PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS 1988 : Bell Gardens, El Rancho Top All-Southeast List

Whitmont League powers Bell Gardens and El Rancho each placed five players on The Times Southeast All-Star High School Football Team.

The selections are a reflection of the successful seasons the two teams have had--Bell Gardens was league champion and finished 11-1, while El Rancho, league runner-up, is 11-2 and has reached the CIF Southern Section playoff finals.

La Mirada and Warren each have three players on the team that was selected by sports writers based on a poll of coaches.

First-team players from throughout Southern California will be honored at a breakfast and awards ceremony at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Anaheim Hilton, 777 Convention Way. The featured speaker will be UC Berkeley football Coach Bruce Snyder.

The All-Southeast team:

OFFENSE

David Ramos, lineman, Bell Gardens--This powerful 255-pound, drive-blocking tackle was offensive lineman of the year in the Whitmont League. Almost 80% of the Lancers’ plays were run behind Ramos, who started the last 26 games of his career.

Chris Andresen, lineman, Warren--Blocking is the specialty of Andresen, who moves well for a 285-pound tackle. A strong, hard-working junior, he is expected to be a factor next season on defense as well as offense.

Memo Watkins, lineman, Bell Gardens--Although a junior, Watkins is called “the best guard I’ve coached here” by Bell Gardens Coach Dave Newell. A possessor of great agility, Watkins was the pulling guard on sweeps. “He destroyed people,” Newell said.

David Lopez, lineman, El Rancho--”Scientists say bumblebees shouldn’t be able to fly because their wings are too small, so we call Lopez ‘bumblebee,’ ” El Rancho Coach Dick Shelko said. The 5-foot-7, 238-pound Lopez does not look like he should be a quick, outstanding blocker, but is. “He plays like a giant,” Shelko said.

Anthony Cruz, lineman, El Rancho--A team captain, the 6-4, 227-pound Cruz used his attitude and strength to become a steady tackle. In a playoff victory over Ramona, Cruz dominated bigger players. “He’s a potential college player because he’s still in the growth cycle,” Shelko said.

Jess Gonzalez, tight end, El Rancho--In the Dons’ wing-T offense, most of the plays were run toward Gonzalez, who had to block the defensive tackle. His leg strength enabled him to do the job well. He also was a clutch receiver. His grade-point average is above 3.

Greg Willig, quarterback, St. Paul--The sixth member of the Willig family to play for the Swordsmen, he was the Angelus League’s offensive MVP of the year, completing 132 of 253 passes for 1,739 yards and 12 touchdowns. “Along with his strong arm, he is a great leader and very intelligent,” St. Paul Coach Miguel Olmedo said. At 6 feet 6, he was able to set up in the pocket and read defenses well.

Charles Levy, quarterback, Lynwood--He amassed 2,496 yards in total offense and scored 18 TDs. He also was brilliant as a kickoff returner, a punt returner, a defensive back and a wide receiver. Lynwood Coach Joe Hembrick said Levy improved his passing this season, throwing for 760 yards although receivers often dropped the ball.

Ralph De LaTorre, back, El Rancho--A 3-year starter, De LaTorre gained 1,500 yards and scored 25 TDs this season. Mostly, he ran trap plays up the middle, spinning, rolling off blocks, driving, refusing to go down. He also excelled on defense and was voted by his teammates as the Dons’ most valuable player.

Rudy Ramirez, back, Bell Gardens--So shifty that no one got a real shot at him, the 145-pound Ramirez ran for 1,071 yards and was fifth in the state in scoring with 23 touchdowns. He caught four passes for TDs and returned three punts for scores.

Mike Valenzuela, wide receiver, Montebello--Although he was All-Whitmont League as a tight end, Valenzuela was also effective as a wide-out. He caught 29 passes for 475 yards and 2 TDs. “Anything close to him he catches,” Montebello Coach Doug Rihn said.

Scott Yamasaki, kicker, Warren--Very effective from 30 yards and closer, Yamasaki kicked 13 field goals. One of 42 yards. He also served as a defensive back and receiver.

DEFENSE

Mickey Jackson, lineman, La Mirada--Opponents tried to run away from him whenever possible, but the 6-5, 285-pound Jackson still had 68 tackles and 8 quarterback sacks. “If he had the grades he could go anywhere in the country,” La Mirada Coach John Mele said of Jackson, the defensive lineman of the year in the Suburban League.

Chris Grajales, El Rancho--The strongest and quickest of the Dons’ linemen, Grajales was known for his charges off the line of scrimmage. “He recognizes blocking patterns well and he’ll fight through double-teams,” Dons coach Shelko said of Grajales, co-leader of the team in sacks with 10.

Darrell Brooks, lineman, Warren--A strong, extremely quick tackle effective in pursuit, Brooks was in on 90 tackles and had 9 sacks for Coach John Hennigan’s Bears.

Musio Garcia, linebacker, Bell Gardens--Very quick and aggressive, he led the Lancers with 87 tackles and had 7 sacks. “A striker,” Lancers coach Newell said of Garcia, who weighs only 154 pounds.

Chuck Ortega, linebacker, St. Paul--”He seemed to be in on every play,” Swordsmen coach Olmedo said of Ortega, who had 120 tackles. Very smart, instinctive and hard hitting, Ortega was the most valuable defensive player in the Angelus League.

Archie Rodriguez, linebacker, Artesia--A weight room regular in the off-season, Rodriguez led the Pioneers in tackles and had three interceptions. He started for three seasons and was all-league the last two years. “A pretty remarkable player,” Artesia Coach Norm Flowers said.

