Times’ All-Southeast Team : Two Schools Tapped for 4 Players on Squad

The 12-1 season that Montebello High School had is reflected in The Times’ 1987 All-Southeast football team. Four Oilers, including running back Adan Avina, the area’s leading scorer with 126 points, are on the team.

Bell Gardens, which finished third behind Montebello and El Rancho in the Whitmont League, also has four players on the team.

The team was selected by sports writers based on a poll of coaches and discussions with scouts. First-team players from 12 Times circulation areas will be honored with a breakfast and awards ceremony at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Anaheim Hilton, 777 Convention Way. The featured speaker will be Coach Larry Smith of USC.

The All-Southeast team:

OFFENSE

Larry Razo, quarterback, Montebello--An accomplished ball handler, he guided the Oilers to an undefeated regular season, completing 61% of his passes for 12 touchdowns and more than 1,200 yards. He was intercepted only three times.

Adan Avina, running back, Montebello--The Whitmont League player of the year, Avina electrified crowds with his long runs. He had TD punt returns of 74, 89 and 91 yards and TD kickoff returns of 85 and 97 yards. He also rushed for 800 yards and in one game scored on runs of 11, 51, 61 and 74 yards. In the Oilers’ first 11 games, he scored 96 points.

Darius Turner, running back, Warren--A two-way performer who also excelled at linebacker, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Turner rushed for more than 1,200 yards for the Bears. He had TD runs of 65 and 80 yards. Among the schools recruiting him are UCLA, Washington, Army and Hawaii.

Rene Granados, wide receiver, Cantwell--This senior caught 50 passes, averaging 17 yards each. His speed and elusiveness in the open field is understandable: He is a two-mile champion in track.

Joe Mills, receiver, Whittier--If the ball was thrown near Mills, this 5-8 senior and two-year starter would catch it. He gained more than 800 yards on 51 receptions.

George Garibay, tight end, Bell Gardens--A repeater on the All-Southeast team, Garibay was a clutch receiver for the Lancers. A two-way player, he led his team in quarterback sacks and was the Whitmont League’s defensive lineman of the year.

Gabe Mills, tackle, St. John Bosco--At 6-foot-6 and a powerful 285 pounds, opening holes for runners was no problem for this senior. He is quick too.

Rudy Torres, tackle, Bell Gardens--A repeater on the All-Southeast team, Torres is a strong blocker and a good student. He started 33 straight games over three seasons and expects to play in college.

Andrew Godinez, guard, Montebello--Footwork and balance made him the best lineman on a league-champion team that scored more than 300 points.

Art Salas, guard, El Rancho--Another repeater on The Times’ all-star team, he led his team’s running plays with quickness and agility. He played defense, too, making 60 tackles, causing two fumbles and sacking the quarterback three times.

Jerrod Andrade, Cantwell--This is his third time as All-Southeast. Andrade is a great snapper and one-on-one blocker who is quick off the ball.

Ron Rico, kicker, La Mirada--This junior averaged 39.6 yards on punts, 54 yards on kickoffs. He had 17 conversions and five field goals, including one from 48 yards.

DEFENSE

Steve Davis, lineman, Warren--An excellent pass rusher, Davis’ power and speed enabled him to make 17 quarterback sacks. He also caught 25 passes for 500 yards as a tight end and averaged 38 yards as a punter.

Gary Espinosa, lineman, Whittier Christian--A tireless player on a playoff team, Espinosa had 10 sacks and also was a fine pulling guard. Quick and powerful at 6 feet, 245 pounds.

John Finau, lineman, Pius X--This highly recruited 6-6, 255-pound senior was his team’s leading tackler. Finau, who has a 3.4 grade-point average, signed a letter of intent to play basketball at San Jose State.

Melvin Johnson, lineman, Lynwood--An explosive 270-pound senior, Johnson was in on 75 tackles and had six sacks. He also intercepted a pass and ran it back 29 yards. UCLA and Washington were among schools that scouted this three-year starter.

Martin Hammonds, linebacker, Artesia--A hard hitter and a deluxe tackler, Hammonds was the cornerstone of one of the area’s best defensive teams. Likely to be All-Southern Section for the third straight year.

