzgerald was one of the area’s leading quarterbacks and kickers. The 6-2, 210-pound senior from Verdugo Hills, who was named to the first-team All-Glendale last season, threw for 4,025 yards in his three seasons at Verdugo Hills. This season he completed 94 of 186 passes for 1,480 yards and 10 touchdowns and was intercepted 10 times. As a kicker, he averaged 36.5 yards per punt and converted 25 extra points.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Kyle Bell, a 6-0, 175-pounder, was Hoover’s second-leading tackler with 109 behind Steve Nazarian, who also made the All-Times’ team. The senior played defensive back and returned punts and kicks on special teams. He had seven interceptions and one touchdown. Bell was named to second-team All-Pacific League last season and this season earned first-team all-league honors. . . . Jerry McGee started at defensive back and wide receiver for St. Francis this season. He had two interceptions and one rushing touchdown. He caught 12 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns and was the team’s second-leading tackler. The 6-0, 180-pound senior was named first-team All-Del Rey League defense this season. . . . Brian Cloud was a key to the La Canada defense this season. The 6-0, 180-pound senior played defensive back, linebacker and fullback. He finished with three interceptions, four sacks and 45 tackles and carried 20 times for 90 yards. . . . Keith Wiggins transferred from Palisades High to Franklin this season and played defensive back and special teams. The 5-10, 160-pound senior, led the team in interceptions with six, had two touchdowns and was named to the first-team All-Freeway League. He also blocked two punts and two extra points.

LINEBACKERS

Eric Fiore started at linebacker and defensive tackle this season. He led the team in tackles and intercepted two passes. The 6-3, 200-pound senior had two fumble recoveries and two quarterback sacks against Hamilton in the first game of the City 3-A playoffs. He has nine sacks. . . . Jose Aguillar led Franklin in tackles with 45 unassisted and 57 assists. The 6-0, 210-pound senior started at offensive guard and was the team’s kicker and punter. Aguillar, who was the Freeway League co-most valuable player with teammate Ronnie Lopez, is used on long-range field goal attempts and averaged 38.5 yards on punts. He had one interception against Hamilton in a first round game of the City 3-A playoffs. . . . Twice named first-team All-Pacific League, Steve Nazarian was Hoover’s most experienced linebacker. The 5-10 215-pound senior started at middle linebacker and led Hoover with 114 tackles. He was selected to the second-team All-Glendale defense last season. . . . Zackery Knutson led Marshall in tackles and was named first-team All-Northern League. The 6-2, 240-pound senior was an offensive lineman and defensive nose guard. He blocked four extra points and had 10 quarterback sacks.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Chris Mehnert was La Canada’s most consistent player this season, Coach Nic Larez said. The 6-4, 205-pound senior played offensive and defensive tackle and finished with 39 tackles and seven quarterback sacks. . . . Paul Beran was a first-team All-Del Rey League selection at offensive tackle and a second-team pick as a defensive tackle. The 6-2, 235-pound senior pursues very well, has good technique and is very physical, St. Francis Coach Terry Terrazone said. . . . Juan Cardona, who played offensive guard and defensive nose guard for Franklin, was named first-team All-Freeway League this season. Because he was the largest player on the Franklin roster, the 6-2, 283-pound senior was often double- and triple-teamed, Coach Armando Gonzalez said. Cardona, one of four team captains, finished with two quarterback sacks and one fumble recovery.

OFFENSE

Name Position School Height Weight Year Eric Jacobsen Back La Canada 5-9 160 12 Ronnie Lopez Quarterback Franklin 6-4 195 12 Chuck Engel Quarterback Eagle Rock 5-10 175 12 Bill Morris Quarterback St. Francis 6-2 180 12 Manny Washington Wide Receiver Eagle Rock 6-3 185 12 Chad Infranca Wide Receiver Franklin 5-10 160 11 Rod Cassidy Tight end Glendale 6-6 215 12 Joe Ferguson Lineman Hoover 6-4 245 12 Russ Shiraishi Lineman Eagle Rock 5-11 290 12 Fred Hughes Lineman St. Francis 6-0 220 11 Fred Hughes Lineman St. Francis 6-0 220 11 Chris Smithers Lineman La Canada 6-0 190 12 Darren Fitzgerald Kicker Verdugo Hills 6-2 210 12

DEFENSE

Name Position School Height Weight Year Kyle Bell Back Hoover 6-0 175 12 Jerry McGee Back St. Francis 6-0 180 12 Brian Cloud Back La Canada 6-0 180 12 Keith Wiggins Back Franklin 5-10 160 12 Eric Fiore Linebacker Franklin 6-3 200 12 Jose Aguillar Linebacker Franklin 6-0 200 12 Steve Nazarian Linebacker Hoover 5-10 215 12 Zackery Knutson Linebacker Marshall 6-2 240 12 Chris Mehnert Lineman La Canada 6-4 205 12 Paul Beran Lineman St. Francis 6-2 235 12 Juan Cardona Lineman Franklin 6-2 283 12

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

Name School Position Height Weight Year Erik Messal Hoover QB 6-2 190 11 Mark Hansen La Canada QB 6-3 195 12 Dave Paladino La Canada RB 5-9 165 12 William Stavropoulos St. Francis RB 5-10 190 12 Jim Mooney La Canada OL 5-11 190 12 Victor Jolas Glendale OL 6-2 245 12 Paul Koons Verdugo Hills OL 5-11 216 11 Armando Gallo Franklin OL 6-0 250 12 Cotie McMahon Crescenta WR 5-9 165 12 Valley Chuck Siegler La Canada WR 6-2 175 12 Bruce Holler Crescenta TE 6-0 180 12 Valley James Hernandez Hoover K 6-0 175 12

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

Name School Position Height Weight Year Tony Polino Glendale B 5-11 170 11 Matt Fryer Verdugo Hills B 5-11 195 12 David Terrazas Marshall B 5-8 151 12 Sam Medel Eagle Rock B 5-10 160 12 Hector Herrera Glendale LB 5-11 188 12 Bill Fults Eagle Rock LB 5-11 175 12 Joe Larranaga Franklin LB 5-9 160 12 Rudy Aguilar Pater Noster LB 5-7 160 12 Kane McEwen La Canada DL 6-0 170 12 Roman Rodriguez St. Francis DL 6-2 210 12 Dave Bartl Crescenta DL 6-1 250 11 Valley