PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS 1988 : Physical Nature Distinguishes Linebacker Crop

Paul Koons pummels opposing players with the ferocity of a jackhammer. It is as though he wants to drive his man so far into the ground that only his cleats protrude.

But that is only half the fun for the Verdugo Hills High linebacker.

He gets the greatest pleasure out of taking a long gander at the victim’s face after he flattens him.

“He’ll have this look,” Koons said. “It’s a combination of fear and frustration and there’s nothing else like it.”

Koons, who was selected to the Times All-Glendale area football team, is one of this season’s bumper crop of linebackers. He’s also a fullback but says he prefers playing linebacker.

“I don’t know if linebacker is the toughest position but I know it’s the funnest,” he said.

Other Times All-Glendale linebackers agree.

“I’m not a violent person,” Jeff Dyrek of St. Francis said. “But when I hit . . . a feeling just occurs. I can feel it rushing through my body.”

Dyrek considers himself a defensive quarterback of sorts and calls all the alignments.

“You’re at the heart playing linebacker,” he said. “(It’s) where all the action goes. I’m a little nervous at first. But once that first play develops, I throw it all away.”

Crescenta Valley Coach Jim Beckenhauer says playing the position well requires more than just the tenacity of a lineman and the quickness of a defensive back.

“It takes a certain mental capacity,” he said. “It takes a linebacker’s mentality.”

Beckenhauer is well-versed in the psyche of good linebackers. Two of his own--Paul Wiley and Pat Kennelly--were selected to the Times team.

For a tough linebacker, few things are as exhilarating as mercilessly crushing a ballcarrier. Great linebackers long for brutal hits. Headaches from the pounding can linger long after a game.

But Kennelly’s physical sacrifices go far beyond playing with a headache. He has undergone extensive reconstructive surgery on both knees. Though he had to sit out last year and was hobbled this season, his intensity never wavered.

“His attitude is very rare,” assistant Alan Eberhart said of Kennelly. “Even when he was hurting we couldn’t keep him out. He’s all football. All business.”

Like Koons, Wiley gets a charge out of staring down offensive players.

“If I see a guy giving me a dirty look and he comes up the middle, I drill him,” Wiley said. “Usually, he won’t look at me again.”

Few feelings, Wiley says, rival that of intense contact.

“When you’re going full speed and you run into somebody knowing that you’re hurting him it’s great--but not in a mean way,” Wiley said.

Not in a mean way? Koons says he can’t shed the desire to hit now that his season has ended.

“Football takes out all of my aggressions and I’m starting to get mean now,” said Koons, who plans to play at a junior college for 2 years and then transfer to a 4-year school. “I don’t know why I have it but I do.”

Awards Ceremony

First-team players and their coaches and parents are invited to the Times football awards brunch, scheduled for 9 a.m. Sunday at the Anaheim Hilton.

The winners of the coach-of-the-year, back-of-the-year and lineman-of-the-year awards will be announced for each team at the brunch.

RECEIVERS

Although hampered by nagging injuries, Chad Infranca still managed to make 46 catches for 628 yards and 5 touchdowns. Infranca, an All-City Section selection last year, finishes his 3-year career at Franklin with 109 receptions for 1,665 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Lamar Lovett, another Franklin player, caught 26 passes for 456 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also started at cornerback and had 7 interceptions. Lovett maintains a 3.7 grade-point average.

La Canada tight end Greg Thompson caught 28 passes for 468 yards and 2 touchdowns. Thompson also figured prominently in the Spartan ground game. “Whenever we needed a first down, we’d run right behind him,” Coach Nic Larez said. “Our plays would go right at his back.”

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Glendale’s John Garrett might be the most heavily recruited player in the area. The senior tackle seemed to play his best games against the toughest opponents. Coach Don Shoemaker says Garrett’s performance against Pasadena tackle Terry McDaniels, a preseason All-American pick, pushed up his Division I stock tremendously.

St. Francis Coach Terry Terrazone calls Fred Hughes, “the heart of our offensive line.” Hughes, a two-time All-Del Rey second-team selection, was a stalwart in an otherwise injury-riddled Knight line.