Mike Heithcock, linebacker, Montebello--Another hard hitter, Heithcock led the Whitmont League champion Oilers with more than 60 tackles. He also had an interception.

Hector Ruelas, linebacker, South Gate--Despite being double-teamed, he had 81 tackles, including 33 solo tackles; three batted balls, one blocked kick, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

Santos Barrientos, back, Bell Gardens--Barrientos had six interceptions and also starred as a wide receiver with 35 receptions, seven for TDs.

Jaime Fields, back, Lynwood--Fields, who possesses raw talent and 4.4 speed, was highly recruited. He ended his career with the Knights with 78 tackles.

Joel Gutierrez, back, Huntington Park--An All-Los Angeles City player as a junior, Gutierrez had 50 tackles this year and two interceptions.

Joe Munoz, back, Bell Gardens--A repeater on the All-Southeast team, was a sure tackler for the Lancers as a three-year starter. He returned a fumble 30 yards for a touchdown.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

Name Position School Height Weight Year Rene Granados Receiver Cantwell 5-9 155 12 Joe Mills Receiver Whittier 5-8 150 12 George Garibay Tight End Bell Gardens 6-2 203 12 Gabe Mills Lineman St. John Bosco 6-6 285 12 Rudy Torres Lineman Bell Gardens 6-0 240 12 Andrew Godinez Lineman Montebello 5-10 210 12 Art Salas Lineman El Rancho 5-8 183 12 Jerrod Andrade Center Cantwell 6-0 235 12 Larry Razo Quarterback Montebello 5-11 175 12 Adan Avina Back Montebello 5-10 170 12 Darius Turner Back Warren 6-2 220 12 Ron Rico Kicker La Mirada 6-3 185 11

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

Name Position School Height Weight Year Steve Davis Lineman Warren 6-2 200 12 Gary Espinosa Lineman Whittier Christian 6-0 245 12 John Finau Lineman Pius X 6-6 255 12 Melvin Johnson Lineman Lynwood 6-2 270 12 Martin Hammonds Linebacker Artesia 6-0 185 12 Mike Heithcock Linebacker Montebello 6-0 190 12 Hector Ruelas Linebacker South Gate 5-9 190 12 Santos Barrientos Back Bell Gardens 5-8 160 12 Jaime Fields Back Lynwood 6-1 210 12 Joel Gutierrez Back Huntington Park 6-0 190 12 Joe Munoz Back Bell Gardens 5-8 175 12

1987 Times’ All-Southeast

Second Team Offense

Pos. Name, School Ht. Wt. Yr. Receiver Arin Lind, La Mirada 5-9 150 12 Receiver Victor Salcido, Santa Fe 5-8 150 11 Tight End Brian Kerr, Warren 6-2 185 12 Tackle Lance Comes, Artesia 6-2 220 12 Tackle Shaine Timmons, Whittier Christian 6-3 245 12 Guard Neil Cole, Glenn 5-11 185 12 Guard Tye Hager, La Mirada 6-2 245 12 Center Juan Sanchez, Bell Gardens 6-1 205 12 Quarterback Joey Gonzalez, Cantwell 6-0 175 12 Back John Macias, Montebello 5-8 160 12 Back Kenefi Teo, Glenn 5-8 190 12 Kicker George Robles, Pioneer 6-0 205 11

Second Team Defense

Pos. Name, School Ht. Wt. Yr. Lineman Mike Allen, St. John Bosco 6-2 195 12 Lineman Dan Garcia, Santa Fe 6-0 230 11 Lineman David Howey, Artesia 6-0 200 11 Lineman Richard Pacheco, Montebello 5-10 170 12 Linebacker Gerardo Erazo, El Rancho 6-1 194 12 Linebacker Chris McHenry, La Mirada 6-0 200 11 Linebacker Tracy Mao, Lynwood 6-1 215 12 Linebacker Tom Riley, St. Paul 6-3 220 12 Back Richard Barbosa, Montebello 5-11 170 12 Back Tom Gordon, St. Paul 6-2 175 12 Back Jose Soto, Downey 6-0 185 11