Cesar Burgueno, linebacker, Schurr--He had 87 tackles, 39 assists, 8 sacks and 4 fumble recoveries for Schurr’s playoff team. He also gained 1,048 yards and scored 10 TDs as a running back, and caught 15 passes for 190 yards. “He has a tremendous knowledge of football,” Coach Ken Davis said.

Chris McHenry, linebacker, La Mirada--”He made things happen for us all year,” Mele said of McHenry, a 2-year starter who had 94 tackles and 2 interceptions this season. McHenry, one of the Matadores captains, also is a good student.

Scott Hart, back, La Mirada--Fast and a good hitter, Hart had 48 tackles and 8 interceptions. Toward the end of the season, teams passed to the other side of the field. Hart was all-league two years in a row.

Mike Gilliam, back, Bell Gardens--He set a school record with 11 interceptions. He also had 56 tackles and was the league’s defensive back of the year. As a wide receiver, he caught 40 passes for 651 yards and 3 TDs, and he ran the reverse play 12 times for 107 yards. “Probably our best all-around player,” Newell said.

Wallace Weatherspoon, back, Artesia--Against Bellflower, he set a school record for tackle points (tackles, fumble recoveries, interceptions and big hits) with 38. He led the team in interceptions with five, returning one 99 yards for a TD.

PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS 1988: First Team

OFFENSE Name: David Ramos Position: Lineman School: Bell Gardens Height: 6-3 Weight: 255 Year: Senior Name: Chris Andresen Position: Lineman School: Warren Height: 6-4 Weight: 285 Year: Junior Name: Memo Watkins Position: Lineman School: Bell Gardens Height: 5-11 Weight: 240 Year: Junior Name: David Lopez Position: Lineman School: El Rancho Height: 5-7 Weight: 238 Year: Senior Name: Anthony Cruz Position: Lineman School: El Rancho Height: 6-4 Weight: 227 Year: Senior Name: Jess Gonzalez Position: Tight End School: El Rancho Height: 6-3 Weight: 205 Year: Senior Name: Greg Willig Position: Quarterback School: St. Paul Height: 6-6 Weight: 205 Year: Senior Name: Charles Levy Position: Quarterback School: Lynwood Height: 6-1 Weight: 175 Year: Junior Name: Ralph De LaTorre Position: Back School: El Rancho Height: 5-8 Weight: 172 Year: Senior Name: Rudy Ramirez Position: Back School: Bell Gardens Height: 5-7 Weight: 145 Year: Senior Name: Mike Valenzuela Position: Wide Receiver School: Montebello Height: 6-0 Weight: 185 Year: Senior Name: Scott Yamasaki Position: Kicker School: Warren Height: 5-10 Weight: 150 Year: Senior PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS 1988: First Team

DEFENSE Name: Mickey Jackson Position: Lineman School: La Miarada Height: 6-5 Weight: 285 Year: Senior Name: Chris Grajales Position: Lineman School: El Rancho Height: 6-0 Weight: 240 Year: Senior Name: Darrell Brooks Position: Lineman School: Warren Height: 6-1 Weight: 210 Year: Senior Name: Musio Garcia Position: Linebacker School: Bell Gardens Height: 5-9 Weight: 154 Year: Senior Name: Chuck Ortega Position: Linebacker School: St. Paul Height: 6-0 Weight: 205 Year: Senior Name: Archie Rodriguez Position: Linebacker School: Artesia Height: 6-2 Weight: 180 Year: Senior Name: Cesar Burgueno Position: Linebacker School: Schurr Height: 5-9 Weight: 185 Year: Senior Name: Chris McHenry Position: Linebacker School: La Mirada Height: 6-1 Weight: 210 Year: Senior Name: Scott Hart Position: Back School: La Mirada Height: 5-10 Weight: 160 Year: Senior Name: Mike Gilliam Position: Back School: Bell Gardens Height: 5-11 Weight: 175 Year: Senior Name: Wallace Weatherspoon Position: Back School: Artesia Height: 5-10 Weight: 145 Year: Senior PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS 1988: Second Team

OFFENSE

Name School Position Height Weight Year Jernay Cannon Artesia OL 5-11 195 12 Mark Koenig La Mirada OL 6-5 220 12 John Stephens Bell Gardens OL 5-11 195 12 Morris Taylor Artesia TE 6-2 215 12 Mike Simmons Bellflower QB 6-2 180 12 Ivan Wilson South Gate RB 5-11 165 11 Shawn Jones Bellflower RB 6-1 180 12 Jose Soto Downey RB 6-0 190 12 Ron Papazian Whittier Christian RB 6-2 225 11 Miguel Cortez Montebello WR 6-0 170 11 Jesse Carrillo El Rancho K 5-6 141 11

DEFENSE

Name School Position Height Weight Year Puna Peko Whittier DL 6-2 250 11 Dan Garcia Santa Fe DL 6-3 270 12 Eric Neal Santa Fe DL 6-0 220 12 Richard Ramirez Montebello DL 6-0 173 12 Chris Emch Whittier DL 6-7 205 11 Dennis Heath Mayfair LB 5-11 190 12 Frank Ozuna El Rancho LB 5-9 173 11 Sean Rattray Schurr LB 5-9 170 12 Hector Ortega Bell Gardens DB 6-0 175 11 Kelly Orozco El Rancho DB 5-11 160 12 Fred Morales El Rancho DB 5-11 148 12