Two Teams With New Coach, New Quarterback Try Luck in New League

Two of Orange County’s small schools--Southern California Christian and Capistrano Valley Christian--welcome the 1988 season with new coaches, new quarterbacks and even a new league. The other two teams--Orange Lutheran and Whittier Christian--remain virtually unchanged from last season.

Either way, the outlook is optimistic for all.

Southern California Christian, 1-4 in the Olympic League last season, moves to the newly created Arrowhead League. So does Capistrano Valley Christian, which left the Olympic League two years ago and played a free-lance schedule last season.

The Arrowhead League--comprised of Leffingwell Christian, La Verne Christian, Capistrano Valley Christian, Sherman Indian, California School for the Deaf at Riverside as well as SCC and CVC--features six schools with an enrollment average of 280 students.

For Southern California Christian (enrollment 270) and Capistrano Valley Christian (enrollment 240), Arrowhead League competition might provide much-needed relief from the highly competitive Olympic League, with an average enrollment of 470 per school.

“The Arrowhead League seemed to fit perfectly in our size category,” Bob Denson, Capistrano Valley Christian’s first-year coach, said. “I think it’ll be a good move for our program.”

Rick Hayes, who replaces Dave DeWoody as head coach at Southern California Christian, agreed.

“In the Arrowhead League, I feel we have a very good chance (for success),” he said. “In the Olympic League, it was like playing a championship game every week.”

Orange Lutheran Coach Bob Dowding knows the feeling. As does Whittier Christian Coach Phil Bravo.

According to Dowding and Bravo, little has changed in the Olympic League since last season. Their teams, along with Valley Christian of Cerritos, are once again picked to battle for the league title.

Orange Lutheran’s success again probably will depend upon the effectiveness of option quarterback Jason Neben, who rushed for 1,090 yards and passed for 792 last year.

Whittier Christian, the defending league champion, looks even stronger this year with 13 starters returning, including quarterback Rich Earlywine, the league’s best passer.

A closer look:

CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN--With nine starters returning--that’s half of the 18-member varsity team--the Eagles are looking good. Especially when you consider that all nine play both ways.

“There’s reallly no such thing in our program as a one-way player,” Denson said.

Though the Eagles lost both quarterback Ty Carney and wide receiver Ray George to graduation last season, Denson has great confidence in fast-improving Bret Biegert, who was the backup quarterback and a defensive back last season.

“Bret’s got a good strong arm, quick feet, and he’s a great leader,” Denson said. “He’s the type of individual where if you were looking for all the right ingredients for a great quarterback, he’d be it. We’re real high on him.”

The Eagles plan on a balanced attack, going with Biegert’s younger brother, sophomore Brian Biegert, at tailback and senior Bret Thomas at wide receiver.

Tight end Jason Rodarmal, up from the junior varsity, and fullback Ken Guddy also figure into the Eagles’ offensive strategies.

Tackles Dan Vanpelt and Kevin Green, and guard Eric Shelmidine return to provide Capistrano Valley Christian with a strong line, both offensively and defensively.

“We do look very crisp, especially because there’s so many returners on the line, and our passing game’s so improved,” Denson said. “I think we’ll be very competitive.”

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHRISTIAN--Though the Flames have only four starters returning, Coach Rick Hayes is optimistic, especially now that SCC is out of the Olympic League.

“I don’t think this team (could have) survived the Olympic League this year,” he said.

That’s not to say the Flames are weak. Most Arrowhead League coaches say they expect good competition from Southern California Christian, based on their Olympic League experience alone.

Hayes points to tight end Jason Park and offensive guard and linebacker Eric Buzzone as the team’s top prospects.

Park, who Hayes calls a potential Division I player, is 6-foot 5-inches and 250 pounds, and has caught the interest of USC, UCLA and California. Last year, Park was used mostly as a blocking back as the Flames kept their offense ground-oriented.

“We didn’t throw to him very much last year, but we will now,” Hayes said. “He’s gonna run over those little backs. He could be one of best tight ends in the county.”

Buzzone, a 6-0, 190 junior, is improving rapidly and may be one of the league’s best hitters, according to Hayes.

Senior Wade Bowe will quarterback the Flames. Bowe will look to receivers Matt Petty and Kyung Kim, the fastest on the team with 4.6 time in the 40.

ORANGE LUTHERAN--The Lancers have no secret in Neben, a strong, quick and elusive quarterback who’s rushed for more than 2,000 yards in two seasons--last year as quarterback and his sophomore year as tailback.

“He’s our strength this season--everybody knows that,” Dowding said.

But Neben’s not the Lancers’ only strength. Senior David Spoolstra returns at fullback and junior Gil Green returns at tailback, providing Orange Lutheran will a talented running attack.

Although the Lancers have only five starters returning--they lost all-league performers Tim McCann at tight end, Todd Lorenz at outside linebacker, and Gaylord Green at wide receiver--Dowding said the upcoming newcomers have the talent to fill the vacancies.

“On paper, I’d pick (Whittier Christian and Valley Christian) to finish first or second,” Dowding said. “But we look pretty good. I hope to be in there for at least second, if not first.”

WHITTIER CHRISTIAN--With 13 starters returning, the Heralds might have the slight edge in the close Olympic League race.

Whittier Christian, which lost in the semifinals to eventual Inland Conference champion Carpenteria last season, has the largest enrollment of the Olympic League schools at 800.

The Heralds have good overall team speed, strength and experience, Bravo said, but . . .

“I wouldn’t really say that we’ll be the overwhelming power.”

Rich Earlywine may challenge Orange Lutheran’s Neben as the league’s best quarterback. Where Neben’s strength is in the option, Earlywine’s is in the passing game.

“We’ll use everything in the book except the option,” Bravo said. “We’ll experiment with everything until we find the right offense. Rich is an exceptional (Doug) Flutie-type of quarterback. He’s very capable.”

Whittier Christian may have the league’s best offensive line returning as well. It consists of Rob Diaz, a 6-3, 195 tight end; Adam Tafoya, a 6-0, 210 tackle; Jon Caffrey, a 5-11, 250 guard, and Derek Franco, a 5-11, 235 junior guard.

Also returning is versatile Sergio Gradilla, who will play tailback, wide receiver, wingback and safety. He return punts and kickoffs as well.

“We have the tools to be competitive,” Bravo said. “And you’ve got to feel good about that.”

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEWS

SMALL SCHOOLS

1987 Overall, League Record in Parenthesis

SCHOOL ’88 COMMENT Whittier Christian (9-4, 4-1) Quarterback Rich Earlywine league’s best passer Orange Lutheran (6-4, 3-2) Will build around quarterback Jason Neben Southern Cal. Christian (4-6, 1-4) Little depth, but talent at skill positions Capistrano Valley Christian (4-6) Nine starters return, including both lines