FOOTBALL ’89 : GOLDEN LEAGUE

Antelope Valley

COACH: Brent Newcomb, 12th year

LAST SEASON: 12-2; 2nd in league; 4-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior tailback-defensive back Wayne Walters (5-11 1/2, 180), a three-year starter and an all-league selection on defense last year, is the answer to everyone’s question: Who will replace sensational tailback Tommie Smith? “He’s got some tough shoes to fill,” Newcomb said. Tackle-nose guard Jade Freeman (6-1, 245), one of the league’s best, guard-linebacker Justin James (6-2 1/2, 220) and tight end-linebacker David Whitson (6-1, 180) are all seniors and returning starters. Senior center Tony Valencia (6-5 1/2, 215) and junior tackle-linebacker Jeremy Oliver (6-2, 220) each started five games last year. Senior Tony Abrams (6-2, 185) moves from backup to starting quarterback. “We like to play a lot of guys both ways,” Newcomb said. “But we’ll give them breathers at times.” Sophomore Freddy Edwards (6-1, 155), who joined the varsity as a flanker late last season, might be a major weapon. Senior transfer Brian Armstrong (6-2, 215) will add strength at linebacker; he placed third in the Oklahoma state wrestling championships last year. Senior outside linebacker Donny Gray (6-2, 168) competes in three sports: football, wrestling and track. Senior linebacker Les Williams (5-10, 175), who will double as the starting tailback, also wrestles. “We just have a lot of wrestlers,” Newcomb said. “We can tackle somebody.”

OUTLOOK: The Antelopes bagged their second Southern Section title in seven years last season, but without Tommie Smith they won’t be as explosive. Still, A.V. should be A-OK. Antelope Valley has not missed the playoffs this decade while compiling an 83-28-1 record. “Everybody is telling us, ‘Hey, it ended when Tommie Smith played his last game,’ ” Newcomb said. “We’ll see.” While talented players have flowed through the program, the school’s sophomore teams were a combined 1-18-1 the past two years.

Canyon

COACH: Harry Welch, 8th year

LAST SEASON: 11-3, 1st in league, 5-0

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Keep an eye on senior tailback Chris Peery, who rushed for 1,418 yards and 22 touchdowns last year. At 6-1, 216 pounds, Peery is about as difficult to overlook as he is to tackle. “He’s solid,” Welch said. “He’s improved and he’s looking forward to this season.” Senior Tim Beidle (5-10, 155), who performed well as a backup last season (7 of 12 for 94 yards and 1 touchdown), replaces Rod Baltau at quarterback. Senior Clint Beauer (6-3, 190, 51 catches, 823 yards, 6 touchdowns), who caught 11 passes for 143 yards in last year’s 28-22 loss to Antelope Valley in the Division II championship game, undoubtedly is a Division I prospect. Junior fullback David McDivitt (5-10, 175) and running back Mark Santos (5-8, 160), who filled in well for an injured Peery last year, will give the Cowboys a healthy running attack. Senior center Lenny Grimaldo (5-11, 190) played every game last year and junior guard John Artimovich (5-11, 212) moved into a late-season starting role. Senior all-league nose tackle Eric Hanes (5-11, 199) “can be quick and mean and nasty,” Welch said. Santos, a second-team all-league linebacker, is the only other returning starter on defense; junior linebacker Scott Blade (5-11, 178) joined the varsity during the playoffs. Sophomores Chuck Osborne (6-1, 197) and Craig Reiter (6-1, 195) and junior Sean Giacone (6-0, 193) add to a quick defensive line. Senior kicker Steve Mann (6-0, 170), who booted six field goals and 40 extra points last year, also returns.

OUTLOOK: Although Welch characteristically downplays this year’s team as young and inexperienced, Canyon likely will emerge as a league power. Under Welch, the Cowboys are 34-1 in league play. Peery and Beauer are among the best in the Valley at their positions and Welch always seems to develop a punishing defense. The Cowboys’ biggest obstacle is a challenging nonleague schedule that includes Hart, Bakersfield and Thousand Oaks.

