City Western Football Preview : Teams Will Try to Pass by La Jolla

Gene Edwards has been a head football coach for 28 years, the past 21 at La Jolla High School. As the only coach who has been around for all 11 years of the City Western League, he has seen a few changes.

Specifically, there’s a lot more passing today than 10 years ago. But not from La Jolla.

“We haven’t changed very much over the years,” he said. “We’ll probably throw a few more (passes) than we used to but not that many more. I figure if you can’t control the football, you’re not going to win football games.”

Somewhere, Woody Hayes is smiling. Three yards and a cloud of dust isn’t dead. Rare, but not dead. The rest of the coaches in the City West abide by a newer philosophy, establishing the pass and mixing in an occasional run to keep defenses honest.

Kearny, University City, Clairemont and Mission Bay all are likely to put the ball up at least 50% of the time. University, traditionally a running team under fourth-year Coach Ron Hamamoto, might turn to the pass more this season after losing starting running back Bryan DuPlessis (broken foot) this summer.

La Jolla, which has made the playoffs more consistently than any other league team, is the defending champion after an undefeated league season in ’87. Edwards says he is rebuilding, returning just two starters. But considering his experience and the Vikings’ history of finishing near the top, they won’t be overlooked.

Competition in the City West has been fairly even over the years. That’s a nice change, Edwards said, from games before the league was formed.

“Up until that time, we had to beat our heads against all the big schools,” he said. “I think our league has been very balanced.”

University City

Last season’s record: 1-7-1, 0-4-1 league.

Finish: Sixth.

Coach: Steve Vukojevich.

Top returners: Erik Taylor (6-6, 245, Sr., OT), Darnes Taylor (6-1, 190, Sr., RB), Ken Holland (6-1, 200, Sr., LB).

Top newcomers: Courtney Griffen (5-8, 160, Jr., RB), Mark Hittinger (6-1, 220, Jr., OT).

Outlook: Took a beating last year with inexperienced starters, but returns 19 players who saw action in ’87. Good team speed, talent at the skill positions and an athletic, versatile quarterback in Anthony Hill. Average size on both offense and defense. Injuries could pose problems; Vukojevich says Centurions’ biggest weakness is lack of depth. University City has a split backfield on offense.

Mission Bay

Last season’s record: 2-8, 1-4 league.

Finish: Fifth.

Coach: Dennis Pugh.

Top returners: Brian Miranda (5-10, 170, Sr., QB/DB), Jason Surdy (6-1, 190, Sr., TE/LB), Keith Berkeley (6-3, 190, Sr., WR/LB), Nick Krause (6-1, 220, Sr., OG).

Top newcomer: Pat Betancourt (5-11, 170, Jr., QB/DB/K).

Outlook: Miranda will be called upon to pass a lot. Fifteen players return, with good experience at the skill positions, but the Buccaneers are thin on the offensive and defensive lines. Overall depth is a concern; there are just 25 players on the varsity, and fourth-quarter fatigue could be a factor against bigger, deeper teams such as Kearny and University.

Clairemont

Last season’s record: 4-5-1, 1-3-1 league.

Finish: Fourth.

Coach: Hal Krupens.

Top returners: Ray McDavid (6-3, 175, Sr. WR/QB), Jeff Davis (5-11, 170, Sr. QB/CB), John Cummings (6-1, 205, Sr. FB/LB).

Top newcomers: James Christianson (5-11, 185, Jr., FB), Sean Clark (6-0, 175, Jr., DE).

Outlook: Krupens had his best turnout for tryouts this season, but depth at the skill positions is still a concern. The Chieftains plan to pass frequently. Krupens has a stack of mail on his desk from Division I schools interested in McDavid, arguably among the top wide receiver prospects in the county. Much will depend on Davis’ ability to get him the ball. The Chieftains’ defense is a strength, and Krupens likes his team’s overall quickness.

Kearny

Last season’s record: 3-7, 3-2 league.

Finish: Third.

Coach: Willie Matson.

Top returners: Tom Rawlins (6-2, 190, Jr., QB), Tosh Huguley (5-10, 185, Jr., RB), Mark Hood (6-0, 170, Sr. DB/WB), Cecil Austin (5-10, 210, Sr., C/LB).

Top newcomers: Steve Huff (6-1, 160, Jr., WR/DB), Pete Pele (5-10, 280, Sr., OT).

Outlook: Matson is optimistic, and from the looks of this team, he has good reason to be. The consensus among league coaches is that Kearny is the team to beat. Team speed is excellent. The running game should be strong. Rawlins’ passing ability will provide the Komets with a balanced attack. The offensive line averages 220 pounds, but Matson says it’s his team’s biggest question. Kearny appears to have improved in all areas, including leadership. Matson has good blend of coaches, including former head coach Tom Barnett, the defensive coordinator.

La Jolla

Last season’s record: 9-1, 5-0 league.

Finish: First.

Coach: Gene Edwards.

Top returners: Mike Huddleston (6-1, 210, Sr., LB/FB), Luke Williams (6-2, 240, Sr., OT), Eric Litch (6-1, 185, Sr. OLB/TE), Kevin Anderson (5-11, 185, Sr., OLB/TB).

Top newcomer: Greg Davis (6-2, 237, Sr., OT), Davey Berteaux (5-11, 160, Sr., CB/WR).

Outlook: Only two starters return from last year’s league champion. Edwards hopes his players learn quickly. “The kids are going to find out what varsity football is like,” he said. Defense, particularly the linebackers, looked strong during preseason workouts. Inexperience of the secondary remains a concern. Overall team quickness is good. Offensively, the Vikings are virtually untested. A lot will depend on the development of first-year starting quarterback Fred Dela Vega.

University

Last season’s record: 9-1, 4-1 league.

Finish: Second.

Coach: Ron Hamamoto.

Top returners: Tony Moeder (6-3, 180, Sr., FS/RB), Steve Walker (5-10, 170, Sr., CB/RB), Anthony Massa (6-1, 180, Sr., QB), Matt Miller (6-4, 220, Jr., DT).

Top newcomers: Bobby Tubbs (6-3, 210, Jr., LB), Vince Guerrero (6-0, 180, Jr., LB).

Outlook: Hamamoto says this is the biggest team he’s had at University. The Dons don’t have a lot of speed, but Hamamoto welcomes the alternative to last year, when his team was small and slow. Dons will expect big things from Massa, a three-year starter at quarterback.