Coach Jim Beckenhauer says Crescenta Valley offensive tackle Darren Haines was easily the best of the Falcon linemen. “He never missed a down and we didn’t have anyone to play behind him,” Beckenhauer said. “He was the one kid who we never had to worry about missing his assignment.”

Franklin Coach Armando Gonzalez says David Jackson is the Panthers’ best blocker. Jackson, who played on the 1986 and 1987 City championship teams, was a major contributor to Lamont Lovett’s success and blocked for Santiago Alvarez, who passed for more than 1,700 yards.

Though he was slowed by cartilage damage in his knee, Joe Graciano had an exceptional year at center for Glendale. “A lot of kids wouldn’t play (with the knee injury), but he’s a tough kid,” Shoemaker said. Shoemaker added that Graciano has a knack for knowing where to effectively position the defender and has the strength and quick feet to sustain his blocks.

QUARTERBACK

Sid Oxford of Marshall was named offensive player of the year by the majority of coaches in his conference. Oxford, a team captain, completed 100 of 234 passes for 1,526 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also was named Marshall’s most valuable player.

RUNNING BACKS

Lamont Lovett ended the regular season with 1,798 yards and was the No. 2 rusher in the state. Lovett, who finished with 2,203 yards in 292 carries and 23 touchdowns for Franklin, was the first L. A. City back to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season, according to Cal-Hi Sports. That distinction places him above backs such as Charles White and Mike Garrett, both Heisman Trophy winners. Lovett, who says he is being recruited by several Pacific 10 Conference schools, also caught 22 passes for 315 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Glendale fullback Rafik Thorossian was the Dynamiters’ workhorse this year with 705 yards in 118 carries and 30 receptions for 403 yards. Thorossian, an All-Pacific League selection, led Glendale backs with 6 touchdowns.

KICKER

Despite having 3 punts blocked, Verdugo Hills’ punter Bob Yerby managed the third-highest average in the City (35.8 yards). Yerby, who also started at tailback, rushed for 404 yards in 92 carries, scored 7 touchdowns and threw for 2 more.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Eddie Aguilar of St. Francis was a standout on defense with 81 tackles--second on the team. Aguilar is interested in playing for the University of Santa Clara or the University of San Diego.

Because of Thang Hua’s size and aggressive play, the opposition often was forced to double- and triple-team him. That freed others in Franklin’s defense, which was rated No. 1 in the City. Hua, a junior who maintains a 3.5 GPA, had 40 tackles and recovered 2 fumbles.

George Watson, an all-conference selection, anchors the Marshall line. Watson was named the team’s defensive lineman of the year in 1986 and 1988 and best offensive lineman in 1987.

LINEBACKERS

Verdugo Hills Coach Bill Novikoff says that Paul Koons is the best all-around player he has coached. Koons notched 117 tackles in 9 games. He had 7 sacks, caused 6 fumbles and recovered 4. In addition, Koons, who played nearly every minute , started at fullback and led the Dons with 485 yards in 78 carries and 5 touchdowns. He was also the team’s leading receiver with 24 catches for 266 yards.

Crescenta Valley had 2 exceptional linebackers in Paul Wiley and Pat Kennelly. Wiley, a unanimous all-league selection, led the Falcons with 103 tackles. He was a co-captain and played a key role on special teams. Kennelly, who underwent reconstructive surgery on both knees before this season, was second to Wiley with 93 tackles. The junior was the Falcons’ defensive signal-caller.

Jeff Dyrek called all the defenses and adjustments for St. Francis. Dyrek led St. Francis in tackles (98) and had 2 interceptions.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Franklin’s George Porras emerged as the top defensive back in the Glendale area. Porras, a two-year starter for the Panthers, caused 4 fumbles and recovered 3. He also returned 1 of his 4 interceptions for a touchdown.

Jesus Plascencia, leading tackler for the Barristers (59), also caught 10 passes for 184 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Javier Pimentel, an all-league selection at strong safety, often was asked to play linebacker in the Falcons’ defensive scheme. He might have made his biggest impact on special teams, however.

Opposing quarterbacks found throwing to St. Francis defensive back Manny Bravo’s side dangerous--Bravo had 3 interceptions. But opposing punters found kicking to his side deadly--he averaged more than 20 yards a return and scored on returns of 94 and 72 yards.

PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS 1988: First Team

OFFENSE Name: John Garrett Position: Lineman School: Glendale Height: 6-4 Weight: 250 Year: Senior Name: Darren Haines Position: Lineman School: Crescenta Valley Height: 6-2 Weight: 220 Year: Senior Name: Fred Hughes Position: Lineman School: St. Francis Height: 6-0 Weight: 225 Year: Senior Name: David Jackson Position: Lineman School: Franklin Height: 5-11 Weight: 280 Year: Senior Name: Joe Graciano Position: Lineman School: Glendale Height: 5-10 Weight: 210 Year: Senior Name: Sid Oxford Position: Quarterback School: Marshall Height: 6-4 Weight: 195 Year: Senior Name: Lamont Lovett Position: Back School: Franklin Height: 6-1 Weight: 190 Year: Senior Name: Rafik Thorossian Position: Back School: Glendale Height: 6-1 Weight: 210 Year: Senior Name: Greg Thompson Position: Tight End School: La Canada Height: 6-4 Weight: 215 Year: Senior Name: Chad Infranca Position: Wide Receiver School: Franklin Height: 5-10 Weight: 170 Year: Senior Name: Lamar Lovett Position: Wide Receiver School: Franklin Height: 5-9 Weight: 170 Year: Junior Name: Bob Yerby Position: Punter School: Verdugo Hills Height: 5-10 Weight: 165 Year: Senior PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS 1988: First Team

DEFENSE Name: Eddie Aguilar Position: Lineman School: St. Francis Height: 6-1 Weight: 185 Year: Senior Name: Thang Hua Position: Lineman School: Franklin Height: 6-2 Weight: 225 Year: Junior Name: George Watson Position: Lineman School: Marshall Height: 6-0 Weight: 235 Year: Senior Name: Paul Wiley Position: Linebacker School: Crescenta Valley Height: 6-2 Weight: 190 Year: Senior Name: Paul Koons Position: Linebacker School: Verdugo Hills Height: 5-11 Weight: 215 Year: Senior Name: Jeff Dyrek Position: Linebacker School: St. Francis Height: 6-1 Weight: 210 Year: Senior Name: Pat Kennelly Position: Linebacker School: Crescenta Valley Height: 6-0 Weight: 190 Year: Junior Name: Manny Bravo Position: Back School: St. Francis Height: 6-1 Weight: 185 Year: Senior Name: Jesus Plascencia Position: Back School: Marshall Height: 5-10 Weight: 170 Year: Senior Name: George Porras Position: Back School: Franklin Height: 5-9 Weight: 160 Year: Senior Name: Javier Pimentel Position: Back School: Crescenta Valley Height: 5-8 Weight: 150 Year: Junior PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS 1988: Second Team

OFFENSE

Name School Position Height Weight Year Mike McDonagh Verdugo Hills OL 5-10 190 11 Marcus Klein St. Francis OL 6-0 205 12 Albert Ocon Glendale OL 6-2 260 10 Richard Humphrey Hoover OL 6-0 180 11 Santiago Alvarez Franklin QB 5-10 160 11 Luis Rodriguez Verdugo Hills QB 5-11 175 12 Peter Morales St. Francis RB 6-0 195 11 Erik Messal Hoover RB 6-2 205 12 Lucio Solano Franklin TE 5-11 170 12 Miguel Osorio Marshall WR 5-8 160 11 Michael Rotondi Hoover WR 6-0 160 12 Bryan Kochner Eagle Rock K 6-3 225 12

DEFENSE

Name School Position Height Weight Year Matt Smith St. Francis DL 6-2 190 12 David Bartl Crescenta Valley DL 6-1 275 12 Robert Marceau Hoover DL 6-2 195 12 Kent Progar La Canada DL 5-8 165 12 Gabriel Lopez Franklin LB 5-11 195 12 Eddie Escobar Glendale LB 5-8 175 12 Sergio Galvez Franklin LB 5-8 170 12 Tony Polino Glendale DB 6-0 185 12 James Francis La Canada DB 6-2 185 12 Mark Garza Hoover DB 6-0 170 11 Corey White Glendale DB 6-0 170 11