Reseda’s Move Up to 3-A Division Does Not Signify Team’s Downfall

Throughout the past two seasons, rival coaches questioned the legitimacy of Reseda’s membership in the City Section 2-A Division. And for good reason.

With Division I-bound players such as Ronald Wilkinson (Iowa State), David Wilson (Cal) and Sam Edwards (Arizona State), Reseda rolled to a 20-3 record.

The Regents’ 2-A days are over. The City realigned its leagues this spring and Reseda--City 2-A champion in 1986 and runner-up in 1987--is a member of the 3-A Division Mid-Valley League, which includes previous Sunset League teams Birmingham, Monroe and Van Nuys.

The switch does not necessarily signal a change in Reseda’s fortunes. The Regents enter the season as league favorites and again could play for a City title.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that they’re the team to beat,” Birmingham Coach Chick Epstein said.

Coley Kyman (6-5, 195), improved since last year, will again direct the Regents’ offense at quarterback.

“Defenses will have to play us much more honestly this year,” Coach Joel Schaeffer said. William Gaines (6-1, 190) and Aaron Brumfield (6-1, 205) will take over at tailback and fullback. They will run behind an offensive line that includes returning starters David Walker, Earl Negrete and Tuti Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, Brumfield and Henry Ray will lead the linebacking corps; Negrete, Walker and Darrick Moore (6-1, 210) will anchor the line and Herbert Benjamin heads the defensive backfield.

The race for the second and final playoff berth should be closer than the race for first.

Birmingham (4-5 in 1987) should prevail based on recent history. However, an improving Van Nuys team (3-5-1) could edge the Braves. Monroe will be strong again defensively--the Vikings allowed 13.8 points a game last season--but the offense is inexperienced.

Danny Larson (6-1, 180), a second-team All-Sunset League defensive back as a sophomore, will quarterback Birmingham’s offense as a junior. Myron Settle will be Larson’s No. 1 target at wide receiver.

The team’s best defensive player is Darnell Stringer (5-11, 200), whom Epstein considers the best nose guard he has coached in his nine seasons at Birmingham.

Van Nuys lost all-league running back Muhammad Zaid (1,014 yards) to graduation, but the Wolves are improved on the offensive line and have been impressed by tailback Russell Hester.

Curtis Scott (5-11, 190), who rushed for 207 yards in last year’s season finale, will carry the bulk of Monroe’s offensive load. End Reggie Anderson (5-10, 220) will lead the defense.

MID-VALLEY LEAGUE Predicted Finish 1. Reseda (9-0) 2. Van Nuys (5-4) 3. Birmingham (4-5) 4. Monroe (2-7) Predicted records in parentheses.