FOOTBALL ’89 : ALPHA LEAGUE

L.A. Baptist

COACH: Mark Bates, 1st year

LAST SEASON: 4-6; 5th in league, 1-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Knights will pull a switch of sorts in their backfield this year with senior Chris Robinson (5-10, 170) moving from tailback to quarterback and Danny Stepper moving from quarterback to all-purpose back, playing flanker and running back. The Knights will run an option offense, and junior Colin Van Buren (6-0, 180), last year’s fullback, will move to tailback. Filling the fullback position will be either Jeff Hampston (6-2, 185) or Joel Schlecht. Underlying these offensive changes is the fact that the Knights lost most of their linemen to graduation. Returning offensive lineman Alan Vanek (5-10, 175) will try to hold the fort. L.A. Baptist looks strong at receiver, though, with returning senior Kurt Rayners (5-11, 170) and first-year senior John Darby (6-3, 180). On defense, the prognosis is good. Hampston returns at linebacker and will team with sophomore Jeff Faller (6-2, 170). In the defensive backfield, Stepper and Robinson return.

OUTLOOK: In a league with Montclair Prep, the best L.A. Baptist can hope for is to be competitive. And that is what the coaching staff is hoping for. “We should be able to compete,” offensive coordinator Greg Frazier said. “We should be in the middle somewhere.”

Montclair Prep

COACH: George Giannini, 2nd year

LAST SEASON: 6-5; 1st in league, 4-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Mounties are, quite frankly, dripping with talent. Starting with the obvious, there is last year’s leading rusher in the Valley and, according to Super Prep magazine, the 10th-ranked running back in the nation--Michael Jones (6-2, 205). Giannini calls him “the best player in California.” Jones alone would be enough to terrorize the Alpha League, but the Mounties also will feature another top runner: junior transfer Derek Sparks (6-2, 210). Sparks, a fullback, comes with healthy credentials: As a sophomore at Banning, he was All-City and the state Sophomore Player of the Year. Add another transfer to the backfield, junior option quarterback Leland Sparks (5-10, 180)--Derek’s cousin who came from Texas--and you have one of the Valley’s most explosive trios. At receiver, Shad Knighton returns from last year and is joined by by Chatsworth transfer Jason Blatt (6-2, 225), who will play tight end. Montclair Prep boasts a large offensive line led by junior Donovan Roy (6-6, 260) and senior Bill Silletti (6-5, 250). Giannini feels that junior inside linebacker Neimad Durham (6-2, 225) is one of the league’s best. Also on defense, look for Leland Sparks to shine at safety. OUTLOOK: The Mounties are ranked No. 1 in Division IX in the Southern Section preseason poll, so winning the Alpha League should be just one step in what looks like a historic year for the school. “I really think that we have the possibility of being one of the best teams in the Valley,” Giannini said.

Village Christian

COACH: Mike Plaisance, 10th year

LAST SEASON: 8-2; 2nd in league, 3-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: While he is unsure about the Crusaders’ strength at the skill positions, Plaisance couldn’t be more pleased with his team’s situation on the lines. With the entire line from an offense that netted more than 3,000 yards last year returning, Plaisance will look for big things from senior guard Frank Castellucci (5-11, 185), whom he calls a “human highlight film.” Said Plaisance about center Andy Kaminski (5-10, 252): “He is beyond the shadow of a doubt the best center in the league.” The Crusaders should also get help from senior tackle Manny Albarca (5-10, 186). The skill positions suffer from lack of experience, however. Plaisance feels safe he has a future star in sophomore tailback Chad Everett (5-9, 150). The quarterback, senior Matt Bates, is inexperienced as are his receivers. On his defensive line, though, Plaisance touts senior Craig Fromel (6-2, 230) and Brett Wood (6-3, 272). At cornerback, newcomer Miles Brown, a sophomore, is “the quickest kid in the school.” Plaisance says whatever his linebackers lack in strength they make up for in brains. Jeff Agnor (5-11, 175) will be a mainstay at linebacker.

OUTLOOK: While Plaisance concedes that Montclair Prep is a runaway on paper, he still likes his team. “I’d like to think we have the ability,” he said. “I have 20 question marks at the skill positions. Our bright spot is the lines. It depends how well our skill positions--especially the running backs--come along.”