‘Quality People Backing Quality People’ : Deeper Southwest Opens on Road

L.A. Southwest lost several top players from last year’s 5-5 club, but a host of talented freshmen and 20 returners give the Cougars the most depth they’ve had since football was reinstated three years ago.

“It’s exciting to have a full roster,” said Coach Henry Washington. “We’ll have quality people backing up quality people. Hopefully we can be a bit more competitive.”

Last year Southwest finished fourth in the six-member Western State Conference, which includes nationally ranked Bakersfield (No. 1) and Glendale (No. 17).

This season the Cougars should do better despite the loss of quarterback Herman Tatum, who led the league with 1,669 yards passed and 14 touchdowns, and wide receiver Tim Campbell (30 catches, 493 yards).

Leuzinger freshman Craig Manigo (5-foot-9, 160 pounds) will start at quarterback on Saturday at 1 p.m. when the Cougars open at Rio Hondo. Mark White (Washington High) will be the backup.

Sophomores Ansel Littlejohn and Damon Beckom will be the key wide receivers since sophomore Jesse Galloway (10 receptions, 176 yards, two touchdowns) is out with a torn ligament. Last year Littlejohn caught 11 passes for two touchdowns. Beckom was a second-string receiver at Glendale.

Washington says his team will do a lot of running despite inexperienced backs. Southwest’s top man is freshman tailback Damon Whitmore (Leuzinger).

“It’s going to be an uphill battle with our offense,” Washington said, “because we’re very young, but we do have a lot of talent.”

Southwest’s offensive line will be led by all-WSC guard Tim McDaniel (6-0, 300), who will be joined by tackle Bryant Williams (6-3, 300) from Dorsey High), center Anthony Fluellen (6-1, 255) and tight end David Crawfield (6-3, 230).

Defensively the Cougars are stronger with returning linemen Joe Kerny (6-2, 215), Ray Bolden (6-1, 230), Bernard Dafney (6-6, 300) and Clidell Gipson (6-2, 250).

Sophomore cornerback Lorenzo Dickman, a second-team all-state selection last year, will lead the secondary.