Palmdale

COACH: Kent Bothwell, 1st year

LAST SEASON: 9-4; 3rd in league, 3-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Speed dominates the roster. Senior LaShante Parker (5-9, 180), a returning all-league tailback, is as explosive as they come. Parker rushed for 797 yards and 11 touchdowns in 118 carries (a 6.7-yard average) before being declared academically ineligible after nine games. “We’re going to give him the ball and let him run,” Bothwell said. Will Parker really double as middle linebacker? “He did it last year,” Bothwell said. Senior wide receiver Johnny Johnson (6-2, 175), another all-league selection, also is among the Valley area’s best--and fastest. Junior running backs Anthony Ortega (5-8, 160) and Keith Bennett (5-11, 180) each gained more than 1,000 yards for last year’s sophomore team, which was 8-2. Junior Rodney Williams (5-10, 170) and senior Joe Pica (6-0, 185) are battling for the quarterback job. Williams is the better runner, Pica the better passer. Seniors Curtis Leddy (6-1, 210) and Terry Gillie (6-2, 215) will return on the offensive line, and senior Eric Hines (5-11, 185), an all-league defensive end last season, returns on defense. Senior Darius Wilson (6-2, 175), a returning two-way starter, will play safety and wide receiver. “We want to stay away from playing two ways if we can,” Bothwell said. “But I imagine we will have to.” Many positions are still up for grabs. “We have a group of kids who look like pretty good athletes that need to step forward for us,” Bothwell said. Junior linebacker Adrian Benson (5-10, 205) already has. “He’s had an excellent summer and looks good in drills,” Bothwell said.

OUTLOOK: Palmdale can match talent with nearly anyone. “We’ll try to balance it between the pass and the run and utilize our personnel,” Bothwell said. “The makings are there.” The Falcons lost to both Canyon and Antelope Valley last season but still reached the Division II semifinals--where they lost to Antelope Valley. This year could be payback time. “All we can do is prepare ourselves,” Bothwell said.

Quartz Hill

COACH: John Albee, 22nd year

LAST SEASON: 3-7; 6th in league, 0-5

PLAYERS TO WATCH: An increase in enrollment--from about 1,800 to about 2,800--in the past three years has the Rebels “reaping those rewards,” Albee said. “If everything goes right, we should be a playoff team.” Uncertainty at quarterback, however, has never been the hallmark of any postseason team. Senior Loren Long (5-10, 180), a two-year starter at strong safety, is a strong possibility. But seniors Kendial Armstrong (5-9, 165), academically ineligible last year, and Cole McMahan (5-10, 165), who started five games last year, also are candidates. Sophomore tailback Erik Thomas (5-9, 170), who has run a 10.9 100 meters, Albee said, is among the league’s fastest backs. Wide receiver Rueben Romero (6-3, 190) and fullback Randy Wolfe (6-2, 210) are seniors and returning starters. Junior Josh Patterson (6-1, 190), a transfer from Palmdale, will start at tight end. Senior Anthony Hess (6-7, 285), a two-way tackle who transferred last year from North Dakota, could emerge as Division I material, but Albee plans to confine Hess to offensive duty this season. Senior Steve Seher (6-1, 230), a center-defensive tackle, and inside linebackers John Fechner (5-9, 165) and Jimmy Weese (5-10, 168), both seniors, move to starting roles. Kicker Chad Waters is a three-year performer.

OUTLOOK: With Antelope Valley, Canyon and Palmdale on the league schedule and improved competition at Saugus and Burroughs (Ridgecrest), Quartz Hill must struggle to escape the league cellar. Albee’s decision to switch from a run-and-shoot to a Power I is probably wise considering the Rebels’ lack of offensive diversity.

Saugus

COACH: Dick Flaherty, 3rd year

LAST SEASON: 1-8-1; 5th in league, 1-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Of the 48 players who turned out for the team in August, none are returning all-league selections. To make matters worse, junior quarterback Rob Weeg, whom Flaherty praised as strong-armed and talented, quit the team during summer practice. Juniors Jeff Hickman (5-11, 185), backup on the sophomore team last season, and Rob Davidson (5-8, 135), a converted wide receiver, are the prime candidates. Senior Mike Manuel (5-9, 165, 21 carries, 88 yards last season), who suffered a broken left wrist in a passing-league game, will play tailback. Senior wide receiver Pat Henry (5-10, 155) “runs great routes and has great hands,” Flaherty said. Three fullbacks--senior John Albert (5-10, 185), junior Louie Casper (5-11, 200) and sophomore John Lopata (5-10, 185) will share duty. Tight end Jerry Caruthers (6-3, 195) and linemen Russell Mangel (5-11, 210), Mike Barrett (5-11, 205) and Jeff Albert (6-0, 190) are all seniors. On defense, the Alberts--who are twins--will play the inside linebacker positions. Caruthers will play defensive end or outside linebacker. Junior Dan Caruthers (6-1, 195), Jerry’s brother, is the team’s best defensive lineman. Senior safety Shane Bullock (5-10, 155), a transfer from Arkansas, is an aggressive hitter. Manuel, along with junior Greg Wright (5-9, 160) will join the secondary.

OUTLOOK: Saugus has few returning players and no history of success. So what is there to be optimistic about? “I like our kids,” Flaherty said. “We don’t have any jerks. We’ve gained attitude-wise and strength-wise.” Saugus lacks team speed--something many league opponents have in abundance. Success will depend heavily on upsets. “The way I see it, we gotta knock off either Canyon, Palmdale or Antelope Valley and win the other two,” Flaherty said.